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
440 reports, newest first.
Power train, Engine, Oct 18, 2023
I was driving and all of the sudden engine overheated and car could not drive over 10MPH during an extremely bad storm at night on the highway putting me in extreme danger if someone were to have been behind me. There were no engine lights on or warning signs of this happening and just happened out of nowhere car was driving fine before it happened. Issue happened on September 26th, 2023. This is the second engine problem I have had since getting the car in 2021. Last issue was with the top half of the engine CAC/intake manifold and luckily was under warranty or would have been over $6,000. Had vehicle towed to Ford dealership and there verified a check engine light fault. P0303 active in PCM. Upon diagnosing the concern found that the head gasket is leaking into cylinder 2 and 3 due to a failed cylinder block assembly. Need to replace the short block assembly with an updated design. Was quoted $8,700 to fix the issue. I can't afford to pull that kind of money out to fix a car that isn't even 5 years old. Car is no longer under warranty.
Power train, Oct 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while driving uphill. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the gear shifter dial became firm and made it difficult to shift the vehicle out of park(P). An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact there was no recall associated with the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 17, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the engine was running rough while the vehicle was idling. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated the following day. The contact stated that the failure recurred while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine cylinders, causing the engine to misfire. The dealer related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 22-2322 and informed the contact that the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 69,900.
Power train, Engine, Oct 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that she initially received a notice in the mail about a Customer Satisfaction Program-19B37. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the program was cleared off the vehicle. The contact then stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the "Service Engine" warning light appeared on the instrument panel. In addition, the vehicle would fail to start upon refueling. The contact used a code reader which determined that the purge valve was defective, and the part was replaced. Once the purge valve was replaced, the vehicle was restarted, and the code reader then showed a misfire in cylinder #2. The contact replaced the spark plugs and engine coils but then noticed moisture in the engine block. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test where the mechanic confirmed coolant intrusion in the engine block. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer reached out to the manufacturer and was informed by text that manufacturer would not assist with the repair of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19B37. The contact called the manufacturer herself and the manufacturer denied the program. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
Engine, Oct 13, 2023
I bought my 2018 Ford Fusion new and it currently has 35,000 miles on it. It began misfiring about 2 months ago, and then the check engine light came on. After a diagnostic exam, I was told the engine needed to be replaced. Luckily I was still within the warranty extension window for this particular problem, so the engine was replaced. However, I spent the majority of this time without my car. They were able to secure me a loaner car, but only for 3 days out of the total duration of the repair. I was stuck without my car the remainder of the time with very little communication from Ford about what was going on. When I asked if my car was still at risk of the same thing happening again, I was given a very vague answer that was not particularly reassuring.
Power train, Oct 12, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The message " Shift Sys Fault. Service Required" was displayed. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A bystander assisted the contact in manually moving the transmission shifter cable bushing back into position. The contact stated vehicle then responded as needed; however, the failure recurred while driving and hitting a pothole. The transmission shifter cable bushing was manually moved back into position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the failure was related to the transmission shifter cable bushing; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact purchased the part from the dealer, and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the part. The mechanic informed the contact that the repair was temporary, and that she would need to take the vehicle to dealer for an adequate repair. The dealer was contacted and stated that the earliest availability was in 3 weeks. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Engine, Oct 4, 2023
While driving the vehicle a light came on indicating that the "Engine compartment was overheating". The next time driving the vehicle the light was gone away and shortly later the Check Engine light came on. Took to the local dealership and they determined that their were 2 verified misfires and when they pulled the plugs using a scope they found coolant intrusion in one of the cylinders. The recommendation per Ford is to replace the engine assembly.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking, and there was white smoke coming from the exhaust tip. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle the following day, she noticed an abnormal odor. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge relayed that the engine was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Engine, Sep 30, 2023
Coolant intrusion issue which is known to occur in this specific engine which is shared across many of Ford's automobiles. Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 and 19B37 My car is just outside of the program guidelines- however it was in the dealership prior to it exceeding the program guidelines and I was never informed of the issue. Vehicle Model Year Assembly Plant Build Dates Escape 2017-2019 Louisville September 17, 2015 through April 8, 2019 Fusion 2017 Flat Rock October 1, 2015 through October 16, 2015 Fusion 2017-2019 Hermosillo October 6, 2015 through June 10, 2019
Steering, Sep 26, 2023
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR HOME FROM DINNER AND I MADE A LEFT TURN. AS MY STEERING WHEEL WAS RETURNING TO CENTER FROM MAKING THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND IS STILL LOOSE AT THIS PRESENT TIME
Power train, Sep 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the shift system fault message was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle failed to shift out of park. After several attempts, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed that the shifter cable bushing was missing and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Power train, Sep 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the contact turned the shifter knob to drive (D) however, the knob would not turn and appeared to be frozen in park (P). The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who retrieved DTC codes indicating that the transmission needed to be serviced by a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.
Engine, Sep 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked while starting. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: SSM 47849 (Coolant Consumption); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
Engine, Sep 13, 2023
I've got engine light on then send to Ford dealer. Diagnostic says Purge Valve Replacement, I was told that there was a misfire caused by coolant intrusion cylinder 1. They also told me that this was a KNOWN ISSUE a few years back and it needed a NEW ENGINE to fix the problem. I asked them several questions about why only telling me now since it's an ongoing issue and why is it that no one from Ford dealer all different state that I brought in my car to check safety issues and regular oil changes informed me about this? I just retired and the dealer asked me to pay for the repair of new engine plus labor. I can't afford and it's hard to accept that someone lying to get some money from me. I read an article from your website with the same issue that there is a recall but the dealer told me that this was only a KNOWN problem NOT a recall. Please see the link [XXX] Kindly help me to resolve this issue and help others. Let them send a recall again to every Ford owner/user to avoid accidents that can cause death. This is ongoing and my case with the dealer has still not been given an answer for almost a week tomorrow. I appreciate your help and hoping to hear from you soon. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Sep 11, 2023
The rotary dial gear shifter has intermitantly malfunctioned for 6 months in two ways. 1) When the rotary dial gear shifter is put into park, very often it won't move out of park. Won't go to D, R, or N.In the beginning I was using the key to the car to stick in a slot in the center counsel and that would pop it out of park. This worked for a few months. Since then I need to hit it firmly with a fist to get it to pop out of park. Sometimes I need to turn the car off and wait 10, 20, 30 minutes before hitting it with a fist will get it out. 2) The second way it malfunctions is that when it is in park sometimes it moves to Drive all on its own. I will exit the car after putting it in park. When I come back it won't start because it is in Drive. I always make certain it is in Park when I exit. These things put me at risk because I live in Minnesota. I have been alone parking lots at negative 20 degrees in the dark and could not drive home. I would spend a long time (hour) turning it off and on, pushing on it etc. before it would move out of Park. A few times someone has had to come get me. Then the the next day take me back and it spontaneously works. This happens in moderate and hot weather too. ALSO Myself and bystanders and other cars are at risk when it keeps moving on it's own from Park to Drive -any bump or push to the car on a hill would send it rolling. I took it to Autonation in White Bear Lake where it was purchased from in 2018. The problem would not occur for them. They quoted $1500 to replace the rotary dial shifter. I have looked into this problem and discovered Ford Recalled a variety of models(vin numbers) for this same problem in 2013 -2016. They have not yet issued a recall for any 2017-2018 models. (vin numbers)I have discovered I am not alone. Other people on forums or videos on the internet with 2017 and 2018 have the same problem. I talked to Ford today and they wouldn't tell me how many complaints they have gotten.
Power train, Sep 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, it was discovered that the rotary knob transmission selector had become stuck in park, and the vehicle could not be driven. Additionally, on several occasions after switching the transmission selector knob to park and turning the vehicle off, the selector had erroneously shifted from park and the vehicle could not be immediately restarted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Engine, Sep 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the message "Coolant Hot" was displayed. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and notice that there was no coolant in the reservoir. The contact added coolant into the reservoir, but the coolant leaked out. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the engine needed to be replaced and that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 99,960.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was idling, the engine overheated. The temperature gauge increased to HOT. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The high-temperature indicator light was flashing, and the fan was engaged. The vehicle was running rough. There was white smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a crack in the engine block and that cylinder #3 had a misfire. The engine block was replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling at a stop light, the vehicle started to shake. The coolant temperature warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that while operating the air conditioning system, hot air started to blow from the vents. The contact stated that she was concerned for her safety. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the cylinders and the cylinder head was cracked; however, the contact then stated that she was informed by the mechanic of corrosion at an unknown location of the vehicle. The contact was unsure of what needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Coolant System Temperature Above" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Power train, Aug 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the gear shift indicator erroneously showed that the vehicle was in reverse(R). The gear shifter warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 29, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that he became aware that the shifter cable bushing had detached after not being able to start the vehicle. The shifter cable bushing was attached, and the vehicle was able to be started. The brakes, engine, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,879.
Engine, Aug 28, 2023
Coolant leak into 4th cylinder head causing rough idle. Repair shop changed plugs and coil, and stated there was coolant in the cylinder. Stayed this is a known issue with Ford Fusion but no recall. My car only has 72000 miles.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 26, 2023
While driving on PA Turnpike westbound, in the rain, my windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. THANKFULLY, I was in the far left lane and able to pull off to the shoulder safely. Once rain stopped, I was able to take my car to my mechanic. Stated that my cars windshield wiper motors both failed AND melted, causing them to stop working.
Engine, Aug 25, 2023
There was a recall on my vehicle but I was never notified. When my car started having problems i was told i needed to purchase a motor. I took my car to the dealership Stivers Ford in Montgomery, Alabama and they performed a diagnostic which showed that there was a coolant leak due and my short block needs to be replaced. They said the recall would not be used because it is passed the date. This is putting the safety of myself and my children at risk. I need assistance with these repairs as I cannot afford an $8,000 repair fee. I called customer relations and was told that they would cover the charges but come to find out a week later after several attempts to reach customer relations, I was told that the agent closed my case. The agent did not call me to say anything. Please help