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2016 Ford Fusion

Plug-in hybridHybridGas
Midsize Cars
7 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
35 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical13
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA1,688
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA41 mpg
20202019201820172016

The 2016 Ford Fusion is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas midsize car with 7 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Fusion Hybrid FWD, is EPA-rated at 41 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 1688 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Fusion Energi Plug-in HybridPlug-in hybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 68 kW DCPM403638 (51 MPGe blended)20 mi electric372.5 h$1,650
Fusion Hybrid FWDHybridFWD2.0L 4-cyl + 280V Li-Ion433941———$1,500
Fusion FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo253629———$2,150
Fusion FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo243628———$2,250
Fusion FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223326———$2,400
Fusion FWDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl223326———$2,400
Fusion AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo223125———$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36248, 36160, 36155, 36156, 36158, 36159, 36157.

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Recalls (13)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Power Train

26S43
5,252 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.RiskA transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.FixDealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.
NHTSA campaign 26V376000reported Jun 9, 2026Ford Motor Company
▲high

Back Over Prevention

25SA9
1,448,655 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.RiskA rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on October 25, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Mustang owner notification letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'
NHTSA campaign 25V695000reported Oct 13, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Latches/Locks/Linkages

20S15
45,173 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.RiskVehicle doors opening unexpectedly while driving can increase the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will inspect the door latch date codes and if necessary, replace all four side door latches, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-177.
NHTSA campaign 23V775000reported Nov 17, 2023Ford Motor Company
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

23S12
1,280,726 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.RiskA brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
NHTSA campaign 23V162000reported Mar 10, 2023Ford Motor Company
▲high

Power Train

22S43
2,925,968 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.RiskA damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
NHTSA campaign 22V413000reported Jun 10, 2022Ford Motor Company
●moderate

Latches/Locks/Linkages

20S15
288,110 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.RiskA door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.FixFord will notify owners, and Ford or Lincoln dealers will replace the side door latches, free of charge. The recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S15.
NHTSA campaign 20V177000reported Mar 23, 2020Ford Motor Company
▲high

Steering

19S26
116,160 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.RiskIf the bolts corrode, the steering gear motor may detach from the gear housing resulting in a loss of power steering assist, requiring a greater steering effort, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear motor bolts and apply a wax sealer. If any of the steering gear motor attachment bolts are broken or missing, a new steering gear will be installed in the vehicle. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 18, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S26.
NHTSA campaign 19V632000reported Aug 29, 2019Ford Motor Company
▲high

Power Train

19S16
259,182 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.RiskIf the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.
NHTSA campaign 19V362000reported May 13, 2019Ford Motor Company
▲high

Power Train

18S20
504,182 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.RiskIf the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
NHTSA campaign 18V471000reported Jul 16, 2018Ford Motor Company
▲high

Steering

18S08
1,301,986 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.RiskA steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
NHTSA campaign 18V167000reported Mar 12, 2018Ford Motor Company
▲high

Seat Belts

16S42
603,392 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.RiskIf the driver or front passenger seatbelt cables cannot properly restrain the front seat occupants, they would be at an increased risk of injury.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will apply a protective coating to the seat belt cable, free of charge. The recall began May 16, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S42.
NHTSA campaign 16V875000reported Dec 5, 2016Ford Motor Company
▲high

Seats

16C05
39 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured from March 10, 2016, through March 16, 2016. The front driver seat track assembly's rear riser may have been improperly welded to the seat track rail, and as a result, the driver may not be adequately restrained in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."RiskAn improperly welded driver seat riser may fail to adequately restrain the driver during crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixFord quarantined the affected vehicles at dealerships prior to their sale. Dealers will replace the front driver seat track rail, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2016. Ford's number for this recall is 16C05.
NHTSA campaign 16V250000reported Apr 27, 2016Ford Motor Company
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

15C11
658 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."RiskA fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.FixFord will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.
NHTSA campaign 15V618000reported Oct 1, 2015Ford Motor Company

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings — Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures closed

On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identified fell outside the scope of NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-469, which addressed front brake hoses rupturing on certain MY 2015-2018 Ford Edge and 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX vehicles. The result causes a brake fl

Opened Aug 8, 2022 · closed Mar 24, 2023 · action RQ22004

Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module — Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · action EA21002

Structure:Body — Door Latch Failures closed

In December 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 235 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging doors failed to latch when closed, and/or inadvertently opened while driving, on model year (MY) 2012-2014 Ford Fiesta, and 2013-2014 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Some VOQs reported the failure occurred after the latch had been remedied under a prior recall which involved fracture of the latch pawl spring tab due to thermally induced cyclic fatigue. Other VOQs alleged a similar failure in vehicles not previously recalled. A latch with a fractured pawl spring tab typically results in a ?door will not close? condition, however in certain somewhat rare circu

Opened Dec 19, 2019 · closed Feb 7, 2022 · action RQ19005

Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar — Steering Wheel Fastening Bolt Loosens closed

On March 12th, 2018, Ford Motor Company submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the steering wheel fastening system of approximately 1,301,986 model year (MY) Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. On March 1, 2018, Ford discovered a design change that affected the MY 2014-2018 subject vehicles. The affected population are MY 2014-2016 Fusion and MKZ with manual and power adjust steering columns and MY 2017-2018 Fusion and MKZ equipped with manual adjust steering columns only. The affected populations have steering shafts with a reduced amount of threads for the steering wheel bolt to engage. The thread length was decreased by 5mm in the affected models. Ford stated that

Opened Oct 23, 2017 · closed Apr 23, 2018 · action PE17007

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
1688complaints filed

60 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 30 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2015: 3 · 2016: 57 · 2017: 58 · 2018: 134 · 2019: 158 · 2020: 194 · 2021: 142 · 2022: 198 · 2023: 253 · 2024: 183 · 2025: 165 · 2026: 143

Most-cited components

Engine461
Power Train313
Unspecified219
Steering186
Electrical System161
Back Over Prevention116

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear-view camera was inoperative. The message "Be Careful Backing Up – Rear-view Camera Unavailable - Contact your Local Dealer" was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred on several occasion…”Aug 3, 2026 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rear-view camera was inoperative. The message "Camera not Available - Contact your Dealer" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Pre…”Aug 3, 2026 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated …”Jul 2, 2026 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆11%
4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Fusion model years

D

2020 Ford Fusion

3 recalls · 229 complaints

D

2019 Ford Fusion

4 recalls · 467 complaints

B

2018 Ford Fusion

2 recalls · 502 complaints

D

2017 Ford Fusion

4 recalls · 1,191 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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