This article supersedes 17-2225 to update the vehicle model years affected and Service Procedure. Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2020 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions. This may be due to water intrusion into the exterior mirror connector. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to remove the 16 pin connector and install two weather tight 8 pin connectors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Ford Fusion visibility problems
severe Owners of the 2013 Ford Fusion have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 57,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Fusion | 3 |
| 2010 Fusion | 17 |
| 2011 Fusion | 6 |
| 2012 Fusion | 6 |
| 2013 Fusion (this page) | 20 |
| 2014 Fusion | 19 |
| 2015 Fusion | 14 |
| 2016 Fusion | 13 |
| 2017 Fusion | 6 |
1crash
1fire
What stands out
Of the 12 model years of Ford Fusion we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 20.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2018 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions due to moisture in the exterior mirror connector. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2017 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions due to moisture in the exterior mirror connector. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013-2016 FUSION - WINDOW SWITCH BEZEL WARPED OR DOES NOT SIT FLUSH - EBONY/PIANO BLACK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Fusion visibility system has generated consistent complaints across three main trouble areas: wiper performance, wiper motor reliability, and windshield integrity.
Wiper motor failures are the most severe. Owners report complete motor failure at 43,000 to 92,000 miles, sometimes at highway speeds during rain with no advance warning. One owner lost all visibility on a rain-soaked highway and nearly crashed; another paid $550 out-of-pocket after the dealer denied warranty coverage, citing time elapsed. Many failures follow months of bouncing, vibration, or hesitation—warning signs the dealer in one case dismissed without troubleshooting.
Wiper design inadequacy during rain is widespread. Multiple owners describe poor clearing in moderate rain at 45–50 mph and near-zero visibility in sudden downpours. The outside-to-inside sweep pattern leaves large unwiped zones. Owners have resorted to hand-spray bottles and slowing to 40 mph to stay safe. Dealers have told owners nothing is wrong with the system.
Windshield adhesive failure appears at high mileage. One owner found the rear glass nearly detached at 136,000 miles—90 percent of the glue bond had failed. Water pooled in the cabin during rain. Another reported windshield delamination with Ford refusing replacement. No recall has been issued.
Rear camera intermittently blacks out with "unavailable" messages, creating hazards when backing.
Same Ford Fusion visibility reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Wiper motor failure and loss of function
Wiper motors stop working or fail completely, leaving the driver without the ability to clear rain or snow from the windshield, creating an immediate safety hazard. One owner experienced complete wiper failure at highway speed in heavy rain and lost visibility.
When: Reported at various mileages: 43,595 miles; 68,000 miles (concurrent with engine fire); 92,000 miles; after 1 year of ownership; around 136,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop working entirely; Complete loss of visibility during rain or snow; Left wiper stays in vertical position while right wiper returns to park; One or both wipers fail to operate when control stalk is manipulated
Repairs/costs cited: $533 for wiper motor replacement (owner #1); $550.93 for left wiper motor replacement (owner #17); hundreds of dollars cited (owner #11); owners report Ford dealers quote high costs and refuse warranty coverage after initial visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #1: dealer initially could not duplicate, then denied warranty coverage after car left warranty period. Owner #14: Ford demanded payment, performed free work once that temporarily fixed issue. Owner #11 references 22 reports of faulty wipers with no recall issued. Owner #7: manufacturer opened case and referred owner to NHTSA Hotline.
Wiper motor/mount looseness causing skip and poor clearing
Wiper motor mounts or the motors themselves become loose, causing wipers to skip across the windshield and fail to properly clear water or snow. Issue reported as early as 30,000 miles.
When: 30,000 miles (owner #16); intermittent failures throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers skip during operation; Wipers do not clear windshield fully when raining; Poor clearing whether car is moving or stationary; Wipers physically bounce or vibrate while moving
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #16 changed wipers 4 times before body shop diagnosed loose motors/mounts; owner cited repair cost as prohibitively high; owner #1 paid $533 for motor replacement
Wiper bouncing, vibration, and hesitation (pre-failure symptom)
Wipers exhibit bouncing or vibrating motion across the windshield, sometimes violent, with intermittent hesitation. Dealer initially dismissed the issue as unduplicable despite owner providing video evidence; problem preceded complete motor failure within one year.
When: September 2014 (owner #1, under warranty); approximately 1 year before complete failure in November 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers bounce or vibrate when running; Violent bouncing in some instances; Intermittent hesitation as wipers move across windshield; Behavior intermittent and difficult for dealer to reproduce in shop
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #1 provided video documentation (YouTube link); owner was charged $533 for wiper motor replacement one year later when warranty expired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claimed they could not duplicate the problem; dismissed it; declined to repair under warranty when owner returned with complete motor failure
Wiper design inadequacy in rain clearing
The wiper sweep pattern and speed do not effectively clear the windshield in moderate to heavy rain, leaving large portions unwiped for extended periods. The outside-to-inside sweep pattern creates blind spots and renders high-speed rain driving unsafe.
When: During moderate and heavy rain; affects normal operation at highway speeds (45-55+ mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Poor visibility in moderate rain at moderate speeds (45-50 mph); Nearly zero clear visibility during sudden heavy downpours at freeway speeds; Large unwiped portions of windshield for extended periods; Water blinding driver as wipers move outward; Wiper speed insufficient for rain intensity
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report having to pull over, reduce speed to 40 mph, or use hand-spray bottles; defog button provides marginal help; no factory fix available to owners who inquired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #9 reported dealer stated 'there was nothing wrong with the wipers'
Windshield delamination and adhesive failure
Windshield laminate separates, causing the glass layers to split visually. Adhesive bonding the windshield to the frame fails, allowing water penetration into the cabin and creating risk of glass shattering or detaching at highway speeds.
When: At 136,000 miles (owner #2); timing not specified (owner #13)
Symptoms owners cite: Visible separation or delamination of the two glass layers; Water dripping into dashboard and floorboard during rain; Water saturating rear floorboard; Windshield can be lifted by hand due to adhesive failure; 90% of top and bottom glue failed or missing; driver-side completely unglued
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #2 applied windshield adhesive themselves; collision center confirmed issue not from sunroof crack; formal repair costs not cited
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #13 stated Ford declined to replace the windshield; owner #5 complained to Ford via phone about the issue with no callback; no recall issued
Intermittent wiper motor failure and loss of function
Wiper motors fail intermittently, with wipers working partially, stopping abruptly, or refusing commands from the control stalk. Issue starts as intermittent and progresses to complete failure.
When: After 1 year of ownership (owner #6); 3-5 minute intervals in snow (owner #15); intermittent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop working intermittently without pattern; Wipers eventually stop working completely; Out-of-sync wiper blades (one stays halfway up windshield, other breaks off); Wipers come on after 3-5 minute delays; Control stalk commands ignored; wipers do not respond
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #6 cannot drive vehicle or pass inspection; owner #7 diagnostic result unknown; owner #15 had to continue driving in reduced visibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner #6: dealer would not accept issue after warranty expired; owner #15: no manufacturer contact noted
Wiper snow accumulation and jamming
Wiper design allows snow accumulated on the roof to be pushed down onto the windshield center, where it jams the wiper blades, preventing them from moving in either direction and blocking visibility completely.
When: During light snow storms
Symptoms owners cite: Snow forced to center of windshield by wiper motion; Wipers unable to reverse direction once snow is in the way; Complete blocking of windshield visibility; Control stalk toggling does not clear the jamming
Rear view camera intermittent failure
Rear view camera stops functioning intermittently, displaying 'camera unavailable' message and black screen. Creates hazard during vehicle reversing when camera is needed most.
When: Intermittent; timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Camera unavailable message appears on display; Black screen instead of camera feed; Camera works intermittently; failures are unpredictable; Near misses reported during reversing when camera fails
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2013 Ford Fusion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2013 Ford Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $350.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 37,900 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 57,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,900; 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Ford/Fusion.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.