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2017 Ford Fusion

Safety ratings, recalls, and consumer complaints from NHTSA

NHTSA Safety Ratings

2017 Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD

Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★☆
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★☆

2017 Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD

Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★☆
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★☆

Recalls(4)

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Campaign: 18V167000

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.

Campaign: 16V874000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.

Campaign: 17V427000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.

Campaign: 23V162000

Consumer Complaints(1108 total, showing 10)

POWER TRAIN

The transmission shifter cable bushing on my 2017 Ford Fusion has failed and completely disconnected from the transmission housing on two separate occasions.When this happens, the gear shifter inside the cabin operates freely, but the transmission fails to engage the selected gear. The vehicle shows it is in "Park" on the dash, but the actual transmission remains stuck in Drive or Reverse. This creates an immediate and severe rollaway risk and unintended vehicle movement, as the vehicle cannot be safely secured. Ford previously issued Safety Recall 22S43 for millions of 2013–2016 Fusions for this exact identical defect (degraded Hytrel 4556 shifter bushings). Despite utilizing the same design and experiencing identical, dangerous failures, the 2017 model year was excluded. The NHTSA needs to investigate and force Ford to expand Recall 22S43 to include the 2017 model year before an injury occurs.

POWER TRAIN

Orange wrench light came on dash with see manual ( symbol represents powertrain malfunction). Car lost power and started jerky shifting between second and third gear. We limped the car home and parked until we could get an appointment at the dealership for service. Took it to dealership. They found the powertrain maintenance light wasn't on and no current or historical codes present. Dealership road tested vehicle and verified delayed harsh shifting between 2-3 gears with no codes present. Dealership states most likely has an internal failure starting in the forward, direct or intermediate clutch. Transmission would have to be torn down to diagnose cause. They recommend replacing the transmission as being more cost effective. Transmission has approximately 145000 miles (engine was replaced under 36000 miles due to head gasket failure- replace under warranty as manufuring defect found at a scheduled oil change) so odometer only shows 117000 miles. This car was purchased new and we purchased the extended warranty and service package. It has been consistently serviced on schedule by the dealership.

ENGINE

I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious engine failure and safety issue involving my 2017 Ford Fusion equipped with the 1.5L EcoBoost engine. At approximately 79,000 miles, my vehicle experienced a coolant intrusion failure. While driving, the engine suddenly stalled in the middle of an intersection, leaving me stranded in traffic and at risk of being rear-ended by approaching vehicles. I was able to restart the vehicle and move out of the intersection, but the exhaust then produced a very large, thick cloud of white smoke. The amount of smoke could have significantly reduced visibility for other drivers and created an additional safety hazard. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership, where I was told the engine had coolant intrusion and needed to be replaced. I was also told this is a common problem with Ford EcoBoost engines, including the 1.5L, 2.0L, and 2.3L engines. My concern is not only the cost of the repair, but the serious safety risk. Coolant intrusion can cause misfires, excessive white smoke, engine damage, and eventual engine failure. A sudden loss of power while driving can create a serious crash hazard, as happened to me. I am concerned Ford has known about this recurring problem for years yet has continued using these engines in vehicles such as the Fusion, Escape, and Lincoln MKZ without adequately addressing the issue. I request that NHTSA investigate coolant intrusion affecting Ford EcoBoost engines and determine whether a safety defect exists that warrants a recall. I also believe affected owners should receive reimbursement for engine replacement costs when the failure is caused by this defect. My experience demonstrates that this is more than a normal maintenance issue. An engine that can suddenly stall in traffic and produce a large cloud of white smoke without warning poses a significant safety risk to vehicle occupants and other motorists.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle lost motive power, and the RPM became elevated. In addition, the contact became aware of an abnormal odor. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

2017 Ford Fusion. Transmission replaced February 2026 at 98,175 miles by independent repair facility. Check engine light illuminated immediately following replacement and has remained on continuously since. Autozone scan showed emissions-related code only. On August 28, 2026 at approximately 120,064 miles, orange wrench light and "See Manual" message appeared moments after hot restart. Acceleration became heavy and hesitant. Drove approximately 70 miles home via I-15; heavy traffic required engine shutdown at multiple stops. Following morning, wrench light was no longer illuminated but hesitation persisted. Using manual paddle shift to select 5th gear improved drivability. Replacement transmission accumulated approximately 22,000 miles over 6 months. Ford Motor Company has issued multiple recalls for 2013-2016 model year Fusions involving identical transmission, shifter cable bushing, and torque converter defects, but 2017 model year vehicles with identical 6F35 transmissions and failure symptoms have been excluded from all campaigns. No crash, fire, or injury occurred.

POWER TRAIN

Flexplate cracked 5 months ago, and now it has cracked again. This is due to troqeu converting failure and faulty transmission mounts.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

If i do not run my car for atleast 10 minutes before driving, my gas tank will start making a loud horn sound, and when this happens and i go to slow down, the car will shut off. Mechanics say there’s an issue with the purge valve and the charcoal filter. I’ve already had this issue fixed three times and it comes back less than a week prior to service

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

I am reporting a serious recurring safety concern involving a 2017 Ford Fusion SE with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle was purchased used in August 2022 with approximately 50,000 miles. Within months, significant coolant and engine problems began. In February 2023, at approximately 55,940 miles, the vehicle developed a coolant leak. A pressure test confirmed the water pump was leaking and it was replaced. At approximately 84,189 miles, the vehicle experienced white/gray exhaust smoke, coolant loss, very low oil, and rough-running symptoms. The servicing Ford dealership referenced Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2322 in connection with the diagnosis and ultimately replaced the engine short block. Despite this major engine repair, the problems continued. The vehicle subsequently experienced additional smoking, hesitation and loss of power and required replacement of the turbocharger. The vehicle was returned again because it continued to smoke and required additional repairs. I am concerned this is a recurring engine defect rather than normal wear and tear. The repeated engine/coolant failures, smoking, hesitation and loss of power create a serious safety concern because the vehicle may unexpectedly lose power or experience engine failure while being driven. Ford has been notified of the repeated failures but declined further relief based primarily on the vehicle's current age, mileage and expired warranty. This ignores that the problems began years earlier at substantially lower mileage and that major repairs failed to permanently correct the condition. I request that NHTSA investigate whether the 1.5L EcoBoost engine in this and similarly equipped Ford vehicles has a safety-related defect involving coolant intrusion, engine failure and loss of power. The vehicle is currently at approximately 101,000 miles, but the documented problems began at 55,940 miles and continued despite major repairs.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

See attached document for complaint.

POWER TRAIN

I was coming home from work and when I tried to shift the gear from drive to park it was stuck on drive and Neutral I contacted the car dealer and they said ford has had this issue that it was a recall on it so I researched and found out that Ford issued major safety recalls (Recall 22S43 and 18S20) for 2017 Ford Fusions regarding a degraded transmission shifter cable bushing. This defect can cause the shifter cable to detach. Consequently, the car may roll away unexpectedly because the transmission isn't actually in Park, even though the shifter says it is.Recall DetailsThe Problem: The underhood shift cable bushing can degrade and fail over time.The Remedy: Ford dealers will replace the transmission shifter cable bushing and add a protective cap over it free of charge (parts and labor). It my VIN# was not coming up as a recall and this is an ongoing issue for this car and I would like to get this resolved as soon as possible with ford recall please thank you

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