Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the low-beam headlamps failed to adequately illuminate the roadway. The contact activated the high-beam headlights to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and Auto Zone Auto Parts, where the headlamp bulbs were replaced several times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V553000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Although this vehicle is 10 years old it has only logged less than 17k miles (near new condition). A few months back it was noted that the backlighting on the console, steering wheel, interior door panels and overhead console were inoperative under non-daylight conditions. At night, it's driving blind from an instrumentation perspective. Controls cannot be located as they cannot be seen. This backlighting has a mind of its own. Upon entering the vehicle all the lighting in question lights up and then times out (?) Activating outside lighting (headlights) when you expect and need the backlighting, it just isn't there. Disconnecting the battery for 12 hours (reboot) did nothing to solve the problem. Personally, I believe the slap-happy lighting engineers went way overboard with warning and flashing lights on this vehicle. The lighting in question is there, not just when needed. …
In March of 2024 I discovered that the passenger side front turn signal was not working. I assumed it was the bulb so I replaced it but the turn signal still failed to work. I took the vehicle to the Ford dealer where the vehicle was purchased new. Upon inspection, it was determined that a control module was the cause of the issue. I was informed that Ford no longer made the control module and the dealer would reach out to a vendor that sells used control modules for my vehicle. After several modules were obtained from a third party vendor, none of the modules would work for my vehicle. It was explained to me by the service advisor at the dealership that none of the modules were a match for my vehicle but with no clear explanation why. The lack of a functioning turn signal is not only a safety violation but it is also a traffic violation. …
Turn signal prematurely cancels intermittently, in middle of turn or prior to starting turn. This is after the signal stalk switch has been locked into the continuous on position, not the momentary position. The slightest movement of the steering wheel back away from the direction of turn will induce this. Not a full 1/8 of a turn back, but a very minute amount, as little as 1 or 2 degrees of steering movement. This is a known issue by the manufacturer, as they have service bulletin instructions for dealership technicians to reprogram the steering column signal switch, however, this repair is cost prohibitive at dealership rates. It is a safety concern, as the signal sometimes cancels without immediate driver awareness, as attention is being focused outside. This should be a recall repair covered by the manufacturer.
Took vehicle in for a number of issues, two of which were the left turn signal would shut off prematurely to completing a left hand turn and also both side view mirrors (mostly drivers side) would always reset itself to some random position other than the one I set them too whenever the vehicle would receive power, (when car is off and I would either open any door or press unlock on key fob or use keyless entry) mirror issue is easily duplicated (turn car off and open door to cut power, close door, lock car, and must wait at least 1 minute for all power to fully shut off, then unlock car and mirrors would randomly move around, almost as if they were trying to calibrate themselves) dealer witnessed mirror issue as it's easily recreated, did a bunch of updates of various control modules and then said car is fixed. …
November 2016 while I was coming from the grocery store my car suddenly stalled and completely stopped. I immediately started the car back up and drove for a good 2 minutes and it did the same thing, but this time I was in the street. After letting my vehicle sit for 15 minutes it did eventually start back up and drove smoothly. But that wasn't the last time my car would just suddenly stop. In December I took my car to the dealership for an oil change and told them what had happen to my car. The check my fluids and told me nothing was wrong (which was a lie). Everyday since November if I drive my car too much, it shuts off. If I am on the freeway in traffic, my car will just turn off. Now February, I received an error message (engine coolant over temperature) and my car will not move at all. …
My 2013 Ford Fusion is experiencing an issue with the climate control system and the window controls. I have lost communication with the 'front control interface module', 'door control module a', and 'door control module b'. When this happens, my ECM displays the following codes, p193e: A/C clutch request signal, u0199: lost communication with door control module a, u0200: lost communication with door control module b, and u0256: lost communications front controls interface module. This happens quite frequently, and it has happened when my car is in motion and when my car is stationary. Sometimes this happens when I start my car and sometimes this happens when I am driving. To be clear, I have no air conditioning, no ventilation, and I can not roll down my windows. …
Headlights going out so often! You need to remove the bumper in order to access switching these bulbs. This is costly in labor and Ford OEM parts. When one headlight goes out it triggers them all to go out. Very dangerous if on a road trip or driving at night. Was sold a vehicle with my headlight pigtail plugs corroded. Estimate is $680 from Ford to fix my issue! $360 for just a headlight switch. There is a recall on some 2013 fusions they claim a defective film however ive spoken to dozens of other owners on Ford forums at this point, who have my same issue with the headlight low beams going out within a year. Planning on getting together and filing a mass claim if they dont rectify my corroded equipment issue. Might have to steer people away from buying fusions. I was pulled over for this too and nearly hit by speeding cars only to find out it was not even a burnt bulb.
Started up the vehicle in the morning after sitting all night, buzzers, warning lights and messages popped up on the instrument cluster. "hill assist not available" "service advance trac" two light are also illuminated, traction control and stability control. The short 3 flash signals work but the sustained flash will not, the signal will flash once and shut off. The biggest safety concern is the power steering assist does not work. It will actually jerk the steering wheel in the opposite direction! Unfortunately I had to drive the vehicle 40 miles to work. It grinds and pops as the wheel is turned like it is trying to rip the tie rods loose. I am automotive savvy and felt I could handle driving it, however if my wife was to drive this vehicle I would fear there would've been an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. While driving 35 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle hesitated and lost power. The contact mentioned that all the warning lights, gauges, and meters on the instrument cluster failed to function. In addition, the contact stated that the low beam head lamps were activated but were dim. As a result, the contact's visibility was diminished. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer multiple times. The technician diagnosed that the clutch, transmission, and the computer needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles, manufactured from February 3, 2012, through October 20, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles may not have had the low…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly. The recall began on December 18, 2012. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Headlight complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the lights of the 2013 Ford Fusion, 2% of the model year's 1,792 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fusion headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-553 (headlights, Nov 30, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to lights 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.