Problems · by component

2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid electrical system problems

172 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid cite electrical system, 7% of all 2,558 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
172
7% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the A/C unit failed to operate as needed, causing the cabin of the vehicle to become hot while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the evaporator temperature sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2025Electrical systemODI 11651178
“Ford issued recall 15s18 for electrical issue in sterring gear in 2015 Our fords power steering system failed on 01/13/2025 Huntington Ford dealership refused to repair after diagnostic shows a power steering system fail claiming that we are not covered for the recall”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11644800
“Power-steering failed as well as received a warning on dash to "service advance trac, service power steering now" All warning came up during a approx. 1 hour drive and the power steering fully shut off after turning car off then back on at a gas station on the way. Lack of power steering puts lives at risk due to the difficulty the driver has in controlling the vehicle particularly at lower speeds where it is more likely there are pedestrians around.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11643924
“I was driving down the road around 50 mph and the steering wheel locked up on me and has not let goes in any electrical in the car keeps glitching radio the dash light”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2024Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11631896
“Same issue as others have stated with the power steering just stopping all of a sudden. The car randomly starts yelling about service power steering now and service advancetrac, you put the car in park or turn it off and then the power steering goes out. Had it cleared by a mechanic who said it is a sensor issue. We didn’t get to replace the sensor but power steering came back when he cleared the codes. About a week later it happened again. And like others, there isn’t a recall listed for it with my vehicle just something about the air bags.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 23, 2024Steering, Electrical systemODI 11627004

Showing 6 of 172 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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