YearToAvoid

2020 Ford Fusion Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#11 most-complained of 11 Fusion years

The 2020 Ford Fusion has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 11 model years covered, and ranks 11th worst (Best) with 182 complaints, 3 recalls, and no deaths reported. It stands out as the strongest year for this model.

Complaints
182
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
10 / 3
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
25
21 city / 31 hwy

Top 2020 Ford Fusion problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain67 (37%)
  2. Engine60 (33%)
  3. Electrical System39 (21%)
  4. Other27 (15%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (7%)
  6. Fuel System12 (7%)
  7. Steering12 (7%)
  8. Brakes11 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
  10. Structure & Body6 (3%)

What owners report

  • Vehicles hesitate when the accelerator is pressed and in one case rolled forward unexpectedly while in park, striking a house.
  • Brake pedals reportedly went to the floor with no stopping power, leading to low-speed crashes into curbs, bushes, and other vehicles.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in frontal and guardrail collisions, with owners citing head, neck, and other injuries.
  • The Traction Control warning light illuminated during turns while the vehicle lost power and control, in one case leading to a crash into a mailbox.
  • A high-voltage battery pack reportedly triggered a thermal runaway event and fire immediately after shifting into reverse, linked by the owner to recall 23V440.
  • Front lower control arms have reportedly snapped during turns, forcing the vehicle into a sharp turn and causing a collision with a pole.
2020 Ford Fusion complaints: complaints filed per quarter282020 Q22021 Q32022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
264 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q2 (28).

2020 Ford Fusion recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V685000Oct 10, 2025Other59,006 vehicles

    Equipment:electrical:engine block heater

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

    Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 25V442000Jun 27, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras200,237 vehicles

    Back over prevention:software

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

    Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

  3. NHTSA 23V440000Jun 23, 2023Electrical System14,452 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm)

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.

    Risk: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.

2020 Ford Fusion fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
25 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,600
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.

2020 compared with other Fusion years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020102011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Best20439225
2019Best10315325
2020Best0182325

All Ford Fusion years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Ford Fusion reliable?
Among the 11 Fusion model years with data, 2020 has the lowest complaint index (0) and is ranked 11th worst, meaning it is rated Best relative to other Fusion years. It logged 182 complaints, 10 crashes, and no deaths.
What problems does the 2020 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA complaints point to Transmission & Powertrain issues as the top problem area (67 complaints, 37% share), followed by Engine (60 complaints, 33%) and Electrical System (39 complaints, 21%). Median mileage at failure for transmission complaints was 77,064.5 miles.
Does the 2020 Ford Fusion have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Fusion, covering a block heater issue, a rearview camera software update, and a battery energy control module problem on Fusion PHEV models. None are marked do-not-drive.
How does the 2020 Fusion compare to other Fusion years?
The 2020 Fusion has a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any year listed, compared to 100 for the worst year, 2010. Other recent years like 2018 (index 20) and 2019 (index 10) are also rated Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Ford Fusion?
EPA rates the 2020 Fusion at 25 mpg combined (21 city / 31 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600.

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.