Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Ford Fusion problems

Owners filed 1,737 complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion with NHTSA between Aug 2015 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine (468).

Complaints
1,737
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
62
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
32
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine468
  2. Power train317
  3. Steering184
  4. Electrical system166
  5. Back over prevention151
  6. Engine and engine cooling109
  7. Service brakes91
  8. Fuel/propulsion system86
  9. Air bags55
  10. Vehicle speed control54
  11. Structure50
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic50
  13. Wheels47
  14. Latches/locks/linkages37

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
20153
201657
201758
2018134
2019158
2020194
2021142
2022198
2023253
2024183
2025165
2026192

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

Engine

468 reports5 crashes2 fires
“Engine failure due to a faulty design from Ford Motor company. Coolant intrusion is the root cause due faulty engine design on the 2016 Ford Fusion 2.0 ecoboost engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026EngineODI 11773355

Power train

317 reports10 crashes4 related recalls
“The flexplate has failed twice since a dealer-performed transmission replacement in June 2024, once in August 2025 and again in August 2026. A flexplate failure causes sudden loss of the ability to move the vehicle under power, which is a safety hazard, particularly while merging, accelerating onto a highway, or in traffic. A Ford service bulletin covering the closely related Escape with the same engine and transaxle architecture documents that flexplate cracking is linked to engine-to-transaxle alignment issues that arise whenever the engine and transmission are separated, which is exactly the service performed during a transmission replacement. This report is filed because the recurrence of an identical failure mode, on a known-affected platform, without resolution by the servicing dealer, appears to reflect an unresolved and potentially widespread mechanical defect rather than an isolated incident."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 13, 2026Power trainODI 11763926

Steering

184 reports12 crashes2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering functionality and nearly crashed. The contact swerved and slammed on the brake pedal abruptly, causing the contact to strike the left side of the head against the upper side of the driver's side window. The contact sustained a headache, a bump and dizziness and sought medical attention. The power steering warning light was illuminated after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING). The contact resided in Wisconsin, which was one of the States listed in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no assistance would be provided because the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2026SteeringODI 11747703

Electrical system

166 reports4 crashes3 fires
“the back up camera does not function and it provides a safety risk when backing up from a store i barely bumped to other car when lady was in car didnt cause damage but still bumped into her car..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Electrical system, Lane departure, Back over preventionODI 11770897

Back over prevention

151 reports8 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that they had received notification of notification of NHTSA Campaign Number : 25V695000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) the local dealer was contacted however the vehicle was not remedied as the contact was advised that the parts to perform the recall repair were not yet available. The contact had experienced the failure stating that upon reversing the rear view camera would display blank or distorted, no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the manufacturer had failed to provide a remedy in a timely manner. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2026Back over preventionODI 11774534

Engine and engine cooling

109 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving, the vehicle lost automotive power, and the steering wheel locked up. The temperature gauge indicated that the engine was hot, and the vehicle needed to be restarted several times. The contact stated that during the failure the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11767789
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.