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: steering
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jul 31, 2026
I was backing out of my drive way when a shift system fault message appeared on my dashboard. When I went to change gears the rotary dial locked up and shifted to park. My safety as well as other people’s safety was put at risk because my car stopped in the middle of the street with little warning. My problem was confirmed by an independent service center with a obd scanner.
Steering, Power train, Lane departure, May 29, 2026
I’ve learned a while ago that the vehicle doesn’t have a working horn, I’ve replaced the fuse at least five times and it’s still not working. Yes the car was sold to me this way. Also I’ve been getting this warning to my ford app: “The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) has detected a fault and may not function. What Should I Do? If either BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE/SENSOR BLOCKED SEE MANUAL or CROSS TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE/SENSOR BLOCKED SEE MANUAL is in the information display, the system may not function. Check the exterior vehicle sensors for damage or debris covering them (see Owner's Manual for sensor locations). If the problem persists, please have the system checked by an authorized dealer.” For the last month my car has become hard to drive as if there’s a power steering issue.
Steering, Wheels, Apr 30, 2026, crash
The front left lower control arm (driver's side) snapped off (broke) while turning a corner. There was no reason for the breakage other than turning. It was repaired through insurance. The driver's safety as well as the safety of pedestrians were put at risk because the breakage forced the car to turn sharply to the left. Because of this, the vehicle struck a utility pole. The pole had very little damage, but damage was done to the car. The policeman at the scene inspected the damage, as well as the insurance adjuster in the days following the accident. No warning lights or messages were displayed before the control arm broke. If this had happened at hi-way speeds, it is likely that the resulting loss of control would have resulted in a multi-vehicle accident, resulting in fatalities.
Steering, Suspension, Apr 19, 2026, crash
While turning into a parking lot the lower control arm snapped (broke in half, approximately). The picture I sent is of a front lower control arm, however it is not a picture of the actual control arm that broke. After it broke, the car was forced into a sharp left turn, resulting in the car crashing into a telephone pole. The pole was not damaged but there was damage to the car.
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
Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure, Jul 24, 2025
RANDOMLY 'SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC', 'PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE', LANE ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE', POWER ASSIST STEERING NOT AVAILABLE', HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE', WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR. WHEN THEY DO I COMPLETELY LOSE POWER STEERING. WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. MOST THE TIME I CAN TURN OFF AND RESTART THE CAR AND IT GOES AWAY. HOWEVER, NOW IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND HAS STARTED LOSING COMPLETE POWER OF THE CAR TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. I ALMOST DIED ON THE INTERSTATE. FORD DEALERSHIPS ONLY RECOMMENDATION WAS A NEW CIRCUIT BOARD THAT WAS LIKE $5K, MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. THEY SAID IT WAS SOMETHING COMMON WITH THE FORD FUSIONS, THATS WHY THEY WERE QUIT BEING MADE. I RESEARCHED AND IT IS A COMMON ISSUE, BUT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE???!!???
Steering, Traction control system, Jun 11, 2025, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while making a turn in either left or right direction, the Traction Control warning light had displayed, and the vehicle had reduced speed independently. During failure, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a mailbox. During the crash, no injuries were reported. No police report was filed and the vehicle was driven home. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 81,000.
Steering, Mar 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started pulling and veering to the right, while driving on uneven pavement. The power steering assist warning light illuminated while driving over 35 MPH. On another occasion, the steering wheel failed to respond, and the vehicle spun out and the vehicle came to a stop in the right lane. The vehicle was taken to a tire shop where it was diagnosed with rack and pinion failure, and the vehicle was aligned. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a steering assist sensor fault. The brakes were calibrated; however, when the contact depressed the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond, and the contact stopped depressing on the accelerator pedal to have the vehicle slow down to stop the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,361.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Feb 21, 2025
The manufacturer is using the wrong material for the parts on my car. Currently, the right-side lower control bushing is bulging out because a steel bushing was used instead of the aluminum one specified on the website. This issue is causing my car to pull to the right, making steering difficult. I've also experienced the same problem on the left side in the past. I request a recall to fix this and ensure the safety of all drivers on the road.
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Feb 6, 2025
My vehicle was in service with my dealer for several months 3 separate occasions for powertrain issues which werent resolved and now the alignment in my steering wheel is really off. My spouse and I believe the PCM is messed up but have had no progress with our dealership and suspect them of committing consumer fraud and selling us a lemon. The vehicle in question is around 70,000 and started messing up at 60,000.
Steering, Jan 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle changed lanes independently. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering control module was informing the steering wheel to turn to the left while the vehicle was to the right and vice-versa. The contact was informed that the steering control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,620.
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.