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2013 Ford Fusion: check engine light

113 of the 1,793 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion describe check engine light.

owner complaints
113
of this car's complaints
6%
typical repair cost reported
$1,700
typical mileage
80,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 21 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 172,318 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while stopped in a drive-thru, there was an abnormal hissing sound coming from the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and excessive force was needed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle, the "Check Engine" warning light was illuminated and the "Brake Level Low" message was displayed. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but was unable to secure an appointment with two local dealers for a timely repair. The contact requested authorization to have the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic with reimbursement, but the manufacturer declined the request. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer denied a request for a loaner vehicle. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,318.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Engine · WA

Vehicle blew upper radiator hose due to blown head gasket. Vehicle has trouble starting and releases grey blue smoke via exhaust at all times. Has not been looked at by anyone other than an odot employee and myself. Hose was replaced but issues continue. Vehicle engine light came on after low coolant warning and overheating. Vehicle is available for inspection. Google states this is an extremely common occurrence with this particular year and model of vehicle.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Engine · MI

Engine lacks substantial power and has almost cause multiple collisions. Check engine light is on for a P0299 turbocharger underboost code Based off of my own research it looks like the part is the whole turbocharger assembly or the east gate solenoid I believe it’s a safety issue for merging onto expressways and not being fully up to speed and because of trying to turn onto busy highways The problem has been reproduced by the dealer but not fixed The components themselves have not been inspected There was no check engine light until the issue started happening

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

Vehicle makes strange sounds from the fuel fill inlet and proceeds to stall shortly after while driving and most of the times fails to restart based on my own research it looks like purge valve issues My safety was put at risk by almost being rear ended multiple times from stalling on the expressway and red lights The problem has not been reproduced yet by the dealer it will be looked at on 07/15/26 The component has not been inspected yet The check engine light illuminated when the issue started

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 Jan 16, 2026 · Engine · 190,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine overheated. The contact was informed that there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact was called for help. The contact arrived at the location and inspected under the hood, and became aware that the coolant level was low. The coolant reservoir was refilled, and the contact became aware that coolant and oil were leaking onto the manifold. The vehicle was driven to the residence with the persistent burning odor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to bring the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not under recall. The contact stated that the oil and coolant leaking onto the manifold was a fire hazard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Jul 25, 2025 · Engine · CT

In 2019, my car suddenly began to leak engine coolant. A low engine coolant signal alarmed, the car started to smoke, and then was un-usable. I took it to a Ford dealership, they ran some diagnostics, and determined that the issue was related to a known recall. They repaired the issue and for 5 years, things seemed ok. This April, the engine coolant warning came back on and the car shut down. I inspected the engine coolant revisor and it was extremely low and the check engine light came on. I took the car in to be inspected and it was noted that the hoses and gaskets were corroded. The hoses and gaskets were replaced and that seemed to resolve all of the alarms and check engine light, but weeks later, the low engine coolant light came back on. This week the same Ford dealership determined that there was an issue with the water pump and that it needed to be replaced. I wondered if anyone else with a Ford Fusion experienced water pump issues and there seem to be two class action lawsuits against Ford siting several vehicle models with faulty water pumps. I can submit my water pump replacement receipt when I receive it from the Ford dealership on Monday.

Filed Dec 9, 2024 · Engine · 60,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinder and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact researched and was made aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Engine · OK

Coolant system Failure Abruptly. Available for inspect ASAP. The car shut off immediately while operating in the middle of oncoming traffic rendering me unable to steer off the roadway. Unknown- confirmed by independent center or dealer. Yes mechanic. No warnings prior simply out of nowhere dash lights up with engine light with a message turn off engine car over temperature. Car shut Off immediately.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Been getting a low coolant warning, coolant is not low ,is actually over limit. Car then says overheating service now,goes into limp mode. Engine light comes on. I cannot drive car until it shuts off, sit awhile and then go. Engine light on get a p1299 reading,have had that reading for years,they replaced motor while under warranty ,now four years later the exact same thing is happening and I have no warranty,I cannot pay for this . This is an Ecoboost 1.6 motor and needs recalling,I read where thousands of people are having the exact same problems,this is not new...Please help us people trying to help ourselves with the exact problems over and over again. The 2013 Ecoboost 1.6 has given me problems for years and it just now started again big time on Aug 12 2024.

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Airbags, Brakes · 171,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine, ABS, air bags, PCM, and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The "Engine Coolant Over Temperature" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak, but the contact was unaware of what needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 12V551000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

Filed May 8, 2024 · Engine · AL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and then stalled. The contact was able to pull over and several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact stated there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but gradually became more frequent. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated during the failures. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the throttle body needed to be serviced or replaced and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The contact called a local dealer and was advised that there was a Customer Satisfaction Program: 13N03 (Engine) associated with the throttle body but the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engineReported March 27, 2017 · 208,584 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 17V209000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported December 3, 2012 · 80,057 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 12V551000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2013 Ford Fusion check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2013 Ford Fusion?

113 of 1,793 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion (6%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2010.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2013 Ford Fusion?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,700 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Ford Fusion?

There are 2 recalls and 21 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Ford Fusion

Power steering loss 174Door locks 171Overheating 168Stalling 143Fire or smoke 88Loss of power 77Engine failure 58Jerking 45Steering lock-up 38Airbag light 36Won't shift 33Seat belt 29Won't start 29No deployment 26ABS 22Hesitation 22Backup camera 17Fuel pump 17Headlights 17Transmission failure 17Misfire 16Harsh shifting 15Wipers 15Slipping 13Shudder 12Brake failure 11Adaptive cruise 10Fuel gauge 10Fuel leak 10Grinding brakes 9Fuel smell 9Screen failure 7Warning lights 7Ball joint 6Battery drain 6Knocking 5Key fob 5Lane assist 5Water leak 5

All model years of the Ford Fusion

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