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.
2012CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and air bags Extended coverage
2,419 serious complaints of 2,616, the most about steering (1,511) and air bags (436); per car on the road, 1.5× this model's usual year. 6 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA17004: power steering failure. NHTSA investigation EA21002: desiccated air bag inflator rupture.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 ford fusion. While driving approximately 40 mph, the power steering assist warning light suddenly illuminated and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering assist was faulty and needed to be replaced.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the steering, Jan 2016
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 ford fusion. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v024000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Nov 2017
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Ford/lincoln: there is an extended warranty coverage for the loss of abs speed signal related communication that disable obdii system monitors for pcm reprogramming. (CSP-14N02, Aug 2014)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
2,616 owner complaints · 6 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–38 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 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
2012 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.