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2018 Ford Fusion

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Fusion do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 1,109.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

188 reports with mileage · 250 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 201 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 88 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

201 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2024
Engine

The engine of my car is subject to a critical design flaw. Coolant intrudes into the cylinders and is consumed at an unusually high rate which may cause severe overheating and can lead to fire. Ford Technical Service bulletin 22-2229 shows that Ford is aware of this significant issue but is leaving customers to discover if their…

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The engine of my car is subject to a critical design flaw. Coolant intrudes into the cylinders and is consumed at an unusually high rate which may cause severe overheating and can lead to fire. Ford Technical Service bulletin 22-2229 shows that Ford is aware of this significant issue but is leaving customers to discover if their car engine is subject to the flaw. They are leaving the customer to pay for the only viable and very expensive fix, which is complete engine replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11580289

130,000 miles · Mar 29, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while checking the coolant level routinely, the contact noticed that the coolant was significantly lower than expected. The contact stated that while the coolant level was low the vehicle was driving rough while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an in…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while checking the coolant level routinely, the contact noticed that the coolant was significantly lower than expected. The contact stated that while the coolant level was low the vehicle was driving rough while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that coolant was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware of Ford Customer Service Satisfaction Program Number: 21N12 (Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine – Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion) however, the VIN was not included in the program. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11580165

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2024
EnginePower Train

Coolant reservoir is empty with no visible leakage and engine is no longer working

NHTSA ODI #11580105

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2024
Engine

Coolant leak into engine

NHTSA ODI #11579940

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI #11577179

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2024
Engine

I have a 2018 Ford Fusion titanium 2.0. Upon start up thick white smoke was coming from the exhaust. Coolant level in resevoir dropping very low. Added coolant and five minutes of driving my check engine light comes on with code p0301 car ran sluggish and overheating light came on. I immediately pulled over and turned it off. Su…

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I have a 2018 Ford Fusion titanium 2.0. Upon start up thick white smoke was coming from the exhaust. Coolant level in resevoir dropping very low. Added coolant and five minutes of driving my check engine light comes on with code p0301 car ran sluggish and overheating light came on. I immediately pulled over and turned it off. Sure enough very low coolant in resevoir. No signs of leakage outside. I then took the car to a ford dealership for diagnosing. Sure enough I have coolant intrusion on number 1 cylinder. I reached out to FORD manufacturer and they will not assist with repairs/replacing the engine and all components that have been damaged due to the coolant intrustion. It will cost $9742.90 to replace all components and engine. My car only has 118013 miles on it. I am very disappointed with FORD knowing that they are aware of this coolant intrusion problem, yet do not want to fix their flaws. Enclosed is also a photo of the coolant intrusion on cylinder 1.

NHTSA ODI #11576101

85,000 miles · Mar 7, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referr…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11575996

19,000 miles · Mar 4, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 36 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 36 MPH, the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

NHTSA ODI #11575346

Mileage unknown · Feb 29, 2024
Engine

My car started with the Ck engine light coming on, then white smoke from the exhaust randomly, then my temperature gauge randomly going up then back down, my car then losing coolant but not leaking any coolant under my car when parked. Then it started acting like it was gonna stall while at a stop or in park. I thought at first …

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My car started with the Ck engine light coming on, then white smoke from the exhaust randomly, then my temperature gauge randomly going up then back down, my car then losing coolant but not leaking any coolant under my car when parked. Then it started acting like it was gonna stall while at a stop or in park. I thought at first I got bad gas somewhere. These are all things I’ve never experienced since purchasing my car new in 2018. I took my car this week to the Ford dealership to get a diagnosis. They told me my car had some coolant intrusion that was a defect with my engine. They told me that Ford was replacing the engines but that my car didn’t qualify because it was over the 84,000 miles. I couldn’t believe it. So a vehicle I bought brand new( my first ever brand new vehicle) and I just paid off early in January of 2024 now needs a new engine. To say I was mad and disappointed would be an understatement. I only have my income as my husband passed away 9 years ago. I’m not old enough to collect his pension as I was only [XXX] when he passed. I also took in my 2 nieces 6 years ago when my sister passed away. I can’t believe Ford does not have to repair these vehicles. Why should mileage matter if it’s a defect on their part. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11574785

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2024
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

At 100,000 miles the vehicle has experienced coolant intrusion in the engine resulting in the engine being seized. I was told by the Ford service rep that this is a known issue on this vehicle, but there is no type of warranty offered.

NHTSA ODI #11573403

Official recalls

2

23V162000 · 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.

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

1

RQ22004 · 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.