Ford Fusion years to avoid (and the best years)
18,261 NHTSA owner complaints and 48 recalls across 11 model years, 2010 to 2020. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 18,261complaints
- 48recalls
- 576reported crashes
- 152reported fires
- 378reported injuries
- 6reported deaths
Which Ford Fusion years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Ford Fusion years to avoid are 2010 and 2011. The typical Ford Fusion year has 1,330 complaints on file.
- 2010: 5,126 complaints, 3.9 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Throttle body failure and power loss.
- 2011: 2,785 complaints, 2.1 times the typical year. Most reported problem: Power steering assist failure.
What are the best Ford Fusion years?
The Ford Fusion years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (180) and 2019 (376). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 180 | 0.1× | 3 | 10 | 5 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 376 | 0.3× | 3 | 5 | 7 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2018 | 439 | 0.3× | 2 | 9 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2017 | 1,108 | 0.8× | 4 | 37 | 30 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2016 | 1,620 | 1.2× | 13 | 58 | 29 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 993 | 0.7× | 13 | 34 | 17 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 1,330 | 1.0× | 19 | 51 | 46 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2013 | 1,790 | 1.3× | 19 | 63 | 54 | Some concerns to check | Power steering assist failure |
| 2012 | 2,514 | 1.9× | 6 | 107 | 64 | Some concerns to check | Power steering assist failure |
| 2011 | 2,785 | 2.1× | 9 | 80 | 46 | Approach with caution | Power steering assist failure |
| 2010 | 5,126 | 3.9× | 13 | 122 | 74 | Approach with caution | Throttle body failure and power loss |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 8,139 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Steering, suspension & tires3,162 (39%)
- Engine & powertrain2,742 (34%)
- Airbags & seat belts798 (10%)
- Brakes709 (9%)
- Other systems311 (4%)
Recalls (48)
Transmission · 26V376000 · Jun 2026 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 25V695000 · Oct 2025 · model year 2016
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V685000 · Oct 2025 · model years 2019, 2020
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 25V442000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2019, 2020
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 23V775000 · Nov 2023 · model year 2016
Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Electrical system · 23V440000 · Jun 2023 · model years 2019, 2020
A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 23V162000 · Mar 2023 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 22V413000 · Jun 2022 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Brakes · 22V011000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2014, 2015
A separated brake pedal bumper can cause the brake lights to illuminate continuously, causing confusion to other drivers and increasing the risk of a crash. On automatic transmission vehicles, a missing brake pedal bumper can allow the driver to shift the vehicle out of the "PARK" position without depressing the brake, allowing the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 21V158000 · Mar 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21V081000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 21E013000 · Feb 2021 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Safety · 20V331000 · Jun 2020 · model years 2013, 2014
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Safety · 20V177000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Brakes · 19V904000 · Dec 2019 · model year 2010
If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 19V632000 · Aug 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 19V590000 · Aug 2019 · model year 2015
A failed seat belt anchor cable cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Transmission · 19V362000 · May 2019 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 19V001000 · Jan 2019 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Airbags · 18V775000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2010
If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Transmission · 18V471000 · Jul 2018 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 18V169000 · Mar 2018 · model years 2013, 2014
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Steering · 18V167000 · Mar 2018 · model years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V046000 · Jan 2018 · model year 2010
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Transmission · 17V427000 · Jul 2017 · model year 2017
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 17V210000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Engine · 17V209000 · Mar 2017 · model years 2013, 2014
If the cylinder head cracks and leaks oil, the oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, increasing the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 17V024000 · Jan 2017 · model year 2012
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 16V875000 · Dec 2016 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
Safety · 16V874000 · Dec 2016 · model year 2017
During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 16V384000 · May 2016 · model years 2010, 2011
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Seat belts · 16V250000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
An improperly welded driver seat riser may fail to adequately restrain the driver during crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fuel system · 15V793000 · Nov 2015 · model years 2010, 2011
The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fuel system · 15V618000 · Oct 2015 · model year 2016
A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Steering · 15V340000 · Jun 2015 · model years 2011, 2012
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Steering · 15V250000 · Apr 2015 · model years 2013, 2014, 2015
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 15V246000 · Apr 2015 · model years 2013, 2014
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Transmission · 14V736000 · Nov 2014 · model years 2014, 2015
If the key can be removed despite that the transmission is not in Park, a driver may think the vehicle is safety parked, when it is not, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway that could cause the vehicle to strike and injure the driver, other vehicle occupants, or bystanders.
Airbags · 14V597000 · Sep 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
The short circuits could cause the frontal air bags, side curtain air bags and the seat belt pretensioners to not function as intended when needed, increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 14E028000 · May 2014 · model years 2010, 2011
The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 14V164000 · Apr 2014 · model years 2013, 2014
The back of the subject seats may become loose or lean while driving and potentially increase the risk of injury in certain crashes.
Steering · 13V232000 · May 2013 · model year 2013
This could result in impaired steering, including the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 13V227000 · May 2013 · model year 2013
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
Engine · 12V551000 · Dec 2012 · model year 2013
If flammable engine fluids come in contact with the vehicles hot exhaust system, a vehicle fire could occur.
Exterior lighting · 12V553000 · Nov 2012 · model year 2013
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.
Safety · 11V574000 · Dec 2011 · model years 2010, 2011
WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Transmission · 10V222000 · May 2010 · model year 2010
A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.
Safety · 10V161000 · Apr 2010 · model year 2010
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.