Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Ford Fusion Energi problems
Owners filed 1,033 complaints about the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi with NHTSA between Sep 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (350).
Complaints
1,033
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
36
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
28
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine350
- Power train288
- Engine and engine cooling130
- Electrical system120
- Service brakes, hydraulic49
- Steering48
- Service brakes45
- Fuel/propulsion system31
- Air bags28
- Wheels24
- Vehicle speed control15
- Visibility/wiper12
- Electronic stability control (esc)10
- Exterior lighting8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
49
44
67
90
68
119
219
247
123
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2018 | 44 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 90 |
| 2021 | 68 |
| 2022 | 119 |
| 2023 | 219 |
| 2024 | 247 |
| 2025 | 123 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
350 reports4 fires
“I lost power while on the Freeway any indicators flashed: "see manual", "pre-collision assist not available", "service advance track", "downhill assist not available", the check engine light was on. It seems that when to limp mode. I took it to the Ford fusion dealer so they could check the car. They run into test and found that the transmission or motor has failed. I check and found that on that year make and model some cars were affected and it was a recall for that. This is the recall If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.”
Power train
288 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon reversing out of the driveway and attempting to shift to drive(D), the message "System Fault - Consult Manual" was displayed. The contact was not able to shift to drive(D). The contact looked underneath the vehicle and noticed that the shifter cable was loosened. The contact was able to insert a screwdriver into the end of the cable, and the contact was able to shift to drive(D). The contact drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the shifter cable bushing had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an undisclosed recall however, the model year was not included. The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was not covered. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Engine and engine cooling
130 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine experienced a rough start and idling, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the engine was faulty due to coolant intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”
Electrical system
120 reports2 crashes1 fire
“What malfunctioned- Car did not give any notice that it was in engine failure for months other than under performing and upon taking it to the ford dealership was never helped with the problem they took money for an oil change and works package but failed to make sure my car was safe. My car was a safety hazard bc it gave zero warning that it was loosing power and when the engine did fail I knew something had been wrong for almost a year and felt it went ignored by Ford and was taken advantage of. The product has been confirmed by multiple mechanics that what causes it is the hose cracks and thus the engine coolant wrecks a working engine. Ford knows it’s a problem but isn’t acknowledging it and makes more money off of parts.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
49 reports4 crashes
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in gear while accelerating from a stop. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to move. The brake and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While reversing, the vehicle became stuck in the street. The contacts' son was able to maneuver the gears, and the vehicle started moving. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.”
Steering
48 reports6 crashes
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and making a left turn, the power steering failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the steering wheel had seized and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with rack and pinon failure. The contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,236.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.