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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2018 Ford Fusion

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

Owners have filed 441 safety complaints about the 2018 Ford Fusion with the US government. Of those, 9 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes and the steering.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 204 complaints, 46% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 90,000 miles, the median across the 188 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

441 complaints on file

441

Complaints

9

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

6

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 fell 38% year on year: 68 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 109 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 204 · 46%
POWER TRAIN 106 · 24%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 88 · 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 47 · 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22 · 5%
STEERING 19 · 4%
WHEELS 11 · 2%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 8 · 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 6 · 1%
AIR BAGS 5 · 1%
SEAT BELTS 5 · 1%
0 85 169

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 441.

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 124.

132 99 66 33
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 2017 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 2018 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

2 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

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

2 injured · crash · 48,000 miles

I WAS HIT BY A TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON HWY 12 CA WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN. THE TRUCKS APPOX. SPEED 40 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR,SPRAIN NECK,LOWER BACK SEVER PAIN REPTURED BREAST IMPLANT KNOCKED FRONT TOOTH IMPLANT OUT ..AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT CAR IS TOTALLED.I WAS AT A DEAD STOP. I WAS ON HWY THERE WAS A SHERIFF RIGHT BEHIND THE GUY WHO HIT ME HE WAS ON CELL PHONE. MY PASSENGER PULLED REAR OUT ENOUGH TO GET IT TO MY HOUSE SO IT WAS NOT TOWED. I WENT TO EMERGENCE AFTER I GOT HOME

NHTSA complaint 11414655. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

1 injured · crash · towed · 89,000 miles

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the front driver side seat belt did not buckle appropriately, another vehicle driving at an unknown speed moved to the left lane, then the other vehicle changed lanes again moving in front of the contact, and the other vehicle abruptly depressed on the brakes causing the contact to rear end him. The vehicle came to a stop and merged into the shoulder. The vehicle was damaged on the front driver's and passenger's side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did deploy however the seat belt did not retract the contact, causing the contact to be injured. There

NHTSA complaint 11649461, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 injured · crash · towed

On August 10, 2026, I was driving my 2018 Ford Fusion at approximately 40 mph under normal driving conditions when, without warning, the hood unexpectedly released and flew completely backward into the windshield. The hood had been closed prior to driving and there was no warning before the failure. The hood struck the windshield with significant force, shattering it, immediately blocking my forward visibility, and sending broken glass into the passenger compartment and onto me. Because I suddenly could not see the roadway, I lost control and the vehicle left the road. Fortunately, no other vehicles or pedestrians were involved and I did not require medical treatment. This was not a hood

NHTSA complaint 11756127, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash

I went to head on to a light pole and my passenger side airbags did not deploy

NHTSA complaint 11563993. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Capital Ford of Wilmington diagnosed my vehicle with coolant intrusion into cylinder 2, accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes P0302 and P0316, after check engine light came on. I have been advised that the vehicle requires a complete engine replacement, with an estimated cost of $13,180.89. The vehicle has experienced sputtering and hesitation, creating concern that it could lose power or stall. These symptoms are concerning. After researching this issue, I have learned that coolant intrusion is a documented problem associated with certain Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine produced during the 2017–2019 period. Ford has addressed this issue through Technical Service

NHTSA complaint 11768079, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2018 Ford Fusion Titanium FWD (VIN: [XXX]) suffered a catastrophic engine failure while driving, causing sudden vehicle overheating, severe engine misfires, and a dangerous loss of power on the roadway.A certified Ford dealership inspection (Invoice #XXX) confirmed that the vehicle has a textbook manufacturing flaw known as EcoBoost coolant intrusion. A pressure test showed an immediate 5 PSI drop within 10 minutes, and a borescope confirmed that engine coolant is actively leaking across the block interface and pooling directly inside the engine cylinders (cylinders 2 and 3).This is a known, widespread structural engineering defect in Ford's block casting that creates a severe, sudden

NHTSA complaint 11766837, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My engine coolant keeps on overheating, I’ve tried changing the antifreeze tank out for a brand new one and it helped the issue for a while but I have to relieve the pressure myself which is a hazard. I’ve had to change the coolant in the tank more than 5 times and it just seems like it’s leaking somewhere other than going into the engine to cool it. When I go out roundabouts off a highway the engine overheats and makes the car go into a safe mode where it won’t go and I have to stop on the side of the road. When I’m driving with my heat on the heat will go cold when I slow down. If I’m not going over 3x1,000 RPMs it will go cold and fluctuate. This has been going on for months now.

NHTSA complaint 11765677. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Got home and vehicle would not go into park. I can get it to drive but its only low range. Upon having it inspected, it was discovered the shift cable bushing at the transmission lever was missing.

NHTSA complaint 11763218. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

122,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming antifreeze. The ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic associated the failure with the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block was warped and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The contact researched the failure and stated that it was a

NHTSA complaint 11761524, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
We have coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 of our engine. This can cause highway failure of engine cuts out, car runs rough and it can become a fire hazard. We paid for a diagnostics through a ford dealer. Who we uses all the time for our warranty needs. We noticed car was starting to run rough and check engine light came on 8/5/26

NHTSA complaint 11759853. 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 —
2017 1,111 4 —
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 2018 Ford models

F-150 2,311 Escape 1,804 Focus 835 Edge 833 Explorer 731 Ecosport 726 F-250 SD 397 Expedition 375

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