Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 as Avoid years for the Fusion. 2010 has the worst complaint index at 100, driven largely by steering complaints (26% of all Fusion complaints).

Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 as Avoid years for the Elantra. 2013 has the worst complaint index at 100, tied to a spike in complaints (1,313) and 31 fires reported that year.

Which model has more total complaints?

The Ford Fusion has 22,387 total complaints across 15 model years (1,492 per model year on average), while the Hyundai Elantra has 6,792 total complaints across 21 model years (323 per model year on average). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Which car gets better fuel economy?

The Hyundai Elantra averages 29.7 mpg combined across its model years, compared to 24.3 mpg combined for the Ford Fusion, based on EPA data.

Do either the Fusion or Elantra have Do Not Drive recalls?

Yes. Several early Fusion years (2006-2010) carry Do Not Drive or Park Outside recalls, which capped their verdicts at Caution or worse. NHTSA data does not list any Do Not Drive recalls for the Elantra years covered here.

Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Elantra: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Fusion owners should avoid 2010-2013, with 2010 hitting a complaint index of 100; Hyundai Elantra owners should avoid 2010, 2012-2014, 2017 and 2020, with 2013 hitting a complaint index of 100. Fusion logs 22,387 total complaints and 46 recalls across 15 model years versus Elantra's 6,792 complaints and 38 recalls across 21 model years; 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 ★

Hyundai Elantra

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 6,792
Per model year: 323
Recall campaigns: 38
Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020
Best years: 2022, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 29.7
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
2005	—	—	—	—	Good	137	4	25
2006	Caution	730	4	23	Good	155	1	24
2007	Caution	1,064	4	22	Good	267	6	27.5
2008	Caution	1,353	5	22	Caution	314	7	27.5
2009	Caution	1,022	6	22	Caution	253	4	27.5
2010	Avoid	5,129	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	Avoid	1,791	19	26.5	Avoid	1,313	4	32
2014	Caution	1,330	19	26.5	Avoid	382	2	29
2015	Caution	993	13	26	Caution	262	3	28
2016	Caution	1,627	13	26	Caution	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	Avoid	250	3	34
2021	—	—	—	—	Good	130	6	33
2022	—	—	—	—	Best	101	5	29.5
2023	—	—	—	—	Caution	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, 2012, and 2013 as Avoid years for the Fusion. 2010 has the worst complaint index at 100, driven largely by steering complaints (26% of all Fusion complaints).
Which Hyundai Elantra years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 as Avoid years for the Elantra. 2013 has the worst complaint index at 100, tied to a spike in complaints (1,313) and 31 fires reported that year.
Which model has more total complaints?: The Ford Fusion has 22,387 total complaints across 15 model years (1,492 per model year on average), while the Hyundai Elantra has 6,792 total complaints across 21 model years (323 per model year on average). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.
Which car gets better fuel economy?: The Hyundai Elantra averages 29.7 mpg combined across its model years, compared to 24.3 mpg combined for the Ford Fusion, based on EPA data.
Do either the Fusion or Elantra have Do Not Drive recalls?: Yes. Several early Fusion years (2006-2010) carry Do Not Drive or Park Outside recalls, which capped their verdicts at Caution or worse. NHTSA data does not list any Do Not Drive recalls for the Elantra years covered here.