AI Damage2016 Ford Fusion: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Ford Fusion filed 1,728 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 101 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,728
- involving a crash
- 62
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 101
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 465 complaints (27% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Powertrain: 317 complaints (18% of all), 10 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 30.
- Steering: 184 complaints (11% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 166 complaints (10% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Backover prevention: 147 complaints (9% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 27 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 18 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 6 complaints
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cylnamed in 18 complaints
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cylnamed in 18 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,728 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 465 | 5 | 13 |
| Powertrain | 317 | 10 | 30 |
| Steering | 184 | 12 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 166 | 4 | 21 |
| Backover prevention | 147 | 8 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 140 | 14 | 9 |
| Engine and cooling | 109 | 1 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 86 | 2 | 4 |
| Air bags | 55 | 16 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 54 | 9 | 1 |
| Structure | 50 | 6 | 8 |
| Wheels | 47 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 37 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility | 30 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera displayed an inverted image, causing the vehicle to crash into another parked and unoccupied vehicle on one occasion. The other vehicle sustained minor paint scratches.
The component that fail was the backup camera, and the dashboard screen was black. I was looking at the screen backing up, and I seen that the camera was black and had like colorful lines on it, and also my screen. One side was like a black spot inside of their screen on the deck of the radio.
While reversing, the back over prevention screen went blank. The contact crashed into a parked Ford Escape approximately 20 feet away, due to the failure. There were no reported injuries. No air bag deployed. A Police report was not filed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
My rear view camera hasn’t worked since October 2025 and I’ve had multiple incidents where I’m reversing and almost hit a pedestrian.. This is a big problem for me because im used to having my rear view camera.. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to find a simple fix to this issue..
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "No Coolant" was displayed on the instrument panel, and there was smoke coming from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket.
The contact stated that while his wife was making a left turn, the steering wheel lost steering capabilities, and the vehicle did not steer as intended. The vehicle then ran into a divider on the four-lane highway and then came to a full stop.
On 11/6/2025 we were rear ended at a dead stop. The posted speed limit was 35mph. The Other driver that hit us did not see us or attempt to stop, this vehicle was a hummer. The car was totaled. The front passenger seat collapsed, tilted backwards in a laying down position during impact.
I had plenty of gas, my oil and transmission had been changed, no warning lights came on my dash prior to the engine stopping. The only message I had on my car said the car is not in park. No one can seem to find out why. It has done this at a moderate rate of speed (45mph).
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 8 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 1% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fusion has 769 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 1,728, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion Vehicles Equipped With 1.5L Engine - Powertrain Control Module (PCM)…
- Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift…
Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift Cable Bushing Inspection and Protective Service Cap Installation
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless…
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes…
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
- The affected vehicles have an emissions control system that may not control tailpipe emissions effectively…
- While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal…
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some…
- Certain 2014-2015 Model Year Fiesta, 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion, MKZ and 2014-2016 Model Year Transit…
Certain 2014-2015 Model Year Fiesta, 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion, MKZ and 2014-2016 Model Year Transit Connect Vehicles Not Covered in Safety Recall: 20S15 or 23S36 Door Latch Replacement and Inspection
- All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code
If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory…
- For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford…
- For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely…
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a…
- Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses…
Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from the assembly plant or if a service long…
- Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied
When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00. The brake rotors should only be machined if directed by the WSM because one or…
NHTSA lists 101 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, steering. Total complaints: 1,728. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (27%), overheating, coolant loss (11%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA lists 101 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 2016 Ford Fusion 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 2016 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 2026-11-04.