Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1. Currently on My 2nd PCM and 4th set of coils and plugs. I was driving My car a few months ago and it started struggling to stay running and the engine light started flashing and after about 2 minutes the car completely shut down. Bought All new coils and Plugs to find out that the pcm was just popping them. Replaced the Pcm and Coils and plugs and Now My car is sitting due to the same problem with the PCM and coils. 2. About a Year ago, I Pulled into the Gas station and when I got back into my car it wouldn't start. After days of Mechanic work I was told that the wiring harness that powers the fuel pump were melted. Which could have very easily caught My car on fire while I was inside. 3. 6 months ago My power Steering went out for the 1st time because of the bolt on the pully and happened again 3 months ago. How are these things not recalled!!?? I've seen a ton of complaints!
I discovered my drivers rear brake light bulb melted in their socket. The socket themselves are burnt black and the drivers side tail light case has been hot enough to melt. A quick search on the Internet turns up a lot more chatter about this same issue. Even scarier is the fact that this happening with zero warning. No blown fuse, no codes, nothing to indicate your frying stuff in the back at all. The dealership denies hearing anything , Ford denies hearing anything, even though it's happening all over the country and I found at least five other complaints listed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratiion. I took car in for oil change and discovered this but want $250 for repair and no guarantee it won't happen again. I'm a senior with limited income and it's a 2008 Ford fusion SE HELP NEED RECALL!
Takata recall: my passenger front seat airbag is faulty and that has been implicated in a number of intermittent, unexplained electrical problems and a constant "parasitic drain" on my battery requiring a replacement alternator and 2 batteries, so far. Also I have been limited in performing duties of my job which requires transportation of others who (for medical needs) need to be in the front seat for observation. Therefore I have suffered a financial loss as well. I drove this vehicle for 5 years, transporting my own children it the front seat before I received a safety recall notice. I was totally unaware of the deadly potential danger I exposed my children for hours everyday. I am now suffering from guilt, fear and shame for being unable to confidently protect my children from dangers that were well known to Ford & Takata for many years, but kept secret from the public. …
My air bags are turned off and so far no dealer said they can fix the air bags after all these years. My passenger seat belt would not buckle and Ford refused to fix it unless I paid a 300.00 price. I took it to bell tire and they put a new one in for much less. I don't feel I should have paid anything because it was a safety issue. I also had to put 5 batteries in my car because the would be totally dead. The last one even though it was under warranty I had to pay for. Year 2017. I told them to dc my automatic starter because they thought for several yrs. It might be that and it was. In the mean time I paid for an altanater I did not need. Paid out a lot of money to the dealer that was not necessary. I have all the bills for all the years. All started in 2010with the battery which I bought when the car was still under lease. …
Car parked at the driveway, started the car, see an engine light and wrench light in the dashboard, tried to accelerate gas pedal, it appears there's no accelerating power. RPM unstable, engine shaking. Called aaa roadside assistance, aaa technician checked and started the car its the same issue. He recommended to disconnect the positive battery cable to reset computer system. Disconnected wait for 10 seconds and re-start the engine, then everything worked. Took the car to a Ford dealer, service advisor believe to be the electronic throttle body problem. Verified in the computer if there's a recall for 2008 Ford Fusion, however nothing reported at this time.
I have replaced the broken bolt on the idler pulley for the second time in 6 months. This is an annoying issue with this engine. Fortunately it happened on statrt up so we were in the driveway. Had it happened on the highway, the loss of power steering could have easily resulted in a fatal crash. The bolt is poorly designed and needs to be larger and or harder. If this is not fixed someone will eventually be killed. How many deaths does it take to warrant attention by Ford???
Customer was traveling on roadway when he noticed smoke. Pulled over and opened hood to have smoke billow out. Inspection of vehicle by independent appraiser shows there is a defective ground strap that caused loss. This appraiser has seen 2 of these losses in the past week with same ignition source. Ford motor co customer service would not provide any assistance in reporting this problem so that this can be avoided for other people.
On Monday September 16, 2013 I began to hear knocking from my engine on my way home from work. When I arrived home, I checked the oil dipstick and it was dry. I put two quarts of oil in it and the knocking persisted. On Tuesday I took the vehicle in to a local mechanic to tell me what the knocking was. He checked the dipstick and it was again dry and told me I needed a new engine. I then had the vehicle towed to the Ford dealership where I purchased it. They told me the oil drain plug was only held in be three threads and that's why there was no oil in the car, thus causing the engine failure. At no time did any warning lights illuminate on the dashboard. The dealership doesn't want to cover the repair under my extended warranty because they say a "negligent repair" caused the engine failure. …
1. Engine started running poorly at startup after work. 2. Check engine light was flashing. 3.made it home with not much power available. Check engine light on constant now. 4. Noticed a burning smell. 5.took it to a shop to check the next day. They replaced one of the rear plug packs. It had burned up. 6. They said to take it to the dealer for a complete fix. Car still running poorly. 7. Took it to the dealer the next day. 6/13/2103. They said the plug pack burned up again and I would need that replaced again plus a new computer which burned up the plug pack. 8. They said the next day that the parts were on back-order and it would take a few days. 9. The parts are still on back order. (almost a month now). Car still at the dealer. Using my backup car as dealer has no loaner. 7/6/2013.
When attempting to brake weather on highway/gravel/city streets or bumps this vehicles brakes are not working properly. They are very soft to push as if there was air in lines,you always have the brake peddel to the floor to stop and pray that you do stop. I have spent $$$ trying to fix this problem... One day im not going to stop in time my kids or myself and anyone kr anuthing involved is going to be hurt. This problem is worse if the road is wet but it is still a constant problem on an every day basis. I have had workers from Ford and other shopes tell me I need to get it fixed, as I have tried and spent $400+ and still wont fix it. I have been doing research and seems like it is the ABS module from other complaints.
Electrical complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Ford Fusion, 2% of the model year's 1,353 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Ford Fusion electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Ford Fusion, though it has 5 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 2008 Ford Fusion electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.