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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2020
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOTS OF WHITE SMOKE OUT OF TAILPIPE AND DARK BLACK SPARK PLUGS AT 15,000 MILES! DEALER SAID I GOT BAD GAS OR VANDALISM THEREFORE NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAD TO PAY A LOCAL MECHANIC TO REPLACE SPARK PLUGS, PUMP OUT AND REPLACE FUEL. TWO WEEKS LATER I RECEIVE A FORD LETTER STATING COOLANT CAN LEAK INTO THE CYLINDER BORES CAUSING EXACTLY HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. NOW I HAVE TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT.
Engine, Jan 14, 2020
I STARTED LOSING COOLANT AS A I DROVE WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE LEAKS AROUND THE ENGINE OR COOLING SYSTEM. I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO MY DEALER ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTERNALLY AND THAT THE DEALER IS VERY USED TO SEEING THIS ISSUE ON 2018 AND 2019 FORD FUSIONS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ENGINE. THANKFULLY IT'S UNDER WARRANTY. IF THIS IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE THAT THE DEALER IS AWARE OF IT AS SOON AS I BRING IN THE VEHICLE, WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS ISSUE? THEY ARE WARRANTING THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND LABOR...SO I'M ASSUMING THEY HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2020
METAL SCRATCHING UNDER CAR
Steering, Aug 24, 2019
STEERING WHEEL LOSE
Wheels, Jul 24, 2019
THERE'S A LEAK IN THE VALVE STEM ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN EXTREMELY HEAVY TRAFFIC THE 2018 FORD FUSION SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND INDICATING LIGHTS CAME ON. IT WAS HARROWING AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATE THE DISABLED VEHICLE. THE FORD DEALER STATES THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS INTERESTING SINCE, THE CAR IS ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD. ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS A KNOWN ON OTHER (OLDER) FORD MODELS WHICH MAKES ME SUSPECT THEY ARE USING KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS.
Power train, May 22, 2019
CHANGES GEARS ON ITS OWN EXAMPLE-AFTER GETTING IN THE CAR PUTTING SEAT BELT ON, PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE AND STARTING THE CAR, PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE,CHECKING MIRRORS USING THE BACKUP CAMERA I LOOK ONE MORE TIME. I WAS IN A BUSY PARKING LOT. LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHEN IT WENT INTO PARK. AN OTHER TIME WAS AT THE BANK I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO GET CLOSER TO THE WINDOW THEN TO GET CLOSER I PUT CAR IN DRIVE IT WENT BACK TO PARK. AN OTHER TIME I HAD PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY STOP TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD WHEN IT WENT BACK TO PARK. EVERY TIME SOMETHING WENT WRONG IT GO BACK TO PARK. I WAS JUST SETTING IN THE CAR ONCE WITH MY FRIEND THAT I WAS SHOWING HER MY CAR WHEN THE PARK FLASHED IT ALSO HAPPEN TO ME WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT SOMETHING AT THE BANK WHEN THE PARK LIGHT FLASHED. THE DAY I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER SERVICE TO TELL THEM I DIDN'T,WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY MORE I WAS TALKING TO THE SALEPERSON THAT HELP SALE THE CAR TO ME, HE TOLD ME MOVE THE TO NEXT LANE SO THE SERVICE PEOPLE COULD LOOK AT IT AGAIN WHEN THE GEARSHIFT MOVE IN MY HAND.I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES. ONE MANGER EVEN TOLD ME TO GO TO A DR.FOR HEAD BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. FORD IS HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THEIR CARS A LOT WITH THE GEARS SHIFT TOO. WHAT IF SOMETHING GO WRONG WHEN I AM GOING 60 TO 70 MILES DEATH! SHOW HER MY CAR WHEN THE PARK LIGHT FLASHED I REALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. AS FOR THE DATE YOU ASK FOR BELOW. IT HAS HAPPEN TIME MANY TIMES SINCE DEC 2018 ALSO ON CITY STREETS, AT HOME AND IN PARKING LOT. ALSO IN MOTION
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 27, 2019
WHILE STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION FOR A RED LIGHT THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. I COULDN'T TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, ROLL DOWN WINDOWS OR UNLOCK DOORS. EVERYTHING WAS DEAD. I WAS IDLING AT THE STOP LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 29, 2018, crash
ON OCTOBER 17, 2018, I DROVE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO PARK IN FRONT OF THE SHOPS. I HAD ENTERED THE PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND WAS ALMOST AT A DEAD STOP WHEN MY 2018 FORD FUSION SPORT LURCHED FORWARD WITH SUCH A POWERFUL BURST OF SPEED, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A WINDOW AND BRICK WALL DIVIDING THE SHOPS. NO FLOOR MAT ISSUE WAS INVOLVED AND I DID NOT STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR THINKING IT WAS THE BRAKE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND INSURANCE NOTIFIED. THE CAR IS STILL AT FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE COLLISION & SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US THAT NO ERROR COULD BE FOUND WHEN PULLING CODES. THIS IS A MAJOR & DEADLY PROBLEM WITH AUTO SAFETY AND ADVANCED ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. AN ELECTRONIC GLITCH IN THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT CANNOT BE DETECTED AFTER ACCIDENT SHOULD BE NUMBER 1 PRIORITY ON AUTO SAFETY !!!! I AM SERIOUSLY AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AFTER REPAIRS BECAUSE LIKE RUSSIAN ROULETTE, IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM DID NOT LEAVE A TRACE THE FIRST TIME. THE NEXT TIME COULD BE AT AN INTERSECTION AND LIVES COULD BE LOST !!!!
Air bags, Sep 29, 2018
TAKATA AIRBAG. RECEIVED NOTICE OF AIRBAG RECALL OVER TWO YEARS AGO (JULY 2016). STILL TO REMEDY. WE WANT TO USE THE VEHICLE FOR VACATION TRAVEL BUT ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2018
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GOES OVER 70 DEGREES, THERE'S CREAKING NOISES UNDERNEATH, SOMETIMES VERY LOUD WHEN TURNING, EVEN WHEN PARKED, MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES THE NOISE. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM, MY CAR HAS ONLY 72K MILES AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL SUMMER THIS YEAR AND IT'S GETTING LOUDER. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL.
Steering, Apr 7, 2018
SOLD CAR WITH OPEN RECALL FROM MAC HAIK FORD , GEORGETOWN, TX
Seat belts, Mar 15, 2018
WHEN SEAT BELT IS DETACHED FROM EITHER DRIVER OR PASSAGER NO INDICATOR WHILE DRIVING. IT INDICATES AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES.
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 5, 2018
CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET ABOUT 40 MPH GOING STRAIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BECAME UNLATCHED AND PARTIALLY OPENED. A NOISE ON THE DASH SOUNDED AND STATED THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS AJAR, AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR TURNED RED. IT SEEMED TO BE PARTIALLY LATCHED STILL SINCE IT WOULD NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, BUT I HAD TO USE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT ALL THE WAY AGAIN. I HAD ALREADY TRAVELED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN THE DOOR PARTIALLY OPENED, AND THERE WERE NO DASH OR WARNING SIGNS IT WAS OPEN WHEN I LEFT. TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS CLEAR, NO RAIN OR WIND AND ABOUT 50-55 DEGREES OUTSIDE. CAR WAS PRIOR IN THE GARAGE BEFORE I LEFT ABOUT 1130 PM.
Service brakes, Mar 16, 2017
ABS PUMP FAILURE. ABS PUMP FAILS DURING AN ANTI-LOCK EVENT CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR AND NO STOPPING POWER. OCCUR SPORADICALLY WHEN ON ICE/SLUSH/SNOW OR WHEN BRAKING ON A ROUGH RODE.