Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Ford Fusion problems

Owners filed 444 complaints about the 2018 Ford Fusion with NHTSA between Mar 2017 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (206).

Complaints
444
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine206
  2. Power train107
  3. Engine and engine cooling88
  4. Electrical system26
  5. Fuel/propulsion system22
  6. Steering19
  7. Wheels11
  8. Back over prevention8
  9. Fuel system, gasoline6
  10. Vehicle speed control5
  11. Seat belts5
  12. Air bags5
  13. Service brakes4
  14. Structure3

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
20171
20186
20195
202012
202120
202240
202398
2024124
202588
202650

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

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026EngineODI 11773643

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Power trainODI 11773391

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11761524

Electrical system

26 reports1 crash1 fire
“My vehicle has been throwing codes that the shifter cable is misaligned or misadjusted for a long time now. The dash flashes between neutral and drive while im driving. It says shift system fault all the time. I have to shut the car off and turn it back on to get it to work. I stalled out on a hill the other day and was almost rear ended by someone behind me. The steering wheel has physical play. It feels like it wobbles or sways while im driving and it shakes. I just had new tires put on and balanced so it's not that. The manufacturer website is claiming the recall is "complete" in their database, but the safety hazard still exists on the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2026Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11727694

Fuel/propulsion system

22 reports
“I purchase this car on XXX Clinton Ford Dealership and engine need replacement Jan 2020 . I at that time did many replacement until the final diagnostic said engine replacement confirm by dealership Ford Dealership Fayetteville NC . The purge valve canister went out in 2022 and was replaced by Ed’sTire in Hope Mills Rd 11/19–11/22/2022 and now mechanic said it is in need of replacement again . Car problems started 2026 Feb and three pieces were replaced because the system was reading those code now to find out the purge valve canister needs replacement again. These hardship have cost me financial difficulties that a new car should never have had within 2 years . I believe no consumer should have to go through this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11743867

Steering

19 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering functionality while decelerating. The vehicle jerked, and a driver assistance system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,017.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026Steering, EngineODI 11734771
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.