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2013 Ford Fusion: jerking or lurching

45 of the 1,793 complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion describe jerking or lurching.

owner complaints
45
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
77,000
recalls
5
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls and 31 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Jerking or lurching by model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 4, 2026 · Transmission · FL

The car is experiencing jerks between gear shifts. Almost hit another car due to this car movement when it shifts between gears

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Steering · PA

I believe my car was missed in the steering rack recall. There’s a decent amount of side to side play that just moves the steering wheel not the wheels. The car will be all over the road. Also when I’m accelerating with my foot on the gas the steering stiffness up & goes back to feeling like normal under load. As soon as there’s no driving load it loosens back up. Today it randomly almost felt like the steering got stuck for a second while going straight then quickly jerked itself to the right then went back to feeling loose. I’ve replaced controls arms, ball joints, tie rods.I do not want to crash because fords negligence on not including my car in the recall. I’m still making payments on the car and can not afford money out of pocket to fix fords mistakes. Please help! My car needs this recall! I have videos upon being needed, it will only let me upload pictures.

Filed Mar 18, 2025 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in cold weather, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle only responded as needed after excessive pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that it was difficult shifting from first gear to second gear, and there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle jolted, shuddered, and jerked while accelerating, decelerating, and while shifting into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a fee would be charged for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

The ability to stop quickly. Car jerked forward causing me to veer off the freeway. If I had not veered off, I would have ran into the back of the car in front of me. (Unaware of any problems with vehicle as the vehicle is stored more than driven) I brought the vehicle home and parked it because of the clucking noise. The recall repair on the vehicle did not fix the problem. Now the vehicle has a transmission failure just approximately 11,000.00 after the recall repair was closed out.

Filed May 15, 2024 · Engine · SC

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was slow to accelerate. Additionally, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact discovered an unknown recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The recall was repair was performed; however, the contact was informed that there was another failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was jerking. The contact stated that the message "Low Coolant" was displayed. The coolant reservoir was topped off; however, a week later the failure recurred, and the vehicle was smoking. The contact was concerned that the vehicle was going to catch on fire. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Transmission · CA

Transmission had internal mechanical failure. Transmission has been jerky and stalled shifting from 2nd gear to 3rd on the 6 speed auto Transmission since 2014 when taken into the dealer I was told there are no recalls or issues but problem has existed since purchased from Ford.

Filed May 5, 2023 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went to the floor. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle jerked and failed to respond. The contact exited the highway and continuously depressed the brake pedal, but the brake pedal failed to respond and continuously went to the floor. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated upon pulling into the driveway, the messages "Brake Fluid Low" and "No Brake Fluid" were displayed. The contact stated that upon towing the vehicle to the dealer, she noticed a trail of brake fluid in the driveway. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the recall and informed the contact that she would be charged a repair fee because the recall parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · 157,281 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The coolant temperature and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and an unknown hose was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. On another occasion, while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the lights in the vehicle were illuminated; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact became aware that there was antifreeze on the ground underneath the vehicle. The coolant temperature and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,281.

Filed Dec 8, 2022 · Transmission · CA

I was driving home from work in the freeway my 2013 Ford Fusion started shaking , jerking , stopping and not accelerating and all of the sudden came to a complete stop. I was almost hit by vehicles in the freeway and had to exit to get the vehicle tow due to faulty transmission issues with ecoboost. Ford was contacted and they try to tell me no open recalls for the transmission.

Filed Nov 22, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · WA

Transmission is the worst I have ever used in any vehicle. Constantly slips downshifting and upshifting also when breaking. Transmission is slow to shift and then has hard bang and jerks the car

Filed Nov 15, 2022 · AL

I purchased this 2013 in September 2022. My car is jerking while driving, when put into drive from reverse, it will say in reverse. It will shut down while idling from stop to go. I am afraid because, I almost caused an accident while driving the interstate.

Filed Oct 5, 2022 · Transmission · CA

this is 2013 ford fusion and have transmission issue while shifting the gear, it picks the gear very late from stop to moving the car and it cause jerking, this is manufacturing fault in this model. please investigate and should be RECALL for this issue

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: manual transmissionReported June 9, 2026 · 5,252 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on July 6,2026.

Recall number 26V376000 · Recall details

Power train: shift linkage/cable/rodReported June 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported May 13, 2019 · 259,182 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.

Recall number 19V362000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shiftReported July 16, 2018 · 504,182 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.

Recall number 18V471000 · Recall details

Power train: manual transmissionReported March 12, 2018 · 5,361 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.

Recall number 18V169000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2013 Ford Fusion jerking

Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2013 Ford Fusion?

45 of 1,793 owner complaints about the 2013 Ford Fusion (3%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2010.

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

There are 5 recalls and 31 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 143Check engine light 113Fire or smoke 88Loss of power 77Engine failure 58Steering 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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