About the Ford Fusion
The Ford Fusion was discontinued in 2020, making all current examples pre-owned. It was one of the most popular rental fleet sedans in the US during its production run, and the used market is saturated with former rental and corporate fleet units. VIN history separates true personal ownership examples from the high-cycle commercial units that make up the majority of available inventory.
A VIN number lookup on this Ford Fusion includes real high-resolution auction photos sourced directly from Copart and IAAI, the largest salvage auction operators in the United States.
Production years: 2006-2020
Body type: Midsize sedan
What a Ford Fusion VIN Check Reveals
A VIN number check on any Ford Fusion pulls records from state DMV offices, NHTSA databases, insurance industry filings, and salvage auction records across all 50 states. The report covers the following data categories:
- Accident and collision history
- Full odometer timeline
- Open safety recalls from NHTSA
- Title brands (salvage, flood, lemon law, total loss)
- Theft and recovery records
- Lien and ownership history
- Structural and frame damage
- Airbag deployment records
- State inspection history
- Prior vehicle use (fleet, rental, taxi, auction)
Ford Fusion VIN Number Location
Where to find the VIN on a Fusion
The Fusion's VIN appears on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield and on the door jamb sticker. As a popular rental fleet vehicle through most of its production run, Fusion frequently shows prior commercial use in VIN reports. A label inside the trunk lid near the latch serves as a third identification point. Odometer discrepancies are occasionally found on high-mileage fleet units traded in early.
The VIN also appears on the vehicle registration, insurance documents, and title. All locations should match. A mismatch between VIN plates is a potential indicator of a rebuilt or salvage vehicle.
Common Ford Fusion Issues Found in VIN Reports
Fusion hybrid models (2010-2020) show elevated battery and inverter cooling claims in hot-climate states. The 1.5L and 2.0L EcoBoost variants have documented coolant intrusion concerns similar to the Escape. Door hinge creaking and door jamb wear are common on high-mileage fleet returns. Front collision rates are above average due to the sedan's urban fleet usage profile.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
Ford Fusion — last 3 model years
What Fusion owners report across recent generations
2013–2020 (2nd generation)
On the 2013, NHTSA owners describe power steering assist faults that leave the wheel very hard to turn, and a recall covers 2013–2016 cars in salt states whose steering gear motor bolts can corrode. Other recalls address a transmission shifter cable bushing on 2013–2016 cars that can detach and let the car roll with the lever in Park. On the 2016, coolant is the top theme, with owners of 1.5-liter EcoBoost cars describing coolant leaking into a cylinder, misfires and overheating. CarComplaints notes the 2013 has fewer steering failures than the three years before it. [1] [2] [3]
2006–2012 (1st generation)
The 2010, a heavily updated year, draws the most complaints. Power steering failure dominates NHTSA reports, with owners describing a Power Steering Fault message and a wheel that becomes very hard to turn at speed, and many others describe sudden loss of power. CarComplaints links that loss of power and sudden deceleration to throttle body problems and says Ford issued a customer satisfaction program in 2014. Recalls cover driver air bag inflators on 2006–2012 cars and ABS valves on 2006–2010 cars that may not close properly. [4] [5]
What to check before buying
Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the air bag inflator and ABS recalls on older cars and the steering motor bolt and shifter bushing recalls on 2013–2016 cars. Ask for records of steering rack or throttle body replacement and any coolant leak or engine work on 1.5-liter cars. On the drive, watch for steering warnings, feel for hesitation and check the temperature gauge.
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2013 Ford Fusion
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2016 Ford Fusion
- CarComplaints.com, 2013 Ford Fusion problems
- NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2010 Ford Fusion
- CarComplaints.com, 2010 Ford Fusion problems
Updated September 25, 2026 · Summarized in our own words by VinNumber.net from public owner reports; individual experiences vary.