VehicleVerdict

2013 Ford Fusion engine problems

The 2013 Ford Fusion has 449 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

449

Engine complaints

19%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

17V209000EngineMarch 27, 2017 · 208,584 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and leak oil.

Consequence

If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017. The recall began on January 5, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S09.

12V551000EngineDecember 3, 2012 · 80,057 units

Defect

This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines. Coolant system leaks may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.

Consequence

If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicle’s hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle’s powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy software. There will be no charge to owners for this service. Owners were recently notified to contact dealers to arrange for alternative transportation as Ford developed a remedy. Owners will be shortly receiving notifications to contact Ford dealers to schedule the free remedy repair. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

What owners report

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. MY CAR HAD NO SIGNS OF TROUBLE. SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE HEAT VENTS ON THE DASH. I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME I SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CALLED 911. BY THE TIME OF ARRIVAL OF THE FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 25, 2019 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2013 Ford Fusion have?

NHTSA has 449 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion engine — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 12V551000, 17V209000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.