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, 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.
Air bags, Apr 22, 2021
WE AHVE A OPEN RECALL ( # 21V158 ) AN FORD WILL NOT HONOR THE OPEN RECALL THE AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP THAT HAS TRIED TO ORDER THE PART WAS TOLD NO THEY WILL NOT SEND THEM THE PARTS AS OF 04/15/2021
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.
Service brakes, Apr 16, 2021
THE BRAKES ARE "SPONGY". TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER TWICE AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL "SPONGY". HE LOOKED AT THE BRAKES AND THEY LOOKED GOOD. HE RECOMMENDED THAT THE ABS SENSOR BE REPLACED, BUT FORD WOULDN'T SELL IT TO HIM. SO, WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE BRAKES, CALIPERS, ETC. AND THE BRAKES REMAIN "SPONGY". THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER, BUT IT IS BRAND NEW.
Steering, Electrical system, Apr 16, 2021
THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING. VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN THE WHEEL
Structure, Apr 11, 2021
THE DRIVER DOOR OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I AM CERTAIN THAT I CLOSED IT BEFORE DRIVING. THEN, THE INNER HANDLE PREVENTED MY DOOR FROM BEING OPENED FROM THE INSIDE CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR. A WEEK LATER, TODAY, AND THE LOCK HANDLE HAS NOW FALLEN OFF. NOTICE PHOTOS OF BROKEN LOCK THAT FELL OFF, ALSO, THE DOOR HANDLE HAS ZERO TENSION WITH ONLY A FINGER CAUSING THE DOOR HANDLE TO BE INOPERABLE.
Air bags, Apr 10, 2021
FORD HAS KNOW OF THIS AIRBAG PROBLEM FOR MANY YEARS WITH NUMEROUS VEHICLES THEY HAVE SOLD. WE DILIGENTLY CHECKED AND FORD OR NHTSA HAS ENSURED US THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE THAT IS INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL. AS 03/25/2021 FORD INFORMS US THAT WE NOW HAVE BEEN DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE SINCE 2012 AND CAN NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM?! THE VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS REPLACED DUE TO THE SAME ISSUE! THIS TOOK OVER THREE TIMES TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED EARLIER! THIS IS ONE OF OUR MAIN TRANSPORTATION THAT WE NOW WONDER IF IT WILL KILL OR MAIM US!
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.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2021
THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG INFLATER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL.
Steering, Mar 28, 2021
LOUD CREAKING OCCURS FROM STEERING COLUMN AT WARMER TEMPERATURES (OVER 50 DEGREES) WHEN DRIVING. STEERING BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT AS TEMPERATURE RISES AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. THERE IS SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT IMMINENT FAILURE. NO CODES PULL, DEALERSHIP STATES NO ISSUE AFTER BRINGING IT IN TWICE, AND THAT MY VIN IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE LARGER RECALL RELATED TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A RECALL ALREADY LAUNCHED FOR SOME VINS; HOWEVER, ALL CARS FALLING WITHIN THIS MANUFACTURING PERIOD SHOULD BE RECALLED AND ISSUE ADDRESSED. AM CURRENTLY DEBATING HAVING POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC AS FORD SIMPLY DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE.
Steering, Suspension, Air bags, Mar 28, 2021
STEERING FEELS LIKE IT'S REALLY LOSE AND GOES ALL OVER THE ROAD TIRES ARE BOUNCY WHILE DRIVING IT POPS BACK ALSO WHILE CHANGING GEARS
Seats, Mar 16, 2021
HEATED DRIVERS SEAT GOT TOO HOT TO SIT IN AND NOW THE HEATING ELEMENT IS NOT WORKING THE SWITCH WILL COME ON FOR A FEW SECOND THEN SHUT OFF. THE FIX IS $600 REPLACING ELEMENTS ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC "THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE" THE HEATING UP OF THE SEAT WAS A HUGE CONCERN BUT NOW SEAT DOES NOT HEAT . PLEASE HELP
Electrical system, Mar 9, 2021
TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MELTED AND BURNED. NOTICED BLINKER AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT WERE NOT WORKING. PULLED OUT OF HOUSING AND SAW THE SOCKET WAS BURNT AND THE BULB WAS MELTED IN THE SOCKET.
Power train, Mar 8, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND REGAINED POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UFTRING SUBARU (500 FAIRLANE DR, EAST PEORIA, IL 61611) TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED IN 2012. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.
Steering, Mar 5, 2021
LOUD CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, BUT OCCURS AT TEMPERATURE 70+. IT GET'S REALLY LOUD AT TEMPERATURES NEAR 80 DEGREES AND ABOVE. I AM CONCERNED IT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING. EXACT SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS. WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD, IT WAS COLD AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG.
Air bags, Mar 5, 2021
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON FOR PASSENGER SEAT
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 1, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING TWICE WITHIN 5 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOOR HANDLES WERE INSPECTED AND REPLACED. DUVAL FORD (1616 CASSAT AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32210, (888) 363-9533) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Steering, Mar 1, 2021
THERE IS A LOUD CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AT LOW SPEEDS. IT DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN IT IS COOL/COLD OUTSIDE, BUT OCCURS AT TEMPERATURE 80+. IT GET'S REALLY LOUD AT TEMPERATURES NEAR 100 DEGREES AND ABOVE. I AM CONCERNED IT WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Feb 26, 2021
CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON ICE AND LOST POWER STEERING ASSIST . SOUNDS RELATED TO THE 15S18 CAMPAIN. DEALER CLAIMS NO RECALL. THIS IS A DEADLY OR LIFE THEATENING DEFECT AND SHOULD BE APPLIED TO ALL 2011-2013 FORD FUSIONS AND OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. LET'S NOT LOSE A LIFE TO A KNOWN DEFECT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2021
DEFROST/AC/VENTS BLOW OUT HOT AIR REGARDLESS OF SETTINGS...FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE ONLINE AND AN EXPENSIVE PERMANENT FIX...VENTS/DEFROST/AC MAY BE TRICKED INTO WORKING IF LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON BEFORE STARTING (THINKS IT'S NIGHTTIME OR COVER UP LIGHT SENSOR ON DASH)
Electrical system, Feb 22, 2021
THE AIR CONDITIONER FAN BLOWER MOTOR FREEZES UP UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY STOPS WORKING. IT IS DOING IT AGAIN FOR THE 6TH TIME. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT EVERY 1-2 YEARS.