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Ford · NHTSA safety record

2020 Ford Fusion

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

Owners have filed 183 safety complaints about the 2020 Ford Fusion with the US government. Of those, 10 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 67 complaints, 37% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 71,000 miles, the median across the 57 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

183 complaints on file

183

Complaints

10

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

5

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.

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
POWER TRAIN 67 · 37%
ENGINE 52 · 28%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 38 · 21%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 27 · 15%
STEERING 12 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11 · 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 10 · 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9 · 5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7 · 4%
STRUCTURE 5 · 3%
SUSPENSION 5 · 3%
AIR BAGS 4 · 2%
0 27 54

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 183.

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 2025 at 56.

60 45 30 15
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 2020 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 2020 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

3 on file

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

25V685000 · October 10, 2025

The defect
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.
The risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 59,006 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)

23V440000 · June 23, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The 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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 14,452 vehicles across all model years covered

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

1 injured · crash · towed

As I was crossing an intersection, a vehicle ran through a red light and hit the front of my vehicle. There was significant damage to the whole front end and my vehicle was shifted to the left due to the impact. My air bags did not deploy. I injured my head and neck by striking the sun visor which cause a laceration and a cervical strain. My vehicle has been maintained well and there was no indication of air bag malfunction prior to the crash. Insurance adjuster has not inspected the vehicle yet.

NHTSA complaint 11549741. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 67,343 miles

The contact owned a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the contact briefly lost control of the vehicle. As a result, he collided with the center guard rail on the drivers side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, which he held responsible for his resulting injuries. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a total lost by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for neck pain, back pain, and leg paralysis in both legs. The contact stated that the leg paralysis lasted for 3 days, after which

NHTSA complaint 11694128, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 13,942 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after stopping to make a left turn; while in the middle of completing the turn, another vehicle approaching from the rear crashed into the driver’s side front and rear doors, dragging the vehicle for several feet before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the driver’s front and rear doors were completely destroyed however, none of the air bags deployed. The contact stated that she received some medical assistance at the scene but was then transported from the scene by an ambulance to the hospital. The contact sustained injuries to her ribs and bruises to her upper body. The contact was the only person injured in the crash. A

NHTSA complaint 11449556, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire

In 2024 on Black Friday while driving home from work my car all of a sudden was starting to lose speed. Even when I'm hitting the gas it would not accelerate and I could push it all the way down to the floor or nothing. And all of a sudden I start to see a whole bunch of monitors go off on my dashboard animal League to the government off and then all of a sudden I started see this underneath my core board pulled over and all sudden those planes coming from my engine and within minutes the whole car was destroyed. Fire department came to drop the fire and everything but the trunk was left essentially. The insurance company has taken to car since and I believed it was sold for parts. I have

NHTSA complaint 11712192, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

72,000 miles

The contact's brother owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the owner was driving 35 MPH, the engine overheated and there was misfire coming from the engine. The check engine warning light illuminated, and there was fluid leaking into the engine. An independent mechanic was contacted by phone. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to the manufacturing design of the engine. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a

NHTSA complaint 11767353, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
2020 Fusion SEL with 41,000 miles. While driving at 65 mph with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly jerked on two separate occasions during a three-hour drive.

NHTSA complaint 11766198. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I recently acquired this vehicle from a dealer after the previous owner traded it in and after reviewing the Carfax I did some deeper digging into this vehicle and discovered that there are 3 recalls that have not been serviced. I am hoping that there wasn't any secondary damage due to the recalled items as I haven't noticed anything necessarily wrong with the car but I figured I'd take it in to be safe. I also want a quote for a transmission drain and fill, NOT A FLUSH. The transmission is shifting fine, I just am looking to get it done as preventative maintenance and for peace of mind. The recall repairs are noted in the PDF attached below.

NHTSA complaint 11765718. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Coolant Intrusion. Started with thick white exhaust when starting up in morning. Turned into acceleration lags, car shutting engine off when parked, and exhaust smell coming inside of car. 2014-2019 models have a recall for cracked engine block allowing cooling to leak inside, but 2020 models do not although there is an increased problem with this year and model of car.

NHTSA complaint 11764867. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.

NHTSA complaint 11764621. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine cooling fan on my 2020 Ford Fusion SEL (1.5L, non-hybrid) became inoperable and blew three fuses. With the fans not operating, the engine overheated, destroying the head gasket and engine, requiring complete replacement. Failure occurred 07/08/2026 at 49,118 miles. WARNING SYMPTOMS: The A/C began blowing warm air roughly 2 days earlier. The engine temperature lamp illuminated on 07/08/2026 — the first and only time it ever came on. No prior overheating, no coolant loss, no leaks, no other alert. I stopped driving immediately on that single warning and had the vehicle towed. SAFETY RISK: A cooling fan failure progressing to engine destruction risks

NHTSA complaint 11757150, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Ford Fusion

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 315 3 —
2018 441 2 —
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 2020 Ford models

Escape 1,602 Explorer 1,223 F-150 730 Expedition 417 Ecosport 398 Edge 318 Escape Hybrid 288 F-250 SD 263

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