Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
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 engine malfunctioned and faulty rear seat belt, it is not available for inspection because it started a fire that destroyed by car. The remains of the car is at a savage yard. We were put at risk because we were driving/riding in the car at the time it starting burning. We were able to pull the car over and park it in a gas station parking lot before it became fully engulfed in flames. I am reaching out to Ford. Since it was not an accident involved, the fire department inspected the vehicle and determine the fire started in the engine. Insurance representative has determined it is a total loss. There were no warning lamps or messages from the car. However, what caused us to detect something was wrong was the thick smoke started filling the car's cabin at which time we immediately pulled over. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started overheating with the high engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and waited until the vehicle cooled down. The vehicle was restarted and operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the manufacturer would be notified. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the coolant sensor needed to be replaced due to DTC: P1299 that was retrieved. An independent mechanic replaced the coolant sensor, but the failure persisted. On another occasion, the contact stated that while attempting to remove the seat belt from her child, the seat belt would not release. The contact had to remove the bolts from the retractor to remove the seat belt. The manufacturer was not contacted. …
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware that one of the passengers was unable to properly engage their seat belt. The contact stated the seat belt remained locked and could not be removed from the base. The contact became aware of a failure with the hardware body of the seat belt after inspecting the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the middle seat belt section of the vehicle posed a safety hazard for his children. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact to call the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NSHTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 136,179.
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 engine coolant continually needs to be refilled, and has resulted in the car overheating multiple times. I have had the coolant system checked multiple times for leaks and they say that the pressure test doesn't show any leaking. I have had to pull over on the side of the highway twice since I've had the car to wait for it to cool down to put coolant in, which I now have to carry in the trunk because it happens so often. I don't know if the engine is just running hotter than it should and causing this but I would like to know if this has been a problem with other fusions because its become a big safety issue when I have to pull off the highway to fix the car. Also, I don't know if this has been a problem with other fords but the seatbelt constantly locks while trying to put it on whether the car is on or off.
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.
Rear seat seatbelt locks up when the seat is moved down and won't retract and only gets tighter when it gets pushed back up. Tightens on passengers in back seat at times. Has been taken to a dealership. Contacted other people who own fusions of the same year and they have similar issues.
When the car interior gets very hot, the driver's seat belt tensioner refuses to disengage, preventing the driver from fastening his seat belt. This has occurred several times, over several summers; this was not just a one-time occurrence.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact was alerted by someone that smoke was noticed from the rear of his vehicle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. The contact opened the hood and saw flames towards the back of the engine compartment. The contact extinguished the fire. The vehicle was driven to a grocery store parking lot where the fire restarted. The contact called the fire department, but the fire extinguished on its own by the time the fire department arrived. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called the huntington beach Ford dealer at [phone] (located at 18255 beach blvd, huntington beach, ca 92648) and was informed that the technician would call him back. …
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. …
Related recalls
Seat belts › Front
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat belts
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Ford C-Max vehicles manufactured January 19, 2012, to November 21, 2013; Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured February 3, 2012, to August 24, 2013; Ford Escape vehicles manufactured October 5, 2011, to November 1, 2013; and Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured April…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RCM, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. The recall began on May 26,2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Seat Belt complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 100 complaints about the seat belts of the 2013 Ford Fusion, 6% of the model year's 1,792 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Ford Fusion seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-875 (front, Dec 5, 2016); NHTSA recall 14V-597 (seat belts, Sep 26, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 Ford Fusion seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 7 fires and 8 injuries to seat belts 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.