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
2,616 reports, newest first.
Steering, Sep 10, 2022
My car has had steering issues since purchased a year ago. I had to pay $1600 for a new steering rack as the car is electronic and is not a cheap fix. My car was not included in a recall that was done with the same plant my car was made at and literally 2 days after the end built date. I called and out a complaint in and was trying to get my car included in this recall. This car continues to show steering issue alerts on dash. The car has to be shut off and turned backed in and sometimes don’t bother driving it because it’s nerve racking to know if it will stop working. PLEASE SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS AND ADD MY CAR TO THE RECALL THE STATS ON THE RECALL AND HOW CLOSE MY CAR IS TO IT SAME PLANT AND A DEW DAYS AWAY, PLEASE PLEASE HEAR THIS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
Power train, Sep 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. While driving at an undetermined speed, the transmission was slipping and failed to shift into the proper gear. The vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The contact called the local dealer who informed him about the diagnostic test and also about parts not being available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Steering, Sep 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact then stated that she heard an audible sound indicating that the power steering assist fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed that the electric power steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) had expired and no further assistance was provided. The model year vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Steering, Sep 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Both the power train and check engine warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to both an independent mechanic and a dealer but neither could diagnose to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop before the pedal went to the floorboard. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who determined that the brake pads needed to be replaced. Additionally, the hydraulic system was bled. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was driven to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the hydraulic control unit (HCU) needed to be replaced. The contact was advised that the parts were on backorder. The contact was advised that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Power train, Aug 30, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission fluid was black in color and the fluid level was low due to a leak. The mechanic drained the transmission fluid and added new transmission fluid, then sealed the driver's side front transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 68,882.
Steering, Aug 28, 2022
Driving 45 MPH, Power Steering Fault came on, lost power steering. Thankfully I was able to get off the road safely. Have no power steering, several other models with the same year have the same problem I am being told mine was not part of the recall. RIDICULOUS! This is a very costly repair
Steering, Aug 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the while her daughter was driving approximately 30 MPH, the power steering suddenly malfunctioned and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, no warning lights or messages were displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Air bags, Aug 26, 2022
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. After performing a VIN check online, it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer and local dealer were not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering, Aug 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the power steering fault assist warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over safely and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure with the power steering gear that needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Steering, Aug 22, 2022
Started my car yesterday and got a "Power Steering Assist Failure" error. Second time in 3 years I have gotten this error. Results in no power steering and can occur at any time. Luckily, I was in park when it happened and not driving. Ford issued a recall on only certain models of Fusions when they should have recalled ALL of them. They're "Advancetrac" system does NOT store error messages, so taking it to a dealership is a pointless and very expensive process as they will simply throw around random, costly "fixes." This is a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Again.
Tires, Aug 22, 2022
Cooper Adventurer Tour 225/50r/17. Four Tires purchased 11/27/21 from Pep Boys. Front Driver-side Tire has a side bubble after 10,000 miles (75,000 tires). Pep Boys clerk refused warranty adjustment, citing abuse & neglect, but no visible markings present to indicate same. All signs point to manufacturer's defect. The defective tire has been replaced.
Steering, Air bags, Aug 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering), 21V158000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The power steering assist and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering linkage and power steering module needed to be replaced. The dealer was made aware of the failure and scheduled an upcoming appointment to perform the recall repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,353.
Steering, Aug 17, 2022
Steering failing cannot drive straight.
Steering, Aug 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the power steering failed. The contact was able to make it home safely. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and confirmed that the power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated that the vehicle was not under any recalls. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Steering, Aug 17, 2022
The contact's stepdaughter owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his stepdaughter was driving at an unknown speed, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. The power steering assist fault warning message appeared on the dashboard as the excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact's stepdaughter then called her husband who managed to carefully drive the vehicle home. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was initially notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was under warranty; multiple attempts were made to call back the manufacturer but to no avail. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.
Steering, Aug 15, 2022
Power steering assist fault warning keeps coming on after previous recall.... over past 2 months it's every other week
Steering, Aug 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at 30 MPH, the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed. The contact was able to continue driving. However, upon attempting to drive the vehicle later that day, the steering wheel lost power steering. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under an unknown recall as it had expired in March. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Steering, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously been serviced under Customer Satisfaction Program: 15S18 (Reprogram Power Steering Control Module and Steering Gear Extended Coverage) however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Electrical system, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions, the instrument panel warning lights randomly illuminated and then failed. The contact then stated that when the instrument panel failed, the turn signals failed to operate. The contact then stated that the air conditioning unit failed and blew out heat. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,544.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and after closing the front driver’s side door, the door lock failed to automatically lock and secured the door. The driver indicated that the door had to be manually locked in order to be secured. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2022
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Air bags, Aug 7, 2022
CAR HAS BEEN ON RECALL OVER A YEAR . WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED?
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2022
In 2019 my power steering failed on my 2012 Ford Fusion. I had if fixed because I was not part of the recall for power steering. Well on August 2nd 2022 it has failed again. And needs replacing again.