2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid Problems
Compared with other Ford Fusion Hybrid years
More complaints than typical for this model
82/100 2.1× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.1× that of a typical Ford Fusion Hybrid year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 35 of its 126 complaints were filed by the end of 2015.
- Most reported problem: Sudden power loss and stop safely now warnings (30 complaints, median 53,350 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010, 2011
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 126filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 54,981miles, 105 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 41 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid FWD · 43 city / 39 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe hybrid transmission problems — grinding, whining or thumping noises that dealers diagnosed as needing a transmission replacement, usually well past 100,000 miles. A second cluster of complaints covers electronic power steering assist cutting out, plus regenerative braking that surges or feels like a brief loss of braking at low speeds. Electrical episodes such as 12-volt battery drain and warning-light clusters also come up repeatedly, and many reports involve low mileage for the year.
- Transmission and drivetrain
Hybrid transmission noise and failure
- 21 complaints (17%)
- median 118,500 mi at 6.2 yrs old (20 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2013–2025
Owners describe grinding, whining, humming or thumping noises from the front of the car, sometimes present even when the car is rolling in neutral. Several were told by the dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced, with repair estimates owners describe as very high; others report a shifter cable or bushing failure that left the lever unable to move the car into gear. Some say the noise was not found on a first visit and was diagnosed only later. Most reports come in between roughly 95,000 and 180,000 miles, with a few noise reports as early as about 40,000 miles.
What to check: On a test drive, listen for grinding or whining that stays the same in neutral while rolling, and check whether the shifter moves cleanly through all positions. Ask for transmission service records, since several service bulletins cover noise and fluid contamination in this hybrid transmission.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Hello. I just buy car and after two day coming some noise from engine mechanic tel me this is transmission. So also he told me 95% of Ford Fusion Hybrid 2013-2014 have a same problem. I think Ford have to recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11323458, filed 2020-05, 172,000 miles“Car was making a roughing sound while driving when in p or n no sound took I took it to dealer they could not find a problem 3000 mile later they said it the transmission it would cost us $11,000 to repair need to know if this is happening to any other owners”
NHTSA complaint #11047445, filed 2017-11, 111,000 miles - Steering
Power steering assist cuts out
- 23 complaints (18%)
- median 88,500 mi at 5.3 yrs old (20 state mileage)
- filed 2013–2026
Complaints describe the steering suddenly becoming very heavy, with messages such as power steering assist fault or the steering assist warning light coming on. Some owners regained assist after shutting the car off and restarting, while others report it did not come back and the car had to be towed. Dealers reportedly replaced the steering gear or motor assembly in some cases, and owners note their vehicle identification number was not covered by a steering recall. Reported from about 45,000 to 150,000 miles, with several cases appearing without warning while driving.
What to check: Start the car and confirm the steering assist warning light goes out, then turn the wheel at a stop to feel for unusually heavy effort. Ask whether the steering gear or assist motor has ever been replaced or repaired.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“One day when driving my vehicle I completely lost power steering. I managed to get to a safe place on the side of the road. I restarted the car and the power steering returned, the failure is due to a malfunctioning rack and pinion. Ford has gone to a completely electronic rack and pinion; resulting in now issues on owners part for lack of proper fluid changes/service. I took the car to Ford to have it checked for a recall and they stated their was none. …”
NHTSA complaint #11139128, filed 2018-10, 150,000 miles“At random while car is on at any time and any speed (parked and just turned on, at a red light, driving on freeway or city driving, turning or driving straight.) rear parking aid is disabled with light turned on, airbag lights turn on, service advance trac light turns on, the power steering goes out all the same time. …”
NHTSA complaint #11089941, filed 2018-04, 130,000 miles - Electrical system
Sudden power loss and stop safely now warnings
- 30 complaints (24%)
- median 53,350 mi at 4.5 yrs old (28 state mileage)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2013–2026
Complaints describe the car shutting down or losing power while driving, sometimes with a stop safely now message, warning lights across the dash, or a shake before the loss of power. Some owners restarted the car and continued; others had it towed and were told of a battery, sensor or powertrain control issue. Warning-light clusters for traction control, hill start assist and airbag have also been reported together. Reported from very low mileage (around 4,000 to 60,000 miles) up to about 180,000 miles, at highway and city speeds alike.
What to check: Check that no warning lights remain on after start-up and ask whether any software updates or powertrain control module reprogramming have been done. Service bulletins describe calibration updates for related warning-lamp codes.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving down the highway at 45 MPH the cars beside us began honking and flashing lights at us. We began to slow for a traffic light and smoke began to pour our from underneath the car. The engine warning light came on and we pulled left into the turn lane to stop. We then turned on the flashers and turned off the car and exited to the median. We called 911 and luckily, there was an accident going the other direction with fire and police arriving at that accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629821, filed 2014-09, 24,200 miles“The cars warning lights for hill stop assist, service advance trac, traction control, and the air bags all came on indicating that these safety features we're not working properly. Taken to the dealer and they said its the rcm or restraint control module that failed. The car was in no accidents, and was driving normally. This part is backordered for weeks but Ford would not provide a loner vehicle, so we faced with driving a car that is definitely not as safe as purchased, and the mandated safety features are not working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10631159, filed 2014-09, 22,505 miles - Brakes
Regenerative braking surge or lurch
- 9 complaints (7%)
- median 39,000 mi at 3.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- filed 2014–2018
Owners describe the car lurching or surging forward while the brake pedal is pressed, often when braking over bumps, around curves or during low-speed turns, as if the regenerative braking briefly disengages. A few report that braking felt weaker than expected as the car switched between regenerative and hydraulic braking. Dealers are often described as unable to reproduce the symptom. Mostly reported under about 45,000 miles, typically at city speeds below 40 mph on uneven pavement or in turns.
What to check: During a test drive, brake gently over a bump or through a low-speed turn and note any forward surge or grab. Ask whether the car has had brake system diagnostics for this symptom.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I was traveling 55 miles per hour in the hybrid mode, when I needed to slow down very suddenly for much slower traffic. Applying my brakes firmly, they locked up, causing my car to swerve between three lanes while the backend fish tailed back and forth. I could hear the tires skidding on the pavement and my steering was very difficult to control.”
NHTSA complaint #10564637, filed 2014-02, 10,500 miles“Beginning about january 2015, and occurring a total of about six times so far, my wife's 2013 Fusion Hybrid (currently with 25,500 miles) experienced what feels like a power surge. (I experienced this once in this vehicle; the remainder when my wife was driving.) it is possible that this is related to the regenerative braking system at least in part, as I have seen others describe it as a feeling of hitting an ice patch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10780705, filed 2015-10, 25,500 miles - Seat belts
Rear center seat belt locks and traps seat
- 5 complaints (4%)
- median 78,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2022
Owners report the rear center seat belt retractor locking up, either trapping an occupant or keeping the rear seatback from folding back up after it is lowered. Some describe having to unbolt or cut the belt to free the seat, and others note the driver side belt failed to extend. Complaints state the dealer did not cover the repair or that the vehicle identification number was outside a seat belt recall. Reported between roughly 45,000 and 90,000 miles, usually when folding the rear seat or after a passenger uses the center position.
What to check: Fold and raise the rear seatback and pull the center belt all the way out and back to confirm it retracts freely. Ask whether any seat belt retractor work has been done.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My daughter was in the middle seat in the back of the car. We went to get her out and the seat belt locked up and the belt became really tight on her chest. She started to cry and we didn't know how to get her our. We then unlatched the seat, folded it over and she crawled out. But then the seat belt became even tighter and I now can not lift the seat back up. The seat belt could have harmed my child.”
NHTSA complaint #10883865, filed 2016-07, 47,600 miles“Tilting the back seat forward makes the middle seat belt lock up, preventing the seat from going back up. The only recourse being to cut the seat belt. Or unbolt the seat belt assembly. Both of which are safety concerns. Youtube is filled with workarounds for this issue. Which include having the seatbelt locked into the clip always. And using that slack to bring the seat back up when it gets stuck.”
NHTSA complaint #11033900, filed 2017-10, 78,000 miles
Buying note. Have a hybrid transmission specialist listen for noise before purchase and confirm the steering assist and brake feel on a test drive, since those are the areas owners report most. Records showing transmission service, software updates and any door latch or seat belt work are worth requesting.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 126 consumer complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. 105 of the complaints include a mileage, and 46% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,981 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 58 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 9 Ford Fusion Hybrid model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 82 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system20 16%
- Steering19 15%
- Body and structure12 9.5%
- Brakes11 8.7%
- Engine11 8.7%
- Other or unknown11 8.7%
- Seat belts11 8.7%
- Air bags10 7.9%
- Fuel system9 7.1%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (6), Electronic stability control (5), Exterior lighting (5), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Wheels (3), Seats (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Lane departure (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “While coming off of an exit my right front passenger door flew open and I was almost in an accident because it frightened me as another car behind me had to brake as well to avoid hitting me from the back. I read up on this car and there is information statin the there are problems with the door lock/latches where you think your door is lock and it is not. Now I try yo close it, the door will not lock at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11228541, filed 2019-06, 107,000 milesElectrical system: “While driving in the passing lane on the highway on my way home from work I began to smell smoke. I initially thought it was someone else's brakes until I began to see smoke coming through the interior panels of my vehicles. Luckily, the vehicles near me noticed the smoke and slowed down so that I could get off the road. Once pulled over I went to the front of the car and felt the hood but it did not feel hot but when I looked up I noticed the smoke was coming form the trunk. …”
NHTSA complaint #11138994, filed 2018-10, 61,000 milesSteering: “My 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid steering wheel was loose and felt like it was about to come off while driving. The steering wheel would wobble side to side and was not secure. This happened while driving on the expressway. I took my vehicle to a Ford dealer in west palm beach, florida. I learned that Ford had recently issued a recall (Ford ref # 18s08) for 2014-2018 Ford fusion loose steering wheels. My 2013 fusion has exactly the same problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11111990, filed 2018-07, 92,000 milesBody and structure: “Passenger rear door latch would not properly interlock, meaning door wouldn't stay shut. This happened in a stationary position when I opened the door to get a passenger out then I went to close the door, having the door bounce back to me. To note: a recent recall was administered due to faulty latches and I had it replaced at Ford in feb 2016... 8 months later issue resurfaced, not cool.”
NHTSA complaint #10915163, filed 2016-10, 74,967 milesMileage when problems were reported
46% of the 105 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,852 and 96,237 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion Hybrid · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2013 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2012: 4 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion Hybrid FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid | CVT | 43 | 39 | 41 | $1,650 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 18V592000Sep 10, 2018Equipment › ElectricalCovers: Ford Fusion Hybrid 2013–2015, Focus Electric 2012–2015, C-MAX 2013–2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 120V Convenience charge cords that were supplied with and sold for use with 2013-2015 Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi vehicles and 2012-2015 Ford Focus Electric vehicles. Cords with part numbers…
Recall details for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 58 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10235153Apr 4, 2023Body and structure. For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement…
- 10228876Dec 16, 2022Brakes. Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in…
- 10226752Nov 4, 2022Brakes. Some 2013-2016 Escape/Fusion/MKZ vehicles may display an error message when updating the All Wheel Drive-ATC Barcode using the IDS service function after installing a new rear drive unit assembly…
- 10225458Oct 25, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Some 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The noise may be present in…
- 10222788Oct 6, 2022Brakes. Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in…
- 10218617Aug 3, 2022Equipment. Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental…
- 10214758Jun 21, 2022Electrical system, Other or unknown. Some 2013-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2013-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV), 2013-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX and 2017 Continental…
- 10212957May 24, 2022Electrical system. Some 2013-2023 Ford or Lincoln vehicles with modems activated through FordPass or LincolnWay may experience 12 volt battery drain symptoms when the customer uses non-Ford/Lincoln phone applications…
- 10211728May 4, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Corsair, 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with HF35/HF45 hybrid transmissions can now be disassembled to repair and clean any…
- 10210730Apr 26, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles may indicate an incorrect shifter lever position. This may be due to the bushing at…
Other model years of the Ford Fusion Hybrid
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 51,000 | 0 | — | 42 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 35 | 54,646 | 0 | — | 42 | 36 · Typical | Rising |
| 2018 | 59 | 67,000 | 0 | — | 42 | 52 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 70 | 45,000 | 0 | — | 42 | 61 · Typical | Rising |
| 2016 | 55 | 33,475 | 0 | — | 41 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 46 | 58,500 | 2 | — | 41 | 48 · Typical | Stable |
| 2014 | 65 | 50,000 | 1 | — | 41 | 61 · Typical | Stable |
| 2013 | 126 | 54,981 | 1 | 5 | 41 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2012 | 96 | 62,000 | 0 | 4 | 38 | 55 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 132 | 73,220 | 0 | 4 | 38 | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 510 | 85,100 | 0 | — | 39 | 11 · Fewer | Rising |
All Ford Fusion Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Owners of this model year most often describe hybrid transmission problems — grinding, whining or thumping noises that dealers diagnosed as needing a transmission replacement, usually well past 100,000 miles. The issues reported most often: Hybrid transmission noise and failure; Power steering assist cuts out; Sudden power loss and stop safely now warnings.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid have?
NHTSA recorded 126 consumer complaints for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 30 complaints (24% of the total), followed by electrical system with 20.
Has the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid (Fusion Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl · hybrid) at 41 mpg combined, 43 city and 39 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,650 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid reported?
Among the 105 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,981 miles and the middle half falls between 28,852 and 96,237 miles; 46% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.