Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine overheating message was displayed. Additionally, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that she veered to the side of the road until the vehicle cooled down. The contact then continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The contact would veer to the side of the road and add coolant to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown repair was completed. The contact also stated that the front driver's side door would fail to close securely. The dealer repaired all four doors under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle would fail to start immediately after refueling. …
My 2013 Ford Fusion SE had the high pressure fuel pump start leaking and dripped fuel on the exhaust and started the car on fire while driving down the road. This caused about $7,000.00 in damage but could have easily gotten out of control and caused injury or death to occupant(s). I reached out to Ford Motor Company and did a chat log asking for assistance and to make them aware. Ford Motor Company Case number CAS-34734107-H6J0Z5. What is dangerous about this design is that Ford chose to design and install a secondary high pressure fuel pump directly above the exhaust manifold and the engineers surely would have known the durability and longevity along with possible outcomes due to normal use over time. For the same reason you are not to refuel a hot engine, a fuel pump should not be placed directly over the exhaust manifold. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered fuel leaking underneath the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel delivery module was cracked 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: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about a recall. The contact called the local dealer, who informed him about scheduling an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but only received an automated message from the system. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while entering the vehicle to start the vehicle, the contact smelled the odor of gasoline. The contact checked the vehicle underneath the gas tank and observed that the tank was soaked by gasoline. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with his son inside the vehicle, he smelled an abnormal fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel delivery module was cracked and needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 72 MPH, the vehicle began shaking and then stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after the fifth attempt and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the EVAP system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 197,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was a fuel odor entering the vehicle. The vehicle was then driven home where there was a noticeable puddle of fuel coming from the fuel gasket. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the canister purge valve; however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was 162,037.
As I was going down the highway my car started smoking dramatically. There were no warning lights so I assumed it might be a belt. I pulled to the side of the road and opened the hood to find flames coming from the backside of the engine. I have had it in the shop now for the last two months and the initial thought was that the water pump could have caused the issue. However, after that set of repairs it was burning oil. Further investigation has shown that the head is cracked.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Fuel System complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 141 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2013 Ford Fusion, 8% of the model year's 1,792 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fusion fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-227 (fuel system, gasoline, May 31, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.