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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 19, 2021
Our 2012 Ford Fusion began displaying a “POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT” summer of 2021. We did not record the 1st instance of this fault, but began recording subsequent instances on 7/25, 10/18, 10/20, 10/21 On 10/21 the vehicle also displayed “SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC.” We were unable to steer the car when the fault occurred, although we were able to put it in reverse or drive, which seems extremely dangerous. Fortunately, these instances occurred while parked. The vehicle ignition was turned off and restarted, which cleared the fault & power steering resumed. This vehicle had less than 69,000 on Aug 4, 2021 when taken to Courtesy Ford in Portland, OR where the vehicle was purchased to replace the driver side airbag under recall notice received in the mail. We had them investigate the power steering assist fault during the same service. We were advised that the Ford mechanic was “Unable to duplicate customers concern” and “No fault codes in the system.” The vehicle was then taken to Damerow Ford in Beaverton, OR on 11/18/21. The next day, 11/19/2021, we were advised of an electrical problem in the steering assembly. We were told that it needed to be replaced along with some bolts and nuts. The invoice indicates that the steering gear assembly was replaced & gear was programmed. The bill came to over $2205.62. We’ve discovered through an online search that Ford is well aware of this problem & has been for years. We’ve been told by both dealers our VIN number is not included in the recall and the extended warranty for this issue, which makes no sense. Fortunately, we did not experience the lack of steering while driving, as others have. Our lives & vehicle & the lives and property of others on and along the roadways we have traveled were jeopardized with a well known safety issue & Ford Motor Company is not standing behind their product. Do we have recourse for reimbursement from Ford Motor Company through the NTSB for this unethical corporate behavior?
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2021
The power steering goes out and a warning message comes on saying power steering assist fault. Called a Ford dealership and they said there was no recall for this.
Steering, Nov 9, 2021
My 2012 Ford Fusion experienced a loss of power steering assist. I received a message on my dashboard stating "power steering advance fault, service Advancetrac system". I was driving back from a nearby store and could not move the steering wheel without using all of my strength. The component was not inspected by the dealership from which I bought it. I was not informed about this issue. The dealership was Motormax Of Gr.
Steering, Nov 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the service power steering now and advancetrac warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The dealer and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure and both informed her that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer had referred her to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 173,200.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while seated in the vehicle the contact turned the steering wheel to the left and the right and heard a loud clicking sound. The contact stated that there was an abnormal vibration in the steering wheel while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The power steering went out. We have had a child in the car. The inability to steer is a huge safety concern and could have been catastrophic. The issue was allegedly "fixed" 5 years ago. Now it has gone out again, and the "CSP" warranty has expired. Dealership does not acknowledge that this is a safety issue. They acknowledge the common problem and have diagnosed the issue as a software replacement issue needing $2500 to repair. This could have caused deaths should it have gone out at the wrong moment.
Steering, Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a turn at an intersection, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated. The contact simultaneously lost power steering. The contact switched gears to reverse and she reversed, then she forcefully steered the steering wheel to make the turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the EPAS gear was internally faulty and needed to be replaced; however, the dealer advised the contact that they could not repair the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) because the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 140,116. After filing the initial complaint I have had no other choice but to borrow the money from a relative and have a relative and have a private party repair the vehicle to make it safe for my use.
Steering, Nov 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the power steering became inoperable without warning. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on multiple occasions however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was not available.
Other or unspecified, Nov 3, 2021
Driver passenger side door would not open from the interior requiring the driver to roll down the window and open the car door from the external handle
Other or unspecified, Nov 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after parking and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle was rolling away. The contact jumped back into the vehicle and restarted the vehicle and then depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed that the shifter was in park however, the gear shift indicator displayed that the vehicle was in reverse. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact who is a mechanic, diagnosed that the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 24, 2021
On October 5th, 2021 around 6:20am, the brakes on my 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid failed to slow the car in any way. This event occurred while I was on the highway (M14) going ~65mph. Unable to conventionally stop, I was a crash hazard to those around me, and to the braking traffic in front of me. After being inspected by the Varsity Ford Dealership, I was told "the brake control unit is not actuating the valves in the hydraulic control unit" and that "there is a possibility that it will also need the hydraulic control unit as well." It has been at the dealership for the past 2 weeks and is available for inspection. There were no warning messages or signs prior to the brake failing. I received a warning sign at the point of failure, but by then I already knew the brakes did not work.
Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2021
On 1/25/21 the vehicle power steering completely locked up and the car was towed to Ford dealership for fix. Ford fixed and car was picked up on 1/27/21. This happened at mileage of 67593 while my teenage son was driving putting him and his passenger in danger of an accident. On 9/13/21 once again the vehicle power steering completely locked up and the car was towed to a Ford dealership to fix and car was picked up on 9/16/21. This event happened at mileage of 74341 again while my teenage son was driving putting him and his passenger in danger of an accident. On 10/11/21 for the 3rd time the power steering went again and the car is currently at a Ford dealership to be fixed. This time the mileage is at 74544 and again my son was driving this vehicle putting him in danger of having an accident. On all 3 of these instances the warning lamp came on immediately before the loss of power steering. My concern is clearly the fix being performed is not solving the problem, putting my teenage son at risk of an accident.
Wheels, Oct 19, 2021
The external portion of the lug nuts on the front driver-side wheel are malfunctioning. When I try to loosen the lug nuts to remove the wheel because of a flat tire, they turn but do not loosen. There seems to be a separation between the external and internal portion of the lug nuts. I am unable to take the wheel off. This same problem is occurring on all 5 lug nuts on this wheel.
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 18, 2021
Drove car out of driveway, after driving approximately 150-200 feet the dashboard wrench icon ( powertrain problem ) illuminated and car went into limp mode. Read MIL codes, had codes P0715, Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction and P0717, Input/Turbine Speed Sensor No Signal. Traced wiring problem to connector in front of drivers side shock tower. This connector is the connector between the PCM and and the transmission. The connector was causing an open on the conductors, causing the lack of TSS signal. There were no symptoms or intermittent problems prior to this - it happened suddenly. Had been on an interstate hiway the day prior to this, am glad this ( going into limp mode ) did not happen while I was traveling at 65mph - could have caused accident.
Structure, Oct 18, 2021
The driver side door handle suddenly failed to open the door from the interior. In order to exit the vehicle, the window has to be rolled down and the external handle needs to be utilized
Steering, Oct 15, 2021
this is in reference to recall15s18. The Ford garage fixed this problem in 2017, but the steering has gone out again. They are saying that it is not covered by the recall. That I am 5 weeks too late to be covered. Do I have any recourse but to pay for it myself.
Service brakes, Oct 13, 2021
I have a 2012 Ford Fusion and my breaks went out I replaced the master Cylinder in it as well as the brake booster and still didn’t have any brakes. While driving I couldn’t stop my Car had to go off to a ditch thankful that I didn’t have a accident I’ve been told that the ABS module might be the problem this should be a recall on this problem.
Steering, Oct 12, 2021
PARKED CAR WHEN RETURNING TO GO HOME THE STEERING WOULD NOT TURNI COULD NOT STEER THE CAR , I COULD NOT MOVE THE WHEEL,I BELIEVE THAT THIS YEAR FORD WAS RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2021
2012 FORD FUSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRONIC ISSUES. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUES INCLUDED THE SOUND SYSTEM, WINDOWS, THROTTLE SYSTEM, POWER STEERING, TRACTION CONTROL. THE AIRBAG INDICATOR WOULD FLASH. THE CONSUMER EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE CONSOLE DASHOBOARD FEATURES AND ACCESSIBILITY OF CLOCK CONTROLS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 1, 2021
Driver and passenger door handles are not working. Cannot open the drivers side door from the inside. Cannot lock the passenger door.
Steering, Sep 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the service power steering now warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
Steering, Sep 23, 2021
Driving the car August 29, 2021 and the power steering stopped working, this car was recalled in 2015 for the same issue but the dealer reset the computer and did not repair the problem, called Ford and they said the warranty expired July 19, 2021 and would not repair the problem, I explained they should have fixed the problem in 2015 and the only response is the warranty expired nothing thy will do, how are they not responsible for a recall that they did not fix
Air bags, Sep 16, 2021
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 available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts are not available.
Service brakes, Sep 11, 2021, crash
On 08/07/2021 at approximately 3 pm while driving the vehicle low brake fluid level light indicated on dashboard. Stopped at a gas station and checked to make sure there was no brake fluid leaking and checked brake fluid level which was low. The cars brakes were still operating properly and we returned to the location we were staying to find an auto parts store to purchase brake fluid. At 6 pm, drove to the auto parts store to get brake fluid. We purchased the appropriate fluid and topped of the brake fluid reservoir. The low brake fluid light turned off on the dash after topping off the brake fluid. About 2 ounces were added. Upon leaving the auto parts store, we pulled out onto the road and when trying to brake, the brakes malfunctioned, the pedal went completely to the floor and the car did not stop normally and hit another vehicle. Police report attached. No injuries and minor damage to both vehicles bumpers Car was pulled off the road and was towed to shop for inspection as the brakes would not stop the car. Shop #1 replaced the master cylinder and the brakes still did not operate properly. Car was towed to shop #2 (Ford Dealer) and they diagnosed it as a failed ABS HCU unit in the vehicle that was not communicating with the onboard computer system. ABS HCU was replaced by the Ford Dealer and vehicle is now braking as normal. There were no warnings from the vehicle computer system that there were any issues with the brakes other than the low brake fluid level light, which was resolved by adding brake fluid. The 2006-2010 Ford Fusions have a recall for the ABS-HCU unit, but the recall did not include the 2011 and 2012 Ford Fusions, even though it appears to be the same ABS HCU unit. Upon doing research on the internet, this is a common problem with this year of Ford Fusion and there are no warnings or indications that this may occur. I feel the vehicle should be recalled and the brakes fixed.
Steering, Sep 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon returning home and parking the vehicle, the power steering assist failed without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and reset the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.