Ford Fusion: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Ford Fusion problems by model year, from 19,093 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Worst years to avoid: 2018 (77%, 377 drivetrain complaints), 2017 (71%, 812 drivetrain complaints) and 2019 (60%, 275 drivetrain complaints). 9 of the 11 Ford Fusion years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share; 2 of them are at the very high level (60% or more), where every model year we track has a documented failure behind it.
Best years on this measure: 2012 (14%) and 2011 (23%). A low share means owners complained about other things more than the drivetrain, not that nothing ever fails.
The sharpest change between consecutive years is from 2012 (14%) to 2013 (46%), up 32 points. The complaint pattern shifts at that year, so check which year the car in front of you is.
By raw volume, the 2010 drew the most drivetrain complaints (1,709 of 6,834 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Ford Fusion year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Fusion | elevated | 38% | 1,709 | 5,129 | 9/11 | 13 |
| 2011 Fusion | no elevated signal | 23% | 573 | 2,786 | 10/11 | 9 |
| 2012 Fusion | no elevated signal | 14% | 301 | 2,616 | 11/11 | 6 |
| 2013 Fusion | high | 46% | 817 | 1,956 | 7/11 | 19 |
| 2014 Fusion | elevated | 39% | 504 | 1,429 | 8/11 | 19 |
| 2015 Fusion | high | 48% | 473 | 1,061 | 6/11 | 13 |
| 2016 Fusion | high | 54% | 878 | 1,709 | 4/11 | 13 |
| 2017 Fusion | very high | 71% | 812 | 1,196 | 2/11 | 4 |
| 2018 Fusion | very high | 77% | 377 | 507 | 1/11 | 2 |
| 2019 Fusion | high | 60% | 275 | 470 | 3/11 | 4 |
| 2020 Fusion | high | 51% | 115 | 234 | 5/11 | 3 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Ford Fusion years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Ford Fusion engine and transmission recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns on the Ford Fusion involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 49 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2010 | 10V222000 | power train: automatic transmission | 2010 |
| Dec 2012 | 12V551000 | engine and engine cooling | 2013 |
| May 2013 | 13V227000 | fuel system, gasoline | 2013 |
| Nov 2014 | 14V736000 | power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) | 2014–2015 |
| Oct 2015 | 15V618000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage | 2016 |
| Nov 2015 | 15V793000 | fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank | 2010–2011 |
| Mar 2017 | 17V209000 | engine and engine cooling: engine | 2013–2014 |
| Jul 2017 | 17V427000 | power train: automatic transmission: torque converter | 2017 |
| Mar 2018 | 18V169000 | power train: manual transmission | 2013–2014 |
| Jul 2018 | 18V471000 | power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift | 2013–2016 |
| May 2019 | 19V362000 | power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift | 2013–2016 |
| Jun 2022 | 22V413000 | power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl) | 2013–2016 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V685000 | equipment: electrical: engine block heater | 2019–2020 |
| Jun 2026 | 26V376000 | power train: manual transmission | 2013–2016 |
35 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2010 | 10V161000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2010 |
| Dec 2011 | 11V574000 | wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 2010–2011 |
| Nov 2012 | 12V553000 | exterior lighting: headlights | 2013 |
| May 2013 | 13V232000 | steering | 2013 |
| Apr 2014 | 14V164000 | seats: front assembly: recliner | 2013–2014 |
| May 2014 | 14E028000 | equipment | 2010–2011 |
| Sep 2014 | 14V597000 | air bags | 2013–2014 |
| Apr 2015 | 15V246000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2013–2014 |
| Apr 2015 | 15V250000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2013–2015 |
| Jun 2015 | 15V340000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2011–2012 |
| Apr 2016 | 16V250000 | seat belts: front: anchorage | 2016 |
| May 2016 | 16V384000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2011 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V874000 | seats: mid/rear assembly | 2017 |
| Dec 2016 | 16V875000 | seat belts: front | 2013–2016 |
| Jan 2017 | 17V024000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2012 |
| Mar 2017 | 17V210000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2013–2014 |
| Jan 2018 | 18V046000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010 |
| Mar 2018 | 18V167000 | steering: steering wheel/handle bar | 2014–2018 |
| Nov 2018 | 18V775000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010 |
| Jan 2019 | 19V001000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Feb 2019 | 19V099000 | hybrid propulsion system | 2019 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V590000 | seat belts: front | 2015 |
| Aug 2019 | 19V632000 | steering: electric power assist system | 2013–2016 |
| Dec 2019 | 19V904000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2010 |
| Mar 2020 | 20V177000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2014–2016 |
| Jun 2020 | 20V331000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2013–2014 |
| Feb 2021 | 21E013000 | air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Feb 2021 | 21V081000 | air bags: frontal | 2010–2012 |
| Mar 2021 | 21V158000 | air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module | 2010–2012 |
| Jan 2022 | 22V011000 | service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages | 2014–2015 |
| Mar 2023 | 23V162000 | service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings | 2013–2018 |
| Jun 2023 | 23V440000 | electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm) | 2019–2020 |
| Nov 2023 | 23V775000 | latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch | 2016 |
| Jun 2025 | 25V442000 | back over prevention: software | 2019–2020 |
| Oct 2025 | 25V695000 | back over prevention: sensing system: camera | 2016 |
What the free pages leave out on the Ford Fusion
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Ford Fusion
What are the worst years for the Ford Fusion?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Ford Fusion years are the 2018 (77% of relevant complaints, very high), the 2017 (71% of relevant complaints, very high) and the 2019 (60% of relevant complaints, high). 9 of 11 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Ford Fusion?
On engine and transmission complaints, the best Ford Fusion years are the 2012 (14%) and the 2011 (23%). That describes the model year; any one car still needs an inspection.
Does the Ford Fusion have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 11 scored years, 6,834 of 17,196 relevant NHTSA complaints (40%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Is the Ford Fusion reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 9 of 11 Ford Fusion years we score have an elevated complaint share and 2 do not. Pooled across those years, 40% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Ford Fusion?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Ford Fusion years we track, out of 49 in total: 22V413000 (Jun 2022, 2013–2016), 25V685000 (Oct 2025, 2019–2020), 26V376000 (Jun 2026, 2013–2016), and earlier ones. Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.
Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.