The Ford Fusion is a midsize sedan sold in the U.S. from the 2006 to the 2020 model year, replacing the Taurus in that role. It was offered with four-cylinder and V6 engines, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and later with hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. Ford ended Fusion production in 2020 as it shifted its U.S. lineup toward trucks and SUVs. Below, each Ford Fusion model year from 2010 to 2020 sits on the same scale, which makes the noisy years and the quiet years easy to spot.
Ford Fusion by model year
Complaints per 100,000 sold. Red: more than twice the model average. Green: the fewest, among years at least three years old.
| Year | Per 100k sold | Complaints | Recalls | Top system | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2573 | 5,641 | 11 | Steering | Most complaints |
| 2011 | 1180 | 2,927 | 7 | Steering | |
| 2012 | 1085 | 2,617 | 5 | Steering | |
| 2013 | 663 | 1,957 | 20 | Engine | |
| 2014 | 467 | 1,433 | 20 | Steering | |
| 2015 | 355 | 1,066 | 14 | Engine | |
| 2016 | 653 | 1,735 | 13 | Engine | |
| 2017 | 574 | 1,204 | 4 | Engine | |
| 2018 | 294 | 510 | 2 | Engine | Fewest |
| 2019 | 285 | 473 | 4 | Engine | Fewest |
| 2020 | 213 | 236 | 3 | Electrical | Fewest |
Why these years stand out
2010: most complaints. The 2010 Ford Fusion scored 2573 complaints per 100,000 sold, 3.3 times the model average. Of its 5,641 complaints, 1,782 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are steering (1,780), power train (857) and vehicle speed control (834). NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year and 11 defect investigations.
2018, 2019 and 2020: fewest complaints. The 2018 drew 510 complaints, or 294 per 100,000 sold; The 2019 drew 473 complaints, or 285 per 100,000 sold; The 2020 drew 236 complaints, or 213 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.
What Ford Fusion owners report most
Steering complaints lead for the Ford Fusion, at 31% of all complaints for 2010-2020. Engine and transmission reports together make up 35%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.
When problems are reported: mileage
13,512 Ford Fusion complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 28% were reported before 50,000 miles and 30% after 100,000. A large share comes after 100,000 miles, where wear items and age-related failures become more common.
Ford Fusion compared with other midsize cars
In 1 of 11 model years the Ford Fusion drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average midsize car we track for the same year. For 2020, the Ford Fusion scored 213 against a class average of 168. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.
Ford Fusion generations
- 2006-2012First generation
2.3L four (2006-2009); 2.5L four (2010-2012); 3.0L V6; 3.5L V6 (Sport); 2.5L four hybrid (2010-2012) · 5-speed or 6-speed manual; 5-speed or 6-speed automatic; CVT (hybrid)
The 2010 refresh added the Fusion Hybrid, a 2.5L four, a 6-speed automatic and a 3.5L V6 for the Sport model.
- 2013-2020Second generation
2.5L four; 1.5L, 1.6L and 2.0L turbo fours; 2.7L twin-turbo V6 (Sport, from 2017); 2.0L four hybrid and plug-in hybrid · 6-speed manual (1.6L only); 6-speed automatic; CVT (hybrid)
The redesign added turbocharged EcoBoost engines and the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.
All-wheel drive became available on V6 models for 2007. The 2017 refresh added a rotary gear selector, the SYNC 3 infotainment system and the twin-turbo V6 Fusion Sport. The 2020 model year was the final Fusion sold in the U.S.
Ford Fusion fuel economy
The 2020 Ford Fusion is rated at 23 to 42 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.
Crash test stars
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave the Ford Fusion these overall ratings (out of 5) for the model years it tested: 2011: 4, 2012: 4, 2013: 5, 2014: 5, 2015: 5, 2016: 5, 2017: 5, 2018: 5, 2019: 5, 2020: 5. Ratings can differ between body styles and drive types of the same year.
Questions
What is the best year for the Ford Fusion?
By complaints filed with NHTSA per 100,000 sold, 2018, 2019 and 2020 had the fewest among model years at least three years old. 2018 scored 294, against a model average of 781.
What years of the Ford Fusion have the most complaints?
2010. The 2010 scored 2573 per 100,000 sold, with 1,782 engine or transmission complaints. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.
At what mileage do Ford Fusion owners report problems?
Across 13,512 complaints that list the odometer reading, 28% were filed before 50,000 miles and 30% after 100,000 miles. These are miles at the time of the reported problem, not how long the vehicle lasts.
How many recalls does the Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 103 recall campaigns across model years 2010-2020 (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year). Check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Scores are our calculation, explained on the Method page. Not affiliated with any automaker.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaints, recalls, investigations), data through October 2026; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick; fuel economy: U.S. EPA estimates; crash tests: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.