Common problems
Ford Fusion Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 3 Ford Fusion model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated July 2026
- Owner complaints
- 975
- Top recurring issue
- Engine
- Crash reports
- 23
- Fire reports
- 6
3 model years
3 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
17 injuries · 0 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Ford Fusion problem categories
Engine
262complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2018.
Power Train
232complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2018.
Engine And Engine Cooling
136complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2018.
Electrical System
118complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2019.
Unknown Or Other
70complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2018.
Steering
38complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2018.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Ford Fusion model year
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.
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 Ford Fusion frequently report issues with coolant intrusion into the engine, particularly affecting the 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Common symptoms include engine misfires, rough idling, white smoke from the exhaust, and check engine lights, often leading to engine failure and the need for engine replacement. These issues typically arise between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, with some reports at lower mileages. Safety implications are noted, as multiple owners describe sudden power loss and overheating, which could pose risks during driving. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns and the associated repair costs, as well as the limited coverage offered by Ford's Customer Satisfaction Programs.
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
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.
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Ford Fusion frequently report issues related to the powertrain, particularly involving flexplate failures and transmission problems. Common symptoms include sudden loss of power, inability to accelerate, and erratic shifting behavior. Complaints often mention these issues occurring around 50,000 to 130,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of sudden drivetrain failure at highway speeds and unexpected vehicle surges, which could lead to loss of control. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, especially regarding the flexplate and transmission components, as they may require costly repairs.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Ford Fusion frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly related to the battery and charging components. Complaints commonly describe battery discharge problems, with some owners noting the battery drains if the car is not started every few days, and others experiencing complete system failures that prevent the vehicle from starting. Several owners mention recurring issues with the rear and front cameras, including black screens and unresponsive systems. Notably, two complaints involve fires linked to the hybrid system, with one incident occurring shortly after dropping a child at school, necessitating a school evacuation. These issues often arise around 30,000 to 35,000 miles, and the unavailability of parts for recall repairs is a recurring theme. Safety implications are significant, given the reports of fires and potential loss of vehicle control due to electrical failures.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
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
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report frequent issues with coolant intrusion in the 2019 Ford Fusion's engine, often leading to engine misfires, overheating, and the need for engine replacement. Common symptoms include the check engine light illuminating, white smoke from the exhaust, and abnormal vehicle shaking or rough idling. These problems typically emerge around 75,000 to 115,000 miles, with several cases occurring even earlier. While no crashes or fires are reported, the vehicle may enter limp mode or lose motive power, potentially affecting drivability. Used car buyers should be aware of these issues and consider checking for any related repairs or recalls before purchasing.
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Ford Fusion
When problems are reported to begin
- Transmission failures — 40,000–100,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
- Flexplate failures — 40,000–90,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
- Coolant intrusion — 68,000–100,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
- Coolant intrusion — 60,000–100,000 miles on the 2019 model-year record
- Flexplate failures — 50,000–85,000 miles on the 2019 model-year record
- Transmission issues — 50,000–130,000 miles on the 2019 model-year record
- Coolant intrusion — 60,000–80,000 miles on the 2018 model-year record
- Transmission failure — 60,000–90,000 miles on the 2018 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Inspect transmission for leaks and shifting issues
- Listen for engine knocking or rattling noises
- Check for coolant leaks or engine overheating
- Test infotainment system for screen freezing or blackouts
- Verify recall completion for known issues
- Check for any unusual vibrations during idle or acceleration
- Check for coolant leaks and white smoke from exhaust
- Listen for rattling noises indicating flexplate issues
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Ford Fusion data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Ford Fusion research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Ford Fusion research FAQ
What is the most common Ford Fusion problem?
Engine is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 3 years with 262 complaints represented.
Which Ford Fusion year has the most reported problems?
The 2018 has the largest engine count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Ford Fusion has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Ford Fusion you are considering.
