Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011 and 2012 as the Fusion years to avoid, with 2010 having a complaint index of 100 and 46 total recall campaigns across the model line.

Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017 as the Elantra years to avoid; 2013 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 1,313 complaints.

Which model has more reported problems, Fusion or Elantra?

The Fusion shows 18,209 total complaints over 11 model years (1,655 per year) versus the Elantra's 5,666 over 16 model years (354 per year), though NHTSA doesn't publish sales data to normalize these totals.

How do fuel economy figures compare?

The Fusion averages 25 mpg combined across its years while the Elantra averages 30.8 mpg combined, with the Elantra's 2020 model reaching 34 mpg combined and a $1,900 annual fuel cost.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

Fusion's top problem area is steering at 31% of complaints (5,705), followed by engine at 25%. Elantra's top problem area is engine at 31% of complaints (1,772), followed by electrical system at 17%.

Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Elantra: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Fusion years to avoid are 2010-2012, led by steering complaints; Hyundai Elantra years to avoid are 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017, dominated by engine issues. Fusion logs 18,209 total complaints across 11 model years versus Elantra's 5,666 across 16 years, but totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Ford Fusion

Model years: 2010–2020 (11)
NHTSA complaints: 18,209
Per model year: 1,655
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2010, 2011, 2012
Best years: 2018, 2019, 2020
Top problem area: Steering
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.0
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Hyundai Elantra

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,666
Per model year: 354
Recall campaigns: 29
Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017
Best years: 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 30.8
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

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				Elantra
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	5,120	11	23	Avoid	379	3	29
2011	Avoid	2,786	7	23.5	Caution	432	5	32
2012	Avoid	2,516	5	23.5	Avoid	652	4	32
2013	Caution	1,791	19	26.5	Avoid	1,313	4	32
2014	Caution	1,330	19	26.5	Caution	382	2	29
2015	Good	993	13	26	Caution	262	3	28
2016	Caution	1,627	13	26	Good	292	2	30
2017	Good	1,110	4	25	Avoid	767	4	30.5
2018	Best	439	2	25	Good	282	0	30.5
2019	Best	315	3	25	Good	250	1	30.5
2020	Best	182	3	25	Caution	250	3	34
2021	—	—	—	—	Best	130	6	33
2022	—	—	—	—	Best	101	5	29.5
2023	—	—	—	—	Good	98	2	31
2024	—	—	—	—	Best	54	1	31
2025	—	—	—	—	Best	22	0	31

Complaint Index by year

Ford Fusion

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

Hyundai Elantra

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011 and 2012 as the Fusion years to avoid, with 2010 having a complaint index of 100 and 46 total recall campaigns across the model line.
Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017 as the Elantra years to avoid; 2013 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 1,313 complaints.
Which model has more reported problems, Fusion or Elantra?: The Fusion shows 18,209 total complaints over 11 model years (1,655 per year) versus the Elantra's 5,666 over 16 model years (354 per year), though NHTSA doesn't publish sales data to normalize these totals.
How do fuel economy figures compare?: The Fusion averages 25 mpg combined across its years while the Elantra averages 30.8 mpg combined, with the Elantra's 2020 model reaching 34 mpg combined and a $1,900 annual fuel cost.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: Fusion's top problem area is steering at 31% of complaints (5,705), followed by engine at 25%. Elantra's top problem area is engine at 31% of complaints (1,772), followed by electrical system at 17%.