What's Wrong with the 2nd Generation (2013–2020) Fusion?

Fusion owners have made 644 complaints about the 2013–2020 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 74th out of 94 Ford generations in overall reliability, with some engine and electrical concerns.

Compare With Other Fusion Generations

Common 2013-2020 Ford Fusion Problems

Some of the worst issues 2nd generation 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

  3. 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"

  4. 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

  5. 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"

  6. 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 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

2nd Generation (2013–2020) Fusion Key Numbers

  1. 7 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 644 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 74th in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 94 eligible generations.

Recent Lawsuits for 2nd Generation Fusion Owners

  • 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.

Recent 2nd Generation (2013–2020) 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 is doing its best to steer clear of an EPAS lawsuit

    , saying the plaintiff's claims don't merit class-action certification because the steering problems are too widespread to prove any "common defect." Nothing says confidence in your product like saying there's too many defects to prove one, singular defect.

    "In addition to denying the electromechanical relays are defective, Ford says the claims should be dismissed because the alleged defects, if they exist, occurred during manufacturing at different times and with different models. Due to this, the plaintiffs cannot claim a "common defect" is associated with the Focus and Fusion cars."…

    keep reading article "Ford Tries to Steer Around EPAS Lawsuit"

  2. The pawl spring problem continues to grow, as Ford has announced an expansion of their previous door latch recall.

    That recall is now expanded by 156,000 cars bringing the total to almost 546,000 cars recalled for door latch problems. The expanded recall includes the 2011-14 Ford Fiesta, 2013-14 Ford Fusion and 2013-14 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

    The question becomes, how many other Ford vehicles use the same defective pawl springs?

    keep reading article "Ford's Door Latch Recall Expands by Another 156,000 Cars"

  3. Following an investigation into door latch failures in Ford Fiesta small cars and later expanded to include the Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, Ford is recalling about 390,000 of those cars to replace the door latches.

    Ford says the affected model years are the 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, 2013-2014 Ford Fusion and 2013-2014 Lincoln MKZ.

    The expanded investigation found issues with the pawl spring tabs, which can break and allow the doors to open while driving. Needless to say, that's a safety no-no and led to the recall.

    keep reading article "390,000 Ford and Lincoln Cars Recalled for Doors That Fly Open While Driving"

  5. Add the 2013 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ to the list of vehicles being investigated for door latch issues.

    Complaints have kept pouring in since the original investigation was opened, and now the government says 207 reports have been filed with NHTSA and another 451 reports were filed directly with Ford. NHTSA says 65 of its complaints claim the doors opened while the cars were in motion.

    The original investigation was opened late last year.

    keep reading article "Fiesta Door Latch Investigation Expanded to Include the Fusion and Lincoln MKZ"

  6. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed their investigation into electronic throttle body (ETB) problems in Ford vehicles after Ford agreed to fix 1.6 million of their cars and SUVs.

    Just don't call it a recall. Oh no, Ford has spun this one into a "customer satisfaction program." The program extends the warranty on the ETB for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle and encourages owners to visit a Ford dealer to have their vehicle's software updated.…

    keep reading article "Ford Agrees to Fix 1.6 Million Vehicles That 'Limp Home'"

What Fusion Owners Say About This Generation

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