2012 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 2,616 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 111 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts 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 dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Campaign 21E013000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 7, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of 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." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other 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. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
Campaign 19V001000 on NHTSA.gov
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
Steering, electric power assist systemJun 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Campaign 15V340000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
1,511 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jun 16, 2021
UNKNOWN One day I was driving my car like normal, I stopped and parked it and a message saying "Service Power Steering Now" popped Up. I immediately lost all power steering.
Steering, Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing, the electric power steering failed and the steering wheel ceased. The failure occurred on three separate occasions. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
Steering, Jun 8, 2021
Recently purchased a 2012 Ford Fusion SEL 3.0 6 cylinder car and the power steering assist fault indicator light was on and its really hard to turn my steering wheel due to the power steering going on its messed up my front end alignment and now my AC doesn't work. I need this fixed and I have paperwork stating that NHTSA RECALL for my year model vehicle will be free of charge to repair it. I really need my car fixed I threw my should out of place due to the hard steering
Steering, Jun 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while entering and starting the vehicle, a message appeared on the screen which stated that the power steering assist was disabled. The contact attempted to reverse out of the drive way however, the steering wheel failed to turn. The contact shifted the vehicle backed into park. The local dealer was contacted about the failure however, the dealer was unable to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 156,000.
Steering, Jun 7, 2021
Power steering service now light came on driving away from my neighborhood and started making a loud noise on right front wheel of car, pulled over to see if I had a flat and did not. Turned around and went back home so I wouldn’t get stuck somewhere or wreck. While driving to the shop to get it looked at the power steering failed and could barely turn the wheel. This could have resulted in a wreck. The shop confirmed the power steering is out on the car again! Power steering sensor was recently replaced after wreck therefore it shouldn’t be going out a month later.
Steering, Jun 5, 2021
Power Steering stopped working for third time in last four years. It makes the vehicle difficult to drive.
Steering, Jun 3, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the electric power steering failed and the steering wheel became firm. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the electronic steering rack had failed. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The contact performed a self-diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Steering, Jun 2, 2021
Power steering service suddenly appeared on dashboard, and loud noise were heard when I turned the steering wheel. Please help me what to do since since there is a power steering wheel recall on Ford Fusion Hybrid 2012. Thank you.
Steering, Jun 1, 2021
Power steering went out while driving
Steering, May 19, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 FORD Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle however, proper steering functionality did not return. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Steering, May 18, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ADVANCE TRACK MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Steering, May 13, 2021
THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE (PSCM) FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING AND, IN TURN, CAUSED EXTREME DIFFICULTY TURNING AND MODERATE DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING A STRAIGHT LINE. ACCORDING TO FORD, THE ENTIRE STEERING GEAR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE PSCM IS INTEGRAL TO THE STEERING GEAR. REFERENCE EXISTING RECALL#15V340000 FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR WITH THE EXACT SAME COMPONENTS, BUT NOT INCLUSIVE OF MY VIN.
Steering, May 1, 2021
I WAS ABOUT TO MAKE A UTURN WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL FROZE UP ON ME. SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I HAD TO MAKE A LEFT INSTEAD OF THE UTURN THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN. FEW MINUTES LATER I WENT TO THE BANK AND PARK IN A PARKING SPACE, WENT BACK TO MY CAR TO LEAVE AND MY STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP. HAD TO GET A TOW HOME. SAID POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 28, 2021
POWER STEERING JUST DIED WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY ALMOST LOST CONTROL AND SERVICE POWER STEERING CAME ON FUNNY THING IS IT SHOULD BE RECALLED IT IS HORRIBLE.
Steering, Apr 27, 2021
POWER STEERING WENT WHILE PARKING CAR. FORD SAID STEERING RECALL NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS VIN BECAUSE IT WAS BUILT IN A DIFFERENT PLANT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, IF THE STEERING WENT OUT AT A HIGHER SPEED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALL 2012 FORD FUSIONS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY ALL RECEIVED THE SAME POWER STEERING COMPONENTS REGARDLESS OF WHICH PLANT THEY WERE BUILT IN.
Steering, Apr 26, 2021
I WAS PULLING OUT FROM MY PARKING SPOT (PARALLEL PARKED) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED OUT OF MY HANDS AND THE ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST LIGHT POPPED ON. I WAS ON A SIDE STREET BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE AFTER PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER, IT EASILY COULD HAVE CREATED A WRECK. WHEN THE WHEEL JERKED, I SLAMMED MY BRAKES ON. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN ON, AND THE LIGHT POPPED OFF. I RE-PARKED IT BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AND BEFORE RE-PARKING, THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON. I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND LOOKED ON LINE (FORD RECALL #15S18, NHTSA #15V340000). WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO SCHEDULE REPAIR, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RECALL RANGE, EVEN THOUGH IT DID INDEED FAIL THE SAME WAY THESE OTHERS FAILED. BECAUSE IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE RANGE, I WOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS KNOWN DESIGN FAILURE THAT RESULTED IN A NEAR MISS ACCIDENT. I'VE NOT TAKEN IT IN FOR REPAIR YET, HOPING THIS RECALL IS WIDENED TO THE APPROPRIATE RANGE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND IT'S COSTLY, BUT FINDING OUT THIS PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THEY DIDN'T PROPERLY IDENTIFY POINTS OF CONTAINMENT MADE ME ANGRY.
Steering, Apr 25, 2021
THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THE PART I HAD TO REPLACE FOR $3000 UNDER CODE 15S18, BUT FOR SOME REASON, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL THOUGH IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL AND OTHER FORD FUSIONS OF THE SAME TIMEFRAME ARE COVERED. I LOST AND REGAINED CONTROL OF STEERING FOR SOME TIME UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER.
Steering, Apr 24, 2021, crash
POWER STEERING WENT OUT DOING ABOUT 49MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. CAUSING ME TO BE REAR ENDED. THE OTHER CAR LEFT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. STILL NO POWER STEERING FLUID FINE. EXACT ISSUES AS ALL THE OTHER 2012 RECALLED FORD FUSIONS BUT NOT MINE
Steering, Apr 23, 2021
BEFORE AND NOW I AM UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL AS WELL AS MY CAR.
Steering, Apr 21, 2021
DRIVING IN TOWN WHEN STEERING WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD WAS TOLD TO REPLACE STEERING UNIT. ALSO TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON FUSIONS BUT NOT ALL. ALSO TOLD THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 150,000 MILES. MINE HAS 170,000. THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. I AM THINKING THEY HAVE A PROBLEM THAT'S NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED
Steering, Apr 20, 2021
VEHICLE STEERING HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR A FEW DAYS LIKE IT IS CATCHING AND PULLING IN THE DIRECTION I JUST SLIGHTLY VEER TO. 2 DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN HIGHWAY, 60MPH, SERVICE POWER STEERING AND SERVICE ADVANCETRAC DISPLAY ON DASH. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN STEERING WHEEL.
Steering, Apr 19, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER STEERING ASSIST AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAYFORD FORD (1330 301ST AVE NE, ISANTI, MN 55040) AND DIAGNOSED WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE AND THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR AND STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 19, 2021
MY CAR JUST DIES WHILE I'M DRIVING. ARE THERE RECALLS I HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS? IF SO, HOW DO I GET IT REPAIRED IN THE MOST EXPEDITIOUS MANNER. I ONLY HAVE THE ONE CAR AND IT IS PRETTY UNSAFE AT THIS POINT.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 16, 2021
THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL
Steering, Apr 9, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED THE SERVICE POWER STEERING MESSAGE DISPLAYED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER GREEN FORD LOCATED AT 2211 W. PIONEER PKWY, PEORIA, IL 61615 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,000.