Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driver's side door latch - I paid 448.13 to have repaired. While trying to drive and hold on to door to keep it from opening into on-coming traffic I could have had an accident. I hsve the news article recalling fords with door latch problems. Please help the left hand turn signal will not operate and the cost too repair is over $1000.I am unable to have this repaired as I am retired and on a low income.. ..updated 04/13/17
Please file under *latches/locks/linkages* parked vehicle. Attempted to exit. Driver's side. Heard repeated sound of lock actuator clicking 3+ times. Had to manually force handle and manual lock above handle open and unlock door with remote to exit vehicle. Took approximately 3 minutes to exit vehicle. Upon reentering vehicle and returning home, remote lock works occasionally with half the time the actual lock mechanism prevents door from being locked. This issue is identical to all of the other 24 posts in this category. Should also be noted that all four door handles and manual locks exhibit same "paint delamination" of chrome-colored surfaces. Vehicle purchased as cpo in 2011 at 58,000 miles. Now has 74,200 mostly interstate miles. Ford should address this issue as it appears through research to be pretty wide-spread on these vehicles. …
In very normal, if not gentle use the interior door handles on our 2006 Ford Fusion all broke in the latter part of 2010, with the exception of the drivers side rear door. The car has approx. 68,000 miles on it and is a known defective part that has broken in thousands of these cars as can be researched. The only way one can exit the vehicle is to leave the car running and open the window while reaching outside to use the outer door handle, then open the door and roll the window back up and then shut off the car. This presents a serious safety hazard when the occupants might have to exit the vehicle quickly to avoid imminent danger. After paying close to $6,000 for extended warranties, the dealership refused to offer replacement of any sort, stating that there had been no safety recalls on this issue. …
Approximately 3 years after purchase, chrome covering on interior door handles started peeling. In November, 2010, the rear passenger interior door handle snapped. Pieces fell out and the door cannot be opened from the inside. In March 2011, the drivers side rear interior door handle also snapped. Although the doors can still be locked by the remote, they have to be opened from the out side. This is an extreme safety issue in the event that someone needs to exit the car quickly. I have read thousands of similar complaints on-line. The dealer gave me a quote to repair but I do not have the funds. The dealer did send an inquiry to Ford on my behalf but we have heard nothing back. Ford needs to own up to this and do a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the interior front and rear driver side door handles had fractured. In order for passengers to exit the vehicle, the window would have to be opened and the contact or passenger would have to put their arm through the window and open the door using the exterior door handle. The manufacturer and authorized dealer were notified which they informed that there was not a safety related recall and were unable to provide further assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact had significant concern of the potential safety hazard. The failure mileage was 68,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford Fusion. The driver's side door handle became fractured from its housing. Within two months, the rear driver's side and passenger's side door handles also fractured from their housing. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and the repairs would be at the liability of the owner. She was also advised by a local service station, upon getting a routine oil change, that every Ford Fusion they repaired exhibited the same failure. No repairs were made. The manufacturer would not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage is 84,000. Updated 07/06/10. Updated 07/07/10.
Over the past several years, one by one, every door latch or lock has broken. In 2008 I experienced a jamming of the driver's door latch so I was unable to shut the door, requiring the driver to hold the door shut with one hand while driving (an obvious safety risk). This was repaired, but again broke in 2012, and the door was only able to be opened from the outside. Latch was replaced (paid privately). Had similar incidents with all other doors, plus peeling silver tape from plastic latch handles. Latest incident was 8/30/13. Right rear passenger door is able to be opened from the inside, but can't be opened from the outside.
My back door lock on my driver side stopped automatically locking and unlocking unless I do it manually. It wasn't a huge issue since I don't have a lot of people in my backseat. Last night, when I got home from work, I reached to open my door and nothing happened. I thought I was tired enough to be mistaken, but it happened. My door will now only open from the outside. The lock still locks and unlocks automatically when I use the button, but I have to roll down my window to get out. This can be hazardous if someone is locked in the car during a wreck, fire, gas leak, etc.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle interior door handles on all four doors were broken and as a result, the doors could only be opened from the outside. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the vehicle was not under warranty and offered no additional assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Fusion. The contact stated when attempting to exit the vehicle, the front drivers side and rear passenger side interior door handles fractured from the vehicle. The contact noticed prior to the failure that the chrome plating on the door handles had exhibited unusual cracking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The current and failure mileages were 32,000.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2006 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2006 Ford Fusion, 5% of the model year's 730 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Fusion door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches recall for the 2006 Ford Fusion, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Fusion door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.