YearToAvoid

2016 Ford Fusion Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 564 engine complaints for the 2016 Ford Fusion, 35% of that year's 1,627 total complaints. Owners reported stalling, sudden shutdowns, and in some cases fires or engine failures near 85,000 miles, the median mileage at failure. No engine recall is listed for this model year.

Engine complaints
564
35% of 1,627
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
85,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine stalls or loses power unexpectedly while accelerating or merging, sometimes leaving the vehicle unresponsive to the gas pedal.
  • Owners describe the engine shutting off completely while driving at moderate speed with no prior warning light.
  • Some owners report the engine fracturing or the head gasket blowing, accompanied by smoke, coolant warnings, or a coolant loss message.
  • A small number of complaints describe engine-related fires, including one where smoke was followed by the vehicle catching fire and exploding.
  • Cruise control failing to deactivate when the brake pedal was pressed was reported alongside engine complaints in at least one crash.

When 2016 Ford Fusion engine complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 7, 2016, latest Sep 17, 2026.

2016 Ford Fusion engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter352016 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q12026 Q3
564 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q3 (35).

Engine recalls for the 2016 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 common are engine problems on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA lists 564 engine complaints for the 2016 Fusion, which is 35% of the 1,627 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 Ford Fusion engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine problem area on the 2016 Fusion. A shifter cable bushing recall (22V-413) covering 2013-2019 Ford vehicles including the 2016 Fusion is referenced in complaint text but is filed separately.
At what mileage do 2016 Fusion engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2016 Fusion is 85,000 miles.
Have engine problems on the 2016 Fusion caused crashes or fires?
NHTSA records 13 crashes, 2 fires, and 4 injuries tied to engine complaints on the 2016 Fusion.
Is the engine complaint rate higher for the 2016 Fusion than other years?
The 35% share for 2016 is higher than 2010-2015 Fusion years but lower than 2017 (46%), 2018 (62%), and 2019 (64%), based on NHTSA complaint data.

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.