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, Dec 6, 2024
I have recieved error messages on starting my car for the last few months about a power steering assist fault. I lose power steering and it becomes extremely difficult to steer at any speed, not to mention extremely dangerous and took it in to a dealer. They confirmed the error code and defective module. Because my car is outside the 10 year warranty window and the previous owner didn't take care of it, they had to submit an approval request to have it covered, which is declined. The car started at 28,000 miles and I have just over 80,000 and I am left with a car I can't drive safely because Ford won't cover their recall and the previous owner didn't take care of. This should be a class action lawsuit on Ford end and would like this escalated and covered if possible.
Steering, Dec 4, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly, requiring increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The electronic power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the power steering control module. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign 15V340000 (Steering), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 205,000.
Steering, Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Dec 3, 2024
I was driving to my drs appointment and as I was pulling up to the hospital I saw a message from my dash and my steering wheel locked up and I had to get it towed and then sent to the dealership but since I had made a few of previous attempts to get it fixed with u guys it wasn’t getting no response, so I had to go get it fixed force and I ended up with a bill..
Steering, Dec 2, 2024
Ford issued Program #15N01 EPAS STEERING EFFORTS in 2015 (information sent to PRIOR OWNER). Prior owner had PCM reprogrammed 02/15/2017. November 2024 - Power Steering Assist Fault Notice came on. Power Steering completely locked up and vehicle inoperable. Unable to steer vehicle and potentially cause accident and harm to self or others. Current owner (me) had vehicle towed to Ford dealership. Service tech advised that a new steering gear required and would submit request to have covered by Ford recall. Service tech advised that it SHOULD be covered based on info in their system. Per FORD Safety Recall Notice 15S185 Supplement #3, "This safety recall involves reprogramming the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), or replacing the steering gear only if there is evidence that certain Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) exist or were previously set, but are no longer present, regardless of vehicle mileage or warranty start date. If the steering gear is not replaced, the owner will be provided extended coverage of the steering gear under program code 15N01. This extended coverage provides for one-time replacement of the steering gear if certain DTCs are present, for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. If a vehicle has already exceeded the mileage limit, this program will last through December 31, 2015 for eligible owners. The extended coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners". Ford denied the coverage and the cost was $3,100.00 to replace steering gear. The recall clearly states that the coverage exists if the reprogramming was done and the issue continued, regardless of the time frame.
Steering, Dec 2, 2024
3 times now the electronic power steering has quit while driving the car leaving the car very difficult to steer. Turning the car off and restarting brings the power steering back. Ford previously had a recall 15S18 and 15N01 for this issue but the recall period has expired. Under 15S18, my car was apparently "reprogrammed" in 9/2015 but is now experiencing the symptoms the recall was originally released to repair.
Steering, Nov 29, 2024
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to drive from a complete stop at a traffic light, the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact received a ride from her father. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the residence, where it was diagnosed by an independent mobile mechanic. The mechanic determined that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired after the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
Steering, Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was started, the gear shifter was shifted into drive and the vehicle rolled forward. In addition, the power steering assist fault warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to steer. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed as a failed electronic power steering module. The contact was informed that the electronic power steering module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Steering, Nov 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact stated the steering wheel became difficult to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle had lost power steering functionality and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Structure, Nov 23, 2024
Driver door is not locking. Tried with manual key too but not successful. Tried to open door from inside but no success. Looks like door assembly or spring is faulty and designed poorly This can be a safety hazard as driver can't get out of car easily. Pls recall all Ford fusion 2012 and ask dealers to fix it. I checked few articles forums and YouTube videos and everywhere it says there might be a spring problem or some plastic issue in latch or door assembly.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 23, 2024
Same issue as others have stated with the power steering just stopping all of a sudden. The car randomly starts yelling about service power steering now and service advancetrac, you put the car in park or turn it off and then the power steering goes out. Had it cleared by a mechanic who said it is a sensor issue. We didn’t get to replace the sensor but power steering came back when he cleared the codes. About a week later it happened again. And like others, there isn’t a recall listed for it with my vehicle just something about the air bags.
Steering, Nov 19, 2024
The vehicle’s power steering failed on a major roadway with a [XXX] driver at the wheel. This is a defect in the power steering that is known to Ford, the recall was supposedly fixed but it failed again so the fix is also very unsafe. Ford needs to find a way to actually make the steering safe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Oct 24, 2024
The power steering went out. They had a recall for it but its no longer available. I never had an issue til now so if it was a danger then it should still be a recall no matter what year it is now
Steering, Oct 18, 2024
Power steering was repaired under recall warranty about 3 years ago. The replacement part failed. This part should have outlasted the car, this it's a known issue
Power train, Oct 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle rolled backward with no warning light illuminated The contact engaged the parking brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact also noticed that the transmission shifter cable had dislodged from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Steering, Oct 17, 2024
I am the original owner of this 2012 Ford Fusion. It currently has 122,000 miles. The power steering went out on my car last week. SERVICE POWER STEERING NOW light came on. Had the car towed to the Ford dealership in Sandusky. I was advised the repair would be $2100.00. In doing research I found that while there was not a recall on the car there was the following that was put out by Ford. 15s18 Supplement 3. I contacted Ford customer service and was advised that my car was 2 months out of the build date for the service advisory from Ford. From what I have read this is not an uncommon problem for this model year. Please feel free to contact me. My cell number is [XXX] . Thanks! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Oct 12, 2024
This is an open recall that I'm sure has been stated many times, but the dealerships are not accepting the recall or granting it. The power steering aka. Steering assist system failed. Which is an ongoing issue with my vehicle model and year. It has caused me so many "almost" bad accidents and making it so I have lost an incredible amount of income due to my vehicle being down for repair and unsafe to drive and too expensive to fix. Especially when there is a recall about said thing. I need help.
Service brakes, Oct 9, 2024
When coming to a stop the brake pedal went straight to the floor. No warnings were lamps were present. A mechanic checked the brake lines, master cylinder, and calipers and was not able to reproduce the issue. The mechanic deduced that the likely culprit was a faulty ABS control module. Had I been on the interstate or even had another vehicle infront of me, this would have been absolutely disastrous. This seems related to the recall for the older model fusions. This needs to be looked at.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2024
The door locks on the driver and passenger doors open on their own and not working properly. Car has 53000 original miles. It is just like the problem that are in the recall of the 2014 and 2015 Ford Fusion. The latch on both doors are independently sprung in open mode. One incident where the driver door opened while driving.
Steering, Oct 7, 2024
The contact's father owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Service Now" was displayed, and an excessive effort was needed to steer the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Structure, Oct 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side door failed to open using the interior door handle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver’s side interior door handle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred three years later. The contact stated that on the second occasion, the driver’s and front passenger’s side windows were rolled down and the door was opened using both outside door handles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,945.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the brake pedal briefly became squishy. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard and required increased effort to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the hydraulic control unit and anti-lock braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Steering, Suspension, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 26, 2024
The driver power steering system message goes on every so often and I have to turn off and on to reset the light, but my concern is that it’s going to go off as I’m driving, and the fuel mileage as I’m driving it says mileage to empty and one time I was trying to get to the gas station and it hit 0 and it was still going the car, and the suspension makes noise when I go over the bumps and also when I’m reversing and turning the wheel there’s a popping sound from the front it sounds like,
Steering, Sep 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the wheels were shuddering. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the steering wheel was locked. The message "EPAS System Inspection Required" was displayed, and the Advancetrac warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Steering, Sep 23, 2024
My power steering failed and caused me a great deal of grief financially and left me without a vehicle. This was a known issue with my car and a recall was not brought to my attention. I spoke with a representative at Ford and was informed to ask for an investigation: 15V340. I wish to be reimbursed by Ford for the inconvenience and failure to be notified about this recall.
Steering, Suspension, Sep 23, 2024
My 15 year old permit driver was driving the car and a power steering message flashed. The car became very difficult to steer and very difficult to pull to the side of the road. This could have caused a major accident. I was told when I called there was a recall for this in the past but had been fixed on this particular car. It must not have been fixed well. The car is not technically high mileage by today’s standards.