2020 Ford Fusion Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2020 Ford Fusion has 182 complaints, a complaint index of 0, and ranks 15th of 15 model years, earning a Best verdict. It has 3 recalls, including a battery module issue on Fusion PHEV models, but no do-not-drive recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #15 of 15 Fusion years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 182
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 21 city / 31 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2020 Ford Fusion problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain67 (37%)
- Engine60 (33%)
- Electrical System39 (21%)
- Other27 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (7%)
- Fuel System12 (7%)
- Steering12 (7%)
- Brakes11 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (5%)
- Structure & Body6 (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 drivers report unexpected hesitation when pressing the accelerator, and in one case the vehicle rolled forward on an incline and struck a house.
- Owners describe brake pedals going to the floor with no stopping power, leading to low-speed collisions.
- Several complaints describe the Traction Control light coming on during turns while the vehicle lost speed and control on its own.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal and side-impact crashes, with owners citing head and neck injuries.
- Owners of Fusion PHEV models report a battery thermal runaway event tied to the BECM recall, including one fire after shifting into reverse.
- Front lower control arms reportedly snapped while turning, forcing the car into an unintended sharp turn and a crash.
2020 Ford Fusion recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Ford Fusion reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Fusion ranks 15th out of 15 model years with a complaint index of 0, earning a Best verdict relative to other Fusion years.
- What problems does the 2020 Ford Fusion have?
- NHTSA complaints point mainly to Transmission & Powertrain issues (37% of complaints, median failure mileage 77,064) and Engine issues (33%, median mileage 86,060), followed by Electrical System complaints (21%).
- Does the 2020 Ford Fusion have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Fusion, including a battery energy control module issue on Fusion PHEV models that can cause damage from excessive voltage and current.
- How does the 2020 Fusion compare to other Fusion years?
- The 2020 Fusion has the lowest complaint index (0) among all 15 model years tracked, while years like 2010 (complaint index 100) and 2011 (93) carry Avoid verdicts.
- 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.