AI Damage2017 Ford Fusion: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Ford Fusion filed 1,114 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 174 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 1,114
- involving a crash
- 37
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 174
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 36% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 28% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 12% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 396 complaints (36% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Powertrain: 314 complaints (28% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Engine and cooling: 133 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Electrical system: 125 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
- Service brakes: 102 complaints (9% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
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 36 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 35 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2.7 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cylnamed in 35 complaints
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cylnamed in 35 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,114 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 | 396 | 0 | 19 |
| Powertrain | 314 | 5 | 22 |
| Engine and cooling | 133 | 0 | 32 |
| Electrical system | 125 | 2 | 56 |
| Service brakes | 102 | 11 | 11 |
| Steering | 52 | 6 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 35 | 2 | 2 |
| Air bags | 28 | 10 | 2 |
| Wheels | 24 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 14 | 0 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 2 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Per Ford Recall 23V-440, Current Interrupt Device causes excess voltage, fire risk, toxic gas exposure. DTCs: U1027 (ABS/ECM loss), P2450/P2451 (EVAP stuck open/closed), P0DD2/P0DD6/P0DDE (battery cell balancing circuits H/J/K/M stuck off). Vehicle available for inspection.
The vehicle hit a stop sign, which flew and hit the passenger's side window of the vehicle. The vehicle then hit a privacy fence and crashed into an electrical pole. The air bags failed to respond.
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that she was close enough to her residence that she drove onto the driveway, however the vehicle crashed into the side of her garage. The vehicle's front driver's side fender was scratched. The contact was not hurt.
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained bruising to the chest that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss by the insurance company.
My Motor vehicle shift selector bushing broken out the ford issue is also in the 2017 models
Driving straight and the steering locked up causing the car to veer to the left and was not allowing her not to be able to turn the car. My 19 year old daughter ended up hitting a fence and totaling the car.
The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in her driveway on a hill without the emergency brakes, the vehicle rolled down the hill and bumped into her husband's parked vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure.
While crossing an intersection I was hit on my driver's rear door and my seatbelt unlatched and I was thrown out the driver's side door.
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 24 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 1,114, 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.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- 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.
- 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 2016-2017 Edge/MKX, 2017 Continental/Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine…
Some 2016-2017 Edge/MKX, 2017 Continental/Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L EcoBoost engine and built on 1-Apr-2016 and through 1-Jan-2017 may exhibit white or blue smoke from the exhaust, rough idle in…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns …
- 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…
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2345 to update the Service Procedure
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal. This may be due to a lack of RTV adhesion.
- Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement…
Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement during repairs. Various vehicles equipped with a 2.7L or a 3.0L gas engine may require a crankshaft bolt replacement…
- Some 2015-2017 Edge, 2016-2017 MKX, 2017 Fusion/MKZ/Continental vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or…
Some 2015-2017 Edge, 2016-2017 MKX, 2017 Fusion/MKZ/Continental vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal.
- 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…
- This article supersedes TSB 21-2175 to update the TSB Service Procedure
Some 2016 MKS, 2016-2017 Navigator, 2016-2018 F-150/Focus/C-MAX/Edge/Fiesta/MKX/Transit Connect/Mustang, 2017-2018 Continental/Fusion/MKZ, 2017-2019 Explorer, 2016-2019…
- 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…
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to…
NHTSA lists 174 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Fusion?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 1,114. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (40%), overheating, coolant loss (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA lists 174 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 2017 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 2017 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.