One of the worst Fusion years
Owners filed about 2.2 times as many complaints as a typical Fusion year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 83,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Fusion years from 2012 to 2020. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 2,517 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Fusion. The most reported problem area is the steering (1,474, 59% of complaints), followed by the air bags and the brakes and stability control. That is the most complaints of any Fusion year from 2012 to 2020. It has 6 recalls.
7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2012 Ford Fusion before you buy.
Steering
1,474 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 83,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle to start the engine, the power steering became inoperable. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering); however, the dealer refused to perform the steering gear recall repair because no Diagnostic Trouble Codes…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
Our 2012 Fusion suffered a sudden loss of power steering, was diagnosed with code U3000 at a Ford dealer, and that the dealer confirmed it matches the 15S18 recall symptoms despite being built two months outside the window. Our vehicle was manufactured at the Hermosillo plant in 2012, just two months outside the 15S18 recall window. It…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Air bags
404 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V001000 (Air Bags) 21V158000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.Owner complaint, filed 2024
I currently have the Airbag indicator light on my car lit up. I was recently recalled, and the work done in February of 2023. I do not have confidence in the dealership that completed the work initially due to circumstances that occured with my same car a few months later. The circumstances are that later in the year, my car was in the…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Brakes and stability control
198 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 82,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was soft and spongy. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard before the vehicle stopped. No warning lights were…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 149,000 miles
My car does not always respond when the brakes are tapped. They are soft/squishy at times and I have to push the pedal all the way to the floor for the car to stop. This issue has been occuring off & on for approximately 3 years though it's been more frequent since June of 2026. I have never seen any warning or failure light/notification…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
164 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 63,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
I got a 2012 ford fusion se 2.5 4l power steering gone out in it,I put in the vin number to see if mine was recalled it said 0 but my car has the part in the car that made the car recalled ,on the dash its says power steering service its dangerous and I had my child in the car vin number on my car is [XXX] I seen where other 2012 ford…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the A/C unit failed to operate as needed, causing the cabin of the vehicle to become hot while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the evaporator temperature…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 143,000 miles
Transmission and drivetrain
158 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the battery had failed and there was battery acid on the shifter cable and…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 92,343 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle rolled backward with no warning light illuminated The contact engaged the parking brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact also noticed that the transmission shifter cable had dislodged from the vehicle. The dealer was…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 113,000 miles
Engine and cooling
116 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 51,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving under 35 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was shaking abnormally while idling as if the vehicle would shut off. The contact had replaced the battery 8 times; however, the failure persisted. While driving approximately 65 MPH and overtaking…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2012 ford fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated while driven at various speeds. The contact's husband a certified mechanic, replaced one water hose. The contact became aware of NHTSA campaign numbers: 12v551000 (engine and engine cooling) and 17v209000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the VIN was…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 120,000 miles
Body, doors and structure
116 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (75), Body: door (23), Doors: latch (15).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and making a left turn, the driver's side door unexpectedly opened. The contact stated that the door ajar warning light was illuminated. The failure became a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 124,000 miles
Driver door is not locking. Tried with manual key too but not successful. Tried to open door from inside but no success. Looks like door assembly or spring is faulty and designed poorly This can be a safety hazard as driver can't get out of car easily. Pls recall all Ford fusion 2012 and ask dealers to fix it. I checked few articles…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Cruise control and acceleration
86 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
The car suddenly accelerated 3 times since it was purchased new in 2011. The 1st time I was parking and the car suddenly accelerated and hit a cement wall. The second time I was also entering a parking spot and the car suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. I took it to my dealer and they were unable to replicate the problem. this…Owner complaint, filed 2022
The contact's mother owns a 2012 ford fusion. The contact stated that since 2015, the vehicle would serge forward independently while depressing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The owner had taken the vehicle to blackwell ford inc. (41001 plymouth rd, plymouth, mi 48170) where the mechanic replaced the throttle…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 30,000 miles
Fuel system
65 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to stall and shake with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the canister purge valve was stuck in the open position and needed to be…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 102,000 miles
Throttle control/transmission wrench symbol lluminates when the powertrain or a AWD fault has been detected. If the indicator stays on or continues to come on, which it does. Then car will continue to run but jerks and lunges. Pressing on the accelerator does absolutely no good. I do not feel safe driving said car. Thank the dear lord I…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 105,000 miles
Wheels and tires
38 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles. Parts named most: Lugs / nuts / bolts / studs (6).
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
I had purchased these tires P225/50R17 for my son‘s car in 2022. They have an 85,000 mile tread life warranty in April of this year. He had a blowout on the left rear tire where the tread separated from the tire and in late July this year is preparing for a 3500 mile trip as I was inspecting his car before his trip. I noticed the tire on…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 65 MPH, he had to pull over to the side of the road due to a flat tire. The contact's son had a difficult time removing the lug nuts. The lug nuts could not be removed with the tire iron. The contact called AAA, and it was difficult for the Roadside…Owner complaint, filed 2025
Suspension
36 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Similar to previous complaints, the spring broke on the front left strut assembly. It didn't break in just one place, the spring broke in three places. Two pieces of the spring fell to the garage floor. I am glad that it happened in the garage and not on the road. The vehicle was stationary and I was not in the vehicle when it happened.…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 144,000 miles
Backed out of garage and noticed left front of hood was lower than right side. Found a broken spring on left front strut assembly. When replacing the left front spring, I found that this was actually the 2nd break on that spring, the other break was heavily rusted, so had happened long before. The new break was approximately 1 coil…Owner complaint, filed 2019
Lights, wipers and visibility
32 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
This is a general concern, not limited to only my car. Daytime running lights do not turn on the tail lamps. People believe if they have the DRL turned on, they’re safe, but they are difficult to see in rain/fog/tunnels etc. DRL should include tail lamps Also, automatic headlamps only come on when it gets dark enough out. It’s surprising…Owner complaint, filed 2023
Rear tail light side parking marker. All marker lights in working order is required to pass Delaware state inspection. The LED is hard wired within the housing unit and is not a replaceable bulb. I have to replace the housing assembly for 160.00 plus tax for a simple light. Car is 10 years old. I don't believe Ford expected it to fail…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Seats and seat belts
19 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 55,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
Heated drivers seat got too hot to sit in and now the heating element is not working the switch will come on for a few second then shut off. The fix is $600 replacing elements according to the mechanic "this is very common problem with this vehicle" the heating up of the seat was a huge concern but now seat does not heat . Please helpOwner complaint, filed 2021, at 96,590 miles
The drivers side seat belt all of a sudden stop working when I got out of the car one day. When I returned to the car after an hour, the belt wouldn't latch. Nothing was dropped in the latch, the car was stationary, never been in an accident with a person in the vehicle. All other parts and all other seat belts work.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 97,000 miles
Driver assist systems
4 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
Se traba y se pone duro el "gobierno" junto con la cremallera electroasistida el volante no gira ni con el carro prendido, no eh echo uso de la campaña 15S18, nunca ah Sido asistido por el fabricante Ford, ni mucho menos lo eh metido a un taller de servicio independiente ni con aseguradoras y no me marco algún sensor del tablero antes de…Owner complaint, filed 2026
After starting the car, the brakes were not working properly--it required a lot of pressure to get the brake pedal to work. The brake light also came on indicating a problem with the ABS. After turning the car off and restarting it, the brakes worked fine again. The same thing happened the next day. That's when we took it for repairs.…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Ford Fusion complaints by year
Compare the 2012 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2012 midsize cars
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Ford Fusion | Among the worst years | 6 |
| 2012 Toyota Camry | Among the worst years | 2 |
| 2012 Honda Accord | One of the better years | 8 |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | Among the worst years | 8 |
2012 Ford Fusion recalls
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.
Full recall summary
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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- 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 or death.
- Fix
- Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge.
Full recall summary
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags
- Risk
- 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 or death.
- 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.
Full recall summary
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 passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed.
Full recall summary
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 Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags Inflator module
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed.
Full recall summary
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, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Steering Electric power assist system
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC).
Full recall summary
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 equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
2012 Ford Fusion questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Fusion?
The most reported problem areas on the 2012 Ford Fusion are the steering (1,474 complaints), the air bags (404 complaints) and the brakes and stability control (198 complaints).
Is the 2012 Ford Fusion a good year to buy?
One of the worst Fusion years. Owners filed about 2.2 times as many complaints as a typical Fusion year. The main thing to watch is the steering, which half of owners reported by about 83,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2018, 2019 and 2020. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Fusion years from 2012 to 2020. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2012 Ford Fusion. The most recent, from Mar 2021, covers the inflator module. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Fusion problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the steering gave a mileage of about 83,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the air bags gave a mileage of about 68,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Ford Fusion years should I avoid?
The Fusion years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2012. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2018, 2019 and 2020. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2012 Ford Fusion?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
- Decode a VIN to see recalls, safety ratings and complaints for that exact year, make and model