2020 Ford Fusion

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Power train is the leading concern among 182 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 182

Of the 2020 reports, 10 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.

Primary concernPower train67 reports · 37% of complaints
Owner complaints182Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Power train67
  2. Engine51
  3. Electrical system38
  4. Other or unspecified27
  5. Steering12
  6. Fuel/propulsion system11
  7. Service brakes10
  8. Forward collision avoidance9

Recalls and investigations

  1. Equipment, electrical, engine block heaterOct 10, 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

    An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

    Campaign 25V685000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Back over prevention, softwareJun 27, 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

    A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

    Campaign 25V442000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Electrical system, propulsion system, traction battery, management system/energy control module (bms/becm)Jun 23, 2023

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.

    A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.

    Campaign 23V440000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance

9 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 22, 2026

    2020 Fusion SEL with 41,000 miles. While driving at 65 mph with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly jerked on two separate occasions during a three-hour drive.

  2. Power train, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, May 4, 2026

    I have had this car for 6 years and the transmission has gone out on top of the purge valve, I have seen many people have the same issues with this model and year of this car. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED. I also see that there is a lawsuit against this issue with the transmission model 6F35

  3. Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 25, 2025

    While driving down the road I start getting warning lights about lane assist, adaptive cruise control, power steering and so forth not working. The steering wheel jerks hard out of my hands and the brakes will automatically apply. I’ve tried talking to the dealership I bought it from and I never get a response. They told me that ford bought it back from the original owner cause it was a great car but this seems to not be the case. Seems more like it’s because of its very dangerous drivability features. I’m extremely concerned about my wife driving the car and I’m constantly getting alerts through the ford app. Took it to a different ford dealership and was showed to me on ford data link where this car has had this problem long before I purchased it. It’s extremely dangerous

  4. Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 19, 2025

    Tire Pressure Monitor System Warning Action Now Issue Since 09-22-2024 The tire pressure monitoring system has detected one or more tires are significantly under-inflated. Suggested Actions: Check the tire pressure to ensure the tires are properly inflated. WARNING: The tire pressure monitoring system is NOT a substitute for manually checking tire pressure. The tire pressure should be checked periodically (at least monthly) using a tire gauge. See Inflating Your Tires in the Wheels and Tires chapter of your Owner's Guide. Failure to properly maintain your tire pressure could increase the risk of tire failure, loss of control, vehicle rollover and personal injury.

  5. Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 19, 2025

    I have had 2 transmissions within the last year, making this the third Transmission on my vehicle. I had to have another common issue with the car replaced, which is a purge valve. My ABS light goes off often causing difficulty to steer the car and warning lights are activated showing that the safety features are not available. Lastly, there is a crack in the engine block caused by coolant in the spark plug due to overheating. This engine issue is one with the engines that Ford is aware of but I do NOT see a recall. The engine is blown due to this design and the warranties do NOT cover it. Case number [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  6. Structure, Forward collision avoidance, Nov 19, 2023

    On hot days the Forward Collision will show as unavailable, but there is no notification saying when it will be available again. This is dangerous in that a safety feature on the vehicle is unavailable when it is hot outside and has been sitting in the sun. Outer door panel skins are becoming unattached from the door frame, which could cause an issue if the skin fails elsewhere that it would be totally unattached to the door frame and fall off when driving. The rear package tray trim (carpeted trim piece behind the rear seats covering the speakers) disintegrates when it is touched due to it being exposed to the sun. Discovered when attempting to clean inside of my rear window. This has caused black particulate to be scattered throughout the vehicles interior. They are small enough that you could be breathing them in as the debris has been found all over the dashboard, seats, infotainment console, and trim all around the car. This is a health hazard due to breathing in fabric/carpet particulate that can irritate the lungs. Link to forum of other people having the same issue: https://www.fordfusionforum.com/index.php?app=forums&module=forums&controller=topic&id=20981#comments

  7. Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Oct 11, 2023

    APIM is faulty per the ford dealer ship. (Rusty Eck Ford) They state that it is a known issue but there has not been a recall. This affects the SYNC, navigation, instrument panel, connectivity to ford connect app, etc. In order for some things to be used temporarily, it has to be hard reset on the console. Nothing leading up to the issue.

  8. Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 28, 2022

    If the car is parked in directly sunlight and I start the car a "Front camera temporarily unavailable" message will appear. It happens more when the outside temperature is warmer.

  9. Forward collision avoidance, Nov 8, 2021

    "Pre-Collision Assist Not Available" shows on dash every time when starting the car now. Started in October intermittently.