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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

438 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2026
Engine

While operating my 2018 Ford Fusion, the vehicle began experiencing internal coolant loss resulting in engine misfires, rough running, and white exhaust smoke. The coolant intrusion caused engine failure and loss of reliability. This condition creates a safety risk, as it can lead to loss of power while driving, hesitation, and…

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While operating my 2018 Ford Fusion, the vehicle began experiencing internal coolant loss resulting in engine misfires, rough running, and white exhaust smoke. The coolant intrusion caused engine failure and loss of reliability. This condition creates a safety risk, as it can lead to loss of power while driving, hesitation, and the possibility of engine shutdown. The defect occurred without warning and is consistent with widespread reports involving Ford EcoBoost engines. This issue is not related to maintenance or normal wear and tear but is a known design defect acknowledged through service bulletins and consumer litigation. Repair requires full engine replacement.

NHTSA ODI #11715854

117,000 miles · Jan 26, 2026
Back Over Prevention

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the center digital screen failed to illuminate, and the screen was black while the vehicle was shifted into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being under recall. Upon fur…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the center digital screen failed to illuminate, and the screen was black while the vehicle was shifted into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being under recall. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #11713368

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2026
Steering

The steering wheel is coming loose and is making it hard to drive. The car is becoming seriously dangerous. Others are having issues with this. Please let's fix these cars. I have children!

NHTSA ODI #11713032

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2026
Power Train

CVT transmission completely failed at 150k miles and is not covered by Ford

NHTSA ODI #11709493

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2025
EngineVehicle Speed Control

My Engine is on my car will not go over 25 miles and if it does it shakes and I place the car in park or shut it off u can hear like water sound coming from the engine were it’s seems as if it was boiling

NHTSA ODI #11705638

Mileage unknown · Dec 14, 2025
Seat Belts

Rear seatbelt driver side seat belt does not click or buckle at all. Nothing is stuck in it and it has never buckled as long as I’ve had the car

NHTSA ODI #11704953

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2025
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

Shift actuator wouldn’t go into gear I was stranded a few times had to be towed twice. I’ve found a plastic bushing that showed a $4.00 part could be responsible. Deadly for us disabled Vietnam veterans . I can’t walk. Maine has 200 vehicles with the same issues nationwide who knows supposedly the actuator will not be made by fo…

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Shift actuator wouldn’t go into gear I was stranded a few times had to be towed twice. I’ve found a plastic bushing that showed a $4.00 part could be responsible. Deadly for us disabled Vietnam veterans . I can’t walk. Maine has 200 vehicles with the same issues nationwide who knows supposedly the actuator will not be made by ford motors until February 2026. I’m 76 years old this is a hazard I can’t afford to buy another car. Please help us. Or get stranded in the middle of nowhere freezing cold Thank you

NHTSA ODI #11703498

100,000 miles · Nov 25, 2025
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering violently, hesitated, and failed to accelerate to approximately 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The v…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering violently, hesitated, and failed to accelerate to approximately 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The dealer informed the contact that the engine small block needed to be replaced, but a full engine replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a complaint. The manufacturer advised the contact that a future report would be issued. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11701545

88,000 miles · Oct 31, 2025
Back Over Prevention

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera displayed a black screen. Several minutes later, the message "Contact the Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The de…

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The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera displayed a black screen. Several minutes later, the message "Contact the Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The dealer had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #11696771

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2025
Power Train

Car started running rough then white smoke was coming out the exhaust. Took it in to have it checked out by Ford and they said it was coolant intrusion into the cylinders. Now they want $9,000 to replace an engine that has less than 60,000 miles. I see online that this is not new and definitely a design flaw with this engine and…

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Car started running rough then white smoke was coming out the exhaust. Took it in to have it checked out by Ford and they said it was coolant intrusion into the cylinders. Now they want $9,000 to replace an engine that has less than 60,000 miles. I see online that this is not new and definitely a design flaw with this engine and many others.

NHTSA ODI #11696170

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.