2013 Ford Fusion: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Engine · GA · fire

On October 16, 2017, we were driving this vehicle on the interstate when we noticed smoke in the rearview mirror. We pulled over right away, and within seconds of getting out, the car was engulfed in flames. It burned so fast that by the time firefighters arrived, about seven minutes later, there was nothing left of it. Neither of us was physically injured, but we got out with almost no time to spare. The fire department responded and a report was filed. The car was equipped with the 1.6L GTDI EcoBoost engine and falls within the population of Safety Recall 17S09 / the federal safety agency 17V‑209, which covers localized cylinder head overheating and cracking that can cause a pressurized oil leak and an engine compartment fire. At the time our car burned, the interim recall notice had gone out but no remedy parts were available; the actual recall repair did not begin until January 5, 2018. Ford later contacted us and offered a small settlement, conditioned on signing away any right to bring future claims. We declined.

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Brakes · PA · fire

While driving home from work. I heard a pop and seen smoke coming from my tire. I pulled over and seen fire behind the wheel. After looking it over the emergency parking brake motor that attaches to the brake caliper was blown apart. The pistons in the caliper pushed so hard against the brake pad that it was bent to a 90 degree angle. Had to replace pads, rotors, and calipers in both sides.

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Engine · NJ · fire

1. My car began to produce white smoke after a burning smell. Then caught fire under the hood in engine area. The car is buried in snow/ice, not available to access. 2. The car caught fire. 3. The problem has not been reproduced nor confirmed by anyone (dealer/independent service center) 4. No, due to weather conditions. (Blizzard) 5. Only the burning smell and white smoke.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · SC · fire

UNKNOWN - I was driving the car on a highway, there were no alerts and my engine light was not on, and my car started smoking and within 5 minutes my car was completely on fire. After the fire was put out, the whole front of the car was gone and then engine looked melted.

Filed Nov 12, 2025 · Engine · 109,200 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was abnormal white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. The contact stated that upon inspecting the oil dipstick, the contact noticed that there was coolant in the oil, and the contact also noticed that there was a small amount of oil in the coolant reservoir. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), for which the VIN was included. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the recall repair would be performed on the vehicle; however, the contact was concerned that the recall remedy would not correct the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,200.

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Engine · PA · fire

Vehicle ran very well, however engine caught fire while exiting highway. Insurance adjuster states common issue with Ford EcoBoost engines. Reported to Ford whom dismissed issue of engine fire

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Engine · 155,000 miles · WI · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the message "Coolant Over Temperature" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact then exited the vehicle and raised the hood and there was black smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact backed away from the vehicle and approximately 3 minutes later the vehicle caught on fire. The Fire Department was contacted and arrived at the scene and extinguished the fire. A Fire report was filed however, the contact had not received a Fire report number. The Police also arrived on scene and collected information from the contact; however, the contact was unaware of a Police report being filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The contact was made aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · 127,000 miles · MA · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the contact's work parking lot, the vehicle caught on fire due to unknown reasons. A security guard discovered the fire, and called the Fire Department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. No police report was filed. The contact was at work during the incident, and it was not until he finished his shift that he discovered that his vehicle had caught on fire. The contact believed the fire started from the engine area, per witnesses. The vehicle was towed to a local towing yard. The contact notified his insurance company and deemed the vehicle totaled. The fire spread and damaged several vehicles parked nearby. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Engine · 150,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and opened the hood to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that upon opening the hood, the contact became aware that oil was leaking at the rear of the engine compartment by the firewall. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the cylinder head had fractured. The mechanic determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2025 · Engine · CA · fire

Engine was leaking oil and it caught fire twice. Emergency activates while driving and yes it's available upon request. My, family members and others around where at Risk because whole car could of caught fire. No one has confirmed it or inspected yet. Brake light stays on. Engine was leaking about a week.

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Engine · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact safely guided the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. In addition, the contact noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion to cylinder #3. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that recall repair the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) was performed, however it did not remedy the failure because the head gasket was warped. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Engine · 200,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving approximately 65 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The cause of the engine failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.