2018 Ford Fusion Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Fusion, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine26653.0%
- Powertrain (other)10320.5%
- Fuel system306.0%
- Electrical285.6%
- Steering193.8%
- Driver assistance142.8%
- Other / unspecified122.4%
- Brakes61.2%
- Seat belts51.0%
- Airbags51.0%
- Transmission51.0%
- Body & structure30.6%
- Suspension20.4%
- Interior & seats20.4%
- Visibility10.2%
- Exterior lighting10.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The 1.5L EcoBoost motor has coolant intrusion problem on cylinder 3. The 1.5L EcoBoost motor sputters while driving causing the engine to be sluggish and not get up to speed when turning and might cause an accident on the highway due to the motor failing due to coolant intrusion design flaw in Ford Motor. Yes, Ford dealership confirmed the coolant intrusion problem on cylinder 3 and check engine light keeps coming on and off. Yes, the Ford dealership inspected the 1.5L engine in the vehicle and ran test to confirm the coolant intrusion problem on cylinder 3. There was no other warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure/degrade of engine
Coolant leaking into the engine.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
There is a recall for the transmission cable bushings for years 2013-2106. The recall came out in 2022. This same bushing is used in the 2018 ford fusion model that was not fixed. The bushing on my vehicle which is a 2018 complete failed while I was driving and left me immobile until I searched for a fix and found the bushing completely gone. Ford Escape: Model years 2013–2019, Ford C-Max: Model years 2013–2018; Ford Fusion: Model years 2013–2016; Ford Transit Connect: Model years 2013–2021; Ford Edge: Model years 2015–2018. Each model besides the fusion went past the 2018 model in which the 2018 fusion should be apart of
Transmission/cracked flexplate started approximately 12 months prior with vibrations getting progressively worse, complete failure needing replacement along with shift cable bushing causes vehicle to select wrong gear position when another is commanded by driver. Shrapnel from case or components could be expelled during flexplate/converter failure. Incorrect gear selection could lead to potential injury or damage from improper gear selection.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I purchase this car on XXX Clinton Ford Dealership and engine need replacement Jan 2020 . I at that time did many replacement until the final diagnostic said engine replacement confirm by dealership Ford Dealership Fayetteville NC . The purge valve canister went out in 2022 and was replaced by Ed’sTire in Hope Mills Rd 11/19–11/22/2022 and now mechanic said it is in need of replacement again . Car problems started 2026 Feb and three pieces were replaced because the system was reading those code now to find out the purge valve canister needs replacement again. These hardship have cost me financial difficulties that a new car should never have had within 2 years . I believe no consumer should have to go through this.
Formal Complaint – 2018 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost – Engine Block Defect Statement of Issue:I am writing to report a premature engine failure on my 2018 Ford Fusion 1.5L. The vehicle is exhibiting all symptoms of the well-documented "coolant intrusion" defect described in Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2222. Despite following all recommended maintenance intervals, the engine block has failed, allowing coolant to enter the combustion chamber.Observations:Confirmed coolant loss with no external leakage found via pressure test.Significant white smoke and rough idle upon cold start. Desired Resolution: Since this is a known manufacturing defect involving the engine block's cooling channels—and not a result of wear and tear—I am requesting a "Goodwill Repair" for a long-block replacement. The current TSB denial based on [8 years] is unacceptable for a known catastrophic design flaw that compromises vehicle safety.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light
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.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering functionality while decelerating. The vehicle jerked, and a driver assistance system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,017.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the center digital screen failed to illuminate, and the screen was black while the vehicle was shifted into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being under recall. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
My Engine is on my car will not go over 25 miles and if it does it shakes and I place the car in park or shut it off u can hear like water sound coming from the engine were it’s seems as if it was boiling
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
Ford's double-capped acorn lug nuts experienced outer cap expansion/separation during an emergency roadside tire change. A defective design known by Ford. Rendering the supplied tire iron and a separately purchased multisize tire iron ineffective at removing the lugs. The failure left the vehicle immobile on the side of a i75 in SWFL in the summer heat of June 2026. Present in the vehicle were the owner, spouse, and a [XXX] infant. They were stranded approximately 34 miles from home for nearly 3 hours, an extended period for a XXX, who quickly became visibly distressed. Standard FDOT Road Ranger assistance was unavailable, and towing services had estimated wait times exceeding 2 hours. The driver was unable to resolve the situation through any reasonable self-help measure due to the defective lugs, despite having successfully changed tires on the same vehicle previously using the same factory equipment. The defect was verbally identified during the incident by a responding AAA roadside technician. They recognized the defect as consistent with a known issue affecting Ford vehicles. No formal inspection by Ford Motor Company, law enforcement, or insurance representatives has taken place but will be pursued by the owner and available for inspection is requested. No warning lamps, dashboard alerts, or observable symptoms were present that would have indicated a lug nut defect to the owner. It only became apparent at the moment an emergency tire change was required. This is consistent with prior reported cases and litigation involving Ford. The owner was never informed of this defect during the vehicle purchase, service history, or extended warranty agreement. If known road side assistance would have been contacted, instead of self servicing the tire change which was rendered useless by a defect Ford has been aware of. Resulting in nearly 3 hours of preventable roadside exposure, emotional distress, and the endangerment of a [XXX] infant. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure persisted, and the contact stated that the steering wheel was loose while operating the vehicle. The contact stated that the traction control warning light flashed on the instrument panel during one of the failures. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN related to the failure of the vehicle. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling roughly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who suggested that the spark plugs be replaced and a tune-up be performed based on the mileage. The dealer performed the spark plug replacement and tune-up, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated; however, the vehicle was still idling roughly. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear brakes and rear brake rotors needed to be replaced due to a brake fluid leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall or special programs for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Accident caused by brakes slipping and failing to stop even when pushed all the way down to the floor. Air bags failed to deploy. Resulting in a total loss estimate after accident.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Rear seatbelt driver side seat belt does not click or buckle at all. Nothing is stuck in it and it has never buckled as long as I’ve had the car
The contact owned a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the front driver side seat belt did not buckle appropriately, another vehicle driving at an unknown speed moved to the left lane, then the other vehicle changed lanes again moving in front of the contact, and the other vehicle abruptly depressed on the brakes causing the contact to rear end him. The vehicle came to a stop and merged into the shoulder. The vehicle was damaged on the front driver's and passenger's side. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags did deploy however the seat belt did not retract the contact, causing the contact to be injured. There was no property damage. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion and his eyes swelled shut. It was unknown if the other driver in the other vehicle sustained any injuries. The insurance company towed the vehicle to an impound lot and then towed it to Copart. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
Accident caused by brakes slipping and failing to stop even when pushed all the way down to the floor. Air bags failed to deploy. Resulting in a total loss estimate after accident.
I went to head on to a light pole and my passenger side airbags did not deploy
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
When I put my car in drive it locked up on me & kept reversing all the way back to park the car would not move no matter what gear it was in it was just locked. I had to have the car towed.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the transmission inadvertently shifted into a lower gear. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed to shift. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
On August 10, 2026, I was driving my 2018 Ford Fusion at approximately 40 mph under normal driving conditions when, without warning, the hood unexpectedly released and flew completely backward into the windshield. The hood had been closed prior to driving and there was no warning before the failure. The hood struck the windshield with significant force, shattering it, immediately blocking my forward visibility, and sending broken glass into the passenger compartment and onto me. Because I suddenly could not see the roadway, I lost control and the vehicle left the road. Fortunately, no other vehicles or pedestrians were involved and I did not require medical treatment. This was not a hood that simply became loose or partially opened. The hood fully opened and struck the windshield. Based on what occurred, it appears the primary hood retention/latch and the secondary safety retention mechanism both failed to prevent the hood from fully opening. The exact mechanical cause requires inspection. The impact caused extensive damage to the hood and windshield and tore/deformed metal around the windshield/A-pillar/roof area. An independent eyewitness across the street personally witnessed the incident occur in real time, and I have photographs documenting the aftermath. The vehicle has approximately 156,000 miles, was in good operating condition, and remains unrepaired and unaltered following the incident so the hood latch, secondary safety catch, striker, hinges and related components can be inspected. Ford was notified immediately and opened case CXH-08862363-V8C8X7, which Ford advised was escalated to its Office of General Counsel. I am reporting this because this apparent hood-retention safety failure created an extremely dangerous situation. Had this occurred at highway speed, at a higher speed, in heavy traffic, or near pedestrians, the consequences could have been catastrophic.
BACK PASSENGER DOOR UNLATCHES WHILE DRIVING SPORADICALLY. FORD PREVIOUSLY HAD A RECALL ON THE 2016 MODEL HOWEVER, THEY ARE STATING THAT THIS DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. MY 4 YEAR OLD SON SITS IN THE BACK SEAT IN HIS CAR SEAT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW AND THEY ARE FILING A CLAIM THROUGH MY 3RD PARTY WARRANTY COMPANY AND MAKING ME PAY FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE AND I SUSPECT THE LOANER VEHICLE. I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH 2020 AND I HAVE NOTICED IT WHEN SINCE PURCHASE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
my vehicle axel and suspension broke while driving vehicle hit driver side curb while in turning left lane at the intersection during the green light to avoid another vehicle driving unsafe. Hitting a curb should not have cause vehicle axel and suspension to collapse. This could have caused major accident because vehicle behind me could have ran into the rear end of my vehicle while in the turning. Also particles were falling from underneath the vehicle while trying to get vehicle over to the far right lane out of the way of other vehicles.
My transmission has start to work weirdly. My car started vibrating when I am driving slow. When move to second gear suddenly the car make stop and move again.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the trunk unlatched independently. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,205.
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 SIGNS IT WAS OPEN WHEN I LEFT. TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS CLEAR, NO RAIN OR WIND AND ABOUT 50-55 DEGREES OUTSIDE. CAR WAS PRIOR IN THE GARAGE BEFORE I LEFT ABOUT 1130 PM.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
While driving on PA Turnpike westbound, in the rain, my windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. THANKFULLY, I was in the far left lane and able to pull off to the shoulder safely. Once rain stopped, I was able to take my car to my mechanic. Stated that my cars windshield wiper motors both failed AND melted, causing them to stop working.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Known issue with 2013 Models through 2019, Sunroon leaks under heavy rain even if the Drains are cleaned and cleared. I spoke with Ford and they said it is not their issue since there is no recall. This has been posted under multiple site that there are hundreds of people effected by this.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .