Owners have reported 8 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Fusion. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints132
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Ford Fusion frequently experiences engine issues related to coolant intrusion, particularly in the 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Typical symptoms include engine misfires, white exhaust smoke, rough running, and overheating, often attributed to coolant mixing with engine oil or entering the combustion chamber. Complaints often mention engine failure occurring between 11,000 and 108,000 miles, with some citing repair costs exceeding $12,000. Safety implications are noted, with reports of sudden loss of power, engine shutdowns, and potential risk of collisions, especially at highway speeds. This information is crucial for used car buyers considering this model, as the issues are linked to known design defects documented in technical service bulletins.
Owner complaints97
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the power train of the 2018 Ford Fusion, particularly involving coolant intrusion and shifter cable bushing failures. Complaints commonly describe symptoms such as engine overheating, white smoke from the exhaust, misfires, and inability to shift gears. These problems often occur around 60,000 to 90,000 miles. Safety implications include potential engine stalling, loss of power, and risk of accidents due to the inability to control the vehicle. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues, as repairs can be costly and may affect vehicle reliability.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints80
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion frequently report issues related to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, often leading to engine failure and the need for engine replacement. Symptoms commonly described include the vehicle shuddering, rough running, overheating, white smoke from the exhaust, and illuminated check engine lights. These issues typically arise around 54,000 to 155,000 miles. While no reports indicate crashes, fires, or loss of control, the recurring engine problems could potentially lead to unexpected vehicle performance issues. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly in relation to engine reliability and potential repair costs.
Owner complaints21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) and Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). Symptoms include infotainment screen failures, loss of climate control and navigation functions, and vehicle stalls, often with no prior warning lights. Several complaints indicate the car shuts off while in motion, posing a risk of crashes, with one report involving an actual crash and another involving a fire. These issues often appear intermittently and can occur at various mileage ranges, sometimes even when the vehicle is relatively new. Potential buyers should be aware of these electrical concerns, as they are linked to significant safety risks, including loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints19
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion frequently report issues with the steering system, primarily involving a loss of power steering functionality and a loose or unstable steering wheel. Symptoms described include sudden steering wheel lock-up, excessive play or wobbling, and a complete failure of steering assist, often accompanied by warning lights for traction control and other driver assistance systems. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 32,000 miles and others at higher mileages, such as 157,017. Safety implications are significant, with several owners nearly experiencing accidents due to sudden loss of steering control. Potential buyers should be aware of these steering-related complaints and consider having the vehicle inspected for these issues before purchase.
Owner complaints4
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion report issues primarily related to brake fluid leaks and ABS pump failures. Complaints frequently mention brake fluid leaking from hoses, leading to compromised braking performance and extended stopping distances, with one case occurring around 73,000 miles. Additionally, some owners describe ABS pump failures during anti-lock events, which result in the brake pedal going to the floor and a loss of stopping power, particularly on slippery or rough surfaces. These issues suggest potential safety implications due to reduced braking effectiveness, which prospective buyers should consider.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion frequently report issues with air bags not deploying during crashes. Three complaints involve crashes where air bags failed to deploy, resulting in a total of four injuries. One owner mentions a head-on collision with a light pole where the passenger side air bags did not activate. Another owner describes being rear-ended at high speed, leading to severe personal injuries and a totaled vehicle, with no air bag deployment. Additionally, there is a report of an unresolved Takata airbag recall, with the owner expressing concern over passenger safety. These complaints suggest a potential pattern of air bag non-deployment in crash scenarios, posing significant safety implications for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion report issues related to vehicle speed control, particularly involving acceleration and engine performance. Multiple complaints describe a failure to accelerate properly, with one owner mentioning the vehicle not exceeding 25 miles per hour and shaking, while another reports the car running rough and nearly causing a collision due to lack of acceleration. Symptoms noted include a boiling sound from the engine and white smoke, with one owner identifying a coolant intrusion issue leading to engine misfire. There is a reported crash where the vehicle unexpectedly surged forward at low speed, resulting in a collision. This incident raises safety concerns, especially as no error codes were detected post-accident. These issues often involve significant repair costs and leave owners apprehensive about vehicle reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
SEAT BELTS
Owners report issues with the seat belts in the 2018 Ford Fusion, with complaints highlighting problems with both the buckling mechanism and the seat belt indicator. One owner describes the rear driver-side seat belt failing to buckle entirely, while another reports the front driver's side seat belt not buckling properly, which is linked to a crash where the seat belt failed to retract, resulting in an injury. A third complaint notes a delay in the seat belt warning indicator, which activates only after two minutes of driving. These issues are noted at varying mileage, with one report specifying a failure at 89,000 miles. Safety implications include a documented crash and injury, emphasizing the importance of verifying seat belt functionality when considering a used purchase.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion report issues with the suspension system, specifically mentioning incidents where the axle and suspension components break during driving. One complaint describes a crash incident where the vehicle's axle and suspension collapsed after hitting a curb during a left turn, leading to concerns about potential rear-end collisions due to sudden stops. Another complaint, while primarily focused on transmission issues, does not provide additional suspension-related details. These reports suggest that suspension failures can occur unexpectedly, posing safety risks, particularly during turning maneuvers. The mileage at which these issues occur is not specified, but the described symptoms include component breakage and vehicle instability.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
