2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Problems

Bad bearings in hybrid transmission

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The transmission has failed twice. The first time it was replaced by a licensed dealer. The second time is current. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -We were stranded on the highway in Missouri. The second time the car failed was during winter weather with two small children, putting us at significant risk due to exposure to extreme cold and the dangers of being stuck on the side of the highway. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, the problem was confirmed by a dealer/service center after the first failure, and it has occurred again. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? - Yes, it has been inspected by a dealer, but not by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - Yes, the first time it failed we got an engine overheating error. The second time it failed we got the "wrench" error code. These warning signs occurred as the problem occurred and did not give us any time to get the car to safety.

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE that affects the braking system and related electronics: 1.The ABS stopped functioning previously. 2.Recently, the car displayed a “Brake Malfunction” warning for the first time, which appears when making sharp turns. 3.The TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) stopped working some time ago. These issues are extremely dangerous. The electronic brake booster and ABS module are critical for safe braking, especially in emergency situations. With the ABS and brake assist compromised, the pedal can suddenly become rock hard or soft, stopping distance increases dramatically, and traction control/ABS is unavailable during hard braking. I am concerned this is a systemic issue with the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE braking system and not isolated to my vehicle. This failure could put drivers, passengers, and others on the road at serious risk. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue for potential recall action to protect the safety of drivers nationwide.

Park Break engages on its on when the engine is turned off

The chrome trim on the parking brake switch started chipping. The sharp edge drew a drop of blood and small pieces attached to your fingers. Replaced the switch in June 2026

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE that affects the braking system and related electronics: 1.The ABS stopped functioning previously. 2.Recently, the car displayed a “Brake Malfunction” warning for the first time, which appears when making sharp turns. 3.The TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) stopped working some time ago. These issues are extremely dangerous. The electronic brake booster and ABS module are critical for safe braking, especially in emergency situations. With the ABS and brake assist compromised, the pedal can suddenly become rock hard or soft, stopping distance increases dramatically, and traction control/ABS is unavailable during hard braking. I am concerned this is a systemic issue with the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE braking system and not isolated to my vehicle. This failure could put drivers, passengers, and others on the road at serious risk. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue for potential recall action to protect the safety of drivers nationwide.

I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE that affects the braking system and related electronics: 1.The ABS stopped functioning previously. 2.Recently, the car displayed a “Brake Malfunction” warning for the first time, which appears when making sharp turns. 3.The TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) stopped working some time ago. These issues are extremely dangerous. The electronic brake booster and ABS module are critical for safe braking, especially in emergency situations. With the ABS and brake assist compromised, the pedal can suddenly become rock hard or soft, stopping distance increases dramatically, and traction control/ABS is unavailable during hard braking. I am concerned this is a systemic issue with the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE braking system and not isolated to my vehicle. This failure could put drivers, passengers, and others on the road at serious risk. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue for potential recall action to protect the safety of drivers nationwide.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH and making a U-turn, the steering wheel was loose and wiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned 360 degrees. The steering wheel was uncontrollable. The “Uphill Park Assist” warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,898.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered momentarily. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the engine had failed due to coolant intrusion. The contact was informed that the engine needed be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Campaign Number: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. A case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 94,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that coolant needed to be added to the coolant reservoir occasionally. While driving at various speeds, the engine overheated. Additionally, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle was slow to start. The traction, engine, and air bag warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the head gasket had blown. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The leather-covered dashboard panel, in the approximately 4-6 inch section between the base of the windshield and the first seam across the dash, has shrunk, rippled, and pulled away from the underlying substrate. This area also houses the driver-assist camera housing and the defrost vent. The vehicle was purchased new and has been Ford-maintained, professionally detailed, and garage-kept throughout ownership; the leather has been regularly cleaned and conditioned as part of routine dealership detailing, ruling out lack of care as a cause. The vehicle's build date is January 2018, which falls within the range covered by Ford Technical Service Bulletin 18-2283 ("Instrument Panel Sagging at the Windshield Glass"), issued for vehicles built between October 13, 2014 and February 2, 2018, describing the instrument panel sagging and separating near the windshield. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be a documented, recurring defect pattern affecting this vehicle's dash generation, rather than isolated cosmetic wear. Ford Customer Relations has twice declined goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's age (just over 8 years) as the sole basis, without physical inspection or evaluation of the underlying condition. An independent repair estimate to replace the dash panel and remove/reinstall the windshield for access was quoted at approximately $3,100.

The air bags did not deploy on the front passenger side after a two car accident. There was an injury to the passenger of the car. Vehicle was inspected by police and there were no warning signs

In for a normal oil change and tire rotation. The lug nuts were swollen and had to be broke off and replaced. with the same one that were on my car. I did not no Ford had a lug nut problem until then. To find out that some people had to have cars towed because of the tire not being able to come off. It is a saftey hazard. Ford know this and keeps making these lug nuts. Saying to replace every 50,000 miles at 160 dollars. this is crazy. I am sure there are many people who do not even know till it is too late. They should come up with a different design and replace them all. I travel 80 miles a day, and i rotate every 5,000 miles. i will be replacing them way too may times at this rate. this is unecessary.

I recently had to replace all of the lug nuts on this car due to swelling. Ford said they were all faulty. There were no warnings about the problem. It was noticed in a routine service appointment. I was informed the risk could be that I would not be able to remove them if I experienced a flat tire, and therefore be left stranded.

I have a problem with the variable speed windshield wipers. This has occurred twice now in the past 2 weeks or so and I paid a little closer attention to the symptoms the second time (yesterday). When the problem occurs, the wipers have only ONE speed: LOW. The speed does not increase as the rain gets heavier AND you can not increase the speed by switching the selector to HIGH either. So.....as the rain gets heavier, the visibility gets REALLY bad and the only solution seems to be to slow WAY down, which is not a good thing to suddenly do on a "freeway". I was able to determine if I select OFF on the wiper control and then turn it back ON, the problem (sometimes) goes away and the wipers operate normally.......for a while. Of course, turning the wipers OFF during heavy rain isn't a good thing to do either. I am calling my Ford dealer today to make an appointment for service. Since the condition has been intermittent (so far), I fear that their answer might be "no trouble found" if they can't observe the failure themselves.

THE SUNROOF LEAKS INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SATURATING THE HEADLINER AND THE WATER IS COMING THROUGH AND DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON THE SHIFTER, ECO BUTTON, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON. I AM AFRAID IT'S GOING TO MESS WITH THE WIRING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CAR. *TR

I was trying to move items around in my trunk. As I lifted a bag to pull it out, I felt sharp metal cut deep into my finger. I looked in side and saw that the trunk lid was just the frame with holes and no protective covering at all over the metal frame on the top of my trunk. I did not go to the hospital, but it was very deep and probably needed stitches.

Trunk pops open unprompted frequently, often while driving. This is an electrical issue that Ford is not fixing

The leather-covered dashboard panel, in the approximately 4-6 inch section between the base of the windshield and the first seam across the dash, has shrunk, rippled, and pulled away from the underlying substrate. This area also houses the driver-assist camera housing and the defrost vent. The vehicle was purchased new and has been Ford-maintained, professionally detailed, and garage-kept throughout ownership; the leather has been regularly cleaned and conditioned as part of routine dealership detailing, ruling out lack of care as a cause. The vehicle's build date is January 2018, which falls within the range covered by Ford Technical Service Bulletin 18-2283 ("Instrument Panel Sagging at the Windshield Glass"), issued for vehicles built between October 13, 2014 and February 2, 2018, describing the instrument panel sagging and separating near the windshield. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be a documented, recurring defect pattern affecting this vehicle's dash generation, rather than isolated cosmetic wear. Ford Customer Relations has twice declined goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's age (just over 8 years) as the sole basis, without physical inspection or evaluation of the underlying condition. An independent repair estimate to replace the dash panel and remove/reinstall the windshield for access was quoted at approximately $3,100.

Park Break engages on its on when the engine is turned off

On May 26, 2023, after I started moving from stop at a traffic light, I rear ended the vehicle in front of me when it came to a sudden stop. My speed was between 25 - 35 mph at most. My front and side curtain airbags deployed, the hood was crumpled and fascia was damaged as expected. However after 10 minutes or so, flames started coming from underneath the hood and within a few minutes the engine compartment was on fire. The Fire Department arrived and put out the fire but had to break the windshield and rip off the fender to aim the fire hoses.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the instrument cluster display failed to illuminate. The contact stated that the cluster had intermittently lost functionality. The contact stated that he researched online and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 20-2363 APIM module. Additionally, the contact stated that the fuel filler pump and fuel door actuator had started to lose functionality. The contact stated that he was unable to completely fill the fuel tank. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the APIM module needed to be replaced and that the fuel filler pump and fuel door actuator need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT, I WAS GOING 60MPH AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO 40MPH. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T EVEN GO OFF WITH SUCH A BIG IMPACT AND REAR ENDING SOMEONE, AND MY SEATBELT DIDN'T LOCK UNTIL AFTER I FLEW FORWARD HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL.

PASSENGER REAR SEAT BELT LATCH NOT ALLOWING SEATBELT TO LATCH, HAVE TO TRY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE LATCH WILL WORK, THIS IS USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND NOT IN MOTION

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the fuel pump was replaced. On another occasion, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle turned to the right independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to steer the vehicle and drove into the curb where the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front driver’s side ball joints had separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Doors lock besides driver door if it does lock ot locks you inside the vehicle only way to get out is to roll down the window and open from outside or climb over to get out of a different door! I have had to climb out of the window to get out my car before.