Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Ford Fusion problems

Owners filed 378 complaints about the 2019 Ford Fusion with NHTSA between Mar 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (161).

Complaints
378
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine161
  2. Electrical system82
  3. Power train74
  4. Engine and engine cooling55
  5. Fuel/propulsion system20
  6. Forward collision avoidance10
  7. Steering8
  8. Vehicle speed control8
  9. Back over prevention6
  10. Service brakes6
  11. Lane departure4
  12. Fuel system, gasoline4
  13. Air bags4
  14. Seat belts2

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
201911
202012
202116
202225
202374
2024124
202575
202641

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

161 reports
“The 2019 Ford Fusion I owned was having issues with smoke coming out the tailpipe upon startup, eventually leading to the engine seizing causing me to trade the vehicle in.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026EngineODI 11764875

Electrical system

82 reports2 fires1 related recall
“I am the original single owner of a 2019, paid-off, gas Fusion with less than 54,000 miles, a spotless maintenance record, and no accident history. The vehicle suffered a sudden, instantaneous total loss of motive power. The loss of electric power steering assist and loss of power brake assist while driving through a live intersection with no warning lights or prior engine shuddering nearly caused a severe, life-threatening, or even fatal collision. The vehicle was removed from the intersection by physically pushing it with the assistance of other passing motorists and local police. I immediately called and requested towing services through the manufacturer. Services arrived 2 hours later. They started the car with no issue and drove it onto the tow truck. No engine lights or warning lights were present; the vehicle did not stutter or shake, and the vehicle had a 1/4 tank of gasoline. The vehicle was delivered directly to the Dealership. After it stalled and once it was removed from the intersection, no attempt was made to restart the vehicle until the towing service arrived. The dealership has had the vehicle for 2 weeks and claims they cannot diagnose the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 21, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11765755

Power train

74 reports
“My backup camera often freezes after I shift from reverse to drive. The screen turns blue and at time will have a live video of me driving showing what’s behind my car. Also my engine loses power and doesn’t accelerate as it should. There is a powertrain and censor error that shows due to the Che k engine light being on. I had the issue fixed once at a ford dealer however the issue was not resolved. It started up again 48 hours later.I have noticed that all other ford fusions have the same two issues and were included in the recalls but the 2019’s are not ? Please assist I have been trying to have these issues resolved for years with no success.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 14, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11750224

Engine and engine cooling

55 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a leaking the head gasket, which allowed coolant into the cylinders. Additionally, the message "Coolant Low - Overheating Soon" was displayed, and there was black smoke coming from the tailpipe during startup. The contact stated that the vehicle was undrivable and associated the failure with a class-action lawsuit. The dealer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that there was a fee for the diagnostic test. The contact declined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and filed a report. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11769318

Fuel/propulsion system

20 reports
“Known Coolant intrusion issue came up with the 2.0 Ecoboost. Began to lag on takeoff causing unsafe acceleration profiles. Took to dealership who confirmed poor design was the root cause.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11755453

Forward collision avoidance

10 reports
“I have took it in to get it repaired about a year ago the sensor went off and got them fix but when I explain what else was happening they found nothing months down I has other people and couldn’t find the problem with my vehicle which is now a risk to drive the steering wheels gets stiff and hard to turn I have to wait for the system to kick back originally I was told it was a O2 sensor”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2026Lane departure, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11748165
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.