2020 Ford FUSION: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11328319 · 2020-06-11 (June 11, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ROYAL OAK FORD DEALER, LOCATED AT: 27550 WOODWARD AVE, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067, WHERE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE WENT FLAT. THERE WAS NOT SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND PURCHASED A NEW TIRE, JACKED THE VEHICLE UP TO REPLACE THE TIRE. WHILE ON THE JACK, THE VEHICLE WENT IN REVERSE, ROLLED BACK A…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,051 miles reported. Look up ODI 11328319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11352598 · 2020-09-01 (September 1, 2020)
AS I'M DRIVING MY RADIO SHUTS OFF AND WILL NOT POWER ON. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11352598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11359886 · 2020-09-18 (September 18, 2020)
THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. IT TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. I CAN CHANGE THE VOLUME USING THE DIALS, BUT I CANNOT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. IT ALSO WILL NOT SHOW MY BACK UP CAMERA. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11359886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11383303 · 2020-12-14 (December 14, 2020)
THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. IT TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. I CANNOT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING HAD TO HARD RESET THE SYSTEM CAR ALSO SHIFTS HARD IN AND OUT OF PARK AND REVERSE, MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND SHIFTS HARD IN FIRST AND SECOND
Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11383303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11390395 · 2021-01-27 (January 27, 2021)
WHEEL BEARING HAD TO BE REPLACED, HEARD SOUND WHILE IN MOTION AND SLOWED DOWN CAR. CAR ONE YEAR OLD AND LESS THEN 30K MILES
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11390395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11391129 · 2021-02-01 (February 1, 2021)
THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNED RUBBER. I HAD REACHED MY DESTINATION AND HAD JUST PARKED.
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 11391129 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 ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V440000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery:Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm)
Reported: 2023-06-23 (June 23, 2023)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
Consequence: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
Reported: 2025-06-27 (June 27, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V685000 · Equipment:Electrical:Engine Block Heater
Reported: 2025-10-10 (October 10, 2025)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗