7.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$150
Average Mileage:
61,300 miles
Total Complaints:
28 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace door handle (20 reports)
  2. not sure (7 reports)
  3. replace door latch (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #28

Sep 162022

Fusion ES 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,037 miles

click to see larger images

door handle failure door handle failure

Ford needs to do a RECALL on the inside door handle. The design and/or materials are defective, quality and validation testing is inadequate or quality controls are non-existent. Ford knows about this problem and has refused to create a RECALL on this 2012 model, yet it has done so on other years. This is a major safety problem, and if someone hasn't died yet, it is just a matter of time. If you've ever been in a car accident and knocked unconscious or had a concussion from an accident, you know that you aren't functioning at a high level after an accident. If you were trapped inside your vehicle and there was a fire from the engine or exhaust/fuel lines, you will have a hard time trying to figure out how to get your door open when it breaks off the mechanism that opens the door. Under stress, being dazed, having limbs broken, etc. you are not going to have the wherewithal to use the lock to release the door handle, assuming you are aware of the 'trick' to open the door without the door handle.

The engineers, and/or management absolutely knows this is a problem yet they only recall specific years or other failure types. This isn't a rare problem, it is very well known for over a decade of models. Ford needs to do a RECALL or get sued for their defective product, which will likely take one or more lives to get them to own up to their unethical engineering and business ethics. As you can see in the picture, the injection molded plastic (junk material) has no glass-fill, and it breaks right at the transition in geometry from the pivot to the handle lever. Classic poorly designed, excessively small edge radius and/or possibly a knitline in the part without adequate thickness to counteract/compensate for any defects like a knitline, stress concentration, etc.

- Doug L., Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #27

Mar 102020

Fusion SEL 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,139 miles

This is the same thing that happened 3 months ago. It's a cheap ass design that I'm sure Ford is aware of. I'd go as far as saying I'm sure it's a design that was planned to break at a certain age since both cars have similar amounts of mileage on them. It is most definitely a safety hazard! How would a person exit the vehicle in case of a fire or accident if your power windows don't work?

- keg ii, Barnesville, US

problem #26

Dec 182019

Fusion SEL 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,854 miles

My inside drivers door handle broke, so now to get out of the car I have to put the window down, unlock the door, reach out and grab the outside handle, then remember to put the window up before turning off the ignition. To fix it I took the same handle out of another 2012 Fusion that I own and put it in the car I drive.

- keg ii, Barnesville, US

problem #25

Jun 102019

Fusion SEL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

This piece of junk Ford calls a car has a driver side inner door handle which I have replace two times so far. Never Ford again.

Why hasn't Ford recalled the Fusion 2012 like they did the others. Does someone have to get killed due to a door handle that breaks so easy?

- Frank P., Lodi, NJ, US

problem #24

Jun 012016

Fusion 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Door handle on drivers side just broke, it is loose, door doesn't lock.

- Thelma A., San Antonio, US

problem #23

May 082019

Fusion SEL 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

There’s a recall re latch on fusions year 2012. My vehicle was assembled in Mexico in April and the recall starts in July same year. That door will not open now without a key.

- Barbara G., delta, BC, Canada

problem #22

Apr 092018

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

The door just one day stopped shutting and latching. Then when I got that part figured out, the door handle would no longer open from the inside, so I was having to roll down the window and open the door from the outside. I later found a way to engage the lock to open the door, but was told by the dealership this will eventually break and will become a safety issue.

- Laura C., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #21

Aug 212018

Fusion 4 Cylinder

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,320 miles

My Ford Fusion driver's door just suddenly wouldn't open on Aug. 21. So I took it to a Ford Dealer to find out what the problem was about the door. I had to get a rental car for a day. The next day took the rental back and went to the dealership to get my car. I was told that the car wasn't done yet. I was told my driver's door handle needed to be replaced, but, my Gold Extended Warranty from MPP, THAT the door handle was broke, but, it wasn't covered under my Gold warranty, and it was going to cost me $306.00, to get the handle replaced.

I'm on disability, and I'm 63 yrs old, and I don't have or get that kind of money from disability to afford to get it fixed. So to explore what was wrong with my driver's door, I had to pay $ 139.99 just for that, to leave the dealership with my broken door handle not fixed. I live in AZ where it's hot in the summertime, so since the handle isn't covered under my warranty.

I now have to drive around and open my driver's window to open the driver's door to get out of my car. But, there's been a serious problem. Twice I've tried for 25 minutes to get the driver's door open from the outside and the driver's door lock has jammed, so I couldn't get out of my car. All my windows were down but the temperature outside was in the mid 100's and I was sweating, no water or liquids in the car at all. People passed by and I politely asked them if they could help me Dunham my door and they would say, "Sorry, but, it's your problem and I Don't want to get involved and make things worse, sorry." I have to wear a lumbar brace for my 9 compressed discs in my back and 8 compressed discs in my neck, so trying to get out of my car crawling over the shift and emergency brake to get to the passenger seat took me 15 minutes just to do that. I'm in more severe pain than I was before this big safety issue with the driver's door not opening has caused me.

When I finally got out of the passenger's door, I was so dizzy and weak. I walked slowly to keep my balance, to get to my apartment, to hydrate myself. My clothes were so wet from sweating in the car, I could wring out the perspiration, I felt so dehydrated.

I can't afford to get my door handle fixed, so now my car is a safety hazard. I can't get out of my car through the driver's door,or out of the car safely without hurting my back and neck even more than it already is. This is such a dangerous situation that their such be a recall on the door handles and the mechanism should be under warranty.

I was told by MPP that the latch is coveted, but not the door handle. Now, this just doesn't make any sense to me. Both the latch and door handle work together to lock and open the door. Without the door handle being functional, in any situation, an emergency, or every day use, if the handle or latch don't work, then it can become a death situation if you can't get out of your car fast, or at all, Especially when it's hot, over 100 degrees. I could have died those 2 days from heat stroke and exhaustion from not being able to get out of my driver's door, endangering my life, and no person would help me.

On the day I left the Ford Dealership with my door handle not fixed, my car was dirty, no handle fixed, no car wash from Ford Dealership, either. So went through $3 dollar car wash, but, from earlier having to get out of my car, I forgot the window was still down on the driver's side of my car when I entered the car wash, and you guessed it, I started to get all wet, and realized the window was still open. So I hurried and closed it, but, the damage was already done. I was drenched and the inside of my car was all wet. I ended up being in a lot of pain, having to clean up the water drenched interior of my car and the twisting and bending to clean up all the water, just added even more severe pain to my already twisted and compressed discs in my body already.

I wish MPP would have just fixed my door problem, and that it would have been covered under my warranty plan. It just doesn't make any sense to cover one part of the door, the latch, but not, the important functioning part of the door, which actually opens the door, the handle, that part that helps people actually to get out of their vehicles.

It is really getting to be a real pain, literally, and Senior citizens on disability that are, Disabled, and can't afford to get the door handle fixed, their at a big disadvantage, all together. A heat stroke can hit a Senior Citizen faster, and cause an even longer time to recover from it, at their age, and Arizona, sure isn't a state that you want to get trapped, literally trapped in your hot car, and can't get out, just like animals and children in a trapped car in AZ, they can and do die.

For health and safety reasons, Ford should recall this problem, and get this problem covered, so people won't die in a hot car, like I almost die two times. I sure Don't want to die in a hot car, it's a slow death. Can anyone help me to get my door problem taken care of, Please!!! I would be ever so grateful!!!

Please, someone, can you help me!!! This is truly a dangerous problem that Ford has with the Ford Fusion's, the door handles. I've driven cars since I was 16 yrs old, and I've never had a door handle on any vehicle that I've driven all these years, break before. It's such a frightening experience, to be trapped in a hot vehicle. You really start to panic, with no phone, no water, you really feel so helpless being trapped and stuck in a hot vehicle, with no one around that will even help you to get out. That's so sad. What's happen to society and this world, when you can't count on anyone anymore, to help you out, unless you've got the money to pay them to help you, or to even get things that are a safety issue fix unless you have the money to pay to get it done.

Mostly, MPP told me on the phone, "It's not covered, and we can't help you, sorry for your inconvenience." Yes, it is now a dangerous, life threatening safety situation, that can cause death, being trapped in a hot car, were as, if it was covered under the warranty, it could help to save lives, instead of causing a possible death, that could be prevented now, before it's to late, and this problem of the door handle getting even worse. Why not have this part covered to help save lives, because it is getting to be a really big safety hazard for me, and possible other, also.

Please get this door handle problem covered on extended warranty, where it truly belongs. Thank you.

- Susan M., Phoenix, Arizona, US

problem #20

May 122018

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Me and my daughter have a 2012 Ford Fusion, has anyone else has a problem with the inside door handles breaking?!? The back driver side broke first and now 2 months later the drivers side has broke, it will still open but the car will not lock when you lock it with the key because of the handle being broke!!! I was wondering, has there been a recall on this because they shouldn't be breaking so easy. Does anyone know??

- dixiegal44, Clinton, US

problem #19

Jun 132017

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

Went to open my door to get out of the car & out of nowhere the door handle would not work. To get out of my car right now I have to put my window down & reach outside & open it with the outside door handle. It’s a real pain in the a$$ especially when it rains.

I’ve read that many Fusions are having the same exact issue and Ford did do a recall but my year model (2012) hasn’t been included yet. I’m hoping they expand it soon because clearly from my experience & that of many others the 2012 is clearly affected.

- Jennifer C., Antioch, TN, US

problem #18

Aug 202016

Fusion SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

So, I tried to open my driver door and I heard something snap, and my door would not open and the handle was loose. I had to roll down the window and open the door from the outside door handle. I did some researching on the internet, and saw a U-Tube video of how to replace the broken door handle. It didn't look to hard to do, so I ordered the part online, and I believe it was around $25 dollars and I paid 5 dollars for a Star screwdriver tool. It took me about 20 minutes to do it, but my thought the whole time was of how poor the quality of the part must have been. When I pulled the broken handle out, it is exactly that. A cheap piece of plastic that had snapped. This could potentially be a very serious problem if say someone were in an accident where the vehicle is on fire, or perhaps the vehicle ends up in a lake or body of water and someone needs to exit quickly......

I find it really disconcerting that Ford would not issue a Recall on something like this, especially since it is so easy to replace. But perhaps that would then force them to use a material other than plastic.

- James M., Sugar Land, US

problem #17

Aug 122017

Fusion SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles

OK, now I am really NOT Happy! The exact same thing happened again with my car as happened about a year ago. Once again the cheap ass plastic door handle snapped off on the inside, and I have to roll down the window and open the door using the outside door handle. NOT HAPPY with Ford right now! I fixed the problem myself last year when it happened and will again I guess this time, but I am really unhappy with the quality of these parts that Ford has chosen to use.

- James M., Sugar Land, US

problem #16

Jun 012016

Fusion SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

My drivers door does not open from the inside, I really have to roll down my window and open from the outside door handle. I had heard about the door handle issues and took it to the dealership and was told, "its a FORD, what do you expect?" Not very comforting from a Ford dealer especially since I told him I had Ford before and it caught fire while I was driving due to an ignition issue.

- Sayoki M., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #15

Jan 012017

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Door handle suddenly seemed to be sprung. Would no longer go back into normal place without being manually held there. Seemed to just stick half way out and does not allow the driver side door to lock. Called the Ford service department to see how much it would cost to repair and was told parts and labor for this would be around $180.00.

After doing a little research online I was able to quickly find out that this is a very common issue with these and several other Ford vehicles. There are also several Youtube videos that will show you how to purchase the part and repair it yourself, so that is what I am going to do. There are enough issues that Ford should have issued a recall, but they have not.

- Stacy C., Lake Dallas, TX, US

problem #14

Sep 232016

Fusion LS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,763 miles

This a safety hazard unable to get out of car due to door failure. Drivers side door unable to open, I have to open window and pull door handle from outside to get out. Took my car in for recalls and ford said $350 for parts and labor. If someone gets into an accident and unable to get to safety due to this faulty door. Ford will be liable, there should be a recall on this. I went to get car inspected and car failed inspection due to this faulty unsafe door. Help can someone offer a reasonable fix????

- msladi04, N. Chesterfield, VA, US

problem #13

Dec 312016

Fusion SE 2.5L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

This is a problem with the driver's side door latch on a 2012 Ford Fusion SE. The door latch failed on a mild curve at about 35mph. Door opened. Door latch handle and door lock popped out towards the steering wheel. Several attempts required to get the door to latch. Now it will latch, but will not lock. The inside door handle and lock will not return to the normal resting position. Remote button will not actuate the lock.

- notunclewalt, Highland, UT, US

problem #12

Nov 092016

Fusion

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,000 miles

There are numerous posts online about this issue and recalls but Ford insists that this vehicle is not covered under the recall. I will be taking it in next week to have it fixed. The driver door stopped latching. It appears closed but with any force applied, it pops open.

- afeathers, Fort Walton Beach, FL, US

problem #11

Oct 012016

Fusion SEL 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Interior Door handle would not spring back closed. Stuck straight out. Caused driver door to not lock.

- xiaobo, Elgin, IL, US

problem #10

Sep 012016

Fusion SE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,700 miles

MY FORD FUSION FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS I PUT THE WINDOW DOWN AND PUT MY HAND ON THE OUTSIDETO OPEN DOOR. THIS SUCKS...

- mprieto, San Antonio, TX, US

problem #9

Jul 252016

Fusion SE

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,592 miles

Interior Door handle would not spring back closed. Stuck straight out. Caused driver door to not lock.

- jes15, Linton, IN, US

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