Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid problems
Owners filed 59 complaints about the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid with NHTSA between Apr 2018 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (10).
Complaints
59
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system10
- Power train10
- Service brakes7
- Steering7
- Air bags6
- Wheels5
- Engine4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Seat belts3
- Service brakes, hydraulic2
- Visibility/wiper2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Structure2
- Forward collision avoidance1
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 Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
5
6
7
7
9
15
3
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 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
Electrical system
10 reports1 crash
“I am reporting a serious safety issue with my 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE that affects the braking system and related electronics: 1.The ABS stopped functioning previously. 2.Recently, the car displayed a “Brake Malfunction” warning for the first time, which appears when making sharp turns. 3.The TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) stopped working some time ago. These issues are extremely dangerous. The electronic brake booster and ABS module are critical for safe braking, especially in emergency situations. With the ABS and brake assist compromised, the pedal can suddenly become rock hard or soft, stopping distance increases dramatically, and traction control/ABS is unavailable during hard braking. I am concerned this is a systemic issue with the 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE braking system and not isolated to my vehicle. This failure could put drivers, passengers, and others on the road at serious risk. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue for potential recall action to protect the safety of drivers nationwide.”
Power train
10 reports
“1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The transmission has failed twice. The first time it was replaced by a licensed dealer. The second time is current. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -We were stranded on the highway in Missouri. The second time the car failed was during winter weather with two small children, putting us at significant risk due to exposure to extreme cold and the dangers of being stuck on the side of the highway. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Yes, the problem was confirmed by a dealer/service center after the first failure, and it has occurred again. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? - Yes, it has been inspected by a dealer, but not by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - Yes, the first time it failed we got an engine…”
Service brakes
7 reports2 crashes
“The chrome trim on the parking brake switch started chipping. The sharp edge drew a drop of blood and small pieces attached to your fingers. Replaced the switch in June 2026”
Steering
7 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH and making a U-turn, the steering wheel was loose and wiggling. The contact stated that the steering wheel turned 360 degrees. The steering wheel was uncontrollable. The “Uphill Park Assist” warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,898.”
Air bags
6 reports4 crashes
“The leather-covered dashboard panel, in the approximately 4-6 inch section between the base of the windshield and the first seam across the dash, has shrunk, rippled, and pulled away from the underlying substrate. This area also houses the driver-assist camera housing and the defrost vent. The vehicle was purchased new and has been Ford-maintained, professionally detailed, and garage-kept throughout ownership; the leather has been regularly cleaned and conditioned as part of routine dealership detailing, ruling out lack of care as a cause. The vehicle's build date is January 2018, which falls within the range covered by Ford Technical Service Bulletin 18-2283 ("Instrument Panel Sagging at the Windshield Glass"), issued for vehicles built between October 13, 2014 and February 2, 2018, describing the instrument panel sagging and separating near the windshield. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be a documented, recurring defect pattern affecting this vehicle's dash generation, rather than isolated cosmetic wear. Ford Customer Relations has twice declined goodwill assistance, citing the vehicle's age (just over 8 years) as the sole basis, without…”
Wheels
5 reports
“In for a normal oil change and tire rotation. The lug nuts were swollen and had to be broke off and replaced. with the same one that were on my car. I did not no Ford had a lug nut problem until then. To find out that some people had to have cars towed because of the tire not being able to come off. It is a saftey hazard. Ford know this and keeps making these lug nuts. Saying to replace every 50,000 miles at 160 dollars. this is crazy. I am sure there are many people who do not even know till it is too late. They should come up with a different design and replace them all. I travel 80 miles a day, and i rotate every 5,000 miles. i will be replacing them way too may times at this rate. this is unecessary.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.