Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Ford Fusion problems

Owners filed 1,433 complaints about the 2014 Ford Fusion with NHTSA between Nov 2013 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is steering (346).

Complaints
1,433
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
56
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
47
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Steering346
  2. Power train254
  3. Engine216
  4. Electrical system180
  5. Service brakes102
  6. Seat belts84
  7. Structure78
  8. Fuel/propulsion system75
  9. Latches/locks/linkages51
  10. Air bags47
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)39
  12. Wheels37
  13. Engine and engine cooling35
  14. Visibility/wiper28

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 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20133
201453
201560
201679
2017146
2018178
2019221
2020120
2021100
2022139
2023111
2024100
202578
202645

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Steering

346 reports11 crashes3 related recalls
“Ford Motor Company, a massive automotive manufacturer, sold a vehicle with a known, systemic defect that can cause a driver to suddenly lose power steering at highway speeds, while simultaneously disabling critical safety systems ABS and AdvanceTrac stability control. The vehicle's dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree, steering suddenly becomes incredibly heavy, and the safety nets designed to prevent a rollover or spin-out turn off at the exact same moment. Lives are absolutely being put at risk. Because Ford has chosen to handle this through expensive, individual part replacements rather than a massive federal recall, the burden of safety has been unfairly shifted onto the consumer. When the PSCM (Power Steering Control Module) lost communication, it simultaneously disabled my ABS and Traction Control systems. This caused a sudden, unexpected loss of critical safety and handling systems while driving, creating an immediate crash hazard. I have already fixed the vehicle, so I must log the failure. Ford’s network architecture turns a single component failure into a massive, vehicle-wide electrical blackout. I've analyzed the underlying mechanics, and it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11772001

Power train

254 reports7 crashes1 fire6 related recalls
“Following the execution of mandatory Emissions Recall 25E01 (PCM Reprogramming) by a Ford dealership, my vehicle suffered a severe network software corruption causing unintended engine acceleration and a sticking throttle. The engine holds its RPMs and continues holding until I release my foot off the gas pedal and when the car is placed in reverse the car puts/jerks. Additionally, the electronic trunk latch fires spontaneously , causing the trunk lid to fly open while in motion and/or while the car is off and locked along with other electrical issues. When the trunk opens after I’ve locked and secured my car, it has caused my car battery to drain overnight and required multiple jumps before operating again, I have since received a new battery as a resort of this electrical disturbance.The dealership has confirmed drivetrain issues but refuses an immediate remedy. This is forcing me to operate a criminally non-compliant and unsafe vehicle that I notified the dealership immediately and same day in June 2026. More problems continuously presents itself.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11774118

Engine

216 reports1 crash3 fires
“The car is suffering random shutdown and intermittent times. The battery is no longer holding a charge and when it shuts down this places me at extreme risk. Ford is unable to fix it so this is no longer happening without replacing the High Voltage battery - battery from ford alone is 11k. I cannot be the only one who is dealing with this car doing this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11749732

Electrical system

180 reports1 crash5 fires
“Sudden Loss of Power Steering Assistance and Simultaneous ABS/AdvanceTrac System Faults I am submitting this complaint to document a serious vehicle safety incident involving my 2014 Ford Fusion SE. The vehicle experienced a loss of communication with the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM), accompanied by faults affecting the ABS and traction/stability control systems. During the incident, the dashboard illuminated multiple warning lights, and the steering suddenly became extremely difficult to operate. The simultaneous loss of power steering assistance and warnings involving critical vehicle safety systems created a serious potential crash hazard, particularly at highway speeds or during an emergency maneuver. Diagnostic scanning with FORScan revealed the following communication-related diagnostic trouble codes: • U0131 — Lost Communication with Power Steering Control Module. • U0121 — Lost Communication with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Module. • U0420 / U0415 — Invalid or implausible data received, as indicated by the recorded codes. I am concerned that an electrical, electronic, or component-level failure involving the power steering system may be…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11772002

Service brakes

102 reports16 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle entered limp mode and failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission ran poorly, making it difficult to merge, and the contact expressed concern regarding a potential crash. Following the failure, the hill brake assist turned off. The brake pedal bumper and stop pad fractured, causing the vehicle to enter limp mode. The contact called the dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was required to determine the cause of the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026Service brakesODI 11764390

Seat belts

84 reports6 crashes1 related recall
“Rear seat belt plastic clasp has broken on both sides and no longer function. Additionally, replacement parts are not available. Children are no longer able to sit in the rear seat. This issue has been reported in online forums.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 17, 2026Seat beltsODI 11718406
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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