2018 Ford Fusion Electrical Problems

The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light

NHTSA ID

11748136

Incident

Jun 30, 2026

My vehicle has been throwing codes that the shifter cable is misaligned or misadjusted for a long time now. The dash flashes between neutral and drive while im driving. It says shift system fault all the time. I have to shut the car off and turn it back on to get it to work. I stalled out on a hill the other day and was almost rear ended by someone behind me. The steering wheel has physical play. It feels like it wobbles or sways while im driving and it shakes. I just had new tires put on and balanced so it's not that. The manufacturer website is claiming the recall is "complete" in their database, but the safety hazard still exists on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11727694

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

Sensor that believe the car to be overheating shut the car down while driving in on the highway.. turning the car off completely or powering it down 99%.

NHTSA ID

11717929

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) appears to have failed. The vehicle's infotainment/play screen is completely blank and unresponsive. This module controls key systems including climate control, navigation, hands-free calling, and the backup camera. The component is available for inspection if needed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This failure compromises several safety-critical functions. I am unable to adjust climate settings, use GPS navigation, make hands-free emergency calls, or see through the backup camera. These features are essential for safe driving, especially in adverse weather or while reversing. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet confirmed by a dealer, but the issue has been consistent. I have attempted both soft and hard resets, and verified the fuses are good. All symptoms point to an APIM failure. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No formal inspection has been done by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps or messages. The issue started intermittently about two months ago. Resets worked temporarily, but the screen is now completely unresponsive.

NHTSA ID

11694300

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) malfunction. Causing sluggish response when attempting to accelerate which has nearly caused an accident on multiple occasions. Other vehicles near the date of manufacture of this vehicle are reported having the same symptoms including potential for fire. There is a recall on similar vehicles: Fusion Energi Recall Issued: 2019-2020 - BECM Fire Risk (NHTSA: 23V440, Ford: 23S33) NHTSA Reference: NEF-107DM 23V-440 The date range of vehicles affected most likely needs to be modified to include vehicles manufactured earlier than December 2017. My vehicle, in particular, was manufactured in August 2017 and exhibits the same BECM issue, however, is not currently included in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11691275

Incident

Sep 14, 2024

On 4 occasions, the car has shut off while moving and in traffic. A dashboard message appears, saying "full accessory mode". After coming to a stop, the car will immediately restart. My obd reader shows no error codes. The car has 18,000 miles on it and this problem occurs randomly. It happened first when the car was a few weeks old. I took it to dealer and they found no problem. Ot has happened 3 times since then. This problem has been reported at least 15 times on the ford fusion sport forum.

NHTSA ID

11640978

Incident

Jan 23, 2025

While waiting at a red traffic light in drive and on a slight incline, engine shut off by itself and car started rolling backward with my foot on the brake pedal. The pedal felt harder than normal to push but didn't stop the car. A car stopped behind me was put at risk of impact with the rear of my vehicle. I could see I was getting closer and closer to hitting the other car. As this was happening, i pushed the start button and managed to restart the engine and put it in drive to pull away just before impact. Problem hasn't been reproduced by anyone. Vehicle or components haven't been inspected by anyone. No warning light lamps or other symptoms of the problem prior or during remaining drive home. I don't know if this is related but the car does have a random no start symptom due to a battery discharge condition while parked overnight. This happens very rarely and is not reproducible when the battery is charged. Ford has a TSB ref.17-2192 on this failure that is applicable to my VIN but they will not cover it since my car is out of warranty (Time and 73K miles). The dealer further stated that there is no guarantee that this re-programming of the PCM will fix the problem. The Ford dealer gave me an estimate of $214 for the re-programming of the PCM and it does not include a new battery if it needs it. I have an appointment to get it done on 11/22/24 but I'm reluctant to pay for something that may not fix the parasitic PCM draw on the battery. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11626401

Incident

Nov 20, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while his wife was driving 60 MPH, the wrench symbol became displayed. The power train fault warning light was illuminated. The vehicle started to shake with the check engine warning light illuminated. The power steering was inoperable. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ID

11618514

Incident

Oct 3, 2024

Mileage

58,000 mi

I drive a 2018 Ford fusion ecoboost. It started with a misfire on cylinder 4 and in that same week the engine started to over heat. Had the spark plugs replaced. Upon checking and monitoring coolant levels noticed I was losing coolant. Wasn't having any puddles in the driveway and no visible leaks under the hood. After few trips to work and home the engine would overheat and my work is less than 2 miles from my home. Started to quickly get worse, more codes popping up on my fixt obd2 scanner. From po304, PO300, PO303, B124D, PO313, PO316, PO317.

NHTSA ID

11607854

Incident

Aug 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the spark plugs. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. While the mechanic attempted to replace the spark plugs, the contact was informed that the spark plugs fuse had detached and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 119,107.

NHTSA ID

11593900

Incident

Jun 12, 2024

Mileage

119,107 mi

car knob shifts into reverse or drive without being touched when sitting in park at random times, have nearly hit basketball pole due to being unprepared to hit break. The knob makes a robotic type sound, an automated turning type sound & switches without being touched, has happened several times but not every time

NHTSA ID

11569370

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

Trunk pops open randomly often. It’s popped open while driving and will cause accidents if items fall out, it’s happened multiple times without any possibility of button being hit.

NHTSA ID

11569369

Incident

Dec 1, 2023

The entire computer system does not function. The screen, radio, everything has turned completely off in the middle of driving on the highway. It’s concerning what this will cause at some point. It used to do this intermittently, now it’s completely off and I’ve had it to multiple mechanics who have checked everything thoroughly and cannot find anything wrong. Two mechanics told me in 20-30 years as a mechanic theyve only seen this once or twice but couldn’t be fixed. I owe a ton of money on my car, it my only transportation for myself kids and elderly mother, my daughter is a new driver and having everything electrical shut down while driving is going to cause an accident and panic.

NHTSA ID

11569367

Incident

Nov 1, 2023

Coolant is leaking into my oil.

NHTSA ID

11568621

Incident

Jul 14, 2023

The Accessory power interface module has failed. It receives inputs from a variety of sensors, some hardwired directly to it, while most are sent over the bus communications system from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). These inputs allow the module to communicate with the steering wheel controls, the radio, navigation system and the consumer's personal cell phone via Bluetooth. When I contacted Ford they said there was nothing they were able to do because there is no active recall for this model/year. I strongly feel as if this is a safety hazard due to not only my steering wheel controls being inoperable, but my cruise control, HVAC system, and navigation system, rear camera system, audio system, Bluetooth, to be faulty and not work. Additionally the on the driver seat the part that the seat belt clicks into broke

NHTSA ID

11567543

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the transmission unintendedly shifted into park(P). Additionally, the contact stated that he became aware that the shifter cable bushing had detached after not being able to start the vehicle. The shifter cable bushing was attached, and the vehicle was able to be started. The brakes, engine, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,879.

NHTSA ID

11541486

Incident

Aug 29, 2023

Mileage

78,879 mi

Android Auto is incredibly unresponsive to user input. Using a Moto G Power cell phone (~2 years old...no performance issues when not using Android Auto), the screen lags for 5-10 seconds between inputs, requiring the user to make many attempts to press the cars Ford Sync 3 Infotainment screen. This is forces the user to take their eyes off the road for way longer than is safe. The quality of Google and Android Auto is considerably worse than Ford's native Sync 3 system...frankly Android Auto is dangerous. Tried this with multiple cables, and even other phones, and in other Ford vehicles and it is just as unresponsive. I don't understand how something so unregulated (Android Auto) is permitted to be used natively in vehicles. I believe car infotainment systems are supposed to be using "Realtime OS's", and I highly doubt Android Auto is doing this.

NHTSA ID

11511954

Incident

Mar 10, 2023

The driver reported they were driving at approximately 55 MPH and began to smell something burning. They pulled over to the left shoulder and saw the trunk on fire. The fire totally destroyed the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11508751

Incident

Jan 9, 2023

When I stop to get fuel/gas for my car, I am unable to turn the ignition off because if I do, the car will not restart immediately or at all. There is also a jerking motion immediately after fueling and while driving. There is a "wailing" noise immediately proceeding the car shutting down. The check engine light is on.

NHTSA ID

11500270

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

Son was driving 20 mph and Vehicle acted like it shut off, door chime started dinging, steering and brakes locked up and my son crashed into a group of trees, totaling the car. It had electrical issues prior and had shut off once before while he was in a parking lot. The auto shut off at stops worked correctly for a while and stopped working. Parking lights would come on while driving. Just a bunch of weird electronic things before final crash. The car had been repaired from a previous accident, but had been acting odd before that. I think previous owner had crashed it also and I’m wondering if that crash could have been caused by the same malfunctions. Also, air bags never deployed in either of his accidents which was very odd.

NHTSA ID

11481070

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

My car shuts down for some reason while I’m driving and has been running rough for the last couple of days. Also my horn does not work at all. This is a hazard for not only me but everybody. My vehicle have not been inspected, or not that I know of. When I first brought the car 2 years ago I noticed the horn was weak but was told that’s how they sound. I forgot when my check engine light came on but it had to be 2 or 3 months ago. Just recently my car started to stop on me while I’m in traffic, the first time it happened was in June. I also went to Autozone to see why the check engine light, but it only says small EVAP leak.

NHTSA ID

11478998

Incident

Jun 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration and then stalled with the transmission warning light illuminated. The doors were unable to open after the failure. AAA inspected the battery and informed the contact that the battery was not properly installed while the battery and bolts were the incorrect sizes. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,126.

NHTSA ID

11478355

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

Mileage

44,126 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was unable to restart due to the battery failing to retain a charge. The contact recharged the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30.

NHTSA ID

11477366

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

Mileage

30 mi

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving the infotainment touch screen went black with no warning. The contact stated that the rearview camera and hands-free feature were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was diagnosed with a failed Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM). The contact stated the APIM was not communicating with the vehicle. The APIM needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not been repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the vehicle. The contact was then transferred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11460802

Incident

Mar 23, 2022

Mileage

60,000 mi

GOT TOLD BY A CO-WORKER YESTERDAY THAT MY TRUNK WAS OPEN WHICH WAS STRANGE SINCE I HAD MY KEYS LAYING ON MY DESK WITH NOTHING ON TOP OF THEM. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTIL TODAY UNTIL I PARKED MY CAR AFTER GETTING OFF WORK AND MY TRUNK OPENED AGAIN ON ITS' OWN. I DIDN'T PRESS THE BUTTON AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING SITTING ON TOP OF IT BUT I COULD HEAR THE LATCH CONSTANTLY MAKING A NOISE AS IF THE LATCH WAS OPENING FOR THE TRUNK. MY KEYS WERE SITTING IN MY CUP HOLDER AT THAT TIME. LUCKILY BOTH TIMES MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY BUT I'VE READ UP ON THIS ISSUE AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

11390429

Incident

Jan 27, 2021

Mileage

27,000 mi