2017 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,110 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 37 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 30 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
Power train, automatic transmission, torque converterJul 6, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.
Campaign 17V427000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, mid/rear assemblyDec 5, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.
During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left hand, second row seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S43.
Campaign 16V874000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
1,110 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Jan 17, 2023
Over the past 6-8 months, I have replaced the front passenger brake line two times and the front driver side brake line once. If needed, I have receipts showing I have purchased brake fluid and new brake lines on three separate occasions in recent months. I have pictures of the most recent brake line failure. On all three occasions the brake lines have split/burst, I’ve had no warning the brakes are failing or losing fluid or pressure. The low brake fluid light does not come on till minutes after the brakes fail. don’t know there’s a problem till I try to stop and the pedal goes straight to the floor. Right before the brake pedal hits the floor, there’s minimal braking power and you can gradually slow down. The last time this happened I was on the PA turnpike outside of Pittsburgh traveling 70mph. This was extremely unsafe, I thought for sure I was going to cause a major accident as I could not the stop the car in rush hour traffic.
Wheels, Jan 15, 2023
Was told all 20 Lug Nuts were swollen and needed replacing. After paying $219.80 and researching this I saw that numerous people were compiling about having to pay for something that Ford created and is a know major issue for. I then cam upon this site & form.
Engine, Jan 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the temperature gauge showed that the engine was overheating. The message “Engine Overheating – Stop Vehicle” was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no failure was found. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact stated that coolant was added; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that on another occasion while exiting her driveway, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and he stated that the vehicle was experiencing a failure like the failure listed in Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact made several attempts to schedule an appointment; however, none of the dealers would assist. The contact stated that another dealer informed her that the Customer Satisfaction Program was no longer valid. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 122,150.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2023
On 12/08/2022, my 2017 Ford Fusion started as normal in a busy parking lot, but once I idled/moved just a little, it became locked as if the emergency brake was on (it was not) and would not shift out of park, regardless of trying to put in neutral, reverse, etc. (It would show N or R on the dash, but remained deadlocked in Park.) There was this error message: "SHIFT SYS FAULT Service Required." It took several people to push the car to a safe area out of the way of traffic. Had to have the car towed at owner's expense to the closest Ford dealership. There were not other messages or signs of the problem prior to this failure on 12/08/2022. Ford dealer on 12/10/2022 removed and replaced transmission shifter cable bushing and installed cap. Ford dealer agreed that most certainly, this 2017 Ford Fusion has the EXACT same recall #22s43 that other 2017 Fusions have had. However, when Ford dealer entered this vehicle VIN, nothing showed up in OASIS. So I had to pay for this repair out of pocket. Like others have stated, the Ford recall #22s43 is too narrow in scope. So why in the world am I having to pay 100% of the cost to fix the EXACT SAME bushing/cap issue (recall 22s43) that others are having with the EXACT SAME YEAR, MAKE, & MODEL?!?! Just because my VIN wasn't included in Ford's original recall? DOES NOT MAKE SENSE! If it's the same issue as the other vehicles are having (of the same year, make, model) why am I paying for the error and they aren't?
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2023
Both front windows go down automatically when trying to close the window. Has been fixed at dealer twice. In order to close window, you have to “pulsate” the button to almost closed. If you go all the way up, window goes down. Have had this same issue with other Ford vehicles
Power train, Jan 2, 2023
The problem is in the gear shifting. The problem is the same problem many others are having on 2017, but are not included in the recall. The recall is Fords number for this recall is 18S08. Several hundreds have filed a complaint but Ford will not expand the recall to include the 2017. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed by Ford and NHTSA. The current recall effected 650,000 cars but not the 2017 Ford Fusion.
Engine, Dec 31, 2022
2017 Ford Fusion with only 60k+ miles on it is having engine issues. Coolant leaks into the engine, resulting in a cylinder misfire which can cause an accident and significant engine damage—I now need a whole new engine. I am not the only Ford Fusion owner having this problem—numerous complaints have been made about this same issue. A recall should be issued as it is a defect caused by the manufacturer and the burden to repair or replace should not fall on the owner.
Electrical system, Dec 27, 2022
unknown vehicle needs to be jumped after every drive. i just picked up the car. only have had it for 4 days. have had to jump it twice. it has 61,000 miles on it. i have taken the battery out and in for a charge and tested and it it good was also purchased 7/22. all of the interior screens and lights come on but the start/stop button green light blinks. don't understand why there isn't a recall.
Vehicle speed control, Dec 25, 2022, crash
My Motor vehicle shift selector bushing broken out the ford issue is also in the 2017 models
Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2022
The shift cable bushing, which was covered on other Ford vehicles in a recall issued on 15 June 2022, failed on my 2017 Fusion. This occurred while in a parking lot. The car would not start as it was stuck in reverse. I had the issue repaired at a Ford dealer and it cost me $351. This is a known defect yet it would seem as though the scope of the recall was too narrow. Fortunately, the car did not roll away, however, it was a very busy lot and I was stranded in the middle of it until a tow truck could remove it.
Steering, Dec 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after his son came to a stop at a stop signal, there was a loss of power steering functionality, and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The TPMS warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the power steering control module needed to be updated and the steering gear assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,250.
Engine, Dec 17, 2022
My 2017 Ford Fusion , with 58,228 miles on it has a bad engine, which is a known issue, yet not a recall. My engine overheated as I was driving on the expressway. I called Ford, case # CAS040244200, but my powertrain warranty expired 7/22 . Please read what has happened to others while their engine overheats while driving a 2017 Ford Fusion when coolant gets into the cylinder (in my case it's cylinder #3). Also Ford was aware of this issue...TSB# 19-2208, but has yet to place a recall
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 16, 2022
When putting my car in park, I received a warning "SHIFT SYS FAULT" Confirm Park Brake Apply Before Exiting the Vehicle. My parking brake was never on. When I got back in my vehicle, my gear shift would not let me take put my vehicle into gear. I googled and found it was the gear shift bushing and there was a recall on this part. I was able to take my vehicle to the repair shop and told them there was a recall. They informed me the recall was not for my vehicle because the recall was for automatic transmissions on 2016 and before. How can this exact same part be a recall on an automatic vehicle, but not on an electronic "dial" gear shift?
Power train, Dec 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the power train fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 65,689.
Power train, Dec 10, 2022
Car wouldn’t shift to park!
Service brakes, Dec 10, 2022, crash
Which drive home from work one day when my brakes just gave out. Prior to my brakes given out in August. My brakes begin to feel loose. I set my car down for a few months and as recently as December 10 a had my car towed to Ford where they have. Let me know that my front brake lines have malfunction I need to be replaced.
Power train, Dec 3, 2022
The transmission shifting cable bushing has gone bad. My car will not shift into park it’s stuck in neutral. Ford tried transferring but couldn’t. I was instructed to file report online. I have a case number for assistance for repairs.
Seats, Dec 2, 2022, crash
Seat back broke in a collision.
Power train, Nov 30, 2022
Purchased vehicle used from a state agency, transmission lurches, won’t go into gears, stays in neutral then launches into gear. Can put transmission into drive but the car won’t move for several seconds, will go into drive without warning.
Power train, Nov 26, 2022
The transmission failed AGAIN... the Original transmission failed at 75,106 miles and Ford would not replace it even though it was in the batch flagged as having a Transmission issue (assembled in Mexico with my VIN in the range). I filed a report like this for that one as well. I ended up having to pay $4,700 out of pocket the first time. This next time, the replacement transmission failed at 99,108 miles but this time was covered by the replacement transmission warranty (3yr unlimited mileage)
Traction control system, Nov 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the headlights became dim. The sunroof, Auto Start/Stop feature and traction control became inoperable. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The contact was able to add additional coolant to the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Engine, Nov 18, 2022
Coolant levels low, coolant leaking into the engine. Check engine light on and ODBC reader says cylinder misfire.
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2022
When shifting from reverse to drive, my car would not shift and instead forced my shifting knob into the park position. The issue was the exact same as the ford 22S43 recall, where the shifting bushing wears out, however the 2017 Fusion is not included in that recall, despite still having the same bushing. I was forced into park and upon inspection, saw that the shifting solenoid was detached from the transmission. If this happened on a busy street, I would have had a car dead in the middle of the road, possibly causing an accident. Luckily I was not. I bought the new bushing, DG9Z-7K340-A, online and fixed it myself, not knowing about the cap that goes with it, so I will not be able to reproduce the issue. I believe I still have the defective bushing and could show it to someone if needed, but no one has looked at it. My car gave a specific warning (can't recall the details) that, when googled, lead me to videos of the exact issue. I believe it happened once before, but somehow after shifting it in park and back into drive, it went away. that was about a week before the full failure. My main concern is that the 22S43 recall does not include enough vehicles for that issue.
Power train, Nov 14, 2022
the bushing in the shift cable completely degraded. It is is the exact same thing that happened in recall 22S43. ford dealership is not willing to fix without recall notice due to my car being a 2017 and not 2013-2016. Please advise if this model year will get added to the notice. thank you!
Engine, Nov 13, 2022
Engine coolant leaking into cylinder #3. Check engine light on and code says engine misfire. Coolant very low and if I had not caught it would have eventually blown up the engine possibility causing a catastrophic accident. After research and talking to the dealer this is a very common problem in the Ford EcoBoost 1.5 and 2.0 engines with as little as 10,000 miles! White smoke pours out of the exhaust on startup each morning with the smell of burnt coolant in the air.