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Research · Midsize Cars

2010 Ford FusionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 5,129 owner complaints for the 2010 Ford Fusion. Most complaints involve steering (1,661) and power train (894). The EPA rates it 19–27 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–27mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Mar 2021
Owner complaints
5,129
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 7, 2019NHTSA 19V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 11, 2018NHTSA 18V046000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveRemedy pending

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported May 31, 2016NHTSA 16V384000
See all 13 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5,129 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2009 – Sep 2026
  1. Steering1,661
  2. Power train894
  3. Vehicle speed control793
  4. Engine700
  5. Air bags591
  6. Fuel/propulsion system484
  7. Service brakes437
  8. Electrical system324
  9. Fuel system, gasoline221

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2006730
20071,064
20081,353
20091,023
20105,129
20112,795
20122,617
20131,957
20141,433
20151,066
20161,737
20171,114
2018444
2019378
2020185
Crashes reported
122
Fires reported
9
Injuries reported
74
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

1,661 reports32 crashes1 fire
“We have had multiple issues with the ABS and HCU since we bought this car used a couple years ago. We've replaced the ABS Module and HCU and had Ford reprogram it and are still having issues. The brakes go out fully and I went through a red light. The ABS and Traction control and check brake system lights come on. We've spent a couple thousand dollars trying to fix this issue. The brakes have gone out before this incident as well around 95k miles and intermittently since. If needed, contact for invoices.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 19, 2026Steering, Service brakesODI 11765517

Power train

894 reports8 crashes1 fire
“Unintended acceleration event. Entered vehicle, put my foot on the brake, cranked it, held in that position while seatbelting. Engine had a VERY loud revving sound. Within seconds vehicle moving backwards on its own. Foot still on the brake, had not touched gas pedal, had not touched gear shifter, and was still sitting straight forward with my foot on the brake and confirmed gear shifter in park. The car quickly accelerated backwards faster and brake pedal had no effect on stopping or slowing vehicle. Went approx. 30’ across parking lot and only stopped because we hit truck parked behind us. Quickly turned off engine and removed keys. Shifter still shows Park. Careful driver. No history of accidents. I found there were several thousand reported events of unintended acceleration (Ford vehicles 2002 to 2010). Ford tried to explain many as driver error or floor mat touching the gas pedal. My mat was clipped down, as designed, with no all-weather mat on top of them, and my foot did not leave the brake pedal. AI says revving as described is "classic behavior of failing Electronic Throttle Body on 2010 Fords", "Surging without touching the pedal and known defect are…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11700846

Vehicle speed control

793 reports21 crashes1 fire
“Electronic Throttle Body Car lost power on busy, construction road Manufacturer issued secret warranty to owners and did not send out notice Multiple certified mechanics have inspected the vehicle Check engine, ABS, service advance trac, and power train lights were on and i am uncertain when they first came on”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2024Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11620773
All 2010 Fusion problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-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 Nov 11, 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 S FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233427$2,300329
Fusion FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500355
Fusion S FWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,500355
Fusion FWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$2,600370
Fusion FWD FFV
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,850404
Fusion AWD FFV
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
Fusion FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,950423
Fusion AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
  • Fusion S FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion S FWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion FWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion FWD FFV
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion AWD FFV
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Fusion AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Ford Fusion as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 5446
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

2010 Fusion questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Ford Fusion have?

13 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2010 Ford Fusion problems?

Owners filed 5,129 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (1,661), power train (894), vehicle speed control (793). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Ford Fusion get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Ford Fusion at 19–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026