2010 Ford Fusion Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Ford Fusion ranks worst of all 15 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 5,129 complaints, and 11 recalls. Steering is the top problem area, cited in 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 101,054 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 15 Fusion years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5,129
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 122
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 9
- Injuries
- 74
- Top issue
- Steering
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 74 / 1
Top 2010 Ford Fusion problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Steering1,661 (32%)
- Engine1,320 (26%)
- Transmission & Powertrain894 (17%)
- Fuel System705 (14%)
- Brakes695 (14%)
- Airbags590 (12%)
- Electrical System334 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires184 (4%)
- Other152 (3%)
- Structure & Body132 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speeds while parking or idling into a garage, leading to crashes into walls or barriers.
- Several owners describe wheels detaching or lugs coming loose, including a rear wheel falling off and a front wheel rolling away in a parking lot.
- Owners report brakes emitting a strong burning odor after repeated downshifting and braking on mountainous roads.
- Some owners say the airbag failed to deploy during a side-impact crash despite a police report confirming the collision.
- Owners report front seats reclining backward toward the rear seats after being rear-ended, raising concern about seat structure.
2010 Ford Fusion recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V158000Mar 10, 2021Airbags2,602,668 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
- NHTSA 21V081000Feb 16, 2021Airbags1,067 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
- NHTSA 19V904000Dec 18, 2019Brakes600,166 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
Risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.
2010 Ford Fusion fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,825
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Ford Fusion reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Fusion ranks worst among all 15 model years covered, with a complaint index of 100 and 5,129 complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Ford Fusion?
- Steering is the top problem area, accounting for 32% of complaints (1,661 complaints), with 32 crashes and a median failure mileage of 101,054 miles.
- Does the 2010 Ford Fusion have airbag recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists multiple airbag recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Fusion, including campaigns 21V158000, 21V081000, 18V775000, and 16V384000, some marked do-not-drive.
- How does the 2010 Fusion compare to other Fusion years?
- The 2010 model has the highest complaint index (100) and is ranked worst-first among all years; by contrast, 2018-2020 Fusions carry Best verdicts with complaint indexes of 14, 7, and 0.
- How many recalls affect the 2010 Ford Fusion?
- NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2010 Ford Fusion, including 3 do-not-drive recalls related to airbags.