2020 Ford FUSION problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
178 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
71,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 56 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 178 complaints (35.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 45 | 25.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 9.6% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 8.4% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 6.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 63 |
| Engine | 49 |
| Electrical System | 36 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
Power Train: 63; Engine: 49; Electrical System: 36; Unknown Or Other: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Service Brakes: 10; Steering: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 12 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 122 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 22 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2024 | 32 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 30 |
2020: 4; 2021: 9; 2022: 22; 2023: 25; 2024: 32; 2025: 56; 2026: 30
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 45 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 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 11466887 · 2022-06-01 (June 1, 2022)
Vehicle purchased used in Feb 2022, dealer said vehicle was in EXCELLENT mechanical condition. May 2022, 3 months after purchase vehicle has a broken flywheel and now needs the flywheel, torque converter and transmission pump replaced before 1st oil change since purchase was due. 65k miles on odometer.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11466887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11468665 · 2022-06-10 (June 10, 2022)
My 2020 Ford Fusion has a broken flex plate after only 40,000 miles on the road. This appears to be a very common problem among several different Ford vehicles that have this combination of engine/transmission. It is a safety risk because the car is no longer drivable after the flex plate breaks. This could lead to dangerous situations if a vehicle is broken down in the road. There are no warning lights or messages that something is wrong, but a noticeable rattling sound was coming from the front end of the vehicle that lead to the diagnosis of…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11468665 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395770 · 2021-02-11 (February 11, 2021)
BATTERY DRAINS VERY QUICKLY AND NEEDS TO BE JUMP-STARTED REPEATEDLY, WHICH HAS RISKS TO SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT. THIS IS A FLEET VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395770 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395771 · 2021-02-11 (February 11, 2021)
BATTERY DRAINS VERY QUICKLY AND NEEDS TO BE JUMP-STARTED REPEATEDLY, WHICH HAS RISKS TO SAFETY AND EQUIPMENT. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED EARLIER THIS MONTH AND IT HAS ALREADY DRAINED ALSO. THIS IS A FLEET VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11506233 · 2023-02-08 (February 8, 2023)
Fusion is surging while shifting or lack of. Some of them being more violent than others, sometimes pulling the steering wheel to the left or right. When coming to a stop in city driving when the fusion doesn’t shift the fusion stalls. The initial shift is also very rough into any gear (drive, reverse, and/or back to neutral.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513948 · 2023-03-27 (March 27, 2023)
The driver steering wheel air bag moves to easily that could cause to eventually go off
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470252 · 2022-06-21 (June 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that their husband was coming to a stop light at approximately 5 mph, he attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. In order to avoid a crash, the driver veered to the right where they went over a curb, into a bush, and eventually came to a stop by crashing into a guard wire. The driver then drove the vehicle in a parking lot nearby and when attempting to stop the vehicle again, the vehicle failed to stop again. The driver had to place t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470252 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487834 · 2022-10-04 (October 4, 2022)
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD NOT STOP AND HIT A VEHICLE BRHIND ME.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11481989 · 2022-08-30 (August 30, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 68 MPH, the vehicle started to stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not wired correctly. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11481989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11687311 · 2025-09-15 (September 15, 2025)
Fuel pump failure. Vehicle is emitting gas from the exhaust system in the back. Not processing fuel as it should. High safety risk.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11687311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11690306 · 2025-09-29 (September 29, 2025)
Previously reported as a fuel pump issue, incorrect. The mechanic was incorrect. The fuel injectors failed releasing fuel into the engine and the entire system. High risk of fire.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11690306 at NHTSA ↗