Ford Fusion Reliability Problems

Fusion owners have made 2,031 complaints over 15 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 37th in overall reliability out of 42 Ford models, with real steering and engine concerns.

7 Common Ford Fusion Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Fusion owners have to deal with.

  1. Rodent Damage to Soy-Based Wire Coating

    Newer Ford vehicles use an electrical wire coating that is a more eco-friendly, soy-based material. But maybe it's a little too eco-friendly? There's been an uptick in owner complaints about rodents using the coating as a chew toy and causi…

    Continue reading article "Rodent Damage to Soy-Based Wire Coating" A chewed wiring harness showing exposed copper wiring

  4. Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts

    Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core. The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot, and it’s also a great place to trap moisture and promot…

    Continue reading article "Swollen and Stuck Lug Nuts"

  5. Door Latch Failure

    Ford is having a tough time with its door latches. The seemingly simple devices keep finding new ways to fail allowing doors to fly open while driving, or rebound and hit you when you go to close them. The issues have been investigated and …

    Continue reading article "Door Latch Failure" Side view of a gray Ford sedan

  6. Power Steering (EPAS) Failure

    Power steering is one of those things you don't think about until it's gone. And owners of Ford cars with electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) are thinking about it all the damn time, if you catch my drift.

    Continue reading article "Power Steering (EPAS) Failure"

  7. MyFord Touch Complaints

    Ford's customer satisfaction has been in steady decline since 2010. MyFord Touch was also released in 2010. This is not a coincidence. The system was Ford's attempt at an all-in-one, in-dash communication and entertainment system. What owne…

    Continue reading article "MyFord Touch Complaints"

What Fusion Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Fusion Generations

The Fusion has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 1st generation (2006–2012).

Fusion Key Numbers

  1. 2,031 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 387 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 35 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Fusion Class-Action Lawsuits

The Fusion has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Reed, et al., v. Ford Motor Company.

    1. Case Filed

      According to the Ford EcoBoost class action lawsuit, the engines have inadequate seals on the cylinder heads and grooves where the cylinder heads attach to the engine blocks. Coolant allegedly enters through the grooves where it pools and degrades the gasket seals and causes coolant to leak into the cylinders.

  • Dismissed

    William Philips et al v. Ford Motor Company./A

    1. Dismissed

      A Ford power steering lawsuit is over after a federal judge ruled in favor of Ford and said the plaintiffs didn't have a case.

    2. Denied

      A Ford Focus and Fusion electronic power assisted steering (EPAS) lawsuit won't be certified as a class-action after a judge ruled the plaintiffs can't prove all owners experienced harm from the alleged defect.

    3. Partially dismissed

      Ford filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and U.S. District Judge Lucy H. Koh agreed to do just that. Ruling the power steering lawsuit is unwieldy in scope and unduly burdensome, Koh gave the plaintiffs a 30-day deadline to amend the complaint or face dismissal with prejudice of Plaintiffs’ claims.

    4. Case Filed

      The plaintiffs claim the power steering system is advertised with a feature that helps drivers with pulling and drifting based on road conditions. The system is supposed to work automatically, but the lawsuit alleges the system fails on the road, causing a problem with turning the wheel.

Recent Fusion News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Ford may have used obsolete Takata replacement parts during a previous recall, extending what already feels like a never-ending airbag saga.

    Some Ford dealerships kept defective parts on their shelves long after they should have been tossed, and those wound up being used in vehicles as part of a collision of theft repair. Now Ford needs to re-recall 154,000 vehicles to inspect part numbers and replace the inflators if neccessary.…

    keep reading article "Ford Recalls Trucks That Received Obsolete Replacement Takata Parts"

  2. Most lug nuts are one piece of hardened steel, but Ford chose a design that puts an aluminum cap over a steel core.

    The cap is notorious for swelling and delaminating when it gets hot. It’s also a great place to trap moisture and encourage corrosion. The end result? A lug nut that’s either too big for a standard wrench or fused so tight you need a drill, welding torch, and 7 Hail Marys to remove it.

    A 2017 class-action lawsuit accused Ford of cost-cutting when switching to the two-piece design. It also said the automaker is aware of the problems, but won’t honor its warranty by denying any lug nut related claims.…

    keep reading article "The Swollen Lug Nuts Lawsuit Against Ford Has Been Dismissed"

  5. Ford has reluctantly settled a class-action lawsuit for using defective Takata airbags.

    Although agreeing to settle the case without the court deciding right or wrong, Ford continues to deny all liability and wrongdoing concerning the vehicles. The automaker says it decided to settle to get the matter over with and avoid the cost of further litigation.

    This isn't the first time Ford has acted reluctant when it comes to Takata problems. Owners can expect to see the following benefits regardless of Ford doing it out of the kindness of their heart or the protection of their checkbooks.…

    keep reading article "Takeways from Ford's Takata Class-Action Settlement"

  6. Ford wants the lug nut lawsuit tossed because "the plaintiffs never allege the swollen lug nuts have ever caused physical injuries to any person or damage to any property."

    Ford also says the plaintiffs talk about swollen lug nuts as if the lug nuts should be indestructible and the warranties should last forever, then wrongly "attempt to cast their product-defect allegations as warranty, fraud and unjust-enrichment claims."

    Should lug nuts last forever? Of course not. But they also shouldn't fuse into something harder than a diamond after 10,000 miles on the road.…

    keep reading article "Lug Nut Lawsuit is Baseless According to Ford Attorneys"

  7. You know what feels like a long time ago? The first Takata inflator recall in May of 2013.

    That’s back when we were young and optimistic that the issue would be resolved quickly.

    Now I can hardly remember what it feels like to have hope at all. Especially as we stare down the barrel of another recall expansion for passenger-side inflators in the Mustang, Edge, Fusion, and Ranger. CarComplaints.com has information on which model years and zones.…

    keep reading article "It Never Ends. Takata Recalls Expanded by 328,000 Vehicles"

  8. Like it or not, Ford is going to need to recall nearly 3 million vehicles with Takata airbags.

    Back in July, Ford filed a petition to delay the recalls so they could investigate the matter further. Time’s up.

    “NHTSA says the request for additional testing by the automakers isn't reasonable based on the data that has been collected.”

    This isn’t a no harm, no foul situation. Delaying the recall puts people’s lives at risk and it’s not a good look for Ford.

    keep reading article "Ford’s Petition to Stop Takata Recall Has Been Denied"

See All Fusion News

What Owners Say About Their Fusion

Rodents Can't Get Enough of Ford's Soy-Coated Wiring and That's a Big Problem

This car is only 3 months old. Dealer removed the engine cover in front of me and I saw the beginnings of a white insulation nest and droppings. The coolant line running across the engine was chewed and leaking. We saw other lines and wires with similar damage across the entire engine compartment.

2017 Fusion Owner

Other Ford Models