2018 Ford Fusion Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 98,000 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 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the engine made a bubbling sound after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an engine misfire was diagnosed…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 138,000 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 82,000 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

My daughter was driving getting on the highway, went to accelerate and the car would no longer accelerate. AAMCO stated the internal pressure pump is failing and the transmission is losing pressure.Owner complaint, filed 2026

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.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 73,000 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 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a failed EVAP purge system. The contact was informed that the EVAP purge system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 79,000 miles

My car has stalled out coming up to a stop sign. It makes a sound coming from gas tank. I can not turn it off while pumping gas because it will not start after pumping gas. It is the purge value according to my mechanic. I know the recall on this issue is on the focus models but the fusion is basically the same carOwner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 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

Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) malfunction. Causing sluggish response when attempting to accelerate which has nearly caused an accident on multiple occasions. Other vehicles near the date of manufacture of this vehicle are reported having the same symptoms including potential for fire. There is a recall on similar vehicles: Fusion…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a failure with the spark plugs. The contact was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. While the mechanic…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 119,107 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 53,000 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 steering wheel is coming loose and is making it hard to drive. The car is becoming seriously dangerous. Others are having issues with this. Please let's fix these cars. I have children!Owner complaint, filed 2026

I was driving as normal I went to make a turn and out of nowhere my car would not turn and almost got smashed on the side of the car would not have swerved out of the way. There was no warning signs lights symptoms or anything one minute it was normal the next was what could have been a deadly situation. After getting a mechanic to…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Went to got a normal free oil change. They told us they could not do a tire rotation because the lug nuts were swollen. On a 2018 car the cheap 2 piece lug nut swollen so a normal 19mm socket could not fit over to took off the tire. No recall and no free fix at the Anderson SC Ford Dealer.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles.

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

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the center digital screen failed to illuminate, and the screen was black while the vehicle was shifted into gear. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being under recall. Upon further…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 117,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing, the back-over prevention camera displayed a black screen. Several minutes later, the message "Contact the Dealer" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The dealer had…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 88,000 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 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and hesitated to come to a stop. In addition, there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who confirmed that the brake fluid was leaking from the hose. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Abs pump failure. Abs pump fails during an anti-lock event causing pedal to go to floor and no stopping power. Occur sporadically when on ice/slush/snow or when braking on a rough rode.Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 114,000 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

On october 17, 2018, I drove into a shopping center parking lot and proceeded to park in front of the shops. I had entered the parking space at a very low speed and was almost at a dead stop when my 2018 ford fusion sport lurched forward with such a powerful burst of speed, I was unable to stop before hitting a window and brick wall…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 650 miles

My Engine is on my car will not go over 25 miles and if it does it shakes and I place the car in park or shut it off u can hear like water sound coming from the engine were it’s seems as if it was boilingOwner complaint, filed 2025

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

I was hit by a toyota highlander on hwy 12 ca while waiting for the light to turn green. The trucks appox. Speed 40 to 50 miles an hour,sprain neck,lower back sever pain reptured breast implant knocked front tooth implant out ..air bags did not come out car is totalled.I was at a dead stop. I was on hwy there was a sheriff right behind…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 48,000 miles

Takata airbag. Received notice of airbag recall over two years ago (july 2016). Still to remedy. We want to use the vehicle for vacation travel but are worried about the safety of the person in the passenger seat.Owner complaint, filed 2018

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

Rear seatbelt driver side seat belt does not click or buckle at all. Nothing is stuck in it and it has never buckled as long as I’ve had the carOwner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owned a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the front driver side seat belt did not buckle appropriately, another vehicle driving at an unknown speed moved to the left lane, then the other vehicle changed lanes again moving in front of the contact, and the other vehicle abruptly depressed on the…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 89,000 miles

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

On August 10, 2026, I was driving my 2018 Ford Fusion at approximately 40 mph under normal driving conditions when, without warning, the hood unexpectedly released and flew completely backward into the windshield. The hood had been closed prior to driving and there was no warning before the failure. The hood struck the windshield with…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the trunk unlatched independently. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,205.Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 67,205 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

my vehicle axel and suspension broke while driving vehicle hit driver side curb while in turning left lane at the intersection during the green light to avoid another vehicle driving unsafe. Hitting a curb should not have cause vehicle axel and suspension to collapse. This could have caused major accident because vehicle behind me could…Owner complaint, filed 2023

My transmission has start to work weirdly. My car started vibrating when I am driving slow. When move to second gear suddenly the car make stop and move again.Owner complaint, filed 2022

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

Known issue with 2013 Models through 2019, Sunroon leaks under heavy rain even if the Drains are cleaned and cleared. I spoke with Ford and they said it is not their issue since there is no recall. This has been posted under multiple site that there are hundreds of people effected by this.Owner complaint, filed 2025

While driving on PA Turnpike westbound, in the rain, my windshield wipers suddenly stopped working. THANKFULLY, I was in the far left lane and able to pull off to the shoulder safely. Once rain stopped, I was able to take my car to my mechanic. Stated that my cars windshield wiper motors both failed AND melted, causing them to stop…Owner complaint, filed 2023