NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses at no cost.
This page covers 6 recalls, 1147 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Ford Fusion.
20–42 mpg combined
5.6–11.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2017 Ford Fusion centers on engine and powertrain problems. Engine complaints are the highest-volume category, with owners frequently reporting coolant intrusion into the 1.5L EcoBoost engine, a failure that typically shows up as repeated coolant warning lights, overheating, and in many cases results in the need for a full engine replacement. Powertrain complaints are nearly as common, with owners describing sudden loss of drive, the vehicle becoming stuck in neutral, and unexpected immobilization with no prior warning lights. A smaller but notable share of engine-related reports involve the cooling system more broadly, with owners describing recurring check engine and coolant warning lights before the situation escalates. The coolant-intrusion pattern in particular tends to follow a similar progression: warning lights appear, overheating follows, and the short block is ultimately condemned.
1,147
Total Complaints
44
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
29
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Ford Fusion has 6 recalls, the most serious involving three separate safety concerns: the steering wheel retaining bolt can loosen and allow the wheel to detach while driving, the front brake hoses can rupture and leak fluid causing longer stopping distances, and the torque converter can lose its connection to the engine and leave the vehicle unable to move.
The steering, brake, and drivetrain issues noted above only affect vehicles with the 2.0L gas engine and six-speed automatic transmission in the case of the torque converter, while the brake hose and steering wheel concerns span a broader range of model years. On the occupant safety side, two recalls address the left rear seat back pivot pins, which can fail in a crash and allow cargo from the luggage area to move into the passenger compartment. There is also a lighting concern on vehicles equipped with LED headlamps, where a defective support bracket can cause the daytime running lamp guide to shift out of position.
At a glance
What can fail
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses at no cost.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering wheel retaining bolt can loosen, potentially allowing the steering wheel to detach while you're driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may not have been welded properly, which could cause failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the torque converter at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear seat back pivot pins may have been improperly welded, which could cause the seat back to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the left rear seat back frame at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left rear seat back frame may have weak welds at the pivot bracket due to a welding setup error. If the welds fail in a crash, items in the cargo area could shift forward and injure rear passengers.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace your left rear seat back frame with a properly welded one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
LED headlamp support brackets can be defective, allowing the daytime running lamp light guide to shift. This causes the bracket to melt from LED heat, blocking the light guide and reducing lamp brightness below safety standards.
What the fix does
Both headlamp assemblies will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
