2020 Ford Fusion
Safety ratings, recalls, and consumer complaints from NHTSA
NHTSA Safety Ratings
2020 Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Front Crash
- ★★★★☆
- Side Crash
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
2020 Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Front Crash
- ★★★★☆
- Side Crash
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Recalls(3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
Campaign: 23V440000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Campaign: 25V442000
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Campaign: 25V685000
Consumer Complaints(180 total, showing 10)
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Coolant Intrusion. Started with thick white exhaust when starting up in morning. Turned into acceleration lags, car shutting engine off when parked, and exhaust smell coming inside of car. 2014-2019 models have a recall for cracked engine block allowing cooling to leak inside, but 2020 models do not although there is an increased problem with this year and model of car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.
ENGINE
COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine cooling fan on my 2020 Ford Fusion SEL (1.5L, non-hybrid) became inoperable and blew three fuses. With the fans not operating, the engine overheated, destroying the head gasket and engine, requiring complete replacement. Failure occurred 07/08/2026 at 49,118 miles. WARNING SYMPTOMS: The A/C began blowing warm air roughly 2 days earlier. The engine temperature lamp illuminated on 07/08/2026 — the first and only time it ever came on. No prior overheating, no coolant loss, no leaks, no other alert. I stopped driving immediately on that single warning and had the vehicle towed. SAFETY RISK: A cooling fan failure progressing to engine destruction risks overheating, loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic or at highway speed. I stopped safely; a driver getting this same lone warning on a freeway would face a serious hazard with no notice. The vehicle's protections did not prevent a low-cost part from destroying the powertrain, and the sole warning came immediately before catastrophic damage. CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS: Yes. A certified technician at a licensed independent shop found the cooling fan assembly inoperable and identified it as the cause of both the A/C failure and the temperature warning, noting these vehicles are known to fail head gaskets this way. A second licensed engine shop documented the sequence: the electric cooling fan failed, which blew three fuses, causing an overheat condition that caused engine failure. Written findings, inspection reports, and invoices retained. MANUFACTURER INSPECTION: None. Ford declined to consider assistance unless a Ford technician inspected the vehicle, by which time it was already at an independent shop mid-repair. No police or insurance inspection. MANUFACTURER AWARENESS: Ford SSM 48659 covers 2019-2020 Fusion/MKZ non-hybrids with cooling fans inoperative due to open fuses F59, F60, F63, causing engine overheat or lack of A/C cooling.
STEERING
I was backing out of my drive way when a shift system fault message appeared on my dashboard. When I went to change gears the rotary dial locked up and shifted to park. My safety as well as other people’s safety was put at risk because my car stopped in the middle of the street with little warning. My problem was confirmed by an independent service center with a obd scanner.
ENGINE
While driving at 75mph on the freeway, my 2020 Ford Fusion suffered a sudden, catastrophic EcoBoost engine coolant failure. The vehicle instantly lost power and dropped to 35mph in active traffic, creating an extreme highway collision hazard. A mechanic has confirmed internal coolant intrusion in the engine block.
POWER TRAIN
A failed transmission cooling line caused the transmission fluid to leak. At no point did the vehicle display a check engine light, transmission warning, or any other indication that there was a problem. According to the Ford dealership, the transmission fluid had been leaking for some time. Because the transmission pan is wrapped in a fabric-like insulating material, the leaking fluid was absorbed rather than dripping onto the ground, making the leak virtually impossible for an owner to detect during normal use. The dealership also advised that this condition could have created a potential fire hazard within the engine compartment. The vehicle has only approximately 40,000 miles, making this type of catastrophic transmission failure especially concerning for a relatively low-mileage vehicle. The first and only symptom occurred when I started the vehicle one day. It hesitated, struggled to shift out of first gear, and drove abnormally. I immediately drove it to the Ford dealership, where it was diagnosed with a complete transmission failure. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, and I have been presented with an estimated repair cost of approximately $12,000. My primary concern is that there was absolutely no warning before this major failure. No warning lights, no diagnostic alerts, and no indication that a significant transmission fluid leak or internal transmission damage was occurring. A safety-critical failure of this magnitude should provide drivers with some form of warning before resulting in complete transmission failure.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine stalled. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinders 3 and 4. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,127.
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE
I’ve learned a while ago that the vehicle doesn’t have a working horn, I’ve replaced the fuse at least five times and it’s still not working. Yes the car was sold to me this way. Also I’ve been getting this warning to my ford app: “The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)/Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) has detected a fault and may not function. What Should I Do? If either BLIND SPOT NOT AVAILABLE/SENSOR BLOCKED SEE MANUAL or CROSS TRAFFIC NOT AVAILABLE/SENSOR BLOCKED SEE MANUAL is in the information display, the system may not function. Check the exterior vehicle sensors for damage or debris covering them (see Owner's Manual for sensor locations). If the problem persists, please have the system checked by an authorized dealer.” For the last month my car has become hard to drive as if there’s a power steering issue.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
I have had this car for 6 years and the transmission has gone out on top of the purge valve, I have seen many people have the same issues with this model and year of this car. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED. I also see that there is a lawsuit against this issue with the transmission model 6F35
STEERING,WHEELS
The front left lower control arm (driver's side) snapped off (broke) while turning a corner. There was no reason for the breakage other than turning. It was repaired through insurance. The driver's safety as well as the safety of pedestrians were put at risk because the breakage forced the car to turn sharply to the left. Because of this, the vehicle struck a utility pole. The pole had very little damage, but damage was done to the car. The policeman at the scene inspected the damage, as well as the insurance adjuster in the days following the accident. No warning lights or messages were displayed before the control arm broke. If this had happened at hi-way speeds, it is likely that the resulting loss of control would have resulted in a multi-vehicle accident, resulting in fatalities.
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