2018 Ford FUSION HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Ford FUSION HYBRID has 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (13% of all complaints), specifically: while driving, the car's dashboard indicates a powertrain fault (via amber wrench symbol). car seems to go into a limp home mode that has symptoms of grabby brakes and lower fuel economy. car has also stalled out while driving, losing all power, and requires the operator to fully stop, shift the car. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 11 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

13%

• WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DASHBOARD INDICATES A POWERTRAIN FAULT (VIA AMBER WRENCH SYMBOL). CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE THAT HAS SYMPTOMS OF GRABBY BRAKES AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL POWER, AND REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO FULLY STOP, SHIFT THE CAR
• THE SUNROOF LEAKS INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR SATURATING THE HEADLINER AND THE WATER IS COMING THROUGH AND DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON THE SHIFTER, ECO BUTTON, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL BUTTON. I AM AFRAID IT'S GOING TO MESS WITH THE WIRING THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE CAR. *TR
• A WEEK AGO I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY @ 70 MPH AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR STOPPED FOR NO REASON I LOOKED DOWN AND MY TURN KNOB SHIFTER WAS ON PARK, LUCKY FOR ME THERE WASN'T ANY VEHICLE CLOSE BEHIND ME. I PUT MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AND TURNED MY CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT STARTED GOING AGAIN.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DASHBOARD INDICATES A POWERTRAIN FAULT (VIA AMBER WRENCH SYMBOL). CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE THAT HAS SYMPTOMS OF GRABBY BRAKES AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL POWER, AND REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO FULLY STOP, SHIFT THE CAR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

10 complaints

13%

• WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DASHBOARD INDICATES A POWERTRAIN FAULT (VIA AMBER WRENCH SYMBOL). CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE THAT HAS SYMPTOMS OF GRABBY BRAKES AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL POWER, AND REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO FULLY STOP, SHIFT THE CAR
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AUTO GIANT FORD (4600 BRANCH AVE, TEMPLE HILLS, MD 20748, (240) 685-2274) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST COULD NOT DET
• 2 weeks ago I went to drive my car and an error code popped up on my screen stating Shift SYS Fault Service Required. I took my car to a mechanic I have been using and he checked the codes to diaganose it. He stated that it needs a Range Control Module, Range Sensor. According to the mechanic this i

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

8 complaints

10%

• I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AND WAS SLOWING TO MAKE TURNS, I EXPERIENCED A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SCREECHING OF METAL ON METAL. I FOUND A SAFE LOCATION AND PULLED OFF T
• I was able to replicate the first issue once, second issue happens more frequently: Braking system not grabbing on as hard as they should and abs did not activate. car also seems to lunge forward sometimes when slowing down, most noticeable when preparing to turn. Took the car to get inspected at
• Car is parked and fine. Started car and ABS comes on. Then brake fluid is low. Then hose line is ruptured and throwing out brake fluid.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AND WAS SLOWING TO MAKE TURNS, I EXPERIENCED A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SCREECHING OF METAL ON METAL. I FOUND A SAFE LOCATION AND PULLED OFF T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

8 complaints

10%

• 2018 FORD FUSION HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND DECEASED, WEDGED BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR POST IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A MOBILE HOME. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR. IT A
• THE RIMS AND MICHELIN ENERGY SAVERS TIRES ARE UNSAFE; TWICE I HAVE TO REPLACE DUE TO SIMPLE ISSUES SUCH AS BUMPING SLIDING OVER THE MEDIAN AT SLOW SPEED AND BACKING UP, TO GET OFF FROM IT. THE LOW PROFILE AND SKINNY WALLS, NO SPARE FOR HYBRID, ARE UNSAFE!
• THE DIAL ON THE COUNCIL (INTERIOR) FOR CHANGING, ENGAGING THE GEARS IS PRICKING MY FINGERS. I HAVE CUTS AND LIFTED SKIN WHERE THE DIAL HAS CAUGHT MY FINGERTIPS WHEN USING (TURNING) THE DIAL TO ENGAGE. THE METAL OR MATERIAL IT'S MADE OF IS POKING OUT IN SOME AREAS NEAR THE BOTTOM EDGE. I TOOK MY CAR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“2018 FORD FUSION HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND DECEASED, WEDGED BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR POST IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A MOBILE HOME. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR. IT A”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

7 complaints

• WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DASHBOARD INDICATES A POWERTRAIN FAULT (VIA AMBER WRENCH SYMBOL). CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE THAT HAS SYMPTOMS OF GRABBY BRAKES AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL POWER, AND REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO FULLY STOP, SHIFT THE CAR
• JUNE 15, 2020: I STARTED THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY, A MIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE COMBUSTION ENGINE IDLE WAS ROUGH (RPM GOING UP AND DOWN). WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS, A MESSAGE SAYING "STOP SAFELY NOW" POPPED ON THE DASH AND WITHIN A FEW SECONDS, THE ENGINE STOPPED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, BUT I
• PRECURSOR 1: CAR HAD THREE SHORT TRIPS WITH BRIEF BREAKS. AND ABOUT 1 MIN IN OFF/PARK BEFORE PROBLEMS OCCURRED. PRECURSOR 2: ENGINE DID NOT FULLY START AND VEHICLE GEAR DIAL WOULDN'T MOVE OUT OF PARK. RECEIVED A MESAGE ABOUT THE BRAKE. THOUGHT THIS WAS CAUSED BY NOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ENOUG

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 77 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DASHBOARD INDICATES A POWERTRAIN FAULT (VIA AMBER WRENCH SYMBOL). CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE THAT HAS SYMPTOMS OF GRABBY BRAKES AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL POWER, AND REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO FULLY STOP, SHIFT THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR'S DASHBOARD INDICATES A POWERTRAIN FAULT (VIA AMBER WRENCH SYMBOL). CAR SEEMS TO GO INTO A LIMP HOME MODE THAT HAS SYMPTOMS OF GRABBY BRAKES AND LOWER FUEL ECONOMY. CAR HAS ALSO STALLED OUT WHILE DRIVING, LOSING ALL POWER, AND REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO FULLY STOP, SHIFT THE CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AND WAS SLOWING TO MAKE TURNS, I EXPERIENCED A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE THAT WAS COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDED LIKE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AREA. IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SCREECHING OF METAL ON METAL. I FOUND A SAFE LOCATION AND PULLED OFF T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 2018 FORD FUSION HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND DECEASED, WEDGED BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR POST IN THE DRIVEWAY OF A MOBILE HOME. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR. IT A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)