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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2017 Ford Fusion

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 1,111 safety complaints about the 2017 Ford Fusion with the US government. Of those, 37 describe a crash, 8 mention a fire, 30 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 395 complaints, 36% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 71,063 miles, the median across the 607 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers September 2016 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

1,111 complaints on file

1,111

Complaints

37

Describe a crash

8

Mention fire

30

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints halved year on year: 106 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 237 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 395 · 36%
POWER TRAIN 312 · 28%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 134 · 12%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 125 · 11%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 103 · 9%
STEERING 51 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 50 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 49 · 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 35 · 3%
AIR BAGS 28 · 3%
WHEELS 24 · 2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16 · 1%
0 162 323

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 1,111.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 246.

260 195 130 65
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2016 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2017 Ford FUSION, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test 4 DR AWD 4 DR FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 10.9% 10.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

23V162000 · March 10, 2023

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
The risk
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,280,726 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

18V167000 · March 12, 2018

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
The risk
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,301,986 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

17V427000 · July 6, 2017

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
The risk
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.

Ford Motor Company · up to 6,026 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

16V874000 · December 5, 2016

The defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.
The risk
During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left hand, second row seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S43.

Ford Motor Company · up to 25 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures

RQ22004

Closed recall query · opened August 8, 2022 · closed March 24, 2023 · led to recall 23V162000

the hydraulic brakes

On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identified fell outside the scope of NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-469, which addressed front brake hoses rupturing on certain MY 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The result causes a brake fluid leak, lengthening the distance needing to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.On March 10, 2023, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted to NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-162 (Ford Recall 23S12) to address front brake jounce hoses that may rupture. Ford found the rupture occurs from a localized failure of the internal reinforcement braid due to cyclic fatigue through tensile/bending and torsional inputs during suspension and steering articulations. The supplier for the front brake jounce hoses is Hitachi. This recall affects the subject vehicles equipped with non-hybrid engines and the suspect front brake jounce hoses (a total of 1,280,726 vehicles). The recall covers subject vehicles built from February 3, 2012 to July 19, 2017 when the suspect hoses were used in vehicle production. The remedy is for dealerships to replace both front brake jounce hoses with new hoses that have a revised braid material at no cost. The vehicles equipped with hybrid engines are excluded from the recall because the internal hose pressure is much lower due to the regenerative braking provided by the hybrid brake system. No failures of brake hoses on hybrid vehicles have been reported to ODI or Ford.Ford's actions address ODIs concerns at this time. Hybrid vehicles will be monitored for related failures. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by new circumstances.The 103 ODI numbers cited above can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ID numbers:11511014, 11510867, 11510318, 11509030, 11505993, 11504989, 11504400, 11502147, 11502082, 11501820, 11501283, 11498439, 11498296, 11496842, 11496335, 11494931, 11494851, 11494252, 11493001, 11492084, 11492070, 11491444, 11491274, 11488858, 11488027, 11487627, 11487416, 11487233, 11486150, 11484924, 11484526, 11484080, 11483948, 11483926, 11483739, 11483723, 11482773, 11482690, 11481077, 11480788, 11480294, 11480052, 11479338, 11479334, 11479252, 11479247, 11479187, 11479094, 11479048, 11478985, 11478953, 11478729, 11478216, 11476892, 11476282, 11470558, 11468994, 11467109, 11466294, 11462746, 11461217, 11456065, 11455367, 11444848, 11436419, 11436376, 11430685, 11428329, 11425083, 11421026, 11420738, 11420735, 11420298, 11418197, 11403926, 11397549, 11366991, 11366757, 11361016, 11359968, 11354569, 11352165, 11350344, 11348799, 11343929, 11343205, 11331947, 11329020, 11319596, 11310529, 11292271, 11288455, 11254787, 11253479, 11253244, 11234622, 11230669, 11230050, 11228240, 11221111, 11143630, 11129392 and 11120228.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 22,000 miles

I WAS STOPPED ON THE FREEWAY WHEN A TRUCK REAR-ENDED ME TWICE AND I ENDED UP REAR-ENDING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint 11103454. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

2 injured · crash · towed · 80 miles

THIS CAR DIDN'T STOP WITH IN 40FT WHEN THE SPEED IS 25 MPH AND HAPPENED TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER CAR WHICH CHANGED LANES ABRUPTLY.

NHTSA complaint 10911305. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEATS

2 injured · crash · towed

Seat back broke in a collision.

NHTSA complaint 11495751. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

2 injured · crash · 19,000 miles

ON MAY 13, 2017 OR THERE ABOUT MY 2017 FORD FUSION FROM A STOPPED DURING TAKE OFF ACCELERATED VERY FAST ALMOST CAUSING ME TO RUN INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. ON MAY 15, 2017 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND TOLD TECHNICIAN ABOUT IT. HE COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2017 I TOOK MY CAR IN SPECIFICALLY TO HAVE THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AND AGAIN NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN SOON AS IT HAPPENED. ON OCTOBER 10, 2017 TAKING OFF FROM A STATIONARY POSITION I TOOK OFF AFTER LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF ACCELERATING IN A CURVE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND I RAN INTO A TREE.

NHTSA complaint 11139680. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
We purchased this 2017 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost in August 2022 at 48,968 miles. At 55,940 miles, the vehicle developed a documented coolant leak requiring water-pump replacement. At approximately 75,520 miles, the coolant level was again documented as requiring attention. At approximately 84,189 miles, the vehicle experienced low coolant, low oil, white/gray smoke and rough running. Manteca Ford identified Ford TSB 22-2322 and ultimately performed a major short-block replacement. Despite this major engine repair, mechanical and drivability problems continued. At approximately 101,375 miles, we returned the vehicle to Manteca Ford specifically for loss of power and hesitation. The Ford

NHTSA complaint 11767414, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I was driving my 2017 Ford Fusion Platinum on my way home and the wrench light came on and said check manual when i looked in my app the only thing that was in the maintenance was my 90k maintenance . my car is driving fine no RPM jumping no smoking no burning smell no shaking nothing ( the wrench light was off when i cranked it to take my daughter to work Saturday morning ) well Saturday on my way home from bring my daughter to work my check engine light came on still my car is driving fine when i looked in my Ford App at the check engine light warning which was these two warnings The transmission control system has detected the transmission torque converter clutch is not operating as

NHTSA complaint 11766215, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The transmission shifter cable bushing on my 2017 Ford Fusion has failed and completely disconnected from the transmission housing on two separate occasions.When this happens, the gear shifter inside the cabin operates freely, but the transmission fails to engage the selected gear. The vehicle shows it is in "Park" on the dash, but the actual transmission remains stuck in Drive or Reverse. This creates an immediate and severe rollaway risk and unintended vehicle movement, as the vehicle cannot be safely secured. Ford previously issued Safety Recall 22S43 for millions of 2013–2016 Fusions for this exact identical defect (degraded Hytrel 4556 shifter bushings). Despite utilizing the same

NHTSA complaint 11764762, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Orange wrench light came on dash with see manual ( symbol represents powertrain malfunction). Car lost power and started jerky shifting between second and third gear. We limped the car home and parked until we could get an appointment at the dealership for service. Took it to dealership. They found the powertrain maintenance light wasn't on and no current or historical codes present. Dealership road tested vehicle and verified delayed harsh shifting between 2-3 gears with no codes present. Dealership states most likely has an internal failure starting in the forward, direct or intermediate clutch. Transmission would have to be torn down to diagnose cause. They recommend replacing the

NHTSA complaint 11764843, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious engine failure and safety issue involving my 2017 Ford Fusion equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. At approximately 79,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a coolant intrusion failure. While driving, the engine suddenly stalled in the middle of an intersection, leaving me stranded in traffic and at risk of being rear-ended by approaching vehicles. I was able to restart the vehicle and move out of the intersection, but the exhaust then produced a very large, thick cloud of white smoke. The amount of smoke could have significantly reduced visibility for other drivers and created an additional safety hazard. I took the vehicle to a Ford

NHTSA complaint 11763978, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

150,000 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power, and the RPM became elevated. In addition, the contact became aware of an abnormal odor. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint 11762700. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Fusion

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2020 183 3 —
2019 315 3 —
2018 441 2 —
2016 1,631 13 —
2015 993 13 —
2014 1,330 19 —
2013 1,791 19 1
2012 2,516 5 3
2011 2,786 7 1
2010 5,130 11 1

Other 2017 Ford models

Escape 2,689 Explorer 1,694 F-150 1,442 Edge 1,365 F-250 SD 1,155 Focus 897 F-350 SD 573 Expedition 357

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Ford on this site — 359 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst