Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
I've had my ford for almost a year and found that coolant was getting into my engine and causing it to overheat and went to get it checked out at a Ford dealership only for them to tell me I would have to buy a new engine I can't afford. I've been looking online at all the problems that could arise if I don't switch the engine like the car starting on fire in hot summer days and can't afford to buy a new car as I had to get a loan for it and can't even drive it much for worry of anything happening. It's my main source of transportation to work and without it I could lose my job. I can't afford to get a new car and another loan for that as well while paying for my ford's loan. …
1st incident (Oct. 8, 2024)- while traveling up a slight incline vehicle began to sputter and then stopped accelerating. No codes where thrown, no warning of any kind. The vehicle was still running and had all power, but there was no acceleration when pressing on the gas pedal. I was able to turn the car off and restart it and acceleration started but only for a brief moment, I was able to pull off into a driveway. Turned off the vehicle and restarted - vehicle would not accelerate. Turned off vehicle and waited 10-15 minutes - restarted the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated. Vehicle drove fine until the 2nd incident (Nov. 2, 2024) - stopped at a red light, once light turned green - no acceleration, no codes, no warning signs, and vehicle was still running and had power. Turned off vehicle and restarted and accelerated. Again, the vehicle drove fine until the 3rd incident (Nov. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the engine started to rev. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact drove into a gas station and the vehicle shut off while parking the vehicle. The contact's brother arrived at the scene and restarted the vehicle; however, the revving persisted. The contact was informed by another owner of a similar vehicle that the failure was related to the fuel system. The vehicle continued to rev, and the contact opened the fuel tank which allowed fumes and air pressure to be released from the gas tank. The vehicle resumed normal operation while the contact drove home; however, the failure returned the next time the contact drove the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic code reader showed a defect with the evaporative canister vent solenoid. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a code reader retrieved information for a defect with the EVAP system. The EVAP system was replaced by another independent mechanic; however, the check engine warning light returned several months after the repair. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was discovered that coolant was leaking into the spark plugs. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon refueling the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the float gauge, requiring a replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with the fuel tank half-full, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure reoccurred after refueling the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Shift Lever Does Not Select Accurate Gear Due To Worn Bushing (NHTSA 22V-413, OEM 22S43): A degrading bushing attaching the shifter cable to the transmission in certain 2013-2019 Ford vehicles, including the 2016 Fusion, may detach, preventing proper gear selection and potentially causing unexpected movement. Dealers will replace the bushing and add a protective cap.
Vehicle after every single time we refuel have to press gas pedal to start afterwards it keeps stalling until you gun the acceleration to pick up speed. Vehicle after that runs okay until the next time you fuel up.
Car lost power and just cut off right on Railroad Tracks, managed to get it restarted, called dealership in my area, took it in. They stated their computer wasn't finding anything. After a heated discussion, I finally got the head mechanic to drive it and it did the same thing to him. He said new fuel pump, so it costs me $810.00, labor included, which I thought was rape. Just a ridiculous charge, but hey I'm at the mercy of them!!! Three (3) weeks later same thing happening, just cuts off, leaving me on highway at night. Took it back, they put another fuel pump on, no charge. Week and half later, Key Fob doesn't unlock doors, even after putting a new battery in. Tire Pressure FAULT came on and car continued to cut off, again leaving me in a very dangerous situation, but I GOT LUCKY. I took it back to the dealership and told them the Liability is on them. …
I purchased my car on 9/22/21 with 103,000 miles as well as opting into the extended warranty offer. Since then, I have had a LOT of issues. It was taken to the dealership on 8/1/22 due to an issue with acceleration; the car would stop operating while driving to a point where I'd have to pull over, turn it off, then turn it back on. The check engine light would come on with code P0299. I had to pay for the repair since it was deemed it was a vacuum leak...which wasn't covered in my warranty. The issue returned shortly after, so my car returned to the dealership on October 3,2022. The diagnostics indicated I needed a new transmission, so I didn't receive my car back until November 19, 2022. Shortly after receiving my car back, I noticed coolant leaking to the bottom of the engine. There is also white residue on my spark plug in the first cylinder. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.
Fuel System complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 92 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2016 Ford Fusion, 6% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is storage › evaporative emissions › canister (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Fusion fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-618 (storage, Oct 1, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Fusion fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.