AI Damage2018 Ford Fusion: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion filed 442 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 88 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 442
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 88
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 46% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 24% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 4% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 2% of all complaints
- 8 Backover prevention 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 205 complaints (46% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Powertrain: 106 complaints (24% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Engine and cooling: 88 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Electrical system: 26 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 31.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 22 complaints (5% of all).
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 20 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 10 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2.7 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 2 L · hybrid · 4 cylnamed in 10 complaints
- 2 L · plug-in hybrid · 4 cylnamed in 10 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVTnamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 442 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 | 205 | 0 | 2 |
| Powertrain | 106 | 1 | 16 |
| Engine and cooling | 88 | 0 | 24 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 1 | 31 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Backover prevention | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| Air bags | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 3 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On August 10, 2026, I was driving my 2018 Ford Fusion at approximately 40 mph under normal driving conditions when, without warning, the hood unexpectedly released and flew completely backward into the windshield. The hood had been closed prior to driving and there was no warning before the failure.
Accident caused by brakes slipping and failing to stop even when pushed all the way down to the floor. Air bags failed to deploy. Resulting in a total loss estimate after accident.
The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the front driver side seat belt did not buckle appropriately, another vehicle driving at an unknown speed moved to the left lane, then the other vehicle changed lanes again moving in front of the contact, and the other vehicle abruptly depressed on the brakes causing…
I went to head on to a light pole and my passenger side airbags did not deploy
my vehicle axel and suspension broke while driving vehicle hit driver side curb while in turning left lane at the intersection during the green light to avoid another vehicle driving unsafe. Hitting a curb should not have cause vehicle axel and suspension to collapse.
Speed 40 to 50 miles an hour,sprain neck,lower back sever pain reptured breast implant knocked front tooth implant out ..air bags did not come out car is totalled.I was at a dead stop. I was on hwy there was a sheriff right behind the guy who hit me he was on cell phone.
I had entered the parking space at a very low speed and was almost at a dead stop when my 2018 ford fusion sport lurched forward with such a powerful burst of speed, I was unable to stop before hitting a window and brick wall dividing the shops.
My 2018 Ford Fusion suffered a sudden and complete engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion — coolant leaking into the cylinders and destroying the engine. Pep Boys diagnosed that the failure developed internally over time and could not have been avoided by the owner.
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 124 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fusion has 769 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 442, below 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or…
In various 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, customers may receive a message in the FordPass or LincolnWay App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot access the (SYNC Connect) FordPass…
- The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be…
The Service Awareness Newsletter is an informal communication that contains information that may not be presently available in a TSB, SSM, GSB, or other electronic communication. This article includes information on…
- 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…
NHTSA lists 88 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 2018 Ford Fusion?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 442. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (43%), overheating, coolant loss (26%), smoke, burning smell, fire (16%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA lists 88 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 2018 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 2018 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.