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2008 Ford FUSION: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

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.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior54039.9%
Transmission and shifting251.8%
Steering behavior161.2%
Engine operation141.0%
Electrical and battery issues80.6%
Fuel system concerns50.4%

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.

Air Bags
637
Service Brakes
479
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
69
Power Train
44
Engine
39
Unknown Or Other
39
Structure
35
Structure:Body
34
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags637
Service Brakes479
Service Brakes, Hydraulic69
Power Train44
Engine39
Unknown Or Other39
Structure35
Structure:Body34

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00030
25,000 to 49,99962
50,000 to 74,999116
75,000 to 99,999185
100,000 to 149,999234
150,000 and above133

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.

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
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20085
20097
201011
201114
201215
201341
201478
201567
2016148
2017447
2018286
201964
202066
202168
202216
20239
20247
20253
20261

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.

Examples from the source records

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 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 10232027 · 2008-06-23 (June 23, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB TO STOP THE VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 300.

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232027 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10248719 · 2008-11-13 (November 13, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FIELD MICE WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE HEADLINER. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHICH COMPONENT IS ALLOWING MICE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. HE IS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 5,088.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,088 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248719 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10251222 · 2008-12-09 (December 9, 2008)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD FUSION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES, SIZE 225/55R17. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SOMEONE ASSISTED HER WITH PLACING THE SPARE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WENT TO A WHOLESALE CLUB TO PURCHASE ANOTHER TIRE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE INNER LINER. THE DEFECT CREATED BUBBLES IN BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE (WHICH HAD ALREADY BLOWN OUT) AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT APP…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,944 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251222 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 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 10263046 · 2009-03-25 (March 25, 2009)

CUSTOMER WAS TRAVELING ON ROADWAY WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE. PULLED OVER AND OPENED HOOD TO HAVE SMOKE BILLOW OUT. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE BY INDEPENDENT APPRAISER SHOWS THERE IS A DEFECTIVE GROUND STRAP THAT CAUSED LOSS. THIS APPRAISER HAS SEEN 2 OF THESE LOSSES IN THE PAST WEEK WITH SAME IGNITION SOURCE. FORD MOTOR CO CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPORTING THIS PROBLEM SO THAT THIS CAN BE AVOIDED FOR OTHER PEOPLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10263046 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

16V384000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V024000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2017-01-10 (January 10, 2017)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
19V904000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2019-12-18 (December 18, 2019)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

Consequence: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V158000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.

NHTSA campaign record ↗