2013–2020 Ford Fusion

2013-2020 Ford Fusion — Check Engine Light / OBD2 Diagnosis

By Tom Becker ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 14, 2026

🔧 Easy 15-30 minutes $25 DIY

Save $95 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $120

Quick answer: Check Engine Light / OBD2 Diagnosis on a 2013–2020 Ford Fusion is rated Easy and takes about 15-30 minutes. You'll need 2 tools for this job, and parts cost about $25. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.

Quick Video Tutorial

Parts You Need

Total Cost

$25.00

Part Name	Part Number	Price	Buy
OBD2 scanner	—	$25.00	Amazon

About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.

💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully

Confirm warning severity

Steady or flashing? Steady with the car running normally is a non-urgent fault — schedule a diagnosis soon. Flashing indicates a severe misfire that can overheat and ruin the converter: ease off, pull over safely, and arrange a tow instead of driving on.

Connect the OBD-II scanner

Park, switch off, and find the 16-pin connector under the driver's dash near the column — trapezoidal, accepts a standard scanner with gentle pressure. Live data is ideal: EVAP purge/vent commands, fuel-tank pressure, and fuel trims crack the Fusion's most common codes.

Read and record codes

Record every confirmed, pending, and permanent code plus the freeze-frame data before clearing anything. Also expect P0442/P0455/P0457 EVAP leak codes, misfire codes, and oxygen-sensor faults, and note whether the trouble appears specifically after fill-ups.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker

P1450 plus 'only right after I get gas' is the easiest call in the book on these Fusions. I barely wait for the scanner — that symptom tells me where to look.

Check the likely cause

Inspect the vent solenoid and its hoses for blockages, check the fuel-tank pressure sensor reading for plausibility, and look for kinked or crushed EVAP lines near the tank. Test before replacing parts.

Repair, clear, and verify

After the repair, clear the codes and drive several cold-start trips with mixed city and highway; the EVAP monitor needs the tank about 1/4 to 3/4 full. A returning P1450 means the purge valve, vent path, or pressure sensor still has a fault.

All Done!

Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Replacing parts based on a code without checking wiring, connectors, or vacuum leaks
• Clearing codes before recording confirmed, pending, and permanent codes
• Using a scanner that cannot communicate with the vehicle protocol
• Treating a stored code as proof that the named sensor itself failed

Tools You'll Need

OBD-II scanner compatible with the vehicle Flashlight Notebook or phone for codes and freeze-frame data Safety glasses

Related Trouble Codes

P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected P0171 System Too Lean (Bank 1) P0101 Mass Airflow Sensor Range/Performance P0174 System Too Lean (Bank 2) P0562 System Voltage Low P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

⚠️ Safety First!

• Informational DIY. EZ Car Fix is not a shop.
• A flashing check-engine light can indicate a damaging misfire; reduce load and seek professional service promptly.
• Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• Do not clear codes before recording them and the freeze-frame data.