Owners of Ford’s popular midsize car complain of the 2013 Fusion’s hood, trunk, and doors failing to properly latch, leading to an open investigation. A high number of recalls focus on powertrain problems, malfunctioning airbags, and seatbelt failures.
Key Points
- The 2013 Ford Fusion is subject to 17 recalls, four investigations, and over 1,500 complaints to the NHTSA. Most of the issues covered are rather serious.
- Three of the 2013 Fusion’s NHTSA recalls are for faulty latches that may cause doors to open while the vehicle is in motion. Two more focus on unintentional rollaway due to a faulty transmission cable.
- The 2013 Ford Fusion is not immune to the Takata airbag recall and is part of an ongoing investigation for faulty airbag inflators.
- Customer complaints not addressed by recalls focus on lower-than-expected fuel economy results, rough transmission shifts, and vehicle stalling or loss of power.
2013 Ford Fusion’s Whopping 17 Recalls Cover Engine Failures, Faulty Door Latches, and Reduced Steering Control
Three of the 17 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion are for faulty door latches. Repairs from the first two recalls may not have resolved the failure, prompting additional recalls.
Also, two investigations were opened to explore the popular midsize car’s door latch issue. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading occupants to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A faulty cable in the transmission also caused multiple recalls. The cable can break and lead to the vehicle rolling away when left in Park.
The 2013 Ford Fusion had two serious recalls related to two different steering control issues. One recall addresses loss of power steering assist due to bolts within the steering system easily corroding from road salt and causing a malfunction. The loss of power steering assist requires stronger steering effort to control the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash.
The second steering control-related recall notes that the steering gears in certain 2013 Fusion models may be missing an internal retaining clip. If the clip is missing, steering gear components may dislodge and adversely affect drivability.
Also, substandard welds on the vehicle’s front seats are the focus of another particularly serious recall. The welds may become loose and not properly restrain passengers in a crash.
2013 Ford Fusion is Involved in Open Investigation into Faulty Airbag Inflators Produced by Takata
The 2013 Ford Fusion sedan did not avoid the lingering Takata airbag recall. As with many Takata recalls, the root cause is the propellant used in the airbags which causes the airbag inflator to rupture or potentially explode during deployment, resulting in injuries, possibly fatal.
The temporary solution to the problem is to recall and add a moisture-holding desiccant to it. But this desiccant also degrades over time, resulting in a repeating cycle of repair. At least for now, this remains an open investigation until a permanent solution is devised.
2013 Ford Fusion Owner Complaints Address a Rough-shifting Transmission, Poor Fuel Economy, and Engine Stalling
The 2013 Fusion has over 1,500 customer complaints registered with the NHTSA. Many relate back to issues addressed in recalls or investigations.
Digging deeper into complaints both with the NHTSA and Car Complaints reveals a growing trend of dissatisfied customers. In fact, Car Complaints warns shoppers to “Beware of the Clunker” when shopping for a 2013 Fusion.
Engine and transmission problems top the charts. The number one cited issue is a rough-shifting transmission.
Based on customer data, the issue is estimated to primarily affect vehicles with over 40,000 miles. The rough-shifting transmission problem is estimated to cost around $3,000 to fix.
The NHTSA has many listings from customers who’ve noted their fuel economy figures falling short of the stated numbers on the window sticker.
While the EPA numbers are a guide as to what to expect with ownership, owners state they are seeing substantial shortcomings.
Most commonly attributed to fuel sensor failures in the complaints, owners also share stories of their 2013 Fusion losing power while at speed.
Others claim the vehicle failed to respond to driver throttle inputs when attempting to accelerate from a stop.
2013 Ford Fusion has Lackluster Longevity and Numerous Safety Issues, Making its Competition a Better Option
The 2013 Ford Fusion was the first model year of a new design, leading to more recalls, complaints, investigations, and a lower resale value than subsequent model years.
For quality and reliability, J.D. Power rates the 2013 Fusion a 72 out of 100. The rating places it behind nearly all of its competition and segment leaders, including the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
According to Repair Pal, living with a 2013 Ford Fusion will cause some headaches and heartburn. The maintenance costs alone are around $649 per year.
If you want an affordable and reliable midsize sedan, consider the Camry, Accord, or even the Chevy Malibu.
Photos: Ford
