2017 Ford FUSION: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,105 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
71,032 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 606 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 392 of 1,105 complaints (35.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 236 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 139 | 12.6% |
| Engine operation | 90 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 68 | 6.2% |
| Steering behavior | 64 | 5.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 1.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 392 |
| Power Train | 296 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 131 |
| Electrical System | 120 |
| Unknown Or Other | 103 |
| Service Brakes | 50 |
| Steering | 50 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 48 |
Engine: 392; Power Train: 296; Engine And Engine Cooling: 131; Electrical System: 120; Unknown Or Other: 103; Service Brakes: 50; Steering: 50; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 48
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 92 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 79 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 145 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 149 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 113 |
| 150,000 and above | 28 |
Under 25,000: 92; 25,000 to 49,999: 79; 50,000 to 74,999: 145; 75,000 to 99,999: 149; 100,000 to 149,999: 113; 150,000 and above: 28
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (149). 499 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2020 | 90 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2022 | 119 |
| 2023 | 221 |
| 2024 | 246 |
| 2025 | 157 |
| 2026 | 52 |
2016: 4; 2017: 45; 2018: 39; 2019: 64; 2020: 90; 2021: 68; 2022: 119; 2023: 221; 2024: 246; 2025: 157; 2026: 52
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 236 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 139 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 90 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 10904931 · 2016-09-09 (September 9, 2016)
MY CAR, WITH 2K MILES, WOULD NOT START (PUSH BUTTON START, THIS IS THE PLUG-IN HYBRID "ENERGI" MODEL). AFTER BEING TOWED TO A DEALER, THEY HAD TO TEAR THE CAR APART TO FIND A BAD WIRING HARNESS AS PART OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM. THIS PART WAS UNAVAILABLE, AND I AM HAVING TO WAIT OVER 5 DAYS TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND INSTEAD TRIED TO GET ME TO BUY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SUPPORT FROM FORD. THIS IS A SAFETY FIX, AND THE CAR ITSELF JUST WOULDN'T RUN. T…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10911305 · 2016-10-03 (October 3, 2016)
THIS CAR DIDN'T STOP WITH IN 40FT WHEN THE SPEED IS 25 MPH AND HAPPENED TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER CAR WHICH CHANGED LANES ABRUPTLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 80 miles reported. Look up ODI 10911305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10926765 · 2016-11-17 (November 17, 2016)
WIPER SPRAY NOZZLES DO NOT SPRAY ON THE WINDSHIELD VERY WELL MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CLEAR A DIRTY WINDSHIELD. THE WIPER ARMS BLOCK THE LEFT AND RIGHT SPRAYERS AND ONLY GET A SMALL AMOUNT OF FLUID ON THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER THE WIPERS LEAVE THE HOME POSITION AND STAY SLIGHTLY ELEVATED ON THE WINDSHIELD THE CENTER SPRAYER CAN NO LONGER SPRAY PAST IT TO COVER THE WINDSHIELD EITHER.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10926765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10927585 · 2016-11-22 (November 22, 2016)
TAKATA RECALL: RECEIVED NOTICE OF RECALL IN JULY 2016. IT IS NOW 11/22/2016 AND I HAVE STILL NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY FORD INDICATING PARTS ARE AVAILABLE AND THAT REPAIR CAN BE SCHEDULED. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER LATE AUGUST AND THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ON THIS RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10927585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10940096 · 2017-01-06 (January 6, 2017)
ISSUE 1: FMVSS CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. INTERMITTENT TOTAL FAILURE OF CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM, INCLUDING FAILURE OF DEFOGGER CAUSING OBSTRUCTED VISIBILITY IN COLD CLIMATES (VEHICLE IS BASED IN METROPOLITAN DETROIT). THE FAILURE IS BOTH ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL. NEITHER THE TOUCH SCREEN NOR THE PHYSICAL CONSOLE BUTTONS RESPOND TO COMMANDS. AFTER SECOND INTERMITTENT FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT IN AN ATTACHED HOME GARAGE. AFTER IGNITION, DEFOGGER FUNCTIONED, BUT NO OTHER CLIMATE FUNCTIONS WORKED. DEFOGGER EMITTED A BURNING SMELL…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10940096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944330 · 2017-01-11 (January 11, 2017)
DEAD BATTERY ISSUE. BRAND NEW CAR SITTING FOR 6 DAYS HAS BATTERY GO BELOW "MINIMUM START" AND WHEN START BUTTON IS PRESSED, ENTIRE CAR GOES DEAD. ISSUE IS NOT ISOLATED TO ONLY MY CAR. MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT'S "NOT A PROBLEM". THE FORD FUSION SPORT FORUM HAS TONS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING (HTTP://WWW.FUSIONSPORTFORUMS.COM/FORUM/257-FUSION-V6-SPORT-AUDIO-ELECTRONICS-LIGHTING/3770-DEAD-BATTERY.HTML). WHEN I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO "RECALLS NOR TECHNICAL SER…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10947130 · 2017-01-23 (January 23, 2017)
I WAS IN A MULTI CAR COLLISION WITH SERIOUS FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE FLOOR AIRBAGS ACTIVATED BUT THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION APPROACHING A FREEWAY ENTRANCE. MY CHEST AND FACE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING ME PAIN, BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS. POLICE OFFICER ADVISED ME TO REPORT THE AIR BAG FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10949943 · 2017-02-06 (February 6, 2017)
WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, BETWEEN 5-10 MPH WHEN THE CAR CLICKED LOUDLY. I LOST STEERING AND BRAKES, AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE ENGINE HAD TURNED OFF, THE CAR HAD PUT ITSELF INTO PARK, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BACK AS IF I HAD OPENED THE DOOR WITH THE CAR SHUT OFF.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10949943 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V874000 · Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2016-12-05 (December 5, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.
Consequence: During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left hand, second row seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S43.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V427000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter
Reported: 2017-07-06 (July 6, 2017)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Consequence: If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V167000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 2018-03-12 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V162000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2023-03-10 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗