What year Ford Fusion should I avoid?

Avoid the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Ford Fusion. These years have the highest complaint indexes (100, 90, and 80) and are led by steering complaints, which made up 32%, 51%, and 59% of complaints in those respective years.

What is the best year for the Ford Fusion?

The 2018, 2019, and 2020 Ford Fusion are rated best, with complaint indexes of 20, 10, and 0, the lowest across the 2010-2020 lineup.

Are there steering recalls on the Ford Fusion?

Yes. NHTSA recalls for 2010-2012 Fusions include multiple airbag campaigns, and steering is the top complaint area for those years, at 32% (2010), 51% (2011), and 59% (2012) of total complaints.

How many total complaints does the Ford Fusion have?

Across the 2010-2020 model years, NHTSA logs 18,209 total complaints and 46 recall campaigns for the Ford Fusion.

Is the 2013 or 2014 Ford Fusion reliable?

The 2013, 2014, and 2016 Fusion are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 70, 50, and 60 respectively, better than the 2010-2012 years but worse than the 2018-2020 years.

Ford Fusion Best and Worst Years (2010–2020)

Avoid the 2010-2012 Ford Fusion: they carry the highest complaint indexes (100, 90, 80) and are dominated by steering complaints, with 2010 logging 5,120 total complaints and 11 recalls including 3 do-not-drive campaigns. The 2018-2020 model years are the best, with complaint indexes of 20, 10, and 0.

Avoid 2010 Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012 Best 2018 Best 2019 Best 2020

Model years: 11; 2010–2020
NHTSA complaints: 18,209
Recall campaigns: 46
Crashes reported: 577
Fires reported: 151
Top problem area: Steering

Fusion 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.

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

Ford Fusion problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Avoid	100	5,120	122	9	11 !	Steering	23	—
2011	Avoid	90	2,786	80	10	7 !	Steering	23.5	4★
2012	Avoid	80	2,516	107	9	5 !	Steering	23.5	4★
2013	Caution	70	1,791	63	91	19	Engine	26.5	5★
2014	Caution	50	1,330	51	9	19	Steering	26.5	5★
2015	Good	30	993	34	5	13	Engine	26	5★
2016	Caution	60	1,627	59	6	13	Engine	26	5★
2017	Good	40	1,110	37	8	4	Engine	25	5★
2018	Best	20	439	9	1	2	Engine	25	5★
2019	Best	10	315	5	0	3	Engine	25	5★
2020	Best	0	182	10	3	3	Transmission & Powertrain	25	5★

Fusion years to avoid: what went wrong

2010 Ford Fusion Index 100 · 5,120 complaints · 11 recalls

NHTSA lists 5,120 complaints for the 2010 Fusion, the highest of any year, giving it a complaint index of 100 and the worst rank overall. Steering issues make up 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 101,054 miles, followed by engine problems at 26% (median 54,000 miles). The year had 11 recalls, including 3 do-not-drive campaigns covering airbag inflators. Owners reported sudden acceleration, unresponsive brakes, and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Fires were reported 9 times and crashes 122 times, with 1 death recorded.

2010 steering problems →2010 engine problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →

2011 Ford Fusion Index 90 · 2,786 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2011 Fusion shows 2,786 complaints and a complaint index of 90. Steering dominates at 51% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 89,500 miles. Owners described loss of steering and braking capability, vehicles lunging forward unexpectedly, and transmissions jumping out of park. There were 7 recalls, including 2 do-not-drive campaigns tied to airbags. NHTSA recorded 80 crashes, 10 fires, and 1 death for this model year.

2011 steering problems →2011 engine problems →2011 airbags problems →

2012 Ford Fusion Index 80 · 2,516 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2012 Fusion carries 2,516 complaints and a complaint index of 80. Steering problems account for 59% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 83,242.5 miles, and airbags make up another 16%. Owners reported sudden acceleration at low speeds, brakes that would not slow the car, and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. The year had 5 recalls, including 2 do-not-drive campaigns for airbag inflators. NHTSA lists 107 crashes and 3 deaths for this model year.

2012 steering problems →2012 airbags problems →2012 brakes problems →

Most common Ford Fusion problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Steering5,705 (31%)
Engine4,594 (25%)
Transmission & Powertrain2,839 (16%)
Brakes1,850 (10%)
Airbags1,598 (9%)
Electrical System1,584 (9%)
Fuel System1,484 (8%)
Other1,283 (7%)
Structure & Body892 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires577 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Ford Fusion should I avoid?: Avoid the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Ford Fusion. These years have the highest complaint indexes (100, 90, and 80) and are led by steering complaints, which made up 32%, 51%, and 59% of complaints in those respective years.
What is the best year for the Ford Fusion?: The 2018, 2019, and 2020 Ford Fusion are rated best, with complaint indexes of 20, 10, and 0, the lowest across the 2010-2020 lineup.
Are there steering recalls on the Ford Fusion?: Yes. NHTSA recalls for 2010-2012 Fusions include multiple airbag campaigns, and steering is the top complaint area for those years, at 32% (2010), 51% (2011), and 59% (2012) of total complaints.
How many total complaints does the Ford Fusion have?: Across the 2010-2020 model years, NHTSA logs 18,209 total complaints and 46 recall campaigns for the Ford Fusion.
Is the 2013 or 2014 Ford Fusion reliable?: The 2013, 2014, and 2016 Fusion are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 70, 50, and 60 respectively, better than the 2010-2012 years but worse than the 2018-2020 years.