Ford Fusion Hybrid Best and Worst Years (2010–2020)
The 2010, 2011, and 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid years rank worst based on NHTSA complaints, with 2010 topping the list at a complaint index of 100 and 508 total complaints. The 2014, 2016, and 2020 model years rate Best, with 2020 posting a complaint index of just 0 from only 8 complaints.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 11
- 2010–2020
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,197
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- Crashes reported
- 44
- Fires reported
- 7
- Top problem area
- Steering
Fusion Hybrid Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Ford Fusion Hybrid problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 508 | 9 | 0 | 0 | Steering | 39 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 90 | 132 | 3 | 0 | 0 | Steering | 38 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 96 | 4 | 0 | 0 | Steering | 38 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 60 | 126 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 41 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 20 | 65 | 3 | 0 | 1 | Steering | 41 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 30 | 46 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Steering | 41 | — |
| 2016 | Best | 10 | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Engine | 41 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 70 | 69 | 7 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 42 | — |
| 2018 | Avoid | 80 | 59 | 8 | 1 | 0 | Electrical System | 42 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 40 | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | Engine | 41.5 | — |
| 2020 | Best | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 41.5 | — |
Fusion Hybrid years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Index 100 · 508 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2010 Fusion Hybrid has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and the most complaints overall at 508. Steering issues lead at 138 complaints, including reports of power steering cutting out with a median failure mileage around 96,197. Airbag complaints follow closely at 135, and brake complaints total 109 with a median failure mileage near 101,000. Owners describe sudden loss of steering assist and total brake failure leading to crashes. Engine-related complaints add 78 more reports. No recalls are on file for this year, so these patterns come from complaint data alone.
2010 steering problems →2010 airbags problems →2010 brakes problems →
2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid Index 90 · 132 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2011 model ranks second worst with a complaint index of 90 from 132 complaints. Steering again leads the problem areas with 43 complaints and a median failure mileage of 80,500, followed by airbags at 34 and brakes at 32. Owners report the steering wheel becoming stiff or locking up, sometimes with an advance-trac warning light, and one report describes a fatal crash linked to a reported loss of power steering. No recalls are logged for this year.
2011 steering problems →2011 airbags problems →2011 brakes problems →
2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Index 80 · 59 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2018 Fusion Hybrid carries a complaint index of 80, the third worst, though it logged fewer total complaints (59) than the 2010 and 2011 years. Electrical System and Transmission & Powertrain issues tie for the top problem area at 10 complaints each, with brakes close behind at 9 and a high median failure mileage of 160,300 for that category. Owners describe wheels seizing during steering maneuvers and brakes not grabbing as expected, sometimes with airbags failing to deploy in a crash. No recalls are on file for this year.
Most common Ford Fusion Hybrid problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Steering295 (25%)
- Airbags236 (20%)
- Brakes225 (19%)
- Engine179 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain148 (12%)
- Electrical System141 (12%)
- Other80 (7%)
- Fuel System68 (6%)
- Structure & Body61 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires48 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Ford Fusion Hybrid should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2010, 2011, and 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid years rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100, 90, and 80 respectively.
- What is the best year for the Ford Fusion Hybrid?
- The 2014, 2016, and 2020 model years rate Best. The 2020 model has the lowest complaint index at 0 from only 8 complaints, and 2016 has an index of 10 from 53 complaints.
- What is the most common problem with the Ford Fusion Hybrid?
- Across all model years, Steering is the top problem area with 295 complaints (25% of all complaints), followed by Airbags at 236 complaints (20%) and Brakes at 225 complaints (19%).
- Is the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid reliable?
- The 2018 model is rated Avoid based on NHTSA complaints, with a complaint index of 80 and 59 total complaints, ranking third worst of the 11 model years covered.
- Does the Ford Fusion Hybrid have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns across all Fusion Hybrid model years covered (2010-2020), with individual recalls recorded for the 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years.