Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Ford Fusion HybridRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 2,558 owner complaints for the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Most complaints involve steering (1,464) and air bags (434). The EPA rates it 38 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
38mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
2,558
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$1,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

2,558 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2011 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering1,464
  2. Air bags434
  3. Electrical system172
  4. Power train159
  5. Service brakes118
  6. Engine118
  7. Structure101
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)90
  9. Vehicle speed control86

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Fusion Hybrid model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010797
20112,869
20122,558
20131,861
20141,348
2015996
20161,468
20171,084
201859
2019335
20208
Crashes reported
109
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
66
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

1,464 reports46 crashes2 fires
“Se traba y se pone duro el "gobierno" junto con la cremallera electroasistida el volante no gira ni con el carro prendido, no eh echo uso de la campaña 15S18, nunca ah Sido asistido por el fabricante Ford, ni mucho menos lo eh metido a un taller de servicio independiente ni con aseguradoras y no me marco algún sensor del tablero antes de que me sucediera este problema con la "dirección asistida averiada"”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2026Steering, Lane departureODI 11739739

Air bags

434 reports37 crashes
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V34000 (STEERING), 19V001000 (AIR BAGS), and 21V158000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not yet made aware of the issue. The contact stated whiling parking the vehicle the steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn with the message "Service Power Steering" displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 310,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2025Steering, Air bagsODI 11658940

Electrical system

172 reports8 crashes4 fires
“While driving my 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]), the braking system suddenly failed. When applying the brake pedal, there was completely zero brake resistance, and the vehicle failed to engage proper braking power, creating an extremely hazardous driving condition. The vehicle was inspected by a certified Ford dealership (Lithia), which officially documented that the vehicle is "UNSAFE TO DRIVE due to having no brake resistance." The diagnostics confirmed that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), the ABS module, and the Brake Master Cylinder have failed and require total replacement. The dealership also noted that the necessary braking parts are currently completely unavailable (backordered/no parts available). This is the exact same safety defect covered under Ford's previous Safety Recall 19S54 (NHTSA Campaign 19V904) for older Fusion models. However, the recall was never expanded to include the 2012 models, despite them using the same problematic braking infrastructure and experiencing identical catastrophic failures. NHTSA needs to investigate and force Ford to expand the recall to 2011-2012 models before this braking defect causes fatal accidents.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11763530
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Fusion Hybrid FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
413538$1,700234
  • Fusion Hybrid FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    41 city · 35 hwy · $1,700/yr
    38
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 6419
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Fusion Hybrid questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid problems?

Owners filed 2,558 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (1,464), air bags (434), electrical system (172). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid at 38 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026