2018 Ford Fusion problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (129) · Power Train (91) · Engine And Engine Cooling (82)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Fusion model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
189 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2023-03-10 · campaign 23V162000 · 1,280,726 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2018-03-12 · campaign 18V167000 · 1,301,986 vehicles
Defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Service bulletins (160)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-02-24 · SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford and lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the
Electrical System 2025-11-26 · TSB 25-2570 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 24-2165 to update the tsb service procedure. some vehicles listed in the model statement above may exhibit various sync performance related concerns including but not limited to: display operation concerns navigation inoperative voice recognition concerns phone co
Power Train 2025-11-12 · SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2015-2021 ford and lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated mil with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0011, p0012, p0014, p0015, p0016, p0017, p0018, p0019, p0021, p0022, p0024 and/or p0025. pinpoint test hk in the powertrain control and emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) or in section 303-14 of th
Unknown Or Other 2024-11-27 · SSM 53174 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
various vehicles equipped with a 2.7l or a 3.0l gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs. various vehicles equipped with a 2.7l or a 3.0l gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2024-10-10 · SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 ford and lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
Unknown Or Other 2024-05-27 · TSB 24-2165 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this article supersedes tsb 21-2175 to update the tsb service procedure. some 2016 mks, 2016-2017 navigator, 2016-2018 f-150/focus/c-max/edge/fiesta/mkx/transit connect/mustang, 2017-2018 continental/fusion/mkz, 2017-2019 explorer, 2016-2019 escape/mkc/flex/mkt/taurus/transit/expedition/f-super duty
Showing the 6 most recent of 160 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-26 · Engine · 138,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ford fusion. the contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. in addition, the engine made a bubbling sound after turning off the vehicle. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an engine misfire was diagnosed, and a fuel…”
2026-10-24 · Power Train“my daughter was driving getting on the highway, went to accelerate and the car would no longer accelerate. aamco stated the internal pressure pump is failing and the transmission is losing pressure. …”
2026-10-05 · Engine“my 2018 ford fusion suffered a sudden and complete engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion — coolant leaking into the cylinders and destroying the engine. pep boys diagnosed that the failure developed internally over time and could not have been avoided by the owner. this is a known ford factory defect in the 2.0l ecoboost engine, docum…”
2026-09-30 · Engine“capital ford of wilmington diagnosed my vehicle with coolant intrusion into cylinder 2, accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes p0302 and p0316, after check engine light came on. i have been advised that the vehicle requires a complete engine replacement, with an estimated cost of $13,180.89. the vehicle has experienced sputtering and hesitation, …”
2026-09-25 · Engine“my 2018 ford fusion titanium fwd (vin: [xxx]) suffered a catastrophic engine failure while driving, causing sudden vehicle overheating, severe engine misfires, and a dangerous loss of power on the roadway.a certified ford dealership inspection (invoice #xxx) confirmed that the vehicle has a textbook manufacturing flaw known as ecoboost coolant intr…”
2026-09-20 · Engine“my engine coolant keeps on overheating, i’ve tried changing the antifreeze tank out for a brand new one and it helped the issue for a while but i have to relieve the pressure myself which is a hazard. i’ve had to change the coolant in the tank more than 5 times and it just seems like it’s leaking somewhere other than going into the engine to cool i…”
2026-09-09 · Power Train“got home and vehicle would not go into park. i can get it to drive but its only low range. upon having it inspected, it was discovered the shift cable bushing at the transmission lever was missing.…”
2026-09-02 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 122,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 ford fusion. the contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. additionally, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming antifreeze. the ignition coils and spark plugs were…”
2026-08-26 · Engine“we have coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 of our engine. this can cause highway failure of engine cuts out, car runs rough and it can become a fire hazard. we paid for a diagnostics through a ford dealer. who we uses all the time for our warranty needs. we noticed car was starting to run rough and check engine light came on 8/5/26…”
2026-08-25 · Engine“my 2018 ford fusion has catastrophic engine failure. engine stuttering and misfires with check engine light. low coolant levels with no visible puddles under the car. engine overheating, could possibly catch fire. car recently had a tuneup was told no issues at the time. failure mileage at 109,000.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.