Is the 2020 Ford FUSION reliable?

The 2020 Ford FUSION has 257 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Ford FUSION?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (65 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (52 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (37 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Ford FUSION?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM), BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ENGINE BLOCK HEATER. Contact any Ford dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Ford FUSION?

The 2020 Ford FUSION gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Ford FUSION?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Ford FUSION is approximately $1,601/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Ford FUSION

Q: Is the 2020 Ford FUSION often stolen?

The Ford FUSION was the #14 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 7,100 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Ford FUSION has 257 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 1748. The most common issue is transmission problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: the touchscreen display is not working. it turned completely black. i cannot change the radio station. i shut off my car and turned it back on and it is still not working had to hard reset the system car also shifts hard in and out of park and reverse, makes a clunking sound and shifts hard in first. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 8 crash reports 3 injuries

257

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

65 complaints

25%

• THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. IT TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. I CANNOT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING HAD TO HARD RESET THE SYSTEM CAR ALSO SHIFTS HARD IN AND OUT OF PARK AND REVERSE, MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND SHIFTS HARD IN FIRST
• I started my car and the engine was running very rough. The check engine light came on and I received a notification in the FordPass app of a powertrain control module detected an engine misfire. I was 108 miles from home in a snow storm. I drove to a hotel and spent the night. My husband picked me
• Vehicle purchased used in Feb 2022, dealer said vehicle was in EXCELLENT mechanical condition. May 2022, 3 months after purchase vehicle has a broken flywheel and now needs the flywheel, torque converter and transmission pump replaced before 1st oil change since purchase was due. 65k miles on odom

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

“THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. IT TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. I CANNOT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING HAD TO HARD RESET THE SYSTEM CAR ALSO SHIFTS HARD IN AND OUT OF PARK AND REVERSE, MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND SHIFTS HARD IN FIRST”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Ford FUSION

Based on 66 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 71K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 4K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 77K mi · 24 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 87K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM)23/06/2023

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.

Risk: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.

Above-average theft risk

#14 most stolen in 2025

The Ford FUSION was the #14 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 7,100 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Sedan with widespread availability

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Ford FUSION

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Ford FUSION

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,601

Full coverage / month

$133

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1601

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Ford FUSION Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

IOLM (Intelligent Oil Life Monitor) may signal earlier. Older 5.4L Triton engines have specific service needs — check the manual.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Ford New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Ford. If you're buying a used 2020 FUSION, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Ford dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 257 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: THE TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY IS NOT WORKING. IT TURNED COMPLETELY BLACK. I CANNOT CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. I SHUT OFF MY CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT IS STILL NOT WORKING HAD TO HARD RESET THE SYSTEM CAR ALSO SHIFTS HARD IN AND OUT OF PARK AND REVERSE, MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND AND SHIFTS HARD IN FIRST
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I can hear the coolant sloshing around and gurgling while the vehicle is in park with the heat on. When I turn the heat off, the sloshing and gurgling goes away. It appears that I do not have a coolant leak.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACKUP CAMERA REMAINED ON WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ROYAL OAK FORD DEALER, LOCATED AT: 27550 WOODWARD AVE, ROYAL OAK, MI 48067, WHERE THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNED RUBBER. I HAD REACHED MY DESTINATION AND HAD JUST PARKED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Ford dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)