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
2018 Ford FusionRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 444 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Fusion. Most complaints involve engine (206) and power train (107). 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
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2023
Owner complaints
444
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
444 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2017 – Oct 2026
- Engine206
- Power train107
- Engine and engine cooling88
- Electrical system26
- Fuel/propulsion system22
- Steering19
- Wheels11
- Back over prevention8
- Fuel system, gasoline6
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
- 9
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 6
- 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
206 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the engine made a bubbling sound after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an engine misfire was diagnosed, and a fuel odor was detected. The mechanic determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.”
Power train
107 reports1 crash
“My daughter was driving getting on the highway, went to accelerate and the car would no longer accelerate. AAMCO stated the internal pressure pump is failing and the transmission is losing pressure.”
Engine and engine cooling
88 reports
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming antifreeze. The ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic associated the failure with the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block was warped and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The contact researched the failure and stated that it was a known issue that the manufacturer had failed to correct. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via telephone; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.”
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 | 327 |
| 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 | 360 |
| Fusion AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,800 | 385 |
| 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.
2018 Fusion questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Fusion have?
2 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 2018 Ford Fusion problems?
Owners filed 444 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (206), power train (107), engine and engine cooling (88). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2018 Ford Fusion get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Fusion at 20–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).
How safe is the 2018 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Ford Fusion 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026