Recall 12V553 affects 19,158 2013 Ford Fusion vehicles for hazy low-beam projector coating. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 19,158 2013 Fusion vehicles because the low-beam headlamp projector coating was not properly cured. As the coating turns hazy during use, low-beam brightness drops, reducing driver visibility and increasing crash risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The low-beam headlamp projector on the 2013 Ford Fusion is the part inside the headlamp that shapes and directs the light pattern onto the road. Its coating helps the projector handle heat and keep the low beam aimed and bright enough for night driving. When that coating is made correctly, the lamp meets the required lighting standard.
On the recalled Fusions, the projector coating was not properly cured during manufacturing. Curing is the process that lets the coating harden and set. If it did not set correctly, the low-beam projector can lose the light performance Ford intended, which means the headlamp no longer conforms to the lighting requirement.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not get a dashboard alert for an underperforming projector coating, so the issue is tied to whether the VIN is included in recall 12V553.
Who's affected?
| 2013 Ford Fusion | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 19,158 |
Not every 2013 Ford Fusion sedan is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific sedan is included.
What's the safety risk?
The projector coating can turn hazy during use, reducing low-beam brightness. Reduced low-beam brightness makes it harder to see the road and increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the headlamp assembly replacement promptly. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013 Ford Fusion is included in this recall.
- Contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 if you never received the owner letter mailed on December 18, 2012.
- Ask a franchised Ford dealer about the free headlamp-assembly replacement that fixes the hazy low-beam projector coating.
- Reference recall number 12V553 when you call the dealer or Ford customer service.
- Drive with extra care in low-light conditions until the headlamp repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Ford's remedy is to replace the headlamp assembly covered by recall 12V553. Once the dealer repair is available, a Ford technician replaces the affected headlamp assembly so the low beam projector coating issue is corrected. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Ford's owner notification began on December 18, 2012. Contact a Ford dealer with your VIN so the service desk can confirm coverage and explain the repair appointment.
Timeline
| November 30, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V553?
Recall 12V553 covers 19,158 2013 Ford Fusion vehicles with low-beam headlamp projector coating that was not cured properly. The coating can become hazy during use, reduce low-beam brightness, decrease driver visibility, and increase crash risk. Ford dealers replace the headlamp assembly.
What should I do if my 2013 Ford Fusion is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Fusion is included in recall 12V553. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the headlamp assembly replacement. Reference recall number 12V553 when you call. You can also call Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. For recall 12V553, Ford dealers replace the affected headlamp assembly free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer.
Is it safe to drive my 2013 Ford Fusion before the repair?
The recall does not include do-not-drive instructions. The safety risk is reduced low-beam brightness from a hazy projector coating, which can decrease driver visibility and increase crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free headlamp repair and use extra care in low-light driving until it is complete.
What if I bought my Ford Fusion used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Fusion is included, then contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 12V553 when scheduling the headlamp assembly replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V553000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V553 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V553000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →