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
182 reports, newest first.
Engine, Sep 27, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with an internal engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Engine, Sep 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, smoke and an abnormal odor was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer determined that the failure was caused by a purge control valve failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.
Power train, Sep 19, 2024
On [XXX] I backed my 2020 Ford Fusion out of my driveway. I stopped and tried to shift from reverse to drive and the transmission locked up in Park, the engine died and the parking brake was engaged. I was sitting across the street with no way to move the car. I had the car towed to a Ford dealer and they replaced the transmission cable bushing and cover. These parts are the same as those used in Fords recall 22S43. Ford continued to use inferior parts on cars built after the dates mentioned in the recall. This is a safety issue as it could happen at any time. Thanks [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2024
My flex plate cracked on my 2020 Ford Fusion. Ford has a customer satisfaction program stating that they have a one time repair for cracked flex plates, torque converter, and transmission pump and are refusing to honor it. Once the dealership confirmed my flex plate was cracked they were notified that the repairs were not going to be approved I was giving a quote for $4700 to pay out of pocket. I did not have the money and went to pick my car up until I figured out a solution. While in the process of waiting to figure out my next step of action I was informed by one of the service writers that they were going to approve my repairs by this time my vehicle had completely stopped on me while on the highway with my child in the car. Once it was towed to the dealership my car sat for 2 weeks untouched because of other repairs and I was later informed that Ford is wanting to overturn their decision and not repair my car.
Power train, Engine, Aug 26, 2024
Flex plate is cracked , confirmed by bore scope dealership is quoting 14 business days to diagnose. It is known issue with this make, model, and year and CSP was issued for dealerships to fix but only select VIN numbers. This car is at 91000 miles and meets all criteria for the CSP 22N12. The car makes an ungodly rattling sound and if it fails could be very dangerous
Other or unspecified, Aug 24, 2024
My 2020 Ford Fusion developed a oder coming from the a/c heat system. In a few days it got bad enough to determine something died in the vehicle! I went to the cabin air filter to replace it but as I started to pull it out there was debris stopping it! So I removed the front cowling to expose the fresh air inlet and found it was full is mice droppings and nuts. I then found a dead mouse that got its head stuck in the recirculating door that is for max A/C! After a while of vacuuming out the air filter top and removing the dead mouse. I was able to remove the cabin air filter and then removed the blower motor below it to clean the debris from that. The debris feel when I went to remove the air filter as the opening scrapes the top of the filter as you remove it! I wiped every thing down with bleach wipes and vacuumed as much as i could then blew out the system with compressed air and reassembled the vehicle. When I was done I looked up "how mice can get in there" and found out I'm not the only one this has happened to. Since the air filter does not filter out viruses and bacteria this is a serious health problem. People can get Hantavirus (67% mortality rate) from mice, droppings, as well as other bacterial infections, and viruses! It can kill anyone in the car riding in by breathing the virus coming from the heating or a/c system. The outside air inlet should have a tightly conforming mesh covering to prevent mice and other rodents from getting into the A/C system in all vehicles. Or the recirculating door can be programed to close when the vehicle is shut off! Note the vehicle still smells a bit and I'm going to have it detailed and use a disinfectant sprayer to clean out the entire A/C heating system that I ordered.
Engine, Jul 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the sound was also noticed while idling or with the air condition activated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the flex plate needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 84,994.
Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2024
Rear Package Tray Trim disintegrating due to sun exposure, the carpeted fiber trim behind the rear seats underneath the rear windshield. The part is still installed in my vehicle, but it available to be inspected I am constantly finding ultra fine black fibers throughout my car's trim/dashboard/steering wheel/infotainment/vents, on my clothes and in my hair especially after driving with my windows down from the trim piece fibers disintegrating. Because the fibers are blown throughout the car this is a health hazard as you are breathing in fiber strands, similar to why asbestos has been banned. A Ford dealership has inspected the part to see if there are any Ford recalls and to quote replacement of the part. First started noticing the black fibers about a year ago but that was only when the part was touched as it would cover your hand/arm in the fibers. It has progressively gotten worse to where air will now cause further disintegration of trim and blow the fibers throughout the car.
Power train, Engine, Jul 2, 2024
The engine is “eating” the coolant causing the vehicle to overheat and break down.
Power train, Engine, Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a rattling noise coming from the front end near the driver’s side close to the transmission. The vehicle would start moments after the failure had occurred. The rattling was more pronounced while the A/C system was running. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the rattling sound was noticeable. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the transmission felt as though it was slipping while changing gear. The contact stated that while inspecting the engine, underneath the hood was hotter than normal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission flex plate had failed. The failure was linked to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10218899 (Power Train). The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Power train, Apr 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment and the battery had failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission flex plate had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,864.
Power train, Engine, Apr 29, 2024
Cracked flexplate
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Apr 26, 2024
The entire media display gets stuck off or will freeze up, when I place the vehicle in reverse the rear camera comes on but parking assist, the rear sensors and cross traffic sensors won't work. Once I place the car in drive the display will either stay all blue or shut completely off. I cannot adjust the climate control, use GPS, or use the media. I have to shut the car off and then after about 10 minutes there is a bunch of clicking noise under the dash and after it stops clicking I can restart the car, the display will sometimes begin to work and if it dossent then I have to shut off the car again and go through the motions again. It has started to be more and more frequently, at first it was maybe once a week and now it is happening at every start.
Power train, Apr 24, 2024
Rattling and lost of power
Engine, Apr 23, 2024
Intrusion into cylinder 2.
Power train, Mar 5, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a rattling sound coming from the transmission bell housing area, and the flex plate was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was related to Ford Campaign Number: 22N12. The manufacturer assisted the contact in scheduling an appointment with the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,755.
Power train, Feb 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking, and the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound, and the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised to flush the transmission fluid. The contact stated that after flushing the transmission fluid, the failure ceased but later returned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that after researching the failure, the contact discovered TSB: 22N12. The contact informed the dealer of TSB: 22N12 and the contact was informed that the repair was not eligible to be covered under TSB: 22N12. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
Power train, Feb 15, 2024
The vehicle has 87390 miles and the shifter grommet broke just like recall 19s16. 2020 fustion with a 1.5l engine.
Power train, Feb 8, 2024
The flexplate was cracking and rusted which caused starting and acceleration problems. Yes, it's available per request. It's currently with the transmission shop that fixed my vehicle. There was a rattling noise found in neutral and park by the transmission shop I took it to. My safety was put at risk because my ability to control my car's power was affected. I was at risk of a loss of power to the wheels which could have caused a major accident, especially because most of my driving happens on the interstate at speeds of 65-7 mph. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. Yes, they inspected by the techs at the transmission shop. There were no warning lamps or messages before the failure. The symptoms were a rattling noise and reduced power. This issue is well documented online and is known to happen in the 60-90k mile range which I can confirm based on my personal experience and others. References: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Feb 7, 2024
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the gear was shifted, and the vehicle reverted to park. The vehicle was restarted approximately five to ten times on all but one occasion, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,200.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2024
Flexplate cracked. Causing vehicle to make a loud noise when idle or driving in reverse. Cracked discovered by mechanic and Ford service department. No warning lights or other issues prior to crack.
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.
Power train, Dec 4, 2023
The flex plate is bad and ford won’t fix it. It needs recalled before it kills someone. Flex plate is the plate that puts power from engine to transmission
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
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.