2018 Ford FUSION: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
437 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 188 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 201 of 437 complaints (46.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 76 | 17.4% |
| Engine operation | 34 | 7.8% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.1% |
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 | 201 |
| Power Train | 103 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 85 |
| Unknown Or Other | 47 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 22 |
| Steering | 19 |
| Wheels | 10 |
Engine: 201; Power Train: 103; Engine And Engine Cooling: 85; Unknown Or Other: 47; Electrical System: 23; Fuel/Propulsion System: 22; Steering: 19; Wheels: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 53 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 68 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 53; 100,000 to 149,999: 68; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (68). 249 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 98 |
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2025 | 88 |
| 2026 | 43 |
2017: 1; 2018: 6; 2019: 5; 2020: 12; 2021: 20; 2022: 40; 2023: 98; 2024: 124; 2025: 88; 2026: 43
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 76 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 21 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 10966363 · 2017-03-16 (March 16, 2017)
ABS PUMP FAILURE. ABS PUMP FAILS DURING AN ANTI-LOCK EVENT CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO FLOOR AND NO STOPPING POWER. OCCUR SPORADICALLY WHEN ON ICE/SLUSH/SNOW OR WHEN BRAKING ON A ROUGH RODE.
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10966363 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11076194 · 2018-03-05 (March 5, 2018)
CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET ABOUT 40 MPH GOING STRAIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR BECAME UNLATCHED AND PARTIALLY OPENED. A NOISE ON THE DASH SOUNDED AND STATED THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS AJAR, AND THE LIGHTS ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR TURNED RED. IT SEEMED TO BE PARTIALLY LATCHED STILL SINCE IT WOULD NOT OPEN ALL THE WAY, BUT I HAD TO USE THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THEN CLOSE IT ALL THE WAY AGAIN. I HAD ALREADY TRAVELED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOME WHEN THE DOOR PARTIALLY OPENED, AND THERE WERE NO DASH OR WARNING SI…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,440 miles reported. Look up ODI 11076194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11079519 · 2018-03-15 (March 15, 2018)
WHEN SEAT BELT IS DETACHED FROM EITHER DRIVER OR PASSAGER NO INDICATOR WHILE DRIVING. IT INDICATES AFTER DRIVING FOR 2 MINUTES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11079519 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11083746 · 2018-04-07 (April 7, 2018)
SOLD CAR WITH OPEN RECALL FROM MAC HAIK FORD , GEORGETOWN, TX
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11083746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11123622 · 2018-08-31 (August 31, 2018)
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GOES OVER 70 DEGREES, THERE'S CREAKING NOISES UNDERNEATH, SOMETIMES VERY LOUD WHEN TURNING, EVEN WHEN PARKED, MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES THE NOISE. LOOKING ONLINE, THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM, MY CAR HAS ONLY 72K MILES AND IT FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BREAK. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ALL SUMMER THIS YEAR AND IT'S GETTING LOUDER. THIS HAS TO BE A RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11123622 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11132302 · 2018-09-29 (September 29, 2018)
TAKATA AIRBAG. RECEIVED NOTICE OF AIRBAG RECALL OVER TWO YEARS AGO (JULY 2016). STILL TO REMEDY. WE WANT TO USE THE VEHICLE FOR VACATION TRAVEL BUT ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11132302 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11143804 · 2018-10-29 (October 29, 2018)
ON OCTOBER 17, 2018, I DROVE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO PARK IN FRONT OF THE SHOPS. I HAD ENTERED THE PARKING SPACE AT A VERY LOW SPEED AND WAS ALMOST AT A DEAD STOP WHEN MY 2018 FORD FUSION SPORT LURCHED FORWARD WITH SUCH A POWERFUL BURST OF SPEED, I WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A WINDOW AND BRICK WALL DIVIDING THE SHOPS. NO FLOOR MAT ISSUE WAS INVOLVED AND I DID NOT STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR THINKING IT WAS THE BRAKE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND INSURANCE NOTIFIED. THE CAR IS STILL AT FORD DEALER FOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 11143804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11182876 · 2019-02-27 (February 27, 2019)
WHILE STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION FOR A RED LIGHT THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. I COULDN'T TURN ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS, ROLL DOWN WINDOWS OR UNLOCK DOORS. EVERYTHING WAS DEAD. I WAS IDLING AT THE STOP LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,868 miles reported. Look up ODI 11182876 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗