repaired · 2025 Q1
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 Ford FusionProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 445 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Fusion, most often about the engine. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-162 the manufacturer reports only 39% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 5, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Ford Fusion has problems
445 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
206Engine
108Power train1 crash/fire/injury
88Engine and engine cooling
26Electrical system
22Fuel/propulsion system
19Steering
11Wheels
8Back over prevention
6Fuel system, gasoline
3614 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 206 | 0 |
| Power train | 108 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 88 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 0 |
| Steering | 19 | 0 |
| Wheels | 11 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 36 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2018 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 · 2019 Q3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Risk. A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 engine problems start?
92kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 60 engine complaints. 63% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 42% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
6under 30k miles38under 100k miles22100k 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.
Engine
23 owners mentioned a cost$9,000median
Middle half: $7,900 – $12,000
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
2018 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
2018 Ford Fusion safety ratings
2018 Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (10.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Ford Fusion, and the recalls they led to.
- Front Brake Jounce Hose FailuresLed to recall 23V-162
In owners' words
What Fusion owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the engine made a bubbling sound after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
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. This is a known…
Capital Ford of Wilmington diagnosed my vehicle with coolant intrusion into cylinder 2, accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes P0302 and P0316, after check engine light came on. I have been advised that the vehicle requires a complete engine replacement, with an estimated cost of $13,180.89. The…
Own a 2018 Fusion?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.