2018 Ford Fusion

2018 Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD

Overall

★★★★★

Front Crash

★★★★☆

Side Crash

★★★★★

Rollover

★★★★☆

2018 Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD

Overall

★★★★★

Front Crash

★★★★☆

Side Crash

★★★★★

Rollover

★★★★☆

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

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

ENGINE

My engine coolant keeps on overheating, I’ve tried changing the antifreeze tank out for a brand new one and it helped the issue for a while but I have to relieve the pressure myself which is a hazard. I’ve had to change the coolant in the tank more than 5 times and it just seems like it’s leaking somewhere other than going into the engine to cool it. When I go out roundabouts off a highway the engine overheats and makes the car go into a safe mode where it won’t go and I have to stop on the side of the road. When I’m driving with my heat on the heat will go cold when I slow down. If I’m not going over 3x1,000 RPMs it will go cold and fluctuate. This has been going on for months now.

POWER TRAIN

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic several times, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming antifreeze. The ignition coils and spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic associated the failure with the engine. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the short block was warped and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled to be repaired. The contact researched the failure and stated that it was a known issue that the manufacturer had failed to correct. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via telephone; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

ENGINE

We have coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 of our engine. This can cause highway failure of engine cuts out, car runs rough and it can become a fire hazard. We paid for a diagnostics through a ford dealer. Who we uses all the time for our warranty needs. We noticed car was starting to run rough and check engine light came on 8/5/26

ENGINE

my 2018 ford fusion has catastrophic engine failure. Engine stuttering and misfires with check engine light. Low coolant levels with no visible puddles under the car. Engine overheating, could possibly catch fire. Car recently had a tuneup was told no issues at the time. Failure mileage at 109,000.

ENGINE

The 1.5L EcoBoost motor has coolant intrusion problem on cylinder 3. The 1.5L EcoBoost motor sputters while driving causing the engine to be sluggish and not get up to speed when turning and might cause an accident on the highway due to the motor failing due to coolant intrusion design flaw in Ford Motor. Yes, Ford dealership confirmed the coolant intrusion problem on cylinder 3 and check engine light keeps coming on and off. Yes, the Ford dealership inspected the 1.5L engine in the vehicle and ran test to confirm the coolant intrusion problem on cylinder 3. There was no other warning lamps or symptoms prior to the failure/degrade of engine

STRUCTURE

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 significant force, shattering it, immediately blocking my forward visibility, and sending broken glass into the passenger compartment and onto me. Because I suddenly could not see the roadway, I lost control and the vehicle left the road. Fortunately, no other vehicles or pedestrians were involved and I did not require medical treatment. This was not a hood that simply became loose or partially opened. The hood fully opened and struck the windshield. Based on what occurred, it appears the primary hood retention/latch and the secondary safety retention mechanism both failed to prevent the hood from fully opening. The exact mechanical cause requires inspection. The impact caused extensive damage to the hood and windshield and tore/deformed metal around the windshield/A-pillar/roof area. An independent eyewitness across the street personally witnessed the incident occur in real time, and I have photographs documenting the aftermath. The vehicle has approximately 156,000 miles, was in good operating condition, and remains unrepaired and unaltered following the incident so the hood latch, secondary safety catch, striker, hinges and related components can be inspected. Ford was notified immediately and opened case CXH-08862363-V8C8X7, which Ford advised was escalated to its Office of General Counsel. I am reporting this because this apparent hood-retention safety failure created an extremely dangerous situation. Had this occurred at highway speed, at a higher speed, in heavy traffic, or near pedestrians, the consequences could have been catastrophic.

ENGINE

Coolant leaking into the engine.

POWER TRAIN

There is a recall for the transmission cable bushings for years 2013-2106. The recall came out in 2022. This same bushing is used in the 2018 ford fusion model that was not fixed. The bushing on my vehicle which is a 2018 complete failed while I was driving and left me immobile until I searched for a fix and found the bushing completely gone. Ford Escape: Model years 2013–2019, Ford C-Max: Model years 2013–2018; Ford Fusion: Model years 2013–2016; Ford Transit Connect: Model years 2013–2021; Ford Edge: Model years 2015–2018. Each model besides the fusion went past the 2018 model in which the 2018 fusion should be apart of

POWER TRAIN

Transmission/cracked flexplate started approximately 12 months prior with vibrations getting progressively worse, complete failure needing replacement along with shift cable bushing causes vehicle to select wrong gear position when another is commanded by driver. Shrapnel from case or components could be expelled during flexplate/converter failure. Incorrect gear selection could lead to potential injury or damage from improper gear selection.