VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Ford Fusion2006–2020
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Ford Fusion
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Ford Fusion Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 3390 complaints
54 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
5 recalls · 1855 complaints
43 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
4 recalls · 1534 complaints
59 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 9 past investigations into the Fusion became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 16, 2026.
Ford Fusion — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 145 | 6 | — | 51 | 77 | 60 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 194 | 6 | — | 51 | 73 | 59 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 300 | 5 | — | 51 | 67 | 57 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 709 | 27 | — | 39 | 60 | 46 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 1035 | 10 | — | 30 | 53 | 38 | Good |
| 2015 | 5 | 652 | 11 | — | 41 | 46 | 43 | Good |
| 2014 | 7 | 915 | 26 | — | 32 | 40 | 35 | Good |
| 2013 | 7 | 1172 | 34 | 2 | 26 | 35 | 29 | Caution |
| 2012 | 4 | 1534 | 59 | — | 26 | 31 | 28 | Caution |
| 2011 | 5 | 1855 | 43 | — | 26 | 28 | 27 | Caution |
| 2010 | 6 | 3390 | 54 | 3 | 26 | 28 | 27 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 3 | 652 | 68 | — | 38 | 28 | 35 | Good |
| 2008 | 3 | 773 | 17 | — | 37 | 28 | 34 | Good |
| 2007 | 3 | 662 | 32 | 1 | 40 | 28 | 36 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 482 | 19 | — | 46 | 28 | 40 | Good |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Ford Fusion Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Fusion compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2020 (Buyer Score 60).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 46).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Fusion to buy?+
The 2020 Ford Fusion scores highest on our Buyer Score (60/100) — combining a reliability score of 51/100 with a value score of 77/100. It has 1 recall and 145 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Fusion years have the most problems?+
The 2010, 2011, 2012 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2010 Fusion leads with 6 recalls and 3390 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Fusion problems?+
The most frequently reported Ford Fusion issues involve: STEERING, AIR BAGS, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.