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.
Of the 2020 reports, 10 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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: power train
67 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed flex plate and torque converter. The contact was informed that the flex plate and the torque converter 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 63,000.
Power train, Nov 7, 2023
Car has the same 6f35 transmission issues as previous years and nothing is being done about it my car has 63k on it with a dead transmission because of the flexplate issue from previous years
Power train, Oct 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start the following day and was parked. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the flywheel had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 22N12 because the campaign had exceeded the required mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 120,251.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 27, 2023
At first the check engine light was on and the car would not start. The dash would display all the lights and at one point it turned off while driving luckily I was going 20-30mph. Took it to the dealership and they said an Intake Valve had to be replaced and it was covered by the warranty. Next the engine light was on and a MAP censor had to be replaced which wasn’t covered. Once again the engine light and service light came on and the code is saying the same censor needs to be replaced. Each time it has effected how the car drives and is dangerous especially on the interstate because it will not go over 20mph. When the car is in reverse it will shake and turn off displaying auto start stop issue and place the car in park. It will then turn off. It is hit or miss on when the check engine light and maintenance light will come on and each time the symptoms are the same. No one has provided a solution. This has been on going for almost a year.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jul 12, 2023
2020 Fusion Compressor one, delivered from factory went out-repaired Compressor 2 just went out Needs 3rd compressor now in 3 years or 38,000-Pending I was very concerned each time the compressor went out (x2) I was on the highway when it ceased up and I lost the ability to effectively control the vehicle. I was put in an unsafe position with the ceasing up and with excessive heat buildup with smelling burning. This was very scary and was unsafe and this part should be investigated for potential to cause harm and injury to those in the car should it happen to anyone else. Limited control of car, notice no more Belt as well after i was able to stop. It appaired to in tiny pieces as small as bee bees all over the car. Not even recognizable as a belt. This has happed 2 times (this is not normal in 38,000 miles, having very limited control of car and breaking and steering and no power with smell of fire/burning.
Power train, Jun 26, 2023
Tapping / knocking coming from the driver side of the engine bay . Slow engagement now knocking while parked and in gear ...was told it was the transmission which is a known issue for this car now my car won't move ... Wondering why this year model and setup has not been recalled
Power train, May 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 75,002. The VIN was not available.
Power train, Engine, Mar 3, 2023
The car seems to lose power sometimes when you are going down the road. My engine light came on but it brings up a fuel cap code, and a emission control sensor. The extended warranty covered the emissions control purge valve. This started around 70,000 miles.
Power train, Feb 24, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to drive forward after reversing the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move. The wrench symbol displayed stating there was a system malfunction however, the contact was unsure of the system failure. The contact stated that the diagnostic App linked to the vehicle stated that there was power train malfunction causing reduced power. The contact stated that someone mechanically inclined inspected the vehicle and informed her that the cable shifter bushing had detached causing the gear shifter to move from drive to park. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Power train, Feb 8, 2023
Fusion is surging while shifting or lack of. Some of them being more violent than others, sometimes pulling the steering wheel to the left or right. When coming to a stop in city driving when the fusion doesn’t shift the fusion stalls. The initial shift is also very rough into any gear (drive, reverse, and/or back to neutral.
Power train, Dec 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift into the intended gear and the vehicle would not drive forward. Upon inspection, it was discovered that transmission fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the parking brake activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. The contact was turned off and then restarted the vehicle. Approximately 3 miles later while driving, the failure reoccurred. The odometer lights began flickering, the gear shift indicator (PRNDL) light started to change, the location of the gear shifter started to switch gears, and the radio malfunctioned. The shift sensor malfunction and fault warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred a total of 5 times. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who reset the vehicle to remove of all the codes however, the failure reoccurred. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 38,750.
Power train, Jun 21, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was in park(P) on an inclined driveway, the vehicle rolled forward without warning and crashed into a home. No injuries and damages were reported; the contact was able to resume normal driving operation after the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,270.
Power train, Jun 10, 2022
My 2020 Ford Fusion has a broken flex plate after only 40,000 miles on the road. This appears to be a very common problem among several different Ford vehicles that have this combination of engine/transmission. It is a safety risk because the car is no longer drivable after the flex plate breaks. This could lead to dangerous situations if a vehicle is broken down in the road. There are no warning lights or messages that something is wrong, but a noticeable rattling sound was coming from the front end of the vehicle that lead to the diagnosis of a flex plate issue by the Ford dealership.
Power train, Jun 1, 2022
Vehicle purchased used in Feb 2022, dealer said vehicle was in EXCELLENT mechanical condition. May 2022, 3 months after purchase vehicle has a broken flywheel and now needs the flywheel, torque converter and transmission pump replaced before 1st oil change since purchase was due. 65k miles on odometer.
Power train, Mar 25, 2022
I started my car and the engine was running very rough. The check engine light came on and I received a notification in the FordPass app of a powertrain control module detected an engine misfire. I was 108 miles from home in a snow storm. I drove to a hotel and spent the night. My husband picked me up the next morning. We towed it to the dealership where they found coolant had leaked into the spark plugs because of a warped cylinder head.
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 14, 2020
THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. IT TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. I CANNOT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING HAD TO HARD RESET THE SYSTEM CAR ALSO SHIFTS HARD IN AND OUT OF PARK AND REVERSE, MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND SHIFTS HARD IN FIRST AND SECOND