2018 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 440 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 9 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 6 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
Representative owner complaints: wheels
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Wheels, Jun 14, 2026
Ford's double-capped acorn lug nuts experienced outer cap expansion/separation during an emergency roadside tire change. A defective design known by Ford. Rendering the supplied tire iron and a separately purchased multisize tire iron ineffective at removing the lugs. The failure left the vehicle immobile on the side of a i75 in SWFL in the summer heat of June 2026. Present in the vehicle were the owner, spouse, and a [XXX] infant. They were stranded approximately 34 miles from home for nearly 3 hours, an extended period for a XXX, who quickly became visibly distressed. Standard FDOT Road Ranger assistance was unavailable, and towing services had estimated wait times exceeding 2 hours. The driver was unable to resolve the situation through any reasonable self-help measure due to the defective lugs, despite having successfully changed tires on the same vehicle previously using the same factory equipment. The defect was verbally identified during the incident by a responding AAA roadside technician. They recognized the defect as consistent with a known issue affecting Ford vehicles. No formal inspection by Ford Motor Company, law enforcement, or insurance representatives has taken place but will be pursued by the owner and available for inspection is requested. No warning lamps, dashboard alerts, or observable symptoms were present that would have indicated a lug nut defect to the owner. It only became apparent at the moment an emergency tire change was required. This is consistent with prior reported cases and litigation involving Ford. The owner was never informed of this defect during the vehicle purchase, service history, or extended warranty agreement. If known road side assistance would have been contacted, instead of self servicing the tire change which was rendered useless by a defect Ford has been aware of. Resulting in nearly 3 hours of preventable roadside exposure, emotional distress, and the endangerment of a [XXX] infant. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Wheels, Mar 19, 2024
Went to got a normal free oil change. They told us they could not do a tire rotation because the lug nuts were swollen. On a 2018 car the cheap 2 piece lug nut swollen so a normal 19mm socket could not fit over to took off the tire. No recall and no free fix at the Anderson SC Ford Dealer.
Wheels, Dec 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated during a routine oil change and tire rotation, the contact was informed that the lug nuts were swollen and needed to be cut off to be removed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
Wheels, Dec 10, 2023
Went to have car serviced and was told lug nuts were swollen and it was a Ford defect, but had to pay over $120 to replace lug nuts in order to get my tires rotated.
Wheels, May 30, 2023
lug nuts are swollen and lug nut wrench does not fit on lug nuts. Had to get special tool to remove flat tire and replace lug nuts
Wheels, Apr 18, 2023
Replacing tires for the first time in this vehicle & all lug nuts on each tire is swollen. Reached out to Ford & they advised to file a complaint as my vehicle is not recalled for this at this time but there is a recall for swollen lug nuts under 22S59
Wheels, Apr 18, 2023
The caps on the lug nuts fall off then the lug wrench does not fit, and the caps twist and now the dealer is charging me add to get then off, and usually I have to pay for some and it just happens again and again.lug nuts are 15.00 each.
Wheels, Oct 16, 2022
At a. Recent appointment at local Ford dealer, I was told that tires could not be rotated due to swollen lug nuts. I perceive that as a safety concern as in event of a flat out out on the road, I would be stranded. Dealer quoted a price of over $250 to replace. Seems to me that this should be Fords responsibility. I feel uneasy driving my Fusion now.
Wheels, Jan 7, 2022
Had tires replaced and mechanic reported several swollen lug nuts.
Wheels, Apr 3, 2020
RECENTLY BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION TO FARNEY FORD IN SELMA, CA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE LUG NUTS EXPANDED AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. THEREFORE I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE 5 LUG NUTS REPLACED ON ALL 4 FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES IN ORDER TO GET A TIRE ROTATION. THE VEHICLE HAS GONE IN FOR TIMELY OIL CHANGES AND DID HAVE TIRE ROTATION DONE BY THE FARNEY FORD DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PAST 15 MONTHS. WE DID PUT A COMPLAINT IN AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER FROM FORD. 5 DAYS LATER AND STILL NO RESPONSE. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I GET A FLAT AND CAN'T GET THE LUG NUTS OFF? WE LIVE IN A FARMING TOWN AND TRAVEL THROUGH BACK ROADS TO GET IN TO FRESNO, CA.
Wheels, Jul 24, 2019
THERE'S A LEAK IN THE VALVE STEM ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE.