YearToAvoid

2015 Ford Fusion Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2015 Ford Fusion has a Complaint Index of 29 and ranks 11th worst out of 15 model years, but it carries a Caution verdict because of 13 recall campaigns. Engine problems are the top complaint area, with 318 complaints and a median failure mileage of 83,000.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
29/100
#11 of 15 Fusion years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
993
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
13
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
34
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
17
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
22 city / 33 hwy
Injuries / deaths
17 / 0

Top 2015 Ford Fusion problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine318 (32%)
  2. Steering163 (16%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain143 (14%)
  4. Brakes135 (14%)
  5. Other126 (13%)
  6. Electrical System110 (11%)
  7. Fuel System67 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body45 (5%)
  9. Airbags39 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags sometimes fail to deploy in low-speed crashes, leaving occupants without protection.
  • Brake pedals have pulsated violently or failed to respond, in some cases leading to a crash.
  • Electrical system failures have caused loss of power steering or brakes while shifting or driving at low speed.
  • Engine compartments have produced smoke or fire from the vents while the air conditioning was running.
  • A rear tire has blown out while driving at highway speed, prompting a shop to recommend replacing all four tires.
2015 Ford Fusion complaints: complaints filed per quarter472014 Q42016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q22023 Q42025 Q2
993 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2018 Q3 (47).

2015 Ford Fusion recalls

13 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V376000Jun 9, 2026Transmission & Powertrain5,252 vehicles

    Power train:manual transmission

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.

    Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.

  2. NHTSA 23V162000Mar 10, 2023Brakes1,280,726 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

    Risk: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

  3. NHTSA 22V413000Jun 10, 2022Transmission & Powertrain2,925,968 vehicles

    Power train:shift linkage/cable/rod

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.

    Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.

See all 13 recalls for the 2015 Ford Fusion →

2015 Ford Fusion fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
33 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
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.

2015 compared with other Fusion years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2013Avoid791,7911926.5
2014Caution571,3301926.5
2015Caution299931326
2016Caution711,6271326
2017Good431,110425

All Ford Fusion years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2015 Ford Fusion reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2015 Fusion a Complaint Index of 29, ranking it 11th worst out of 15 model years, but its verdict is Caution because it is tied to 13 recall campaigns.
What is the top problem area for the 2015 Ford Fusion?
Engine complaints lead with 318 reports, 32% of all complaints, and a median failure mileage of 83,000.
Does the 2015 Ford Fusion have a Takata airbag recall?
Owner complaints reference Takata airbag issues, and NHTSA lists a separate 2019 recall for seat belt pretensioner heat damage on 2015 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles.
How many recalls does the 2015 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2015 Fusion, covering transmission, brakes, steering, structure, and seat belt components.
Should I avoid the 2015 Ford Fusion?
The 2015 Fusion is rated Caution, not Avoid, among Fusion years; its complaint index of 29 is lower than years like 2010 through 2013, but its 13 recalls capped the verdict.

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.