YearToAvoid

2012 Ford Fusion Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 181 Engine complaints for the 2012 Ford Fusion, 7% of its 2,516 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 45,000. No related recalls are listed for this component in the data provided.

Engine complaints
181
7% of 2,516
Crashes reported
18
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
15
Median mileage
45,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speed, often while parking or backing out, leading to crashes with no braking response.
  • Multiple complaints describe the vehicle lurching or gaining speed in reverse with rising engine RPMs, resulting in collisions.
  • Some owners state the brakes failed to slow the vehicle once the throttle stuck open, causing impact with walls, trees, or other vehicles.
  • A few complaints involve the engine catching fire, in one case after repeated dealer visits for a check engine light.
  • One owner reported a burning oil smell traced to an engine oil leak that an independent mechanic could not pinpoint.

When 2012 Ford Fusion engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 7, 2011, latest Sep 24, 2025.

2012 Ford Fusion engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter162011 Q42013 Q22014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22022 Q32024 Q2
181 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2025 Q3; peak 2013 Q3 (16).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Ford Fusion

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Fusion model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20101,320 (26%)
  2. 2011451 (16%)
  3. 2012181 (7%)
  4. 2013468 (26%)
  5. 2014247 (19%)
  6. 2015318 (32%)
  7. 2016564 (35%)
  8. 2017509 (46%)
  9. 2018273 (62%)
  10. 2019203 (64%)
  11. 202060 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 181 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Ford Fusion, which is 7% of the 2,516 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Ford Fusion engine?
The data provided shows no related recalls listed for the Engine component on the 2012 Ford Fusion.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Fusion engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 Ford Fusion is 45,000 miles.
Did the engine problems cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to Engine complaints for the 2012 Ford Fusion includes 18 crashes, 3 fires, and 15 injuries.
How does the 2012 Fusion compare to other Fusion years for engine complaints?
The 2012 Fusion's engine complaints are 7% of its total complaints, a smaller share than years like 2018 (62%) and 2019 (64%), though raw complaint counts vary by year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.