NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
49 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 15, 2026
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 be…
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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 overheating, loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic or at highway speed. I stopped safely; a driver getting this same lone warning on a freeway would face a serious hazard with no notice. The vehicle's protections did not prevent a low-cost part from destroying the powertrain, and the sole warning came immediately before catastrophic damage. CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS: Yes. A certified technician at a licensed independent shop found the cooling fan assembly inoperable and identified it as the cause of both the A/C failure and the temperature warning, noting these vehicles are known to fail head gaskets this way. A second licensed engine shop documented the sequence: the electric cooling fan failed, which blew three fuses, causing an overheat condition that caused engine failure. Written findings, inspection reports, and invoices retained. MANUFACTURER INSPECTION: None. Ford declined to consider assistance unless a Ford technician inspected the vehicle, by which time it was already at an independent shop mid-repair. No police or insurance inspection. MANUFACTURER AWARENESS: Ford SSM 48659 covers 2019-2020 Fusion/MKZ non-hybrids with cooling fans inoperative due to open fuses F59, F60, F63, causing engine overheat or lack of A/C cooling.
NHTSA ODI #11757150
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2026
Engine
While driving at 75mph on the freeway, my 2020 Ford Fusion suffered a sudden, catastrophic EcoBoost engine coolant failure. The vehicle instantly lost power and dropped to 35mph in active traffic, creating an extreme highway collision hazard. A mechanic has confirmed internal coolant intrusion in the engine block.
NHTSA ODI #11749830
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2026
EngineForward Collision AvoidancePower Train
I have had this car for 6 years and the transmission has gone out on top of the purge valve, I have seen many people have the same issues with this model and year of this car. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED. I also see that there is a lawsuit against this issue with the transmission model 6F35
NHTSA ODI #11735599
Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2026
EnginePower Train
2020 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost engine completely failed. Ford dealership diagnosed need for complete engine and turbo replacement at $13,475. Believed to be related to known EcoBoost coolant intrusion defect.
NHTSA ODI #11733486
Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2026
EnginePower Train
Coolant problems and cylinder damage on engine due to coolant intrusion. Ford has not issued a recall on this well known problem and issue on ALL Ford Fusion Models. Several complaints have been made by many Ford Fusion owners for putting drivers and vehicle owners at risk of driving unsafe vehicles and poor driving conditions.
NHTSA ODI #11733054
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine
I don't know if this qualifies as an immediate safety issue, however, if the vehicle is stopped and placed into park on a busy freeway, or in traffic in any way, then this absolutely is a safety issue after the fact because the vehicle cannot be moved due to not being able to get it into gear. This involves the shift linkage com…
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I don't know if this qualifies as an immediate safety issue, however, if the vehicle is stopped and placed into park on a busy freeway, or in traffic in any way, then this absolutely is a safety issue after the fact because the vehicle cannot be moved due to not being able to get it into gear. This involves the shift linkage component and not being able to get the car out of park and into any other gear. It's already an active recall but it's VIN specific and my VIN was not included. It really needs to be though. It should be all Fusions at this point. I drive a 2020 Ford Fusion and the shift linkage bushing broke. Initially I got the "shift system error" message back in January and could not get my car into gear. It would just bounce right back into park. I had to call a tow truck but eventually the driver was able to somehow reset the system using the hidden reset button in the center console. It was enough to keep me running for a couple of months. However, two weeks ago it happened again and the reset option was no longer working. The car was towed to my dealership and they replaced the "missing" bushing and I was charged $511.00 for the repairs. Considering how widespread this issue this seems to be, I would like to see a full model-specific recall issued for these Fusions and possibly reimbursement for the costs I was subjected to due to the issue. I can provide the service receipts from the dealership showing that it was replaced and the total cost. Thank you!
NHTSA ODI #11730018
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2026
Engine
HEAD GASKET FAILING, common problem in car. Broke down in the middle of busy Main Street and started smoking out of exhaust pipes. It has been confirmed by my service center that they now have 3 ford fusions, including mine, that they are replacing a head gasket on right now. They were no warning signs, it happened out of nowher…
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HEAD GASKET FAILING, common problem in car. Broke down in the middle of busy Main Street and started smoking out of exhaust pipes. It has been confirmed by my service center that they now have 3 ford fusions, including mine, that they are replacing a head gasket on right now. They were no warning signs, it happened out of nowhere.
NHTSA ODI #11726537
Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
purge solenoid unplugged, several times for years, which causes the vehicle not to start up after getting fuel. Check engine light come on often due to this. When I bring vehicle to Mecanic shop they plug it right back. P0443 evap purge control valve “a” circuit
NHTSA ODI #11725076
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2026
Engine
I only have about 45K miles on my car. I began to hear a rattling sound while vehicle is idling and more pronounced with the air conditioning on. I took it to the Ford service department at the dealership where I bought it and was told it was a cracked engine flex plate and it would be a $3000 cost to repair. I was extremely sur…
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I only have about 45K miles on my car. I began to hear a rattling sound while vehicle is idling and more pronounced with the air conditioning on. I took it to the Ford service department at the dealership where I bought it and was told it was a cracked engine flex plate and it would be a $3000 cost to repair. I was extremely surprised at such an expensive fix for such low mileage and looking online I found a Ford customer satisfaction program 22N12 for this exact issue. I checked and my car was indeed manufactured at the plant in Hermosillo, MX covered in the program. However I was told that I am not covered because it is for the 2.0L engine and not the 1.5L engine. It seems to be more than a coincidence that I would have this issue on this model of car from this manufacturing plant. There were no warning lights of any kind that went off. I have seen that this could have been a major issue had it went unrepaired and caused a major safety issue. I am unfortunately being forced to pay for this out of pocket on such a new car but also this issue is clearly not only on the 2.0L vehicles and the recall/customer satisfaction program should be expanded to include 1.5L
NHTSA ODI #11720453
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2026
EngineUnknown Or Other
Last month, while transporting my brother to his arm surgery in Chapel Hill, NC, I observed unusual and audible shifting behavior when engaging the vehicle's sport mode. This mode is typically utilized for extended journeys on highways and interstates. Although the anomaly was brief, I did not initially consider it significant. …
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Last month, while transporting my brother to his arm surgery in Chapel Hill, NC, I observed unusual and audible shifting behavior when engaging the vehicle's sport mode. This mode is typically utilized for extended journeys on highways and interstates. Although the anomaly was brief, I did not initially consider it significant. Several weeks later, upon departing from my community college campus, I encountered a red light near Santa Fe Drive. The vehicle exhibited a hesitant and labored acceleration, eventually moving forward. This incident was particularly concerning given the high volume of traffic during that time of day. I subsequently stopped at a nearby 7-Eleven for fuel, suspecting a low fuel level might be the cause. No engine warning lights or mechanical indicators were illuminated, and the oil life was at 70% with appropriate oil levels. Fast forward to the last week of January. On Wednesday the 28th, I began to notice recurring shifting issues with the vehicle during a class break. Additionally, engaging reverse consistently resulted in a harsh shift. As I was leaving my neighborhood to return to class, the vehicle completely failed to engage gears or accelerate. At this point, both the wrench and check engine warning lights illuminated. Upon returning home, I utilized the code reader provided by my mother last Christmas, which displayed the code "P0772." This confirmed my prior research regarding potential issues with the EcoBoost engine. I am relieved that this mechanical failure did not occur amidst the heavy traffic typically found on 210 Murchison South , I-295, Bragg Blvd Fayetteville/Spring Lake and other routes heavily trafficked due to the military base. The high speeds on these roads could have led to a dangerous situation, potentially causing a rear-end accident or other involving other drivers who may be speeding or inattentive. I am grateful that I did not experience a stall in the middle of traffic, which could have compromised my safety.
NHTSA ODI #11715575
Official recalls
3Oct 10, 2025
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Jun 27, 2025
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Jun 23, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗