EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
2020 Ford Fusion
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 182 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Ford Fusion, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 94 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2020 | 2 | 3 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| Feb 2021 | 3 | 8 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 9 |
| Sep 2021 | 2 | 11 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 12 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2022 | 4 | 18 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 19 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 20 |
| Jun 2022 | 5 | 25 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 27 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 28 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 30 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 31 |
| Dec 2022 | 4 | 35 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 | 39 |
| Mar 2023 | 2 | 41 |
| May 2023 | 2 | 43 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 44 |
| Jul 2023 | 2 | 46 |
| Aug 2023 | 3 | 49 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 50 |
| Oct 2023 | 4 | 54 |
| Nov 2023 | 5 | 59 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 60 |
| Jan 2024 | 2 | 62 |
| Feb 2024 | 4 | 66 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 67 |
| Apr 2024 | 6 | 73 |
| Jul 2024 | 3 | 76 |
| Aug 2024 | 2 | 78 |
| Sep 2024 | 4 | 82 |
| Oct 2024 | 3 | 85 |
| Nov 2024 | 3 | 88 |
| Dec 2024 | 4 | 92 |
| Jan 2025 | 4 | 96 |
| Feb 2025 | 4 | 100 |
| Mar 2025 | 5 | 105 |
| Apr 2025 | 4 | 109 |
| May 2025 | 7 | 116 |
| Jun 2025 | 8 | 124 |
| Jul 2025 | 8 | 132 |
| Aug 2025 | 2 | 134 |
| Sep 2025 | 5 | 139 |
| Oct 2025 | 4 | 143 |
| Nov 2025 | 2 | 145 |
| Dec 2025 | 3 | 148 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | 151 |
| Feb 2026 | 8 | 159 |
| Mar 2026 | 6 | 165 |
| Apr 2026 | 6 | 171 |
| May 2026 | 2 | 173 |
| Jul 2026 | 4 | 177 |
| Aug 2026 | 1 | 178 |
| Sep 2026 | 4 | 182 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)6427.1%
- Engine5623.7%
- Electrical3816.1%
- Driver assistance187.6%
- Fuel system125.1%
- Steering125.1%
- Brakes104.2%
- Suspension52.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govBACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
2020 Fusion SEL with 41,000 miles. While driving at 65 mph with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly jerked on two separate occasions during a three-hour drive.
- NHTSA ID
- 11766198
- Incident
- Sep 22, 2026
I recently acquired this vehicle from a dealer after the previous owner traded it in and after reviewing the Carfax I did some deeper digging into this vehicle and discovered that there are 3 recalls that have not been serviced. I am hoping that there wasn't any secondary damage due to the recalled items as I haven't noticed anything necessarily wrong with the car but I figured I'd take it in to be safe. I also want a quote for a transmission drain and fill, NOT A FLUSH. The transmission is shifting fine, I just am looking to get it done as preventative maintenance and for peace of mind. The recall repairs are noted in the PDF attached below.
- NHTSA ID
- 11765718
- Incident
- Sep 19, 2026
Coolant Intrusion. Started with thick white exhaust when starting up in morning. Turned into acceleration lags, car shutting engine off when parked, and exhaust smell coming inside of car. 2014-2019 models have a recall for cracked engine block allowing cooling to leak inside, but 2020 models do not although there is an increased problem with this year and model of car.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764867
- Incident
- Sep 16, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764621
- Incident
- Jun 16, 2023
COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine cooling fan on my 2020 Ford Fusion SEL (1.5L, non-hybrid) became inoperable and blew three fuses. With the fans not operating, the engine overheated, destroying the head gasket and engine, requiring complete replacement. Failure occurred 07/08/2026 at 49,118 miles. WARNING SYMPTOMS: The A/C began blowing warm air roughly 2 days earlier. The engine temperature lamp illuminated on 07/08/2026 — the first and only time it ever came on. No prior overheating, no coolant loss, no leaks, no other alert. I stopped driving immediately on that single warning and had the vehicle towed. SAFETY RISK: A cooling fan failure progressing to engine destruction risks overheating, loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic or at highway speed. I stopped safely; a driver getting this same lone warning on a freeway would face a serious hazard with no notice. The vehicle's protections did not prevent a low-cost part from destroying the powertrain, and the sole warning came immediately before catastrophic damage. CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS: Yes. A certified technician at a licensed independent shop found the cooling fan assembly inoperable and identified it as the cause of both the A/C failure and the temperature warning, noting these vehicles are known to fail head gaskets this way. A second licensed engine shop documented the sequence: the electric cooling fan failed, which blew three fuses, causing an overheat condition that caused engine failure. Written findings, inspection reports, and invoices retained. MANUFACTURER INSPECTION: None. Ford declined to consider assistance unless a Ford technician inspected the vehicle, by which time it was already at an independent shop mid-repair. No police or insurance inspection. MANUFACTURER AWARENESS: Ford SSM 48659 covers 2019-2020 Fusion/MKZ non-hybrids with cooling fans inoperative due to open fuses F59, F60, F63, causing engine overheat or lack of A/C cooling.
- NHTSA ID
- 11757150
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2026
I was backing out of my drive way when a shift system fault message appeared on my dashboard. When I went to change gears the rotary dial locked up and shifted to park. My safety as well as other people’s safety was put at risk because my car stopped in the middle of the street with little warning. My problem was confirmed by an independent service center with a obd scanner.
- NHTSA ID
- 11753905
- Incident
- Jul 7, 2026
While driving at 75mph on the freeway, my 2020 Ford Fusion suffered a sudden, catastrophic EcoBoost engine coolant failure. The vehicle instantly lost power and dropped to 35mph in active traffic, creating an extreme highway collision hazard. A mechanic has confirmed internal coolant intrusion in the engine block.
- NHTSA ID
- 11749830
- Incident
- May 8, 2026
A failed transmission cooling line caused the transmission fluid to leak. At no point did the vehicle display a check engine light, transmission warning, or any other indication that there was a problem. According to the Ford dealership, the transmission fluid had been leaking for some time. Because the transmission pan is wrapped in a fabric-like insulating material, the leaking fluid was absorbed rather than dripping onto the ground, making the leak virtually impossible for an owner to detect during normal use. The dealership also advised that this condition could have created a potential fire hazard within the engine compartment. The vehicle has only approximately 40,000 miles, making this type of catastrophic transmission failure especially concerning for a relatively low-mileage vehicle. The first and only symptom occurred when I started the vehicle one day. It hesitated, struggled to shift out of first gear, and drove abnormally. I immediately drove it to the Ford dealership, where it was diagnosed with a complete transmission failure. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, and I have been presented with an estimated repair cost of approximately $12,000. My primary concern is that there was absolutely no warning before this major failure. No warning lights, no diagnostic alerts, and no indication that a significant transmission fluid leak or internal transmission damage was occurring. A safety-critical failure of this magnitude should provide drivers with some form of warning before resulting in complete transmission failure.
- NHTSA ID
- 11748773
- Incident
- Apr 6, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Lincoln App, incorrect location global positioning system GPS reported through The Ford App Lincoln App, problems with remote commands being performed through The Ford App Lincoln App and or incorrect data information reported on The Ford App Lincoln App. These symptoms will be accompanied by diagnostic trouble code DTC B156D 89 in the TCU. This may be due to the accessory protocol interface module APIM software. To correct the condition, update the APIM software.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.