Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the brake hydraulic line needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Additionally, the air bag warning light was illuminated intermittently. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
On August the 17th, 2022 at approximately 1 pm our vehicle was rear-ended and was pushed into another vehicle from a dead stop in a traffic jam by a Chevy Van traveling between 45 and 50 mph until impact. Not a single airbag had deployed during or after the accident.
After a rear-end collision, my passenger front air bag light comes on intermittently. Because of this, I don't know if the air bag was compromised or if the collision caused a faulty sensor. I can't get an answer from Ford.
My airbag light suddenly came on this morning and my light blinking off for the airbag was blinking my whole trip to work. I've also had my catalytic converter replaced and my check engine warning still says their is an issue when everything has been replaced Lights on my mirrors also don't cut on when someone is in my blind spots the symbol is there but they don't light up My back up camera has not worked correctly since a few weeks after I got the car. I have taken it to the dealership and their stating it happens in these vehicles sometimes.
When I got into my car today, the "airbag" symbol near the speedometer as well as the dash kept flickering off and on. My trip was 20 minutes and the illumination flickered off/ on the entire time. My car is steadily becoming increasingly unsafe to drive
The airbag sensor keeps popping on and off in the car... Also, the car is not shifting properly between gears... There is supreme hesitation involved.. there is so much noise coming from the steering column and/or the airbag system.. just out of the blue
My car seat undercarriage is disattached. I took my car in to a nearby Ford dealership and was told my VIN number was not associated with the recalls. Although my car's VIN did not have a recall, I am having the same issues as everyone else that had a recall. I was unable to adjust my car seat for suitable driving and therefore ended up having an accident. I tried to reach out to several companies in reference to my seat issue. No one could help me bc my VIN number didn't match. I have been trying to get assistance with this issue since 6/2020 but was turned away at platimum Ford in terrell tx. Please have someone to contact me as soon as possible I had a wreck 12/28/20 my airbag did not deploy until after the crash. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, when the steering column locked up, causing the contact to drive off the road, the vehicle the independently increased in speed to 40 MPH, and crashed into a ditch airborne. The vehicle landed upside down. During the failure, the steering wheel was unable to be maneuvered. There were no warning lights and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the head, left arm was cut deeply and elbow, elbow joint was injured, and a cut on the face. The contact was taken to the ambulance. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that there was a recall on the steering. The vehicle was recalled for the steering column. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 146,000.
Tl* the contact leased a 2016 Ford Fusion. While driving various speeds, the vehicle swerved independently, rolled over twice, and landed in a wet field. The contact was unsure if the driver blacked out. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained bruises to the body and whiplash. The passenger also sustained bruises and whiplash from the side window that was wrapped around her. Both occupants required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: cas-152226495. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.
My friend aron was having an emergency when woke up at 4:00 am to come to his help. After waking up with a redbull ,I was then heading to the house at wich aron lives . I was unfortunately an to my surprise . Lost complete control of my 2016 Ford Fusion the steering wheel locked. As did the tires . And to my horrible experience of this car in motion then accelerated to 40 miles an hour . I was completely helpless as to redirect the car in motion to a safe path . I remember the Fusion was airborne after I was off the road hitting a ditch . The Ford flipped upside down. I sustained head injuries and back an as well. My arm was cutt up bad. Im now living with these scars for the rest of my life.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Ford Fusion, 3% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is air bag/restraint control module › software (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Fusion airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2016 Ford Fusion, though it has 13 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 2016 Ford Fusion airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to air bags 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.