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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 · Jun 6, 2023
Engine

Radiator failure. Causing engine to shut down. Check engine light appears.

NHTSA ODI #11525614

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2023
Engine

My engines been leaking radiator fluid and I was told there was a recall on the engine block because of this issue. I went to ford and they said they had a recall on it but they didn’t tell me that it expired. Even after I was scheduled for an appt I had to get a flex location to diagnose it and they said that the recall for it …

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My engines been leaking radiator fluid and I was told there was a recall on the engine block because of this issue. I went to ford and they said they had a recall on it but they didn’t tell me that it expired. Even after I was scheduled for an appt I had to get a flex location to diagnose it and they said that the recall for it expired and they couldn’t do anything about it. Before I took it to ford I took it to 2 car repair shops and they told me the same thing that it was the engine block.

NHTSA ODI #11524022

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2023
EnginePower Train

Misfires, overheating, Coolant leaking into cylinders

NHTSA ODI #11522349

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2023
Engine

I purchased my car in September 2018 and I have brought my car in for many service problems within the first year alone. I now have a broken flywheel or flex plate, and my car is under 5 years old. With the amount of repairs I have done to my car it is as if I bought a used car. I am the first person to drive my car as it was pu…

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I purchased my car in September 2018 and I have brought my car in for many service problems within the first year alone. I now have a broken flywheel or flex plate, and my car is under 5 years old. With the amount of repairs I have done to my car it is as if I bought a used car. I am the first person to drive my car as it was purchased brand new.

NHTSA ODI #11521404

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2023
Engine

Check engine light came on and then the vehicle overheated. The vehicle started to lose power and I had to pull to the side of the road, on a busy highway. I let the car cool down and drove it to a gas station a mile away, it drove incredibly roughing, had a thick, white smoke coming from the tailpipe and coolant was low. It wa…

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Check engine light came on and then the vehicle overheated. The vehicle started to lose power and I had to pull to the side of the road, on a busy highway. I let the car cool down and drove it to a gas station a mile away, it drove incredibly roughing, had a thick, white smoke coming from the tailpipe and coolant was low. It was then towed to a Firestone in the area. They could not diagnose it properly, so I was then towed to the nearest Ford Dealership. Codes P0217, P0302, P0316, P1285 Advised P0302 was a misfire in Cylinder 2, pulled the coil and plug and found coolant in the cylinder. Ford quoted me $10,400 to replace the entire engine assembly with a long block, said there were no recalls for this issue even though it's common and that my car was no longer under warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11520798

78,000 miles · May 3, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that coolant was leaking in…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that coolant was leaking into the engine cylinders. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The manufacturer later was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty or recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. The consumer stated the vehicle had a coolant leak in the engine which caused corrosion and other damage to the engine.

NHTSA ODI #11520246

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2023
Engine

2018 FORD FUSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE BLOCK ISSUES. UPDATE 07/06/2023- Consumer states: " This is my second letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address the neglect by FMC, its attorneys and dealerships to resolve a defective 1.5L Eco­ boost engine. With recent media addressing …

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2018 FORD FUSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE BLOCK ISSUES. UPDATE 07/06/2023- Consumer states: " This is my second letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to address the neglect by FMC, its attorneys and dealerships to resolve a defective 1.5L Eco­ boost engine. With recent media addressing the detrimental errors of governing agencies, whistleblowers missing submarine with reports of safety issues, and so much more, I believe you know Ford Motor Company needs to do the right thing and accept their responsibility, address the repair, replacement and financial compensation necessary to the American people. This is not an issue to make more lawyers wealthy, although they need to get paid, it's an issue that can contribute to the healing a nation, one step at a time. Please respond to myself at the above address, and my attorney for resolution." Enclosed: June 09, 2022 - FMC Letter - Customer Satisfaction Program 19837 June 09. 2022 - FMC Letter - Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12 April 17, 2023 - Letter to FMC - with multiple cc May 10, 2023 - State of Michigan. Office of the Attorney General, Consumer Protection Oiv1s1on May 17. 2023 - State of Michigan, Regulatory Monitoring Division May 18, 2023 - State of Michigan, Attorney General, Consumer Protection Case letter May 24.2023 - State of Michigan Office of Investigative Services Case letter

NHTSA ODI #11519755

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2023
Engine

Engine failure as described in TSB 22-2229, confirmed by local Ford dealer (Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, MI). This issue is not a normal wear & tear issue, it is a combination of Design & Manufacturing flaw (known by Ford) however Ford Warranty will not provide me with any financial assistance for the repair. An engine should n…

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Engine failure as described in TSB 22-2229, confirmed by local Ford dealer (Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, MI). This issue is not a normal wear & tear issue, it is a combination of Design & Manufacturing flaw (known by Ford) however Ford Warranty will not provide me with any financial assistance for the repair. An engine should never have the wall between the piston cavity and cooling cavity break down ever. This issue should be under a recall. This failure could easily have taken place on the interstate at night leading to immediate side of the road situation and very nearly did since we were to take a trip several states away the next day.

NHTSA ODI #11519272

151,981 miles · Apr 19, 2023
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the powertrain malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started overheating. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the powertrain malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle started overheating. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and the dealer stated that coolant was leaking into the engine and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provide no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 151,981.

NHTSA ODI #11517832

110,000 miles · Mar 29, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a sound of liquid present inside the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that engine coolant was present inside the engine cylinders and the engine short block needed to be placed. The engine short b…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a sound of liquid present inside the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that engine coolant was present inside the engine cylinders and the engine short block needed to be placed. The engine short block was replaced but later the vehicle began to drive sluggishly and would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11514377

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.