AI Damage2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid: common problems
Owners of the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid filed 96 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 96
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 38% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 33% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electronic stability control 10% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 2% of all complaints
- Steering: 36 complaints (38% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 32 complaints (33% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 17 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 13 complaints (14% of all).
- Electronic stability control: 10 complaints (10% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 96 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 36 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 32 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The car slowly rolled backwards, hitting another parked vehicle behind it. In subsequent attempts to repeat the issue, I was able to remove the key from the ignition when the car was in drive mode--both when the car was stopped and when it was in motion.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the power steering seized without warning while steering through a curve. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the side of a tree and went down into the canal. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were sustained.
He also says brakes didn't work, which is not backed up by black box, which says no pressure on brake either. Car left driveway, hit tree, and ended up approx 200 yards down steep hill. Black box says rolling occurred. Only passenger side curtain airbags deployed.
Traveling on crowded highway when cars ahead stopped; my brakes when thump thump thump then I rear-ended the car in front of me. Car did not slow down at all. Fortunately no one was killed or seriously injured, but my insurance will definitely go up. Taking the car to the dealer on monday morning.
The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no reservoir cap to check for power steering fluid. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
While the contactâs daughter was operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction, with the message "Power Steering Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced.
The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact called roadside assistance. The tow truck driver arrived and repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Takata recall - every ford dealer service department that I call says that they do not have the replacement airbag parts and are not sure when they are coming in. They seem to be stalling to do the repair or there is a real issue with supply.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,666 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 10% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fusion Hybrid has 109 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 96, about average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 96. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (31%), warning lights, check engine (24%), loss of power / limp mode (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2012 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.