2008 Ford FUSION problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,353 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
98,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 760 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 637 of 1,353 complaints (47.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 540 | 39.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 25 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 16 | 1.2% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 1.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 0.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 0.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 637 |
| Service Brakes | 479 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 69 |
| Power Train | 44 |
| Engine | 39 |
| Unknown Or Other | 39 |
| Structure | 35 |
| Structure:Body | 34 |
Air Bags: 637; Service Brakes: 479; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 69; Power Train: 44; Engine: 39; Unknown Or Other: 39; Structure: 35; Structure:Body: 34
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 30 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 62 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 116 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 185 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 234 |
| 150,000 and above | 133 |
Under 25,000: 30; 25,000 to 49,999: 62; 50,000 to 74,999: 116; 75,000 to 99,999: 185; 100,000 to 149,999: 234; 150,000 and above: 133
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (234). 593 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 41 |
| 2014 | 78 |
| 2015 | 67 |
| 2016 | 148 |
| 2017 | 447 |
| 2018 | 286 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2020 | 66 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 5; 2009: 7; 2010: 11; 2011: 14; 2012: 15; 2013: 41; 2014: 78; 2015: 67; 2016: 148; 2017: 447; 2018: 286; 2019: 64; 2020: 66; 2021: 68; 2022: 16; 2023: 9; 2024: 7; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 540 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10215290 · 2008-01-17 (January 17, 2008)
ACCELERATED FROM STOP SIGN AND ACCELERATOR STUCK AT HALF WIDE OPEN. HAD TO USE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR WOULD NOT DECELERATE AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP. NO CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON EITHER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10215290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257010 · 2009-01-31 (January 31, 2009)
1. CAME UP TO A RED LIGHT AND PRESSED MY BRAKE. FUSION IMMEDIATELY SPEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. FUSION ACTED LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED. I WAS STRUCK BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FUSION WAS TOTALED. 2. HAPPENED WEEK EARLIER, WAS GOING TO REPORT IT NEXT OIL CHANGE WEEK AWAY. 3. NOTHING, CAR SCRAPPED BY INSURANCE CO. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 19,801 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10421644 · 2011-08-26 (August 26, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND. THE SOUND WAS NOTICEABLE AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS HAD DISINTEGRATED AND THE MOTOR MOUNT HAD FRACTURED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE THE CV JOINTS. THE MOTOR MOUNT , TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND CV JOINT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 99,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10421644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10531565 · 2013-07-24 (July 24, 2013)
PURCHASED THE CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER'S 16TH BIRTHDAY. I BELIEVE IT ONLY HAD 20,000 MILES ON IT. SHE HAD IF FOR 2 YEARS AND HAS ALWAYS THOUGHT THE CAR RAN A LITTLE "SLUGGISH". IN APRIL, 2013 THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS, AND WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER WE PURCHASED IT FROM, WHO TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE EVEN TOLD THAT THESE PARTICULAR CARS "WERE NOT MEANT TO LAST" AND THAT "MOST PEOPLE TRADED THESE CARS IN AFTER ONLY A COUPLE OF YEARS." WE ALSO CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10531565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256340 · 2009-01-26 (January 26, 2009)
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON RT. 511OR LORAIN STREET IN OBERLIN, OHIO. THE LIGHT ON LORAIN AND S. PLEASANT WAS FLASHING. I HAD THE YELLOW FLASHING LIGHT I WAS DRIVING 35 THE SPEED LIMIT AND A GIRL WITH HER TWO CHILDREN DID NOT STOP FOR HER RED LIGHT AND I HIT HER T-BONE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. THIS FORCED ME TO GRIP THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY HANDS AND AS I DID THIS I BRUISED MY ARMS, CHEST FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TRAUMA. I RAISED UP FROM THE SEAT AND HIT THE TOP OF MY KNEES AND THEY ARE BRUISED. I WAS TAKEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455369 · 2012-04-16 (April 16, 2012)
OVER TIME THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED GRADUALLY MORE SLACKNESS AND FREE PLAY IN THE STEERING RESPONSE. I INITIALLY ATTRIBUTED THE CONDITION TO TIRE WEAR AND VEHICLE AGE. EVENTUALLY THE CONDITION BECAME SO SERIOUS THAT I WAS CERTAIN IT WAS NOT NORMAL, SO I DECIDED TO TRY AND DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. UPON INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS MOVING AROUND ON ITS ATTACHMENTS IN RESPONSE TO STEERING INPUTS. I CHECKED THE MOUNTING BOLTS THAT SECURE THE RACK TO THE SUB-FRAME AND FOUND THAT TWO OF THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE ENOUGH TO BE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 81,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455369 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10501963 · 2013-03-07 (March 7, 2013)
ON AN INTERSTATE MERGE RAMP, THE FUSION SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND FELT LIKE IT WOULD STALL. WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SURGED WITH ACCELERATION, BUT NEVER GOT OVER 40 MPH. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL, IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WOULD STALL; IT LURCHED AND MANAGED TO KEEP GOING VERY SLOWLY. I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY ON THIS VERY BUSY INTERSTATE. THE CAR LURCHED AND SURGED UNTIL I COULD GET TO A SAFE STOPPING POINT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10501963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577120 · 2014-04-03 (April 3, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE COILS TO MELT AND AS A RESULT, THE IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS AND PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000. UPDATED 7/14/14*CN UPDATED 07/18/2014 *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 112,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10510117 · 2013-04-30 (April 30, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER JUMP STARTING THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10510117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10620942 · 2014-08-08 (August 8, 2014)
I CANNOT EXIT THE VEHICLE DRIVER'S SIDE USING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND THEN OPEN THE DOOR WITH THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING ONE DAY. I HAVE BEEN ON LINE AND OTHER FUSION OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE CONTACTED FORD AS I HAVE AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THAT, IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE BATTERY CABLE GOT CUT SO THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE VE…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10620942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230169 · 2008-06-06 (June 6, 2008)
2006 FORD FUSION FAILS TO START OR EVEN CRANK TRYING TO START. BEEN TO 3 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS IN 3 STATES, OHIO, MD., AND NOW ILLINOIS. ALL SAY THAT THE COMPUTER TESTING SHOWS NOTHING WRONG, AND CONSEQUENTLY, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. CAR DID NOT START AT THE MD DEALERSHIP AND HE PUT ON A FUEL PUMP BUT SAID THAT WOULD PROBABLY NOT FIX IT. THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT YET THE PROBLEM CONTINUES EVEN ACKNOWLEDGING PERSONALLY WITNESSING THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10230169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10722905 · 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
MANY TIMES AFTER THIS INITIAL INCIDENT, MY 2008 FORD FUSION WOULD AGAIN NOT START UPON FIRST FULL TURNING OF IGNITION KEY. THEN UPON SECOND ATTEMPT IT STARTS. THE FIRST KEY TURNING RESULTS IN CRANK BUT NO TURNOVER OF ENGINE, LONG CRANK. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH, SOMETIMES 2-3 TIMES A MONTH. INVOICE [XXX], DATED 3/1/2011 AND ODOMETER READING 53088, FROM FLUORESCENT GARAGE & RADIATOR; 549 ST. FERDINAND; FLUORESCENT, MO, DESCRIBES MY ATTEMPT TO SOLVE PUZZLING LONG CRANK. THEIR INVOICE DESCRIPTION OF WORK, RELATED TO THE PROBLEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10722905 at NHTSA ↗