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 2012 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, she attempted to open the front driver's side door but it failed to open. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she opened the front driver's side window and was able to reach the door handle to open the door. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the front driver's side door latch to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure with the driver's side and both the front and rear passenger's side door latches. The contact took the vehicle back to local dealer and had all 3 door latches replaced. The vehicle was repaired but experienced the failure for a third time on the front driver side door latch. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while her passenger was attempting to open the front passenger's side door, the door would not open. The passenger rolled the window down and open the door using the exterior door handle. The contact also noticed that while attempting to lock the vehicle, the vehicle failed to lock securely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the door handle and the latch inside the vehicle were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The manufacturer was aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000. The contact stated that the dealer had mentioned that they have replaced several door handles due to faulty plastic parts. …
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a left turn, the driver's side door unexpectedly opened. The contact stated that the door ajar warning light was illuminated. The failure became a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and determined that the door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V177000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact informed the dealer of the recall and was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and after closing the front driver's side door, the door lock failed to automatically lock and secured the door. The driver indicated that the door had to be manually locked in order to be secured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 31,000.
My driver's side door would not open from the inside, I would have to have someone let me out from the outside. This is very dangerous and if I had not been in a safe spot to exit the car it could have been bad. There was no warning or damage to the car leading up to this. My mechanic said that he has had at least 3 other Ford fusions come in with the same problem. I have another friend who had the same issue with her Ford fusion and the dealer said that there was not a recall so there was nothing they could do.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the passenger's side front door handle failed to unlock the vehicle from outside of the vehicle. The contact stated that over time, the driver's side and passenger's side rear outer door handles also experienced similar failures. The vehicle was first taken to chino hills Ford (4480 chino hills pkwy, chino, ca 91710) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact declined to pay to have the vehicle diagnosed. The failure worsened and Ford of upland (555 w foothill blvd, upland, ca 91786) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed and a cost would be assessed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the door latches on all the doors were not oeprating properly. The contact opened the doors by rolling down the windows. The vehicle was taken to the Ford store morgan hill [phone], located at 17045 condit rd, morgan hill, ca 95037) where the latches and the wiring were replaced; however, the failure recurred two years later. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer who recommended a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the door handle fractured without warning twice within 5 months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the driver's side front and rear door handles were inspected and replaced. Duval Ford (1616 cassat ave, jacksonville, fl 32210, [phone]) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. While the vehicle was parked, the front driver side door failed to lock electronically. The contact had to lock the door manually. In addition, while driving 20 MPH, the door opened independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed the front driver side door latch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the front driver, passenger, and rear passenger interior door handles were loose and failed to unlatch the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a wear and tear item and not part of NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 55,000. Updated 01/16/17 consumer stated that the front passenger door also does not lock. Updated 9/5/18
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 2012 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the locks & latches of the 2012 Ford Fusion, 1% of the model year's 2,517 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Ford Fusion door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches recall for the 2012 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 2012 Ford Fusion door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 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.