Service brakes
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Research · Midsize Cars
2017 Ford FusionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,114 owner complaints for the 2017 Ford Fusion. Most complaints involve engine (396) and power train (314). The EPA rates it 20–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
20–27mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2023
Owner complaints
1,114
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Steering: steering wheel
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Power train: torque converter
Free remedy
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1,114 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2016 – Oct 2026
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 730 |
| 2007 | 1,064 |
| 2008 | 1,353 |
| 2009 | 1,023 |
| 2010 | 5,129 |
| 2011 | 2,795 |
| 2012 | 2,617 |
| 2013 | 1,957 |
| 2014 | 1,433 |
| 2015 | 1,066 |
| 2016 | 1,737 |
| 2017 | 1,114 |
| 2018 | 444 |
| 2019 | 378 |
| 2020 | 185 |
- Crashes reported
- 37
- Fires reported
- 8
- Injuries reported
- 30
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine
396 reports4 fires
“While driving, the vehicle suddenly lost engine power (it shut off) and displayed "auto start stop shift to P, then restart engine". The vehicle has never done this before, and thank goodness my wife did not have the kids in the car at the time. She was able to pull over safely only because she was on a small road with light traffic, and not at highway speed. Clearly, this put not only our vehicle at risk, but others as the brakes and steering became very hard to use when the engine just shut off out of nowhere. Since it happened today, I have not taken it in to be inspected as of yet. Upon my wife getting the car restarted she came the few miles straight home, where I did test the battery and it read good at 12.57 volts with the engine and accessories off. So the Motorcraft battery is good and as such should not be a cause in this case. To say the least, we have now lost confidence in this vehicle as being a safe mode of transportation.”
Power train
314 reports5 crashes1 fire
“The shift cable bushing on my 2017 Ford Fusion SE (VIN: [XXX]) failed and disintegrated, causing the shift selector to bind and disconnect from the transmission linkage. The gear selector shows Park while the transmission remains engaged in gear, creating a severe rollaway hazard. This matches the exact failure mechanism of NHTSA Recall Campaign 22S43 / 21V-376, but Ford claims this specific VIN was excluded from the recall scope”
Engine and engine cooling
133 reports2 fires
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined there was coolant intrusion into several cylinders, resulting in damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
5 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 4-cyl · 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6) · Automatic 6-spd
- 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 3, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fusion FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,400 | 328 |
| Fusion FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 25 | $2,550 | 362 |
| Fusion FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 32 | 25 | $2,550 | 361 |
| Fusion AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 386 |
| Fusion AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
- 27mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.9%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2017 Fusion questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Fusion have?
4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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 2017 Ford Fusion problems?
Owners filed 1,114 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (396), power train (314), engine and engine cooling (133). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2017 Ford Fusion get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Ford Fusion at 20–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
How safe is the 2017 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Ford Fusion 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026