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2018 Ford Fusion problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2018 Ford Fusion has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 509owner complaints
- 18crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 15%fail the UK MOT
509 complaints, against an average of 1,338 for the other 8 Ford Fusion model years.
Every Ford Fusion model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2018 Ford Fusion?
The components named most often in the 509 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2018 Ford Fusion owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 509 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2018 Ford Fusion?138 owners · 27.1%
- Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion overheat?115 owners · 22.6%
- Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion idle rough, misfire or hesitate?96 owners · 18.9%
- Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion stall, lose power or shut off while driving?50 owners · 9.8%
- Has the 2018 Ford Fusion had engine failures?48 owners · 9.4%
- Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion smell of burning or smoke?32 owners · 6.3%
- Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?22 owners · 4.3%
- Why won't my 2018 Ford Fusion start?16 owners · 3.1%
Has the 2018 Ford Fusion been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
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.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar Ford 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.
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford 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.
How often does the 2018 Ford Fusion fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2018, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2018 Ford Fusion owners report?
12 of the 509 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The car suddenly stopped accelerating while turning left into an intersection from a stoplight, heading towards to a freeway on-ramp; there was a grinding sound. I was able to move to the curb lane before anyone hit me or others behind me. The car would not go into any gears and kept rolling even when in Park. I had to put the Parking Brake on to keep it from moving back into traffic. Thanks to the kindness of strangers, I was able to get the car pushed to a safe location for a tow truck to pick up the car. At the repair facility, the assessment was an internal failure of the transmission at…
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 Ford factory defect in the 2.0L EcoBoost engine, documented in Ford's own publications (SSM 47204, SSM 47462, TSB 19-2346, TSB 22-2229), all of which cover the 2018 Fusion. The root cause is Ford's open-deck engine-block design, which allows coolant intrusion and cracking between cylinders. Ford…
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 vehicle has experienced sputtering and hesitation, creating concern that it could lose power or stall. These symptoms are concerning. After researching this issue, I have learned that coolant intrusion is a documented problem associated with certain Ford vehicles equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine…
Got home and vehicle would not go into park. I can get it to drive but its only low range. Upon having it inspected, it was discovered the shift cable bushing at the transmission lever was missing.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming antifreeze. The ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic associated the failure with the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block was warped and that the engine needed to be replaced. The…
The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light
The chrome trim on the parking brake switch started chipping. The sharp edge drew a drop of blood and small pieces attached to your fingers. Replaced the switch in June 2026
Ford's double-capped acorn lug nuts experienced outer cap expansion/separation during an emergency roadside tire change. A defective design known by Ford. Rendering the supplied tire iron and a separately purchased multisize tire iron ineffective at removing the lugs. The failure left the vehicle immobile on the side of a i75 in SWFL in the summer heat of June 2026. Present in the vehicle were the owner, spouse, and a [XXX] infant. They were stranded approximately 34 miles from home for nearly 3 hours, an extended period for a XXX, who quickly became visibly distressed. Standard FDOT Road…
I purchase this car on XXX Clinton Ford Dealership and engine need replacement Jan 2020 . I at that time did many replacement until the final diagnostic said engine replacement confirm by dealership Ford Dealership Fayetteville NC . The purge valve canister went out in 2022 and was replaced by Ed’sTire in Hope Mills Rd 11/19–11/22/2022 and now mechanic said it is in need of replacement again . Car problems started 2026 Feb and three pieces were replaced because the system was reading those code now to find out the purge valve canister needs replacement again. These hardship have cost me…
Ford Fusion energi battery failure. Dealership wouldn't inspect the battery and kept replacing the battery control module. The replacement part kept failing under warranty and then the dealership quoted me $20,000 for the hybrid battery. They have replaced the BCM twice and error code P0dc9 keeps appearing. The EV range drops to zero randomly or gains range while parked and not plugged in. Dealership doesn't know what's happening even after paying money for diagnostics.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power steering functionality while decelerating. The vehicle jerked, and a driver assistance system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,017.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering violently, hesitated, and failed to accelerate to approximately 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The dealer informed the contact that the engine small block needed to be replaced, but a full engine replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
2018 Ford Fusion: questions owners ask
Is the 2018 Ford Fusion reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 509 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Fusion; the most common categories were engine (210, 41.3%), power train (119, 23.4%), engine and engine cooling (91, 17.9%). There are 2 safety recalls. 18 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 13 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Fusion?
Across 509 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (41.3% of complaints), power train (23.4% of complaints), engine and engine cooling (17.9% of complaints), electrical system (8.1% of complaints), steering (5.1% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2018 Ford Fusion have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 Ford Fusion; the most recent (campaign 23V162000, 2023-03-10) concerns Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Foundation Components: Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2018 Ford Fusion?
138 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (27.1%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "We have coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 of our engine. This can cause highway failure of engine cuts out, car runs rough and it can become a fire hazard. We paid for a diagnostics through a ford dealer. Who we uses all the time for our warranty needs." (NHTSA complaint 11759853, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion overheat?
115 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (22.6%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "My engine coolant keeps on overheating, I’ve tried changing the antifreeze tank out for a brand new one and it helped the issue for a while but I have to relieve the pressure myself which is a hazard." (NHTSA complaint 11765677, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
96 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (18.9%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "my 2018 ford fusion has catastrophic engine failure. Engine stuttering and misfires with check engine light. Low coolant levels with no visible puddles under the car. Engine overheating, could possibly catch fire." (NHTSA complaint 11759398, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
50 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (9.8%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "My vehicle has been throwing codes that the shifter cable is misaligned or misadjusted for a long time now. The dash flashes between neutral and drive while im driving. It says shift system fault all the time." (NHTSA complaint 11727694, March 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2018 Ford Fusion had engine failures?
48 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (9.4%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "my 2018 ford fusion has catastrophic engine failure. Engine stuttering and misfires with check engine light. Low coolant levels with no visible puddles under the car. Engine overheating, could possibly catch fire." (NHTSA complaint 11759398, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion smell of burning or smoke?
32 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (6.3%) describe a burning smell or smoke. One owner wrote: "It was losing calling but no coolant leak, rough idle/driving and blows white smoke out of the exhaust and threw the code p1299 so I took it to a garage and they told me it was the cylinder head gasket but my car has no recalls on it and I looked up my…" (NHTSA complaint 11612663, September 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2018 Ford Fusion transmission jerk, shudder or shift hard?
22 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (4.3%) describe harsh, jerky or delayed transmission shifting or shuddering. One owner wrote: "Transmission shift linkage bushing failure and torque converter shudder shudder been on going problem for approximately 12months90000" (NHTSA complaint 11666795, June 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2018 Ford Fusion start?
16 of the 509 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2018 Ford Fusion (3.1%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "We have a 2018 Ford Fusion EcoBoost. The engine started to run hot, we made an appointment to bring to dealer. Morning of the appointment car would not start. We had it towed to dealer." (NHTSA complaint 11654795, April 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Fusion
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2018 only; combines NHTSA's entries for FUSION, FUSION ENERGI and FUSION HEV.