Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel would spew back out of the tank. As both failures persisted, the vehicle began to jerk and hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact attempted to make an appointment with the dealer but was informed that due to a shortage of employees, the vehicle could not be serviced for months. The contact stated that while waiting for the appointment while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal while at a complete stop. The "Stop Safely Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35-40 MPH, she heard abnormal grinding sounds coming from the driver's side front wheel. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the ball joint and unknown suspension parts were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who referred the contact to a certified transmission specialist. The vehicle was taken to a certified transmission specialist and was then towed to a second certified transmission specialist. Both transmission specialists diagnosed that the bushings were grinding in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to respond normally while depressing the brake pedal. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The failure caused the steering wheel to lock up, the brake pedal became extremely firm, and the accelerator pedal became inoperable. Additionally, the exterior lights shut off unexpectedly and the vehicle lost electrical power. The vehicle was safely pulled into a parking lot, and the contact waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted; however, 30 seconds after resuming driving the vehicle shut off again. The vehicle was towed to a Ford dealer; however, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and slowing down to enter a parking lot, as she slowed the vehicle, it would not respond to the shift lever, and as she stopped and tried to shift the vehicle to park, the shift lever stopped responding. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact turned off the vehicle and called for a towing service and had it taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission shifting cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when the vehicle was turned on, the contact heard a loud sound emanating from the engine compartment. On another occasion, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shaking. Additionally, when the vehicle was in the park(P) position the vehicle continued to move inadvertently. The parking brake was applied to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the loud noise was from the shifting from the hybrid to gasoline and that the bushing bearings and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact veered to the right to avoid crashing with another vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown related recall. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,189.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle became stuck in the reverse position while shifting into the drive position. The contact applied the emergency brakes to prevent the vehicle from reversing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V471000 (power train) however the recall was not associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V362000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while sitting in the passenger seat as their husband was driving through a fast food drive-through and attempting to make a left turn the power steering suddenly failed. The dashboard was illuminated with several different lights, meanings unknown, however, there were no warning lights before the failure occurred. The driver had used an excessive amount of force to pull to the side where he turned the vehicle off and then restarted it to regain proper function. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical power assist system failed. The independent mechanic informed them that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V250000 (Steering) and referred them to Ford. …
My wife and I were entering a parking lot with the Ford Fusion Hybrid and slowed down, then started to slowly accelerate, the ffh wouldn't go forward normally and sort of stalled. My high voltage battery state was low (1/8 charged) and the car had about 3/4 tank of gas. It began with a series of surges that were caused by the car not knowing which propulsion source to use. It tried the gas engine, surged forward a few feet then tried to switch back to the electric motor, etc, - this happened about 6 times before I could get it to surge out of the driveway and park safely. I put the car in park and pushed the gas pedal trying to force the gas engine to take over and that caused an engine stutter and again the car tried each source of power - I turned the key off. …
Transmission complaints in other Fusion Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 24% of the model year's 126 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 111,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.