Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, she observed that the driver's side door failed to securely latch closed. The door-ajar warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the door latch. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages), and the VIN was included, but parts had already been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 122,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH and exiting a parking lot, the rear passenger's side door opened independently. The contact used the seat belt to keep the securely closed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V331000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that an authorized dealer had to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer suggested that the local dealer be contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 137,149.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to remain closed; and the rear passenger's side door would not open as designed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the locking mechanism for the doors were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on two occasions while the vehicle was parked, the interior hood latch release button failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hood release cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000,
On Nov. 7, 2022, I took the 2013 Ford Fusion to the local dealership in Lugoff, SC for Recall 20S30 Latch Repeat repair . I waited the majority of the day and the majority of the next day and they were unable to complete the recall repair as the Ford Corporate system was not working, I have checked back with the local dealership every week since then and still no resolution. Finally, last week I called the Ford headquarters (Case Number CAS-3990-9379). They said the problem was on the local dealership's end and then I would call the local dealership and they would said it was on the Ford corporate end. This back and forth went on for 2 1/2 hours ass I could not get me along with the other two parties on the call at the same time. I called the local Ford dealership today December 7 and still no resolution.
Went to the grocery store and put the grocery's in the rear passenger area. The door failed to latch properly and had to drive home very slowly. As it was every time we turned, the door would come open.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Ford Fusion. While traveling highway speeds, the passenger noticed an abnormal burning odor. The contact turned on the air conditioner and smoke emitted into the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle lost power and the contact was able to see flames from the side mirror. The passenger was able to exit the vehicle. When the contact attempted to exit the vehicle, the door jammed. The contact had to apply excessive force in order to exit the vehicle. Upon leaving the vehicle, it became engulfed in flames. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the flames. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the service engine indicator illuminated several times. The contact stated that the vehicle kept overheating and was slow to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced and recommended that the vehicle be towed to the dealer. The dealer (country Ford, 95 goodman rd e, southaven, ms 38671, [phone]) made no mention of NHTSA campaign number: 17V209000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was not informed that the recall needed to be completed. The dealer replaced the computer and did not mention anything about NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V597000 (air bags and seat belts), 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages), and 16V875000 (seat belts). …
My door latches have broken on three of my four doors. Each time it is like pulling teeth to get a part. On the second time, I went in to get it fixed, it took 2 1/2 weeks. Asked dealership to check the other two doors, said fine. The next time I open the door that was "checked" door would not close.. Had to bring it back and told them I would not leave with out other doors being fixed. The dealership fixed the broken one, but told me they can not fix the other one until it is a problem . The recall notice says wait for dealership to contact when parts available unless currently experiencing concern with vehicle. This is a hazard to my safety and other drivers. Allowing some one to drive with doors that can come loose, when 3/4 have had a issues. I don't feel safe. Plus I am paying for a car that is not fully up to standard. …
Related recalls
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Fiesta, 2013-2014 Fusion, 2015 Mustang, 2013-2015 Escape and C-Max, 2012-2015 Focus, 2014-2016 Transit Connect, 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ, and 2015 MKC vehicles.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the latch date codes to confirm if the repair was done correctly, and replace the side door latches if necessary, free of charge.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began May 1, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S16.
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
Ford Motor Company (Ford) notified the agency on April 23, 2015, that they are recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured July 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, and 2012-2014 Fiesta vehicles manufactured February 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches with an improved part, free of charge. Interim notifications were mailed to owners on June 5, 2015. The recall began on December 18, 2015.
NHTSA investigations
Door Latch Failures
In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Door Latch Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of doors failing to latch and/or inadvertently opening on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta, MY 2013 Ford Fusion and MY 2013 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2013 Ford Fusion, 5% of the model year's 1,792 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (52 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fusion door lock & latch problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-331 (latch, Jun 8, 2020); NHTSA recall 17V-210 (latch, Mar 27, 2017); NHTSA recall 15V-246 (latch, Apr 24, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to locks & latches 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.