Which year to buy
Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest
Newest we'd buy2020The latest year rated a good buy
Avoid2010Far more serious problems than usual
Be careful2011–2013, 2017More problems; check the recalls were done
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2010AVOIDSerious complaints 3.3× usual, mostly steering and power train
5,508 serious complaints of 5,924, the most about steering (1,812) and power train (987); per car on the road, 3.3× this model's usual year. 13 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA12009: floor mat interference with accelerator. NHTSA investigation EA17004: power steering failure.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 ford fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel was difficult to turn causing the contact to apply excessive force in order to control the vehicle.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Sep 2014
“My daughter was driving home from work in traffic in the used vehicle we bought her 3 days ago. The vehicle began to sputter then lost power ,yellow wrench light came on, pressing gas pedal did nothing she was almost rear ended. Pulled over to side of road turned off car and turned it back on wrench light was gone car started up.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Sep 2013
5,924 owner complaints · 13 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–39 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl; 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid; 3.0L 6-cyl, 240 hp; 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp · Drive: AWD, FWD
2010 Fusion trims
| Hybrid | S | SE | SEL AWD | SEL FWD | Sport AWD | Sport FWD |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Ford reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Ford aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 181 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 175 hp | AWD, FWD | 23–42 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 234 | Electrical system (80) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 181 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 175 hp 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 325 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–42 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 470 | Engine (171) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 181 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 175 hp 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 325 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–42 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 507 | Engine (209) | Yes |
| 2017 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 181 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 188–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 188–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 141–175 hp 2.7L 6-cyl turbo, 325 hp | AWD, FWD | 20–42 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 1196 | Engine (404) | Yes |
| 2016 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 141–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 141–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 141–175 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–41 mpg | 5 of 5 | 13 | 1709 | Engine (463) | No |
| 2015 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 141–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 141–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 141–175 hp | AWD, FWD | 25–41 mpg | 5 of 5 | 13 | 1061 | Engine (279) | No |
| 2014 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 178 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 141–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 141–240 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 141–240 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 175 hp manual available | AWD, FWD | 25–41 mpg | 5 of 5 | 19 | 1429 | Steering (343) | No |
| 2013 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 185 hp 2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, 185 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 185 hp 2.5L 4-cyl, 175 hp manual available | AWD, FWD | 25–41 mpg | 5 of 5 | 20 | 1956 | Steering (418) | No |
| 2012 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid 3.0L 6-cyl, 240 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp manual available | AWD, FWD | 19–38 mpg | 4 of 5 | 6 | 2616 | Steering (1511) | No |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid 3.0L 6-cyl, 240 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp manual available | AWD, FWD | 19–38 mpg | 4 of 5 | 9 | 2918 | Steering (1471) | No |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid 3.0L 6-cyl, 240 hp 3.5L 6-cyl, 263 hp manual available | AWD, FWD | 19–39 mpg | Not rated | 13 | 5924 | Steering (1812) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Fusion 2017–2020 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 183 |
| 2020 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 183 |
| 2020 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 43 |
| 2020 | Ford Fusion HEV 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 8 |
| 2019 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 377 |
| 2019 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 377 |
| 2019 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 58 |
| 2019 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 0 | 336 |
| 2018 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 441 |
| 2018 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 441 |
| 2018 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 0 | 7 |
| 2018 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 59 |
| 2017 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 1110 |
| 2017 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 1110 |
| 2017 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | Not Rated | Optional | Optional | 4 | 1031 |
| 2017 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 1083 |
| 2016 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 13 | 1709 |
| 2016 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 13 | 1709 |
| 2016 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 1465 |
| 2016 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 11 | 1465 |
| 2015 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 14 | 1061 |
| 2015 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 14 | 1061 |
| 2015 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 13 | 995 |
| 2015 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 13 | 995 |
| 2014 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 20 | 1429 |
| 2014 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 20 | 1429 |
| 2014 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 19 | 1348 |
| 2014 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 19 | 1348 |
| 2013 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 20 | 1956 |
| 2013 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 20 | 1956 |
| 2013 | Ford Fusion Energi 4 DR FWD | 5 | No | No | 18 | 1774 |
| 2013 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 19 | 1861 |
| 2012 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 2616 |
| 2012 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 2616 |
| 2012 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 2558 |
| 2011 | Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 2786 |
| 2011 | Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 2786 |
| 2011 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | 4 | No | No | 9 | 2869 |
| 2010 | Ford Fusion 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 13 | 5129 |
| 2010 | Ford Fusion Hybrid 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 795 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 23 |
| 2020 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2020 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
24–27 |
| 2020 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2020 | Fusion Hybrid Taxi | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2020 | Fusion Special Service PHEV | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2019 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2019 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2019 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–27 |
| 2019 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2019 | Fusion Hybrid Taxi | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2019 | Fusion Special Service Vehicle PHEV | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2018 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2018 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2018 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–27 |
| 2018 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2017 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo |
20–23 |
| 2017 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2017 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–27 |
| 2017 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 42 |
| 2016 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2016 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2016 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; Stop-Start Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–29 |
| 2016 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2015 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2015 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2015 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; with Stop/Start Technology Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–29 |
| 2015 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2014 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2014 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2014 | Fusion FWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo, SIDI; with Stop/Start Technology Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–29 |
| 2014 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2013 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2013 | Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 38 |
| 2013 | Fusion FWD | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI; with Stop/Start Technology Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
26–29 |
| 2013 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | 41 |
| 2012 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2012 | Fusion AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 20 |
| 2012 | Fusion FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–26 |
| 2012 | Fusion FWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 23 |
| 2012 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 38 |
| 2012 | Fusion S FWD | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 25 |
| 2011 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2011 | Fusion AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 20 |
| 2011 | Fusion FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–26 |
| 2011 | Fusion FWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 23 |
| 2011 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 38 |
| 2011 | Fusion S FWD | Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 25 |
| 2010 | Fusion AWD | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L | 19 |
| 2010 | Fusion AWD FFV | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 21 |
| 2010 | Fusion FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L |
21–25 |
| 2010 | Fusion FWD FFV | Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L | 22 |
| 2010 | Fusion Hybrid FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L | 39 |
| 2010 | Fusion S FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L |
25–27 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.