Ford Fusion 2006–2012
1st generation · CD3
NHTSA data through 12 August 202618,632 complaints, 13,502 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 46,000 and 109,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 213 complaints (1.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 28,000
- 25%
- 46,000
- Median
- 73,000
- 75%
- 109,000
- 90%
- 146,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 363 | 2.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 167 | 1.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 173 | 1.3% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 186 | 1.4% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 235 | 1.7% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 332 | 2.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 389 | 2.9% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 606 | 4.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 664 | 4.9% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 694 | 5.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 642 | 4.8% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 617 | 4.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 660 | 4.9% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 593 | 4.4% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 586 | 4.3% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 513 | 3.8% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 566 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 485 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 475 | 3.5% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 448 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 475 | 3.5% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 309 | 2.3% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 291 | 2.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 289 | 2.1% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 372 | 2.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 264 | 2.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 268 | 2.0% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 200 | 1.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 226 | 1.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 169 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 236 | 1.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 117 | 0.9% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 169 | 1.3% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 115 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 94 | 0.7% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 74 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 93 | 0.7% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 58 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 48 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 28 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 213 | 1.6% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 18,632 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006–2012 Ford Fusion, and 13,502 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 46,000 and 109,000 miles. The median is 73,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the steering (24.9% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles), the airbag system (17.5% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles), the brakes (9.7% of complaints, typically around 104,000 miles).
13 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Steering92,000median 92,000 miles, middle half 62,000 to 129,000
- Airbag system85,000median 85,232 miles, middle half 57,000 to 120,000
- Brakes104,000median 104,000 miles, middle half 80,000 to 135,000
- Transmission and driveline54,000median 53,750 miles, middle half 37,000 to 78,000
- Engine56,000median 56,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 80,000
- Throttle and speed control52,000median 51,500 miles, middle half 38,000 to 69,000
- Electrical system66,000median 66,424 miles, middle half 42,000 to 97,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4,633 | 24.9% | 92,000 | 62,000–129,000 |
| Airbag system | 3,263 | 17.5% | 85,000 | 57,000–120,000 |
| Brakes | 1,812 | 9.7% | 104,000 | 80,000–135,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 1,619 | 8.7% | 54,000 | 37,000–78,000 |
| Engine | 1,259 | 6.8% | 56,000 | 40,000–80,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 1,258 | 6.8% | 52,000 | 38,000–69,000 |
| Electrical system | 866 | 4.6% | 66,000 | 42,000–97,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 758 | 4.1% | 57,000 | 42,000–83,000 |
| Body structure | 528 | 2.8% | 70,000 | 50,000–96,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 482 | 2.6% | 80,000 | 51,000–109,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 73,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The steering accounts for 24.9% of complaints (4,633 reports, 3,709 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 92,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 62,000 and 129,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 17.5% of complaints (3,263 reports, 794 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,232 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,000 and 120,000 miles.
The brakes account for 9.7% of complaints (1,812 reports, 1,380 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 104,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 80,000 and 135,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.7% of complaints (1,619 reports, 1,464 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 53,750 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 78,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 6.8% of complaints (1,259 reports, 1,162 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,300 and 80,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 6.8% of complaints (1,258 reports, 1,165 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 68,700 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2010 model year drew the most — 7,026 complaints — while 2006 drew the fewest at 920. The median year sits at 1,533.
That makes 2010 an outlier: roughly 4.6 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the hydraulic brake circuit (1), the fuel system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 18,632 complaints filed against this generation, 746 reported a crash; 64 reported a fire; 519 reported an injury; 12 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.0% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 46,000 and 109,000 miles, with a median of 73,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the steering and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 85,232, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Steering 2010–2012 (EPAS introduced with the 2010 refresh; 4–cylinder cars)
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.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 920 | 582 |
| 2007 | 1,277 | 696 |
| 2008 | 1,533 | 891 |
| 2009 | 1,168 | 720 |
| 2010 | 7,026 | 5,675 |
| 2011 | 3,654 | 2,803 |
| 2012 | 3,054 | 2,135 |
Recalls (13)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 21V158000 | 2021-04-09 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 19V904000 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module |
| 21V081000 | 2021-03-17 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V001000 | 2019-02-13 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V775000 | 2018-11-21 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V046000 | 2018-05-21 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V024000 | 2018-02-14 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V384000 | 2018-02-02 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 15V793000 | 2016-01-15 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank |
| 15V340000 | 2015-07-21 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 11V574000 | 2012-01-18 | Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs |
| 10V222000 | 2010-05-28 | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| 10V161000 | 2010-05-03 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner |
What owners reported
Thermostat sticks open (cold) while driving. Sudden jumps to normal temperature range followed by drop to cold again. Vehicle has hard time starting when temperature gauge is on cold mark after running for any period of time. Thermostat has been replaced with no improvement. Throttle sticks on acceleration causing…
2006 · 15 miles · Engine
Takata recall..I have a 2006 Ford Fusion se im making a complaint because i was driving in detroit mi on woodward ave when i hit a pot hole and the passenger air bag push up on the dashboard like it wanted to explode..Im scared to drive the car...Ford motor company sent me a recall letter stating parts are not…
2006 · 30 miles · Airbag system
Low visibility out of the rear windshield can pose a danger when backing up in parking lots or out of driveways since sometimes the road cannot be seen and distance to other vehicles cannot be estimated. No backup warning system was available as an add-on like the Ford explorer and other Ford models. This should be…
2006 · 250 miles · Visibility equipment
A michelin hxmxm4 225-50-17 installed on my Ford Fusion 2006 just lost all the tread area after just some 1500 miles on it. I called Ford and michelin and i got no answer. Since the tires are made in the USA and Ford is a us brand, i would like to file this complaint. I have plenty of pictures i might send to you in…
2006 · 1,500 miles · Tyres
Built from 13,502 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page