Coolant intrusion - coolant leaking into the motor because of the engine block design and the head gasket failing. Can cause fire
2017 Ford Fusion
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Fusion do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 1,109.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Fusion years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
607 reports with mileage · 502 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 394 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 310 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,109 reportsThe contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop sign, the RPM rose to 3,500 RPM however, the transmission failed to shift into gear. The vehicle then shifted into drive(D) and lost motive power before jumping out of drive and back into low gear. The check engine warning light was illuminate…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while accelerating from a stop sign, the RPM rose to 3,500 RPM however, the transmission failed to shift into gear. The vehicle then shifted into drive(D) and lost motive power before jumping out of drive and back into low gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle home and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that on two occasions, the contact had to replace a plastic clip under the hood that was used to control the shifter knob. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The local Ford dealership has confirmed that the engine has an internal issue causing misfires in cylinder 3. It has recommended an expensive full engine replacement, approximately $10,000. Misfires shake the vehicle while driving, which may cause serious accidents and injuries.
2017 Ford Fusion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an internal coolant leak to cylinder #2. The dealer stated that the engine block needed to be replaced. The check engine warning light was illuminated, turned off and a few days later came back on. Engine temperature was moderate at fir…
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2017 Ford Fusion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an internal coolant leak to cylinder #2. The dealer stated that the engine block needed to be replaced. The check engine warning light was illuminated, turned off and a few days later came back on. Engine temperature was moderate at first and then sporadically moved between moderate and hot. Per NHTSA: Coolant Intrusion is a common problem amongst 2.0 EcoBoost Engine. Current Ford fix is replace engine block with a new design. Ford is aware of the design flaw in these cars and refuses to make things right with current owners.
Back brakes are making a very loud noises and it’s hard breaking to come to complete stop
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the engine overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the coolant overheating. The vehicle was running rough and there …
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the engine overheated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the coolant overheating. The vehicle was running rough and there was smoke coming from the tailpipe. The contact stated that cylinders #1, #2, #3, and #4 had coolant intrusion. The mechanic recommended an engine long block replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion in the engine and cylinders #1, #2, #3, and #4. The manufacturer was contacted, and opened a case and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 78,769.
The vehicle's automatic transmission began started shifting "roughly" and the service engine light for the powertrain came on. I was told the transmission code was for the "Traction Plate" and that I needed to replace the transmission.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering …
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the electronic power steering was not functioning properly. The power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the steering rack. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 69,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated. Additionally, there was an audible chime indicating a possible oxygen sensor failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2. The dealer stated that the e…
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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated. Additionally, there was an audible chime indicating a possible oxygen sensor failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that coolant was leaking into cylinder #2. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a claim was filed for the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 86,849.
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist, traction control, and hill stop assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a deale…
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The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the power steering assist, traction control, and hill stop assist warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,720.
Official recalls
423V162000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 10, 2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
18V167000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Mar 12, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
17V427000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
Jul 6, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
16V874000 · Seats:mid/rear Assembly
Dec 5, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ22004 · Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
Opened Aug 8, 2022 · Closed Mar 24, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
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.
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