Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Date of first incident was Nov 19, 2023. I was driving home from taking my elderly mother to the doctor and my engine just shut off. I had plenty of gas, my oil and transmission had been changed, no warning lights came on my dash prior to the engine stopping. The only message I had on my car said the car is not in park. No one can seem to find out why. It has done this at a moderate rate of speed (45mph). My steering wheel locked and I can't steer the car giving me the option to get to a safe place on the road. I have to hit another vehicle or hit a pole. I have good insurance but I don't want to use it to fix body damage. I can't afford that with a 300 dollar car payment. My break sensor error light will come on as well and I went to have the breaks changed and fluid replaced but it doesn't work. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had failed several times and was replaced approximately 5 times. The contact also stated there was exhaust coming out of the tailpipe during the initial start-up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the alternator was producing 20 volts while accelerating, causing the battery to overheat and burn out. Additionally, cylinder #3 was misfiring due to anti-freeze leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and it was confirmed that there were no recalls related to the failure. …
Vehicle won't start so I called my roadside/towing assistant number got someone out to do battery jump service because I been through this before twice come to find out that wasn't the issue might needed more gas still wasn't the issue so I got the vehicle towed to a shop it came back I needed the dealership to reprogram the vehicle they couldn't because it wasn't drivable so I got it towed to another shop just for them to tell me I need a new engine they didn't know what cause the problem but just off what they seen while doing a diagnostic was low compression on all cylinders oil full and normal color (not brunt) coolant is full and clean warranty doesn't want to cover parts that's needed for the vehicle like cylinder head gasket check engine light always came on after repairs was fixed
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, he was unable to link his phone to the vehicle's computer module without warning. While researching the issue, the contact discovered a manufacturer's recall for similar vehicles regarding the failure. The dealer was contacted about the failure and was informed that they were unable to assist him. The contact was referred to the manufacturer. Once the manufacturer was notified of the issue, the contact was informed that there would be no assistance because the Vin was not included in the recall. The contact was given a case number and was referred to the NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed and attempting to shift to the next lane, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact was able to get to the side of the highway and turn off and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the Hill Start Assist Not Available message was displayed. The contact called the dealer to schedule an appointment however, there was no available appointment for at least a week. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the electrical system malfunctioned causing the instrument panel to become inoperable. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the vehicle as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster then failed to illuminate and remained off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The contact is requesting reimbursement for repairs and a recall for this vehicle.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the horn had malfunctioned and no audible sound was present when the horn was pressed. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent initially but eventually became a permanent failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the local dealer who were both unable to determine the cause of the failure. The local dealer recommended that the vehicle be taken to an electrician. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 83,700.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power to the radio, windows, and power steering. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who checked the wiring harness and was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that he was unable to unlock the vehicle manually. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact of an alternative way of unlocking the vehicle. The contact stated that after successfully unlocking the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Electrical complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 150 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Ford Fusion, 9% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Fusion electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 3 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.