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
9 recalls · 3394 complaints
54 reported injuries
3 reported deaths
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 3544
6 recalls · 1860 complaints
43 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 1964
5 recalls · 1536 complaints
59 reported injuries
Top issue: STEERING
Problem score: 1669
Best Ford Fusion Years to Buy
1 recall · 151 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 166
1 recall · 197 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 212
0 recalls · 303 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 313
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 | 1 | 151 | 6 | — | 166 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 197 | 6 | — | 212 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 303 | 5 | — | 313 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 1 | 719 | 27 | — | 776 | Good |
| 2016 | 5 | 1057 | 10 | — | 1092 | Good |
| 2015 | 6 | 656 | 11 | — | 696 | Good |
| 2014 | 8 | 924 | 27 | — | 1002 | Good |
| 2013 | 11 | 1175 | 34 | 2 | 1286 | Caution |
| 2012 | 5 | 1536 | 59 | — | 1669 | Caution |
| 2011 | 6 | 1860 | 43 | — | 1964 | Caution |
| 2010 | 9 | 3394 | 54 | 3 | 3544 | Avoid |
| 2009 | 5 | 652 | 68 | — | 803 | Good |
| 2008 | 4 | 773 | 17 | — | 819 | Good |
| 2007 | 4 | 662 | 32 | 1 | 743 | Good |
| 2006 | 4 | 482 | 19 | — | 532 | 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 166 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 9 recalls, 3394 owner complaints, and 3 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 3544 — 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 166. It has only 1 recall and 151 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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