2013 Ford Fusion Transmission & Engine Problems — What Owners Need to Know

The 2013 Ford Fusion was a major leap forward for Ford — sleek styling, fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines, and a comfortable mid-size package that genuinely competed with the Camry and Accord. It sold by the hundreds of thousands, and millions are still on the road today. But with age and miles comes a pattern of failures that owners are running into more and more: a finicky 6F35 automatic transmission, coolant and fire issues tied to the 1.6L EcoBoost, and a safety-level recall that too many people have never addressed. If your Fusion is shifting rough, throwing codes, or you've heard about the infamous shifter bushing recall and want to know where you stand — this post covers it all. We've pulled from NHTSA data, owner complaints, technical service bulletins, and real-world repair footage so you're working from solid information, not guesswork. At Expedia Parts, we want to get you back on the road. Whether that means a used transmission to keep a high-mileage Fusion running or a remanufactured engine to give a solid-body car a second life, we'll walk you through what the problems look like, what they cost to fix, and what your best options are.

The 2nd-generation Ford Fusion (2013–2020) has a well-documented record of transmission and engine complaints. 1A Auto's deep-dive on the top 5 problems with the 2013–2020 Fusion identifies the 6F35 transmission and the 1.6L EcoBoost coolant system as the two biggest repeat failure points. A dedicated look at 2013–2020 Fusion automatic transmission problems by Technical Evolution adds more detail on how the 6F35 deteriorates — and why so many owners end up needing full replacement by 50,000–80,000 miles. The Endurance Warranty breakdown of Ford Fusion transmission warning signs puts a finer point on it: the 6F35 is not a transmission that ages gracefully. Hard shifts, RPM flares, and delayed engagement are early warnings — not quirks to drive through. The most urgent issue, however, is not a mechanical wear problem. It's a safety recall.

The 6F35 6-speed automatic is the standard transmission across most 2013 Fusion trims, and it's the most common source of drivetrain complaints on this generation. Hard shifting — especially the 2-3 shift. Owners frequently report a harsh, clunking shift between second and third gear. This isn't a programming quirk — it's an early sign of internal wear or a failing transmission control module (TCM). If you feel it, don't wait. Delayed shifting with RPM spikes. The engine revs up but the transmission hesitates to change gears. In a healthy transmission, the gear change follows immediately. When it doesn't, clutch packs and solenoids are often to blame. TCM failure causing erratic behavior. The transmission control module on the 6F35 has a documented failure pattern that causes unpredictable shifts — sometimes harsh, sometimes missing entirely. A TCM replacement can resolve this in some cases, but if internal damage has already occurred, transmission replacement is the more reliable fix. Complete transmission failure before 80,000 miles. Multiple owner reports document full 6F35 failures at 50,000–80,000 miles — well within what most owners consider a usable vehicle lifespan. Shifter bushing recall — this is the critical one. A class action involving approximately 3 million Ford vehicles (filed in 2022) centers on a plastic bushing inside the shifter cable assembly that disintegrates over time. When it fails, the gear indicator shows "Park" but the vehicle is not actually in park. The rollaway risk is real and has caused injuries and property damage. This affects 2013–2016 Fusions. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov immediately if you haven't already. Ready to replace your 6F35? Shop used and remanufactured transmissions at Expedia Parts — we'll help you find the right fit for your Fusion.