2016 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,705 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 61 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, manual transmissionJun 9, 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Campaign 26V376000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraOct 13, 2025
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA9. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
Campaign 25V695000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchNov 17, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
Vehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.
Campaign 23V775000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMar 10, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Campaign 23V162000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)Jun 10, 2022
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Campaign 22V413000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchMar 23, 2020
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Ford will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.
Campaign 20V177000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemAug 29, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
If the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
Campaign 19V632000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftMay 13, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.
Campaign 19V362000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftJul 16, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
Campaign 18V471000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, steering wheel/handle barMar 12, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Campaign 18V167000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, frontDec 5, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
If the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S42.
Campaign 16V875000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageApr 27, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured from March 10, 2016, through March 16, 2016. The front driver seat track assembly's rear riser may have been improperly welded to the seat track rail, and as a result, the driver may not be adequately restrained in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
An improperly welded driver seat riser may fail to adequately restrain the driver during crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford quarantined the affected vehicles at dealerships prior to their sale. Dealers will replace the front driver seat track rail, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2016. Ford's number for this recall is 16C05.
Campaign 16V250000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storageOct 1, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.
Campaign 15V618000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,705 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Aug 14, 2023
Rear camera keeps failing. Generic problem for many ford drivers. Bad grounding wire
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 13, 2023
My brakes failed. Pedal went to the floor. Brake fluid leaked out. Extremely terrifying.
Engine, Aug 11, 2023
Coolant intrusion in the second cylinder causing engine failure. This is a known design flaw and ford will not fix it because its out of warrenty.
Engine, Aug 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 20-25 MPH, there was a significant amount of white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact returned to the residence and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 79,400.
Structure, Aug 9, 2023
The front driver's side door latch failed. The latch would not secure to keep the door closed. The vehicle is at a dealership and could be inspected on request. My safety was put at risk because the latch could have failed while I was driving it. The dealership said they "didn't know why" my vehicle did not have a recall on the door latch as many 2016 Ford Fusions do have that recall. The vehicle is being inspected today by the dealership. There were no warnings for the door latch malfunction.
Engine, Aug 8, 2023
I bought my car new at AutoNation st the end of 2015. I serviced it there the whole time I had it. The check engine light came on back in may. They said it was a spark plug. The car ran for a few weeks and the check engine light came back on. I tried getting it back into AutoNation. They wouldn't return my phone call for over a week. So I decided to take it to Spritzer in Hartville. They diagnosed it as coolant leaking into the engine cylinders due to a defective engine block. That they've known was a problem for years. Spritzer told me that they get a few in every month with the same problem. I feel Ford has sold these Echoboost engines knowingly to the public. I was told my car was out of warranty and I have to trade it in or pay $11,000 to replace the long block. My car only has 72,000 miles on it and was well taken care of. I feel Ford needs to recall these engines because if it blows up on the highway you'd lose control of the vehicle possibly.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side door inadvertently opened without warning. The contact stated that he had to hold the door handle to keep the door closed to avoid an accident. The contact was able to proceed with caution to his destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side door latch failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion after he had closed the rear driver’s side door, he heard a beeping sound indicating that the door was ajar. The contact became aware that the rear driver’s side door failed to latch securely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear driver’s side door latch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V1770000 (Latches, Locks, Linkages). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Back over prevention, Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while reversing, the back prevention camera display screen went blank and the warning message saying, "back camera unavailable contact the dealership." The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine, Aug 4, 2023
Coolant reservoir was empty. Filled it and was low in a few days. Also started getting P302 check engine error for Cylinder 2 Misfire. That in combination with coolant leaks shows that coolant is intruding into cylinder 2. Most likely through the design grooves in Engine. This defect should be covered under a recall.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and the StabiliTrak warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that he received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and notified the dealer of the recall and the failure. The contact was then informed by the technician that once the recall was completed, they should eliminate and turn off the warning lights. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the recall was completed however, the contact stated that after the vehicle was retained, the ABS warning light and the StabiliTrak warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he had to apply pressure to the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was then diagnosed that the ABS sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,182.
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door latch had failed, and the door would not remain closed securely. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V177000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2023
My vehicle is a 2016 Ford Fusion SE VIN3FA6P0H79GR130351. There is currently a recall (20V177000) on 2016 Ford Fusions, however it appears that the recall does not cover my specific vehicle per Ford. In 2021 we had an incident where the driver side door latch broke/stopped functioning causing the door to swing open and the door not securing properly. Upon that incident occurring, I took the vehicle to the dealership (Duval Ford, Jacksonville Florida) for repair, at which time I was told my vehicle was not covered under the recall nor was the issue covered under warranty. Thus I paid approximately $400 to have the repair complete. Yesterday the door latch failed again, this time while driving in traffic as I was coming to a stop at an intersection. The door violently flew open as the vehicle was still moving. Had there been someone standing or walking in the median, the door would have hit them. Upon stopping I attempted to secure the door but it will not secure and just stays open. It will be required to again pay to repair this major safety issue. I believe this safety issue should be covered under the current recall for the same model vehicles in this year. I am concerned that after repair this issue will occur again and could cause a major accident or great bodily harm.
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster then failed to illuminate and remained off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The contact is requesting reimbursement for repairs and a recall for this vehicle.
Other or unspecified, Aug 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side door failed to latch properly. The contact took the vehicle to 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: 20V177000 (Latch/Locks/Linkages) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,714.
Back over prevention, Jul 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the rear-view camera was distorted. The contact also stated that the HVAC system would turn on independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Steering, Jul 29, 2023
Power steering fault
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 28, 2023
Vehicle won’t start so I called my roadside/towing assistant number got someone out to do battery jump service because I been through this before twice come to find out that wasn’t the issue might needed more gas still wasn’t the issue so I got the vehicle towed to a shop it came back I needed the dealership to reprogram the vehicle they couldn’t because it wasn’t drivable so I got it towed to another shop just for them to tell me I need a new engine they didn’t know what cause the problem but just off what they seen while doing a diagnostic was low compression on all cylinders oil full and normal color (not brunt) coolant is full and clean warranty doesn’t want to cover parts that’s needed for the vehicle like cylinder head gasket check engine light always came on after repairs was fixed
Steering, Jul 27, 2023
I was driving to a friends house when my car start to make a dinging sound, and on the dashboard it said that power steering was lost, and to pull over safely. When i tried to turn the car on and off again to see if it might have been a glitch, the wheel locked up and I couldn’t turn it, without almost breaking it. If i want going to my friends house when it happened, my car would have been in an accident on a highway going towards my house, possibly causing multiple injuries and accidents since it happened late in the afternoon almost night time. I went to have it looked at by a mechanic and they said it could possibly be the rack and pinion when they ran the codes. The only warning i got was that my car was saying that the hill assist parking was turned off, even though i never turned it off.
Structure, Jul 27, 2023
2 car door latches unresponsive and wont lock. Known issue with ford this VIN isnt covered by recall but same issue
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2023
Driver door opened while driving. Door latch will not secure. Remains open. There is a recall for same type of vehicle year make and model. 20S15 is the recall number.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Back over prevention, Jul 26, 2023
My back-up camera only half works. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. My car also doesn’t alert me to when I’m getting too close to another vehicle when I backing into a parking spot. Also, the Bluetooth in my car has not worked or even connect to my phone since I first bought that car, and for this car to not even be 10 years old yet, this is ridiculous. Everyone I know has been having very similar issues. Y’all need to get it together. Is there anyway this issue can be looked into as well please? It’s be really nice to get to use all of my features I pay for. Love the car, hate this electrical bs.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2023
A year ago (2022), the passenger door latch failed for unknown reasons out of the blue. The door simply would not close. At the shop, the technician mentioned that it had mechanically and electrically failed and the door would not latch. A year later (2023), The issue is reoccuring; same (passenger) door and driver door both suddenly will not latch making the car inoperable due to safety risks. Upon research, it seems this issue is common to specific Ford models. Re: Ford Fusion Hybrid/Energi Recall Campaign # 20S15/20V177, there is an outstanding recall for certain VIN numbers but Ford refuses to cover my issue despite clear safety concern.
Wheels, Jul 21, 2023
the lug nuts had swollen and were not able to loose without damage. In order to rotate my tires the dealership had me pay for new lug nuts. If they the parts were that cheaply made at the factory, why am i asked to pay for them.
Service brakes, Jul 21, 2023
BRAKES WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, BRAKE FLUID LEVEL LOW LIGHT CAME ON. MYSLEF AND OTHERS WERE AT GREAT RISK AS I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS WITHOUT A WAY TO BRAKE. GOT IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS CONFIRMED TO BE THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF THIS HAPPENING.