Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 30-40 MPH, another vehicle driving in the opposite direction made an illegal turn. The contact's daughter depressed the brake pedal to avoid colliding with the other vehicle; however, the brakes failed to engage, and the contact's vehicle crashed into the other vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact's daughter suffered injuries to her head, neck, and back and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,363.
Car is totaled, yes its been confirmed by TN highway patrol, wrecker service who had to get down embankment to get the vehicle, insurance. It was totaled not one air bag deployed. It was a rainy night driving i-24 towards clarksville, im in the left lane, as im going around corner towards exit 8 , a vehicle cut in front of me, to avoid a rear end collision i quickly turned my wheel to the left , as i did that 70mph the water on the road took my front vehicle up and i went down the embankment hitting trees , rocks, etc. the entire car damaged all sides. No air bags deployed. I walked away with not a pain or scratch after plummeting 15ft or so down that sloped embankment. This happened on December 10, 2021. Over a year later on December 20, 2022 someone went down that same embankment not even a mile from where i went down that slope i was mile marker 7.8. …
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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the passenger's side seat belt sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the rearview camera functionality was inoperable. The vehicle was diagnosed with rearview camera failure by the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the failure was a manufacturing failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000.
Single vehicle accident on 11/01/2024 wet rode came into curve hut brakes it sped up struck guardrail on rt side darted across road into a ditch ripped front bumper cover off the seatbelt didn't catch or no air bags worked
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V597000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on two occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on both occasions, and the dealer determined that rodents had consumed the electrical wiring, causing an electrical failure. The electrical wiring was replaced. The contact also stated that the transmission was slipping while driving. The contact stated that two engine cylinders had misfired, and the ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, messages indicating that the coolant level was low, and that the vehicle was overheating were displayed, and the vehicle stalled. …
The contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot, while depressing the accelerator pedal, another vehicle T-boned her vehicle on the front passenger side. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that she sustained a concussion to the head. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was towed to Copart. The contact mentioned the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed her that the air bag may not have deployed because the other vehicle did not hit her on the driver's side. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started and the seat belt was connected, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the seat belt sensor needed to be replaced due to failure in detecting that the seat belt had been inserted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
The power steering module/rack, passenger side air bag Safety is a risk due to steering not working properly/ seat belt constantly locking Yes Yes others inspected Seat belt sensor has been on several months Service steering assist/Lane keep system malfunction service required and steering assist fault - all came on when it got cold and steering won't work now
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Ford Fusion, 6% of the model year's 1,792 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fusion airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2013 Ford Fusion, though it has 19 recalls 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 2 fires and 17 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.