Which Fusion years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 as Avoid years for the Ford Fusion, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100 and steering the top problem area.

Which Altima years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015 as Avoid years for the Nissan Altima, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and electrical system the top problem area.

Which model has more complaints overall?

Ford Fusion has 22,387 total complaints across 15 model years (1,492 per model year) while Nissan Altima has 12,123 across 21 model years (577 per model year); these totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

How do fuel economy figures compare?

The Ford Fusion averages 24.3 mpg combined across its lineup, while the Nissan Altima averages 27 mpg combined.

Which years are the safest bets for each model?

Ford Fusion's best years are 2018, 2019 and 2020, with complaint indexes as low as 0. Nissan Altima's best years run from 2021 through 2025, also reaching a complaint index of 0 in 2022.

Ford Fusion vs Nissan Altima: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Fusion years to avoid are 2010-2013, led by steering complaints; Nissan Altima years to avoid are 2005, 2008-2009 and 2013-2015, led by electrical issues. Fusion logs 22,387 complaints and 46 recalls across 15 model years versus Altima's 12,123 complaints and 43 recalls across 21 model years, but totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Ford Fusion

Model years: 2006–2020 (15)
NHTSA complaints: 22,387
Per model year: 1,492
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Best years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Nissan Altima

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 12,123
Per model year: 577
Recall campaigns: 43
Years to avoid: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 27.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Fusion				Altima
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,091	1	21
2006	Caution	730	4	23	Caution	824	3	21
2007	Caution	1,064	4	22	Good	471	3	24
2008	Caution	1,353	5	22	Avoid	1,028	4	24
2009	Caution	1,022	6	22	Avoid	1,547	4	24
2010	Avoid	5,129	11	23	Caution	380	3	23
2011	Avoid	2,786	7	23.5	Good	241	1	24.5
2012	Avoid	2,516	5	23.5	Caution	426	4	24.5
2013	Avoid	1,791	19	26.5	Avoid	2,312	12	26
2014	Caution	1,330	19	26.5	Avoid	1,114	8	28
2015	Caution	993	13	26	Avoid	953	10	28.5
2016	Caution	1,627	13	26	Caution	553	4	30
2017	Good	1,110	4	25	Caution	391	3	30
2018	Best	439	2	25	Good	225	2	30
2019	Best	315	3	25	Good	232	7	30
2020	Best	182	3	25	Good	158	6	30
2021	—	—	—	—	Best	70	2	30
2022	—	—	—	—	Best	30	0	30.5
2023	—	—	—	—	Best	29	0	29.5
2024	—	—	—	—	Best	41	1	29.5
2025	—	—	—	—	Best	7	2	30

Complaint Index by year

Ford Fusion

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan Altima

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Fusion years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 as Avoid years for the Ford Fusion, with 2010 having the highest complaint index at 100 and steering the top problem area.
Which Altima years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014 and 2015 as Avoid years for the Nissan Altima, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and electrical system the top problem area.
Which model has more complaints overall?: Ford Fusion has 22,387 total complaints across 15 model years (1,492 per model year) while Nissan Altima has 12,123 across 21 model years (577 per model year); these totals are not adjusted for sales volume.
How do fuel economy figures compare?: The Ford Fusion averages 24.3 mpg combined across its lineup, while the Nissan Altima averages 27 mpg combined.
Which years are the safest bets for each model?: Ford Fusion's best years are 2018, 2019 and 2020, with complaint indexes as low as 0. Nissan Altima's best years run from 2021 through 2025, also reaching a complaint index of 0 in 2022.