For 14 years, the Ford Fusion was one in every of Ford’s hottest fashions. It carved a distinct segment for itself in a aggressive sedan market, highlighted by its sensible design, fashionable strains, and total gasoline effectivity. Even amid head-to-head battles with like-minded sedans, together with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Nissan Altima, the Fusion constantly gained over patrons who wished a well-rounded and dependable sedan. Nonetheless, whereas the Fusion maintained good graces for many of its run, sure Fusion mannequin years stand out for his or her long-term reliability, and others stood out for lingering points which might be finest to be prevented. When you’re searching for a used Ford Fusion in your subsequent automobile, we have separated the very best years from these to keep away from.
We used respected sources like {Car} Complaints and the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration to seek out the commonest buyer complaints for every Ford Fusion mannequin yr.
Ford Fusion: A Memorable 14-Yr Run
Debuting for the 2006 mannequin yr, the Ford Fusion changed the long-running Taurus with this fresh-faced mannequin. Curiously, early Fusion fashions have been closely influenced by Mazda sedans of the time, principally as a consequence of Ford utilizing a Mazda-designed platform to construct the Fusion. Together with the first-gen Fusion, this platform was additionally utilized by fashions just like the Mazda 6, Lincoln MKZ, Mazda CX-9, and Ford Edge.
In 2012, Ford unveiled the second era of the Fusion. The automobile grew bigger, whereas Ford additionally experimented with the Fusion Energi, a plug-in hybrid model of the sedan. Regardless of its engaging styling and a number of powertrain decisions, the Fusion was discontinued as Ford went about culling sedans from its lineup solely.
|
Era |
Mannequin Years |
Engine Choices |
Transmissions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First |
2006-2012 |
2.3L I4, 2.5L I4, 2.5L I4 Hybrid, 3.0L V6, 3.5L V6 |
5- and 6-speed handbook, 5- and 6-speed automated, CVT |
|
Second |
2013-2020 |
1.5L EcoBoost I4, 1.6L EcoBoost I4, 2.0L EcoBoost I4, 2.5L I4, 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 2.0L I4 Hybrid, 2.0L I4 Plug-In Hybrid |
6-speed automated, 6-speed handbook, CVT |
Greatest Ford Fusion Fashions To Purchase
Based mostly on the info, the reliability of the Ford Fusion improved with the second era. Even the latest mannequin, the 2020 Fusion, has been round for not less than 4 years, giving us sufficient reliability data to work with. When you’re seeking to spend money on one in every of Ford’s sedans, we predict your finest likelihood is with these three Fusion yr fashions.
2018 Ford Fusion
By the point the 2018 Fusion rolled out, its destiny was already set—however that did not cease Ford from producing three of its finest Fusion fashions to this point. Years after its launch, the 2018 Fusion has fewer recollects and complaints on file when in comparison with the common Fusion mannequin yr. Many of the complaints 2018 Fusion drivers have skilled embody lack of coolant, minor electrical points, and a few screeching brake pads, in keeping with {Car} Complaints. By all accounts, this can be a snug sedan value contemplating.
2019 Ford Fusion
Persevering with this development, the 2019 Fusion proved its predecessor wasn’t only a fluke. The variety of reported points for the 2019 mannequin declined in comparison with a yr earlier than, and the vast majority of them have been minor, together with faulty backup cameras or different normal electrical points. Moreover a stable reliability file, the 2019 mannequin additionally benefited from a facelift. This included revised styling options, an upgraded security suite, a reshuffling of trims. In comparison with the older Fusion fashions we have discovered, the 2019 Fusion proves to be a dependable companion for drivers who want a snug, environment friendly sedan.
2020 Ford Fusion
The ultimate mannequin yr of the Ford Fusion has a low charge of total complaints. To this point, the 2020 Fusion has maintained a principally clear file, with just one recall and really minor complaints from drivers. Just like the 2018 and 2019 Fusion, this iteration was vulnerable to some electrical points, together with a battery discharging in only a few circumstances. The 2020 mannequin could be the very best yr for the Ford Fusion.
Worst Ford Fusion Fashions to Purchase
When wanting on the information, it is evident that varied first-generation Ford Fusion sedans have been probably the most problematic, with the best variety of recollects and complaints by mannequin yr. This status harm the Fusion, particularly contemplating it counted dependable sedans just like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry as key rivals. Based mostly on the NHTSA information, these are the Ford Fusion mannequin years which have racked up probably the most total complaints.
|
Mannequin Yr |
Variety of Complaints |
Most Prevalent Subject |
|
2010 |
5,043 |
Energy Steering |
|
2011 |
2,860 (Fusion Hybrid) |
Energy Steering |
|
2011 |
2,676 (Fusion) |
Energy Steering |
|
2012 |
2,461 |
Transmission |
|
2013 |
1,841 |
Energy Steering |
You are higher off investing more cash on the late-year Fusion fashions than going for a budget-friendly Fusion with a litany of points.
2010 Ford Fusion
Far and away, the 2010 Fusion stays probably the most trouble-prone Fusion produced. Since its launch, the NHTSA has obtained over 5,000 complaints, starting from pricey steering issues to transmission points. The worst offenders are damaged energy steering, sudden stalling and lack of energy, and transmission failure, amongst quite a lot of different costly points that typically exceed the whole worth of the Fusion itself.
Ford considerably up to date the Fusion for the 2010 mannequin yr. We want they hadn’t. Throttle physique points have led to a ton of stories a few sudden deceleration and lack of energy whereas driving. Ford issued a buyer satisfaction program in March 2014 that, unsurprisingly, has left only a few clients glad. 2010 can be the yr we began seeing complaints concerning the energy steering failing.
– {Car} Complaints
2013 Ford Fusion
Though Ford finally ironed out most of the second-gen Fusion’s points, it did not get off to a promising begin. Whereas the 2013 Fusion mounted the various energy steering points current between 2010 and 2012, drivers needed to cope with tough transmission shifting and engine failure on sure fashions. Engine stalling points typically hit clients at across the 55,000-mile mark, resulting in a restore value of roughly $1,500. Moreover these points, the 2013 Fusion was additionally recalled 19 occasions, greater than every other Fusion mannequin yr, whereas the NHTSA lists over 1,800 complaints about this mannequin. We recommend you look elsewhere.
Abstract: The Newer The Fusion, The Higher
The Ford Fusion could not have been a class-leading selection, but it surely offered Ford sedan followers with a lovely car that was pleasurable to drive, with sharper dealing with than a number of opponents. Its big selection of powertrains provide both effectivity or energy, whereas the latest fashions have good construct high quality and a fairly trendy infotainment interface.
Based mostly on our analysis, the latest Ford Fusion mannequin years have confirmed to be probably the most dependable. In case your price range permits, these are those you need to take into account. Then again, the first-generation Fusion has been undone by way more buyer complaints, so we would keep away from it. When you do go for a first-gen mannequin, attempt to discover one with an entire service historical past and decrease than common miles.