Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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 owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 30 MPH a vehicle in front of the contact's vehicle was stopped in the lane making a left turn. The contact son's attempted to stop the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard. The vehicle crashed into the rear end of the stopped vehicle. The contact stated her son was not aware of any warning lights. The other vehicle was struck in the right rear fender and from the force of the impact was spun into oncoming traffic. The contact's front end of the vehicle was crushed by the impact. The air bags deployed. The son had sustained bruises on his left shoulder and face from the air bag and seat belt. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing for a traffic sign, she depressed the brake pedal which depressed to the floor board. The contact stated she saw that the "check brake" warning was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled through the traffic sign and rolled off of the roadway and crashed into a tree stump. The contact stated the vehicle crashed into the tree stump on the passenger side front bumper. The contact stated that she was not injured. …
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact exited the highway onto a residential street to park the vehicle; however, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a parked vehicle. The vehicle then drove over the sidewalk and crashed into a residence's sidewall. The air bags did not deploy. The rear doors failed to open, and the people within the residence came outside and assisted in pulling the children out through the rear windows. The contact and three minor children were not injured; however, medical attention was received on the scene from Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the body shop and was deemed totaled by the insurance company. …
The contact owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics), a few months approximately four months after the vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 10 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle continued to move forward striking a crosswalk pole. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a lot and then taken to an independent mechanic where it was not able to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal went all the way to the floorboard with a message displayed that the brake fluid level was low. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side brake hose was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received a second notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) advising that the part was available for the recall repair. …
This is a notice for Ongoing consumer fraud and deceptive business practices that are negatively affecting the community and jeopardizing life and safety and through unsafe work practices that are negatively affecting the community's safety and well being. When I returned to request official documentation of their unsafe work practices, I was lacked up by the employees and manager [redacted] , who thought it was hilarious that the wheel fell off my vehicle and then I could've been killed and The occurrence that happened to me is not a one time occurrence it is continuing to affect the community as a whole. This is a complaint regarding ongoing bad business practices that is not safe. would somebody please look into this and make sure that our community is safe and that unsafe work practices are corrected in the best interest and safety of the community in mind. 49 U.S.C. …
While traveling at a high rate of speed of 75 mph, on the highway, my brakes failed, the brake pedal was pushed to the floor. The car was hesitant to shift/accelerate. Upon trying to get some type of braking remedy i almost crashed from off the bridge that i was trying to merge on to. upon trying to stop the car i went up a small grade which brought the car to a stop with the emergency brake on. While out of the vehicle the back, driver side caliber caught flame with bluish and greenish flames from the brake fluid coming out, being the metal was at an extreme temperature. I thankfully had my children's drinks/slushies in the car to throw on the flame to stop the spread and to put the flames out. I had to call for a tow truck to get myself and children off the side of the highway. After a $172.98 bill, the car was towed home. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on a mountainous roadway and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal until the vehicle responded. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that she continued driving and the vehicle lost motive power nearby an independent mechanic shop. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The independent mechanic was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and braking for a traffic signal, she felt that the brake pedal had depressed closer to the floorboard than normal. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brakes were in good working order. The dealer advised the contact that she had to wait for a second notification from the manufacturer due in August. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and the StabiliTrak warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that he received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and notified the dealer of the recall and the failure. The contact was then informed by the technician that once the recall was completed, they should eliminate and turn off the warning lights. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the recall was completed however, the contact stated that after the vehicle was retained, the ABS warning light and the StabiliTrak warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. …
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
NHTSA investigations
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak.
Brake complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 137 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Ford Fusion, 8% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Fusion brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-162 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 10, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Fusion brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries to brakes 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.