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, Jun 30, 2025
When my wife returned home from shopping she parked in the driveway I was going out so I had to move her car to get to mine. I saw a puddle of brake fluid on the ground and the brake light was on there was no fluid in the master cylinder . the car was towed to my mechanic and he found a rotted brake in the rear of the car up between the gas tank and rear seat right under a rubber clamp that holds the line this could have caused a tragedy. I connected Ford they said rusted brake lines are not covered even though they are coated.
Other or unspecified, Jun 28, 2025
The overheat light came on and antifreeze was leaking into the number 4 cylinder of the spark plug, sometimes it would lose a little power
Other or unspecified, Jun 26, 2025
No accident just looking to fix the recall
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 24, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jolted and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a coolant intrusion and a blown head gasket. The mechanic related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Engine, Jun 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked and occupied, and attempting to start the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse and reversing out of the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the deale,r where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #4. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 47,183.
Engine, Jun 19, 2025
Engine is losing coolant into the cylinders which causes car to overheat. When this happens car shakes and runs rough. When this occurs while driving down the road, thick white smoke comes from the exhaust blinding the cars behind us. If car dies, you lose power steering and brakes become very difficult to push. We had a repair shop check it out and coolant is leaking on top of the piston and exiting through the exhaust. The engine light comes on just before car begins to act up. According to our mechanic, it appears the engine block has a design flaw and Ford has issued a Technical Service Bulletin explaining the problem. Attached a picture of when it just begins to smoke. After a few seconds it fills the entire shop.
Engine, Jun 19, 2025
While driving the car, the engine indicator kept blinking then the car kept shaking. The Ford Service did inspection and found that there has been a coolant leak to Engine Oil which caused Engine Failure due to cylinder break.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 18, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was coolant leaking into the engine and there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the engine was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a pressure test was performed and determined that the engine was not maintaining the proper engine pressure, and coolant was entering the cylinder walls. The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall coverage for the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Engine, Jun 15, 2025
Coolant leak in the 3# cylinder mechanic said I need a new engine
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2025
My Ford Fusion eco boost 2017 had a faulty shifter cable bushing. When the vehicle turned off, parked (not on a hill thankfully due to safety and rolling backwards) thinking it was in park, it would not start and not go into gear and the vehicle would not shift into gears and the wrench light came on shift malfunction light came open. This was inspected, verified, and repaired at the Brandon Ford dealer when we had to get the car towed to them. All service for this car has been by Brandon Ford. They installed new bushings and cap, adjusted cable and cleaned codes, and retested as ok after repair. When researched we noted a recall on Ford Fusions with this same problem for safety issues putting owners at risk due to confusion of car in what gear it was actually in despite thinking it was in park, may have been in reverse if car was on but if car off would not start. The recall campaign number for the Ford Fusion (2013-29`17) shifter cable bushing issue is 22S43/22V413. This recall was issued on June 2022 addressing the safety of preventing the transmission from shifting properly and causing a vehicle to roll unexpectedly when parked. I had the car repaired on 04/29/25 and paid in full on my Discover card $890.72. I submitted documentation to Ford but they denied reimbursement for my claim. Would you be so kind to advise me how to register my VIN for this recall and get Ford reimbursement? Thank you kindly, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, the contact was informed that the head gasket was fractured, which caused coolant intrusion into the cylinder and the engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had persisted and had worsened. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption and difficulty starting. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Engine, Jun 12, 2025
Check engine light came on at around 80,000 miles after 30 min drive. Next day would not start. Jumped it and drove to autozone. Autozones check engine reader stated spark plugs. Drove it to local ford dealership where test came back the third cylinder misfiring because coolant is low and leaking into the engine. Quick google search states many 2013-2018 fusions have a recall for this issue however my specific vin is not included. Dealership never mentioned other fusions being recalled for this. Could have started an engine fire or lost control.
Engine, Jun 11, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the engine became overheated with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact's son drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed to be engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 83,595.
Engine, Jun 10, 2025
Noticed difficulty starting the vehicle and smoke coming out of the exhaust and the check engine light came on with code PO302. Found this was associated with coolant leaking into the engine which caused the coolant level to decrease and had to add coolant to prevent the car from over heating. These leaking fluids could have leaked onto exhaust parts causing the smoke and possibly could have started a fire in the vehicle. I took the vehicle to Rodeo Ford in Goodyear Az. and they confirmed the code displayed and smoke coming from the exhaust and had to add more coolant right away. They confirmed coolant was leaking into the engine and checked for the recall and said my vehicle was not listed as part of the recall even though other 2017 Ford Fusions were part of the recall. They replaced the engine costing me $10,039.35 and said that the vehicle may be added later to the recall NHTSA Recall ID 17V209
Engine, Jun 8, 2025
My Fusion is a 2017 and in 2015 Ford reported a problem with the Eco-Boost engines. The issues is there is a flaw in the production of the engine that could cause a crack in the cylinder and allow coolant to enter the chamber and once that happens the engine fails. Ford did offer a customary recall for the engine, but it was limited on miles and time. I was never informed of the customary recall. My engine has a small crack that has leaked a small amount of coolant into the cylinder. The car still functions. My concern is that if the engine fails while it is being driven, that the engine will seize and the car will stop, and an accident could occur. Since I was sold a car with the defective engine, and it was not disclosed to me, I want ford to replace the engine, since my engine has the defect, before it becomes a safety hazard.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle started sputtering with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Power train, Jun 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure might be associated with the transmission; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Power train, May 30, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the torque converter had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the transmission needed to be disassembled for further diagnostic tests. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V427000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Power train, May 28, 2025
The Rotary Gear Shift Dial has malfunctioned on my teenager's vehicle. His safety was put at risk because it started lighting up as he was driving on a very busy highway the first time that it was noticed to have happened. On 5/26, the vehicle would start, it physically felt like it shifted into the D gear, but would only drive maybe 1 foot until the car was force stopped and said "SHIFT SYS FAULT" The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by a veteran mechanic, with being able to reproduce the issue. He assumed what it was before even inspecting it. We live in a smaller town, and he informed me this morning that he's replaced 7 of these in the last calendar year alone. What is completely asinine, is the fact that FORD IS NO LONGER MAKING THIS PART, so we have to find a used one at a junk yard. Other than this issue, his car has appeared to be in very good shape, has been maintained well and clean. Why is there not a recall on this issue?
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, May 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power with a misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the next day, when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a misfire coming from the spark plugs. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the temperature gauge went to Hot. The contact checked the coolant reservoir and became aware that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant. The following morning the vehicle was started, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2025
When parking i attempted to put the vehicle in reverse and a warning light came on "shift system failure", and the shifter cable locked in placed flashing causing the car to lock without the ability to move. Shift cable bushing is split causing dislodge from the fitting
Engine, May 19, 2025
Coolant leaking into cylinder causing engine problems.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, May 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in gear while accelerating from a stop. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move. The brake and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While reversing, the vehicle became stuck in the street. The contacts' son was able to maneuver the gears, and the vehicle started moving. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. While the contact's fiancé was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder of the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was later driven to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was driven back to the contact's residence. The contact later performed an inspection of the vehicle. The coolant level was inspected, and the contact refilled the coolant reservoir; however, the contact stated that the coolant reservoir needed to be refilled daily. There was no visual signs of a coolant leak. In addition, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #2. The contact was informed that the fuel injector and coil pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact was informed that there was no visual coolant leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.
Power train, May 13, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally, and the transmission was difficult to shift into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.