10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,035 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Ford Fusion:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #401

Jun 102025

Fusion

  • miles
Coolant intrusion causing engine failure per diagnostic TSB 22-2134 applies.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #400

Jun 152025

Fusion

  • miles
Started car and out of nowhere it began sputtering. Then Engine light came on and when tested the diagnostic said -??cylinder 2 misfire. I didnt drive anywhere and light was off today when I crank it. well started driving and light is flashing. Ford dealership said this is a common issue from poor design engine but my car only has 40,000 miles. This seems to happen to ALOT of the 2016 eco models. Says coolant goes into engine. I-??m aware most of these models have recalls but not 2016 why!!!!! It-??s clearly a faulty engine problem if so many people are having the exact problem and code.

- Minden, LA, USA

problem #399

Jun 082025

Fusion

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally before losing motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty engine block. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #398

May 032025

Fusion

  • miles
Engine spontaneously became extremely rough, losing power while at the same time engine light started flashing. Had car towed to auto shop. Which stated cylinders 2 and 4 were misfiring. Sought second opinion from different auto shop which confirmed that cylinder 4 was not performing and cylinder 2 was performing minimally. Engine has 47,000 miles on it. Ford customer relations contacted which provided case # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Westland , MI, USA

problem #397

Apr 182025

Fusion

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on two occasions when the vehicle was started and running, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and the vehicle started shaking. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after approximately 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #396

Nov 282024

Fusion

  • miles
My 2016 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost has developed Fords known Coolant intrusion into the head gasket and block issue. I-??m currently experiencing dangerous misfires, violent shaking, with EVAP/O2 codes (not sure if related). I got it towed and received diagnosis and the car will be needing a new engine. 124K miles on vehicle at the time. We demand immediate NHTSA investigation and a Ford recall.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #395

Jan 222025

Fusion

  • miles
Engine has total failure due to coolant in cylinder 2. Ford is horrible

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #394

Mar 132025

Fusion

  • miles
My engine is misfiring and now i have to replace my engine.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #393

Mar 072025

Fusion

  • miles
I had an oil change and drove the car for a week no leaks in my driveway. Then a week later at 6am driving in traffic the red engine light comes on, the car slows down, I pull over and turn the car off. It would not turn back on. I had to have it towed and now I-??m told I need an engine. How? The car has been maintained and I didn-??t hit anything or run over anything. The oil pan is in tack. This could have been serious as I work over night.This needs to be a recall on the 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 2.0 eco boost.

- Ellenwood, GA, USA

problem #392

Apr 142025

Fusion

  • miles
Coolant leak caused head gasket and block damage. No warning lights ever on to indicate issue. Car simply wound not start one morning. Was towed and received diagnosis of needing new engine. 57K miles on vehicle.

- Craddockville, VA, USA

problem #391

Apr 022025

Fusion

  • miles
Ford already knew there was a problem with engines in the SE ecoboost, , there is a misfire on cylinder 3.instead of them recalling all of those engines they only recalled a few putting every one else safty at risk.please have them recall my engine. They were aware of this problem with these engines I have been calling the local Ford since last year to check on recalls for this engine. I was told they didnt have recalls only to find out they did have some recalls on thiese engines my car started overheating in the median of the highway I almost crashed trying to hurry and pull over to a safe place. Please do a recall on my engine

- Crestview , FL, USA

problem #390

Apr 082025

Fusion

  • miles
Coolant intrusion into cylinder 4. Engine light on. Reads Codes: p0304 and p0316. Recommended replacement of an entire short block. Common problem on their ecoboost engines. Officially diagnosed by Ford dealership on 04-08-2025.

- Republic, MO, USA

problem #389

Oct 012024

Fusion

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 80 MPH while driving. The vehicle started jerking and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle jerked and then failed to exceed 40 MPH. After refueling, the vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to pump the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who retrieved DTC: P02, P0087, P0131, P0302, and P1450. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle would not pass State inspection. The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed an unrepaired recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #388

Mar 012025

Fusion

  • miles
I take good care of the car, went in for a check up with engine light on, said I needed new spark plugs, they replaced those. Then it didn-??t go off, so then brought it to a master mechanic and he said I have a coolant intrusion and need a new engine. This happened out of nowhere.

- South Boston, MA, USA

problem #387

Mar 222025

Fusion

  • miles
Car has white smoke coming from exhaust smells sweet. Coolant continues to be low, even after filling up check engine light for misfire. This is due to coolant intrusion common with the 1.5 L engines on the fusion. There was a recall for the 2017 but mines a 2016 and has the same issues. This is an ongoing issue with this car. There is a This is an ongoing issue with this car. There is a class action lawsuit and it-??s been acknowledged by Ford that this is an issue

- Lake Grove , NY, USA

problem #386

Mar 272025

Fusion

  • miles
The car apparently leaked coolant into the engine was given an estimate of $9425.09 to replace the long block assembly. Apparently this is a no issue from Ford Motor Company. I did write a letter to Ford as well as spoke to someone on the phone. He acknowledged that this was unknown issue and that they were in no position to do anything financially to help.

- Cumberland , WI, USA

problem #385

Mar 202025

Fusion

  • miles
Our 1.5 EcoBoost engine overheated on 3/20/25, my daughter was driving and the vehicle started shaking and it slowed way down, for a moment she feared for her life, she said it had a message and the check engine symbol was illuminated and the vehicle would not accelerate, when she got it was leaking coolant and white smoke, I took my OBDII scanner, one code was P1299 Cylinder Over temp Protection Active, it now emits white smoke and overheats and looses fluid. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 1.5L EcoBoost - Low Coolant, White Exhaust Smoke And/Or Illuminated MIL - Built On Or Before 10-Jun-2019 20- 2100 01 April 2020 This bulletin supersedes 19-2375. Reason for update: Replace Awareness/Interim Message Model: Ford 2014-2019 Fusion Engine: 1.5L EcoBoost 2017-2019 Escape Engine: 1.5L EcoBoost Summary This article supersedes TSB 19-2375 to update the Service Procedure and Parts List. Issue: Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the short block and head gasket. Action: Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition on vehicles that meet all of the following criteria: -?? One of the following vehicles: - 2014-2019 Fusion built on or before 10-Jun-2019 - 2017-2019 Escape built on or before 08-Apr-2019 -?? 1.5L EcoBoost engine -?? At least one of the following conditions: - Low coolant level - White exhaust smoke - Runs rough condition with or without an illuminated MIL with only DTCs P0300, P0301- P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in PCM

- Pittsburg, KS, USA

problem #384

Feb 042025

Fusion

  • miles
I have an engine coolant intrusion so my car is misfiring

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #383

Feb 012025

Fusion

  • miles
The transmission failed suddenly. To my understanding there have been reported issues with the transmissions for this vehicle having sudden failures without warning. My car slipped out of gear while driving 60mph. I have had the car towed and checked by a certified mechanic who confirmed that the transmission has failed, and its poorly built. My mechanic used to be a mechanic for FORD and is familiar with the poor build quality of the engine, transmission and turbo. I have not had the component inspected by anyone else. There were no symptoms or warning lights before this failure. The car was driving fine and then, the transmission slipped and failed.

- York, SC, USA

problem #382

Jun 152022

Fusion

  • miles
I believe this car falls under the coolant leak recall that is still under investigation. The car started losing coolant and had white smoke coming from exhaust. I believe the coolant channels have cracked and caused the leak. It needs a new motor to be drivable again. I have been waiting for the recall to cover my vin. The recall currently covers similar vehicles.

- Lincolnton, NC, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »