Owners have reported 10 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Fusion. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints63
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the powertrain of the 2020 Ford Fusion, particularly involving transmission failures and flexplate cracks. Complaints commonly describe symptoms such as loud noises, vibrations, and difficulties shifting gears, with some vehicles unexpectedly reverting to park or losing propulsion. These issues often occur at mileage as low as 25,000 miles, with several reports around 90,000 to 150,000 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted by the risk of sudden loss of power, which could pose a crash hazard, though only one incident involving a crash is noted. Prospective buyers should be aware of the potential for significant repair costs and the lack of warning signs preceding these failures.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Ford Fusion frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the infotainment system and battery-related problems. Common symptoms include the touchscreen display turning black or freezing, backup cameras malfunctioning, and the vehicle failing to hold a charge, often requiring jump-starts. Some complaints indicate occurrences of spontaneous fires linked to the high-voltage battery pack, with two incidents involving fires and one injury reported. The issues appear to occur across various mileage ranges, with some owners experiencing problems shortly after purchase. Buyers should be aware of potential safety risks, particularly related to the battery fires and the inability to start the vehicle consistently.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints20
ENGINE
Owners report recurring issues with the engine of the 2020 Ford Fusion, primarily involving coolant intrusion and flex plate failures. Complaints frequently mention sudden loss of power, engine knocking, and abnormal engine sounds, often without warning lights. Many of these problems, such as engine block failure and cracked flex plates, occur around 40,000 to 100,000 miles. Safety implications include loss of engine power at high speeds, creating potential collision hazards. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially regarding the EcoBoost engine's susceptibility to internal coolant leaks and the flex plate cracking around the specified mileage range.
Owner complaints18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2020 Ford Fusion report several recurring issues, notably with the transmission and gear shifting, often describing problems such as harsh shifting, failure to engage gears, and the vehicle unexpectedly moving forward. These issues commonly occur around 23,000 to 24,000 miles, with some complaints involving the shifter cable and bushing failures. Additionally, multiple reports highlight concerns with the vehicle's electronic systems, including backup camera and touchscreen malfunctions. Safety-related incidents include one fire and one crash, with the latter resulting in an injury, underscoring potential risks associated with these mechanical failures. Buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering a used 2020 Ford Fusion.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
STEERING
Owners report several steering-related issues with the 2020 Ford Fusion, including failures of the lower control arm, power steering malfunctions, and steering control module faults. Complaints frequently mention the lower control arm snapping, leading to crashes, as well as power steering warnings and loss of steering control, often accompanied by various warning lights. These issues are noted at mileages ranging from approximately 60,000 to 87,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with three reports involving crashes due to steering failures, highlighting a potential risk for loss of vehicle control. Buyers should be aware of these reported issues, especially if the vehicle has accumulated mileage within the reported range.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report that the 2020 Ford Fusion experiences engine issues primarily related to coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, often leading to the need for engine replacement. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as engine stalling, white smoke from the exhaust, and "Engine Coolant Over-Temperature" warnings. These issues typically arise at mileages ranging from approximately 68,000 to 132,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are reported, the engine stalling and overheating could pose potential safety risks. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly the need for significant repairs like engine replacement.
Owner complaints5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Ford Fusion report frequent issues with the fuel and propulsion system, primarily involving the purge valve and emissions system. Symptoms commonly described include persistent check engine lights related to evap emissions, difficulty starting the vehicle after fueling, and sluggish performance. Some owners mention replacing components such as the purge valve, gas tank inlet, and solenoid without resolving the issue, suggesting recurring problems. A few reports also highlight fuel pump and injector failures, which are associated with fuel leakage and pose a potential fire risk. These problems often emerge shortly after purchase, with some owners experiencing them within months of ownership, and parts availability issues are noted, which could delay repairs.
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Ford Fusion report issues with the braking system, including instances where the brake pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle fails to stop, leading to crashes. Complaints frequently mention problems with brake fluid levels, with one owner questioning why the brake fluid was completely empty. Another common symptom is the sudden activation of multiple alerts related to the speed sensor, affecting antilock brakes, pre-collision assist, and steering. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with one owner specifically mentioning 57,000 miles. Safety implications include loss of vehicle control and crashes, as described in two of the complaints.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Ford Fusion report multiple instances where airbags fail to deploy during crashes, with three out of four complaints involving collisions and injuries. Typical symptoms include significant damage to the vehicle's front or side without airbag deployment, resulting in injuries such as neck pain, head lacerations, and rib injuries. Complaints are noted at mileages of 13,942 and 67,343, suggesting issues may arise at various stages of vehicle use. One complaint also mentions a concern about the steering wheel airbag moving too easily, potentially affecting its performance. These reports highlight potential safety implications for buyers considering this model, particularly regarding airbag reliability during collisions.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report issues with the vehicle speed control of the 2020 Ford Fusion, specifically noting an incident where the accelerator pedal broke off while merging into traffic, resulting in an immediate loss of speed control. This incident highlights a significant safety concern related to loss of control. While another complaint mentions the tire pressure monitoring system, it does not directly relate to vehicle speed control issues. The complaints do not specify mileage ranges or timelines, limiting the ability to identify patterns based on vehicle age or usage. These reports suggest potential safety implications for buyers to consider, particularly regarding the integrity of the accelerator pedal.