repaired · 2023 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2010 Ford FusionProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 5,131 owner complaints about the 2010 Ford Fusion, most often about the steering. It is covered by 11 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-384 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 23, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2010 Ford Fusion has problems
5,131 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1,662Steering38 crash/fire/injury
894Power train11 crash/fire/injury
793Vehicle speed control24 crash/fire/injury
700Engine7 crash/fire/injury
591Air bags28 crash/fire/injury
484Fuel/propulsion system7 crash/fire/injury
437Service brakes32 crash/fire/injury
324Electrical system
221Fuel system, gasoline
77622 other systems43 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1662 | 38 |
| Power train | 894 | 11 |
| Vehicle speed control | 793 | 24 |
| Engine | 700 | 7 |
| Air bags | 591 | 28 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 484 | 7 |
| Service brakes | 437 | 32 |
| Electrical system | 324 | 10 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 221 | 0 |
| 22 other systems | 776 | 43 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
11 recalls
2010 Ford Fusion recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2023 Q1
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 7 more recalls
repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Storage: auxillary tank
Risk. The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel.
no report yet
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk. WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING…
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. A VEHICLE PARKED WITHOUT AN ENGAGED PARK PAWL AND WITHOUT AN APPLIED PARKING BRAKE MAY HAVE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH.
no report yet
Front assembly: recliner
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEATBACK AND HEAD RESTRAINT MAY MOVE REARWARD, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
101kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 1,397 steering complaints. 47% were reported before 100,000 miles.
49under 30k miles658under 100k miles739100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
213 owners mentioned a cost$1,800median
Middle half: $1,525 – $2,000
Engine
49 owners mentioned a cost$450median
Middle half: $380 – $596
Power train
45 owners mentioned a cost$540median
Middle half: $465 – $1,000
Fuel/propulsion system
42 owners mentioned a cost$501median
Middle half: $396 – $600
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2010 vs. every other Fusion year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Fusion median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2010 Ford Fusion safety ratings
2010 Ford Fusion 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.2% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
10 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2010 Ford Fusion, and the recalls they led to.
- Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion AuditNo recall
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS) Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminatedNo recall
- Wheel Mounting Stud FractureLed to recall 11V-574
- Floor mat interference with acceleratorLed to recall 14E-028
- Power Steering FailureNo recall
- Accel Pedal Interference - Acc FloormatNo recall
- Wheel Stud FractureLed to recall 11V-574
- Electronic Throttle Body MalfunctionNo recall
- Electric power steering failureLed to recall 15V-340
- Power Steering FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Fusion owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
We have had multiple issues with the ABS and HCU since we bought this car used a couple years ago. We've replaced the ABS Module and HCU and had Ford reprogram it and are still having issues. The brakes go out fully and I went through a red light. The ABS and Traction control and check brake system…
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver and failed to return to normal operation. The advancetrac warning light was illuminated and the "Power Steering Fault" and "Advancetrac Failure" messages were…
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact decelerated and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off and restarted.…
Own a 2010 Fusion?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.