Ford Fusion Problems by Year

We compared every Ford Fusion model year from 2006–2020 using 22,434 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 46 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2010, 2011 and 2012, which drew far more complaints than other Fusion years at the same age. The best years are 2006, 2007 and 2020.

15model years
22,434complaints
46recalls
2010, 2011worst years
2006, 2007best years

Complaints by model year

’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’207301.1k1.4k1.0k5.1k2.8k2.5k1.8k1.3k9971.6k1.1k442316184
Owner complaints per model year, Ford Fusion. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
2020184−67%3TransmissionGood
2019316−60%3EngineGood
2018442−56%2EngineGood
20171,115typical4EngineAverage
20161,6441.3×13EngineAverage
2015997−23%13EngineAverage
20141,333typical19SteeringAverage
20131,7921.4×19EngineAverage
20122,5171.8×5SteeringCaution
20112,7942.0×7SteeringAvoid
20105,1303.7×11SteeringAvoid
20091,023−43%6BrakeGood
20081,353−49%5AirbagGood
20071,064−68%4AirbagGood
2006730−70%4AirbagGood

* Complaints compared with the median Fusion year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford Fusion problems

Latest Ford Fusion recalls

Power train › Manual transmission

NHTSA recall 26V-376 · Jun 9, 2026 · 5,252 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026.

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 25V-695 · Oct 13, 2025 · 1,448,655 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years.

Equipment › Electrical › Engine block heater

NHTSA recall 25V-685 · Oct 10, 2025 · 59,006 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 25V-442 · Jun 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and…

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch

NHTSA recall 23V-775 · Nov 17, 2023 · 45,173 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa,…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023.

All 46 Ford Fusion recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford Fusion should you avoid?

2010, 2011 and 2012 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Fusion years at the same age, led by steering problems in the 2010.

What is the best year for the Ford Fusion?

2006 has the fewest complaints compared with other Fusion years at the same age, followed by 2007 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford Fusion problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (5,778), engine & cooling (3,953) and air bags (3,530). Steering complaints peak in the 2010 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford Fusion had?

46 recalls across 2006–2020. The model year with the most is 2013. See all Ford Fusion recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.