Insurance Analysis for the 2013 Ford Fusion

The 2013 Ford Fusion had a rough first year, so be cautious as to the one you buy.

One of the 2013 Ford Fusions that were recalled.

When purchasing a 2013 Ford Fusion it would be wise to determine exactly when in 2012 it was made. Most of the models that were manufactured in 2012 have been subject to major recalls and have different safety ratings than the ones manufactured later in the year. This difference in quality and safety could make a difference on your insurance premiums.

2013 Ford Fusion Safety

For the models built after December 2012, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2013 Ford Fusion as a “Top Safety Pick +”. This distinction was only given to 13 other vehicles for 2013 and elevates the 2013 Fusion as the safest of the safe vehicles on the road today.

To earn the distinction of being a “Top Safety Pick +” a vehicle has to rate as “good” in 4 of the 5 safety tests that the IIHS conducts on it. The “good” rating is the highest rating that the IIHS gives. On the 5th safety test, the vehicle can earn no less than an “acceptable” rating, which is just one under the “good” rating.

If you noticed, this top safety rating was only granted to the 2013 Fusions that were built after December 2012. The specific manufacturing date was probably used due to the recalls below on the 2013 Ford Fusions that were built prior to that date.

Recalls for the 2013 Ford Fusion

There has already been two recalls for this 2013 vehicle and it is only February. Both recalls happened at the beginning of December in 2012.

Recall #1: “FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 FUSION VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2012, FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NUMBER 108, “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP PROJECTOR COATING PROPERLY CURED DURING ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS.

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY CURED PROJECTOR COATING WILL BECOME HAZY THROUGH OPERATION, OVER TIME, REDUCING THE BRIGHTNESS OF THE LOW-BEAM LAMP. THIS MAY DECREASE DRIVER VISIBILITY AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.” (safercar.gov)

Recall #2: “FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 5, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH 1.6L ENGINES, AS WELL AS CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2013 FUSION VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 3, 2012, THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2012, EQUIPPED WITH 1.6L ENGINES. COOLANT SYSTEM LEAKS MAY CAUSE THE ENGINES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAK FLAMMABLE ENGINE FLUIDS.

Consequence: IF FLAMMABLE ENGINE FLUIDS COME IN CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE¿S HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM, A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.” (safercar.gov)

Insurance Thoughts in the 2013 Ford Fusion

The 2013 Ford Fusion is a smaller sedan, but it has over a $10,000 price range for the models it offers. This wide price range, in addition to it being a hybrid, makes it hard to determine what the comprehensive and collision coverage would be.

However, with being a “Top Safety Pick+” the medical payments or pip coverage will be very low for the models post December 2012. As will be the liability coverage on the 2013 Ford Fusion because of the limited damage this smaller sedan could do compared to other larger vehicles.