Ford Fusion Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Ford Fusion model year (2006–2020) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Ford Fusion Years to Avoid
5 recalls · 3390 complaints
54 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 3528
5 recalls · 1855 complaints
43 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 1956
5 recalls · 1531 complaints
59 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 1664
Best Ford Fusion Years to Buy
2 recalls · 145 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 163
3 recalls · 191 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 212
0 recalls · 296 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 304
Found the right year? Verify that specific Fusion with a free VIN report.
Ford Fusion — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 145 | 6 | — | 163 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 3 | 191 | 6 | — | 212 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 296 | 4 | — | 304 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 2 | 707 | 27 | — | 767 | Good |
| 2016 | 7 | 1029 | 10 | — | 1070 | Good |
| 2015 | 7 | 647 | 11 | — | 690 | Good |
| 2014 | 8 | 911 | 26 | — | 987 | Good |
| 2013 | 10 | 1171 | 34 | 2 | 1279 | Caution |
| 2012 | 5 | 1531 | 59 | — | 1664 | Caution |
| 2011 | 5 | 1855 | 43 | — | 1956 | Caution |
| 2010 | 5 | 3390 | 54 | 3 | 3528 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 2 | 652 | 68 | — | 794 | Good |
| 2008 | 3 | 773 | 17 | — | 816 | Good |
| 2007 | 2 | 662 | 32 | 1 | 737 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 482 | 19 | — | 526 | Good |
All 15 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Ford Fusion Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2020Recent Fusion models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2020 stands out with just 163 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2015Mid-decade Fusion units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2015 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Fusion models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Fusion should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2010 Ford Fusion if possible. It has 5 recalls, 3390 owner complaints, and 3 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 3528 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Fusion to buy?+
The 2020 Ford Fusion is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 163. It has only 2 recalls and 145 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Fusion has the fewest problems?+
The 2020, 2019, 2018 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Ford Fusion Research
Check a Specific Ford Fusion VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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