Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 57 | 31% | 85,000 miles |
| 2019 | 198 | 63% | 82,000 miles |
| 2018 | 273 | 62% | 97,000 miles |
| 2017 | 500 | 45% | 78,000 miles |
| 2016 | 532 | 32% | 90,000 miles |
| 2015 | 311 | 31% | 83,000 miles |
| 2014 | 229 | 17% | 79,000 miles |
| 2013 | 448 | 25% | 89,000 miles |
| 2012 | 116 | 5% | 52,000 miles |
| 2011 | 290 | 10% | 45,000 miles |
| 2010 | 793 | 15% | 55,000 miles |
| 2009 | 37 | 4% | 101,000 miles |
| 2008 | 39 | 3% | 93,000 miles |
| 2007 | 72 | 7% | 90,000 miles |
| 2006 | 58 | 8% | 91,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the fuel door would randomly disconnect from the vehicle. While idling at a stop light, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle the vehicle jerked and hesitated while shifting gear before accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure because there was no warning light illuminated. The fuel door had been replaced; however, the vehicle still experienced the failure with the START/STOP function. The contact stated that the failure became a persistent failure. The contact stated that approximately 6 to 8 months after the first failure, while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact used the App to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a rattling noise coming from the front end near the driver's side close to the transmission. The vehicle would start moments after the failure had occurred. The rattling was more pronounced while the A/C system was running. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the rattling sound was noticeable. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the transmission felt as though it was slipping while changing gear. The contact stated that while inspecting the engine, underneath the hood was hotter than normal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission flex plate had failed. The failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10218899 (Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred when the vehicle was started, and the vehicle jumped and then began to rock up and down. The vehicle was taken to the same independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a spark plug, and ignition coil failure. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred and was taken to the same independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The independent mechanic recommended that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for assistance. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the "Engine Coolant Overtemperature" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The accelerator was depressed and failed to respond as intended. The vehicle started losing motive power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was no coolant inside the reservoir. The contact added coolant to the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact drove to the residence; however, the failure recurred, and the coolant reservoir was empty. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed and determined that the radiator had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle again and confirmed coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that she initially received a notice in the mail about a Customer Satisfaction Program-19B37. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the program was cleared off the vehicle. The contact then stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the "Service Engine" warning light appeared on the instrument panel. In addition, the vehicle would fail to start upon refueling. The contact used a code reader which determined that the purge valve was defective, and the part was replaced. Once the purge valve was replaced, the vehicle was restarted, and the code reader then showed a misfire in cylinder #2. The contact replaced the spark plugs and engine coils but then noticed moisture in the engine block. …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling roughly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who suggested that the spark plugs be replaced and a tune-up be performed based on the mileage. The dealer performed the spark plug replacement and tune-up, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated; however, the vehicle was still idling roughly. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear brakes and rear brake rotors needed to be replaced due to a brake fluid leak. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 75 MPH, the temperature gauge began to indicate that the vehicle was overheating. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the road, and after a visual inspection of the engine compartment, it was observed that the coolant overflow container was empty, yet upon removing the container cap, coolant suddenly flowed back into the container, filling it. The overheating warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. Later, the contact stated that, after starting the vehicle, she observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment and, upon visual inspection, noticed a small fire within the engine compartment that she was able to extinguish alone. No fire or police report was filed, and the vehicle suffered insignificant damage. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and required to be jumpstarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact stated that the failure mostly occurred while coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that on some occasions, the ABS warning light would illuminate and the ABS would make abnormal sounds prior to the failure; on other occasions, the check engine warning light was illuminated and a message indicating that the vehicle was overheating was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed three times out of the five to a Cadillac dealer and a Ford dealer. The dealers replaced the water pump, the alternator and an unknown part; however, the failure persisted. …
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Escape, 2014-2015 Fiesta ST, 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2015 Transit Connect vehicles equipped with 1.6L GTDI engines. If the vehicle is started and driven with an insufficient level of coolant within the engine cooling system, the engine cylinder head may overheat, crack and…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a coolant level sensor and the supporting hardware and software, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed April 21, 2017.
Engine and engine cooling
This is an update to a recently announced recall. Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Escape vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2011, through November 26, 2012, equipped with 1.6L engines, as well as certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles manufactured from February 3, 2012, through November 29, 2012, equipped with…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine for coolant system leaks and reprogram the vehicle's powertrain control module and instrument cluster with an updated calibration and overheat strategy…
NHTSA investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Fusion years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (793), 2016 (532), 2017 (500), 2013 (448) and 2015 (311) model years. Engine complaints make up 15% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Ford Fusion engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 17V-209 (engine, Mar 27, 2017); 12V-551 (engine and engine cooling, Dec 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Fusion engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (12 mentions), followed by the cooling system (10).
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.