2013 Ford Fusion suspension problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Ford Fusion have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the suspension, typically surfacing around 82,000 miles at roughly $900 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See suspension across all vehicles →
| Model year | suspension complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Fusion | 4 |
| 2010 Fusion | 13 |
| 2011 Fusion | 10 |
| 2012 Fusion | 16 |
| 2013 Fusion (this page) | 10 |
| 2014 Fusion | 7 |
| 2015 Fusion | 8 |
| 2016 Fusion | 8 |
| 2017 Fusion | 3 |
Among the 12 model years of Ford Fusion in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Rear suspension is the most common culprit. Multiple owners report rear shocks wearing out or failing between 40,000 and 44,000 miles, causing excessive bouncing, loss of control on rough roads, and side-to-side swerving. One owner replaced the shocks twice and still had instability; another found OEM replacements backordered and no aftermarket parts available. One owner says they've replaced struts and shocks three times and still have Stability Trac issues.
Front suspension also shows problems. One owner's front lower control arms detached on both sides at nearly 125,000 miles, causing jerking while driving. Another reported a ball joint snapping loose during a right turn, causing the car to bottom out; the dealer denied warranty, calling it accident damage despite photos proving otherwise.
Drivetrain failures appear around 82,000 to 124,973 miles. CV boots and axles fail with clicking noises during turns. Transmissions fail with grinding noises or hesitation; one case involved oil leaking from the front axle seal into the transmission. A dealer cited an expired customer satisfaction program to refuse transmission replacement at 92,000 miles. One transmission linkage completely separated from the selector, leaving the vehicle unable to stay in Park and preventing the engine from starting.
Same Ford Fusion suspension reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Rear shock absorber failure
Rear shocks fail prematurely, causing loss of control, excessive bouncing, and instability on rough roads. Multiple owners report having to replace shocks multiple times.
When: 40,000–44,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle swerves side-to-side while driving; Excessive bouncing of rear end on rough roads; Loss of control and instability; Lack of rear control on rough roads; Stability Trac trouble persisting after multiple strut/shock replacements
Repairs/costs cited: Rear shocks replaced by independent mechanics; one owner replaced shocks twice and still had recurrence. One owner reported OEM parts backordered, aftermarket unavailable.
Front lower control arm detachment
Front lower control arms on both sides detach from the suspension, causing jerking during driving and potential loss of vehicle control.
When: 124,973 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks while driving; No warning indicators illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at independent mechanic; vehicle not repaired.
Ball joint failure
Upper or lower ball joint snaps loose, causing the vehicle to bottom out. Dealer refused warranty coverage, claiming accident damage despite owner providing photographic evidence.
Symptoms owners cite: Car bottomed out during right turn; Loud noise during turn
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; dealer refused to repair under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer denied warranty coverage, claiming accident damage.
CV boot and front axle failure
CV boots and axles fail prematurely, producing loud clicking noises during turns. Independent mechanics diagnosed the failure but vehicle was not repaired.
When: 82,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clicking noise from front driver side wheel during left or right turns
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed at independent mechanic; CV boots and axle needed replacement; vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted; referred owner to NHTSA.
Transmission linkage detachment
Transmission linkage separates completely from the transmission selector, preventing Park from engaging and causing the vehicle to roll when parked. P indicator does not illuminate on dashboard.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls in reverse when transmission in Park; P indicator on dash does not illuminate; Engine will not start
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually repositioned transmission linkage and zip-tied linkage to selector to get vehicle home.
Transmission failure
Transmission fails internally, with one case involving oil leaking from the front driver side axle into the transmission, causing transmission failure. Another case involved both transmission and front bearings/axles failing simultaneously.
When: 90,000–92,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine grinding noise while driving at 45 mph; Vehicle hesitates and loses power when coming to a stop at 15 mph; No warning indicators illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement transmission needed; one case involved axle bearing replacement as well. Neither vehicle was repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated customer satisfaction program for transmission had expired and vehicle could not be repaired.
Rear shock seal leakage
Rear shock seals leak fluid, causing loss of damping control and instability on rough roads.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear shocks leaking; Lack of control at rear of vehicle on rough roads
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reported leaking shocks; repair status unknown.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 44,505 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 44,505; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.