Ford Fusion 2006–2012 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · CD3
NHTSA data through 18 October 202615,347 complaints, 10,714 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2006 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 76,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 730
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system319 reports · median 102,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline150 reports · median 73,000 mi
- Body structure74 reports · median 62,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 85,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,064
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system615 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Brakes126 reports · median 100,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline74 reports · median 86,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 98,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,353
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system638 reports · median 83,000 mi
- Brakes479 reports · median 109,000 mi
- Body structure82 reports · median 72,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 97,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,023
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2009
- Brakes473 reports · median 102,000 mi
- Airbag system359 reports · median 90,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit61 reports · median 97,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 74,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 5,639
- Recalls naming this year
- 11
Most reported on the 2010
- Steering1,800 reports · median 101,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline942 reports · median 52,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control838 reports · median 54,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 72,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,926
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2011
- Steering1,478 reports · median 88,000 mi
- Airbag system364 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Engine288 reports · median 45,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Fuel system, gasoline — storage · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Ford Fusion
Close- Median failure report
- 73,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 2,612
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2012
- Steering1,509 reports · median 82,000 mi
- Airbag system436 reports · median 67,000 mi
- Electrical system177 reports · median 61,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Steering — electric power assist system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2008; earliest: the 2011, and the 2008 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2006–2012 Ford Fusion reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 78,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 150,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 10,714
- Recalls
- 13
Most reported
- Steering31.6% of complaints · median 92,000 mi
- Airbag system22.5% of complaints · median 85,000 mi
- Brakes12.6% of complaints · median 103,000 mi
Documented problems
- Steering2010–2012
- Transmission2010–2012
- Engine / Fuel System2006–2009
Owners filed 15,347 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2012 Ford Fusion; the steering leads with 31.6% of them, and half of the 10,714 that record an odometer reading came by 78,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 49,000 to 115,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2006–2012 Ford Fusion last?
On the 2006–2012 Ford Fusion, half of the 10,714 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 78,000 miles and 90% by 150,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
1,096 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 197 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Fusion reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Ford Fusion 2006–2012 · 10,714 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 502 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 197 complaints (1.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 29,000
- 25%
- 49,000
- Median
- 78,000
- 75%
- 115,000
- 90%
- 150,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 286 | 2.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 128 | 1.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 138 | 1.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 142 | 1.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 182 | 1.7% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 237 | 2.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 281 | 2.6% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 417 | 3.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 454 | 4.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 462 | 4.3% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 464 | 4.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 431 | 4.0% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 502 | 4.7% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 463 | 4.3% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 468 | 4.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 421 | 3.9% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 472 | 4.4% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 405 | 3.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 386 | 3.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 367 | 3.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 403 | 3.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 265 | 2.5% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 264 | 2.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 257 | 2.4% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 330 | 3.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 236 | 2.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 246 | 2.3% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 171 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 194 | 1.8% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 146 | 1.4% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 199 | 1.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 105 | 1.0% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 157 | 1.5% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 99 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 86 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 61 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 83 | 0.8% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 48 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 39 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 22 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 197 | 1.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Fusion problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Ford Fusion 2006–2012
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Throttle and speed control1,306 reportsmedian 52,000middle half 38,000–69,000
- Transmission and driveline1,674 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 38,000–80,000
- Engine1,325 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 40,000–81,000
- Electrical system922 reportsmedian 67,000middle half 43,000–97,000
- Airbag system3,457 reportsmedian 85,000middle half 56,000–120,000
- Steering4,847 reportsmedian 92,000middle half 62,000–128,000
- Brakes1,932 reportsmedian 103,000middle half 78,000–134,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4,847 | 31.6% | 92,000 | 62,000–128,000 |
| Airbag system | 3,457 | 22.5% | 85,000 | 56,000–120,000 |
| Brakes | 1,932 | 12.6% | 103,000 | 78,000–134,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 1,674 | 10.9% | 55,000 | 38,000–80,000 |
| Engine | 1,325 | 8.6% | 57,000 | 40,000–81,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 1,306 | 8.5% | 52,000 | 38,000–69,000 |
| Electrical system | 922 | 6.0% | 67,000 | 43,000–97,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 802 | 5.2% | 58,000 | 42,000–85,000 |
| Body structure | 537 | 3.5% | 70,000 | 50,000–96,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 507 | 3.3% | 80,000 | 54,000–109,000 |
Known problems with the 2006–2012 Fusion
Steering 2010–2012
Electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) sudden loss of assist. Conformal-coat contamination and ribbon-cable pin misalignment inside the steering gear motor cause loss of the motor position sensor signal, dropping assist without warning. NHTSA recall 15V-340 / Ford 15S18 covered ~394,000 vehicles built Sep 2010-Feb 2012; NHTSA PE14-030 had earlier examined 2010 Fusion EPAS complaints.
Transmission 2010–2012
6F35 six-speed automatic harsh/delayed engagement, shudder and internal failure after the 2010 changeover from the Aisin 5-speed.
Engine / Fuel System 2006–2009
Electronic throttle body failure on the Duratec V6 producing wrench-light limp mode and stalling.
Before you buy a 2006–2012 Fusion: the 3-minute check
Generated from 10,714 mileage-tagged complaints, 13 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check steering on 2010–2012 (EPAS introduced with the 2010 refresh; 4–cylinder cars) cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check transmission on 2010–2012 cars.
- Check engine / fuel system on 2006–2009 cars.
- Years differ here: from 730 to 5,639 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Fusion problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi34% below | At 90k mi59% below | At 120k mi77% below | At 150k mi90% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 62,000–128,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 56,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 78,000–134,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 38,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 40,000–81,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 38,000–69,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 43,000–97,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Ford Fusion 2006–2012 · 10,714 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 34% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 59% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2006–2012 Ford Fusion recalls (13)
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
4 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the hydraulic brake circuit (1), the fuel system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Mar 2021 · 2006–2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the…
Feb 2021 · 2008–2012 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17…
Dec 2019 · 2006–2010 · Service Brakes, HydraulicIf the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives.…
What can happen. If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve…
Jan 2019 · 2010–2012 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The…
Nov 2018 · 2010 · Air BagsIf the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment…
What can happen. If the air bag does not inflate as intended, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's…
Jan 2018 · 2009–2010 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owners…
Jan 2017 · 2006–2009, 2012 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim…
May 2016 · 2006–2011 · Air Bags do not driveAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford…
Nov 2015 · 2010–2011 · Fuel System, GasolineThe pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel.
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010. The affected vehicles have fuel vapor…
What can happen. The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle powertrain control modules and inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for this issue and perform a leak test on the…
Jun 2015 · 2011–2012 · SteeringIf the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles…
What can happen. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will…
Dec 2011 · 2010–2011 · WheelsWhile driving, multiple stud fractures could occur at the wheel location, and the operator may experience…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury milan vehicles equipped with 17 inch steel wheels and built from april 1, 2009, through april 30, 2009, and from december 1, 2009, through november 13, 2010. The wheel studs may fracture…
What can happen. While driving, multiple stud fractures could occur at the wheel location, and the operator may experience vehicle vibration and/or wheel separation, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake disc surface for flatness and replace the discs as necessary. Additionally, the wheel lug nuts will be replaced on all four wheels.…
May 2010 · 2010 · Power TrainA vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended…
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 Fusion, milan, and escape vehicles manufactured from february 27, through march 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin may not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal…
What can happen. A vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 28, 2010. Owners may contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at…
Apr 2010 · 2010 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 Fusion, explorer, explorer sport trac, and Mercury milan and mountaineer vehicles manufactured between december 15, 2009 through february 3, 2010 equipped with front seat manual recliners. These vehicles fail to…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the seatback and head restraint may move rearward, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the manual recliners for both power and manual seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 30, 2010. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 15,347 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 539 (3.5%)
- Fires
- 49
- Injury reports
- 255
- Fatality reports
- 8
Fusion problems by model year
The 2010 drew the most complaints of this generation, 5,639, most of them about the steering, and the 2006 the fewest, 730. A typical year drew about 1,353.
That makes the 2010 stand out at roughly 4.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 730 | 429 | 76,000 | Airbag system (319) | 4 |
| 2007 | 1,064 | 538 | 85,000 | Airbag system (615) | 4 |
| 2008 | 1,353 | 756 | 98,000 | Airbag system (638) | 5 |
| 2009 | 1,023 | 623 | 97,000 | Brakes (473) | 6 |
| 2010 | 5,639 | 4,382 | 74,000 | Steering (1,800) | 11 |
| 2011 | 2,926 | 2,182 | 72,000 | Steering (1,478) | 7 |
| 2012 | 2,612 | 1,804 | 73,000 | Steering (1,509) | 5 |
What Fusion owners reported
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist, nearly causing the contact to lose steering control as the steering locked up, and an audible warning chime sounded. The contact safely maintained control of the vehicle…
2011 · 100,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle almost crashed into the neighbor's lawn because the steering wheel had seized. The contact's daughter stated that the steering wheel was firm and required extra effort to turn the steering…
2011 · 211,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became stiff and excessive force was needed to make a left or right turn. The power steering assist and Advancetrac warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was…
2011 · 56,000 miles · Steering
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering assist, causing the steering wheel to be significantly difficult to turn. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence and parked in the driveway. The message "Service Power Steering Assist" was…
2012 · 98,000 miles · Steering
Built from 10,714 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Fusion generations
- Fusion 2013–2020 5,134 reports with mileage, most about the engine