2008 Ford Fusion

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Air bags is the leading concern among 1,353 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 1,353

Of the 2008 reports, 53 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 29 people were injured.

Primary concernAir bags638 reports · 47% of complaints
Owner complaints1,353Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship6 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags638
  2. Service brakes556
  3. Structure82
  4. Hydraulic74
  5. Power train47
  6. Engine39
  7. Other or unspecified39
  8. Electrical system28

Recalls and investigations

  1. Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 10, 2021

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

    Campaign 21V158000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontalFeb 16, 2021

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

    Campaign 21V081000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleDec 18, 2019

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

    If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.

    Campaign 19V904000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 10, 2017

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

    Campaign 17V024000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 31, 2016

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

    An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

    Campaign 16V384000 on NHTSA.gov

  6. EquipmentMay 29, 2014

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.

    The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.

    Campaign 14E028000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

638 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Sep 1, 2014

    PASSENGER SIDE DASH, LEATHER IS LIFTING AWAY FROM DASH, RIGHT UNDER THE AIR BAG COVER. DEALER SAID I HAVE TO REPLACE COMPLETE DASH FOR 1500.00 I DID NOT REPAIR. *TR

  2. Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 27, 2014

    AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED COMING ON AND GOING OFF. AFTER A WEEK IT STARTED STAYING ON AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR AND IT DOES NOT GO OFF. NEXT THE SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER YOU HAVE LOCKED IN YOUR SEATBELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND NO ONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

  3. Air bags, Aug 22, 2014

    2008 FORD FUSION PURCHASED FROM CAR MAX. LIP OF DASH THAT SURROUNDS THE FRONT OF THE AIR BAG COVER HAS PEELED OUTWARD AND APPEARS READY THE BLOW. SURELY THIS IS AN OVERSIGHT OR PROJECT DESIGN FAILURE FROM FORD. *TR

  4. Air bags, Structure, Aug 10, 2014

    THE DASHBOARD RIGHT BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS WARPING. THE FORD DEALER WANTS $1000 TO REPLACE IT ON A CAR THAT IS 6 YEARS OLD WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE WARPING ALREADY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO AIRBAG POTENTIALLY NOT DEPLOYING CORRECTLY. *TR

  5. Air bags, Structure, Jul 24, 2014

    I HAVE A 2008 FORD FUSION WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DASH FAILING TO ADHERE TO THE DASH PANEL, THE FOAM ON THE AIRBAG IS VISIBLE, MY FORD DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY WON'T DEAL WITH IT DUE TO SAFETY AND REGULATIONS- NOW WHAT?! WAIT FOR IT TO EXPLODE AND KILL SOMEONE?????!!!!!! *TR

  6. Air bags, Jul 11, 2014

    THE FRONT DASH AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BULGING - THE GLUE IS NOT HOLDING THE COVER OVER THE AIRBAG IN ITS PLACE. THE DASH IS BULGING HERE. VERY UGLY AND I FEAR MORE DAMAGE OR DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG. *TR

  7. Air bags, Jun 24, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS COMING UNGLUED CAUSING THE AIR BAG TO BULGE OUT OF THE DASH BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,470.

  8. Air bags, Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jun 16, 2014

    DASH BOARD IS CURLING UP AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROST VENT IS COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD . WE HAVE HAD THE DOOR HANDLES BREAK IN HALF REPLACED .THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE DASH COULD COME APART AT ANY TIME OR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD GO OFF? W/ THE FRONT WINDOW VENT OUT OF THE CUT OUT IN THE DASH THIS PART ON THE DRIVER SIDE UP COULD POP UP AND CAUSE THE WINDOW TO BREAK . *TR

  9. Air bags, Structure, Jun 2, 2014

    WHERE MY DASHBOARD AIRBAG IS ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE IS IT IS BULGING(SEEING FOAM CURRENTLY). *TR

  10. Air bags, May 21, 2014, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WHERE SHE SUSTAINED INTERNAL BLEEDING INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  11. Air bags, May 20, 2014

    I AM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF A 2008 FOR FUSION. THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS BEEN PEELING UP AND PRESENTING POSSIBLE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION RISKS/AESTHETICS PROBLEM FOR AROUND A YEAR NOW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT AND BEEN TOLD IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN TO REPAIR THE DEFECT. *TR

  12. Air bags, May 8, 2014

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WAS EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO THE SUN FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

  13. Air bags, Structure, Apr 9, 2014

    MY 2008 FORD FUSION PURCHASED BRAND NEW ALSO HAS THE BULGING DASHBOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IT NOT ONLY LOOKS BAD BUT WHO KNOWS IF THE AIR BAG WILL EVEN DEPLOY IN A FRONT END CRASH? *TR

  14. Air bags, Structure, Mar 13, 2014

    DASHBOARD WARPED OVER PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PARTIALLY BLOCKING AIRBAG COVER. FEAR IT MIGHT AFFECT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT ON PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

  15. Air bags, Structure, Jan 13, 2014

    2008 FORD FUSION SEL AWD: THE DASHBOARD COVER IS PEELING UP IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM AND IS CONTINUING TO GET WORSE AS TIME PASSES. THE VINYL COVER APPEARS TO BE DELAMINATING FROM THE FOAM RUBBER BENEATH IT AND COULD INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. *TR

  16. Air bags, Jan 4, 2014

    BUCKLING, DISTORTION AND OR WARPING OF DASH PANEL IN FRONT OF PASSENGER AIRBAG APERTURE. THERE IS CONCERN THAT THIS DISTORTION WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSING INJURY TO RIGHT FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT. THIS SEEMS INHERENT IN MOST OF THIS MODEL. WILL ALSO REDUCE RESALE VALVE. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS A DEFECT IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY A SAFETY RECALL. *TR

  17. Air bags, Structure, Dec 26, 2013

    MY 2008 FORD FUSION PURCHASED BRAND NEW ALSO HAS THE BULGING DASHBOARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. IT NOT ONLY LOOKS BAD BUT WHO KNOWS IF THE AIR BAG WILL EVEN DEPLOY IN A FRONT END CRASH? I HAVE ALSO HAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AND TODAY I NEED A NEW OUTPUT SPEED SENSOR TO THE TUNE OF ANOTHER $500 IN REPAIRS. CAR NOW HAS 130K MI. *TR

  18. Air bags, Structure, Nov 3, 2013

    I AM THE ORIGINAL BUYER OF A 2008 FORD FUSION SE - WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2008 - IT NOW APPEARS THAT THERE IS A BULGING NEAR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AREA ON MY CAR'S DASHBOARD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT SINCE THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT. FORD REFUSES TO FIX SINCE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I LOOKED ON LINE AT IT APPEARS MANY OTHER FORD FUSION OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE BULGING DASHBOARD. I AM AFRAID THIS COULD LEAD TO A DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. FORD WILL HAVE DASHBOARD FIXED FOR OVER $1,200.00 AT MY COST. HOW IS THIS FAIR THAT I MUST PAY FOR A MANUFACTURING ISSUE THE FORD CORPORATION CREATED. CAN YOU ASSIST IN ANY MANNER. *TR

  19. Air bags, Sep 19, 2013, crash

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PUSHED FORWARD AND INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE BODY. THE GRILL, HOOD AND ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

  20. Air bags, Structure, Sep 10, 2013

    DASH BOARD AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG BUBBLING OUT, LIFTING UP, AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON IN CAR. WORRIED AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY WHEN IT'S NOT SUPPOSE TO OR NOT DEPLOY WHEN I NEED IT TO. *TR

  21. Air bags, Structure, Aug 25, 2013

    DASH AROUND PASSENGER AIR BAG BUBBLING AND POPPING OUT. *TR

  22. Air bags, Aug 13, 2013

    PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG COMPARTMENT ON THE DASHBOARD IS BULKING AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY. *TR

  23. Air bags, Structure, Jul 10, 2013

    DASH IS PEELING, I KNOW FOR A FACT, THERE ARE MANY OTHER CARS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. SUPPOSE, FORD USED SOME BAD GLUE FROM MEXICO. REPLACEMENT IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE AIR BAG? *TR

  24. Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Jun 15, 2013

    I NOTICED THE DASH BOARD AROUND THE AIRBAG IS SEPARATING ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO I TRIED TO PUSH THE SEAM BACK DOWN BUT IT STILL PUCKERS. YESTERDAY I TRIED TO START MY CAR AND THERE WAS A CONTINUOUS CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THE SECURITY LOCK LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT WERE FLASHING VERY FAST. I JUST PARKED THE CAR ABOUT 1 HOUR BEFORE AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I CAME BACK TO START IT. I TRIED FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR BUT COULD NOT GET IT STARTED. I HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS CAR AND THE SAME ISSUES. THIS DOES SEEM LIKE A RECALL ISSUE. I WANTED TO SUPPORT AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS FROM ONE OF THE OLDEST AMERICAN AUTO MAKERS. I AM HOPING YOU CAN FIX THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I NEED TO GET THE WORK AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

  25. Air bags, Structure, Jun 4, 2013

    I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASH POPPING UP AROUND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS WHY NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT? MY CAR IS A 2008 I'VE HAD IT FOR 8 MONTHS AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO THIS STARTING HAPPENING. THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT NOT WEAR & TEAR. *TR