Decode a Ford Fusion VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
VIN prefix3FA1FA
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Ford Fusion
About the Ford Fusion
Ford sold the Fusion in the US for model years 2006–2020, across two generations. The Gen 1 came first (2006–2012), and the Gen 2 took over for 2013–2020. Across those years NHTSA lists 48 vehicle recall campaigns and 23,904 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2010 and 2011 model years alone account for 8,556 of them, with owners bringing up steering most often and the air bags after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 19–39 mpg combined, while the Gen 2, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 20–42 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
US model years2006–2020
GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2
NHTSA recall campaigns48
Owner complaints23,904 at NHTSA
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations
Ford Fusion generations
Two generations since the 2006 model year. The Gen 1 (2006–2012) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 2 (2013–2020) the most recall campaigns (35).
NHTSA has 48 campaigns on file for Fusion model years 2006–2020, and the 2013 and 2014 show up in the most (20 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
2014
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Owner reports · NHTSA complaints
What Ford Fusion owners report
Owner summaries + NHTSA data
Between them, the 2010 and 2011 hold 8,556 of the 23,904 complaints, or 36%. Tap any bar or generation.
23,904NHTSA complaints, 2006–2020
843mention a crash
186mention a fire
570injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGen 2: 8,563 complaints · most for the 2013 (1,956)
2006···2010····2015····2020
Top complaint areas · Gen 2
Mentions in 8,563 complaints, 2013–2020.
Engine and cooling2,717
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)1,650
Steering1,252
Electrical system1,063
Brakes575
Fuel system451
Crashes 304Fires 138Injuries 222
2013–2020 (Gen 2)
NHTSA data summary
Fires come up in 138 complaints, or 1.6% against 0.8% for all Fusion model years, which is the highest rate of any generation. Its first model year, the 2013, drew more complaints than any other (1,956 of 8,563). Owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (2,717 mentions), then powertrain (1,650).
Top complaint areas · Gen 1
Mentions in 15,341 complaints, 2006–2012.
Steering4,861
Air bags3,465
Brakes2,108
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)1,683
Engine and cooling1,325
Speed control / acceleration1,309
Crashes 539Fires 48Injuries 348
2006–2012 (Gen 1)
NHTSA data summary
The 2010 is the outlier. On its own it has 5,638 of the ’s 15,341 complaints (37%), more than any other Fusion model year, and owners across the generation name steering most often (4,861 mentions), then air bags (3,465).
What Fusion owners report across recent generations
Owner summary
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.
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Owner opinions · Reddit
What Ford Fusion owners say on Reddit
Summarized from public threads
Ford Fusion owners on Reddit judge the car by its engine. The 2.5 non-turbo is the favorite, with owners reporting 150,000 to 355,000 miles and praising the ride and quiet cabin, and some hybrids have reached 300,000 and even 370,000 miles. The 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost engines worry people because of coolant intrusion, with failures reported between about 42,000 and 70,000 miles and one repair quoted near $8,000, though other EcoBoost cars pass 200,000 miles. The automatic needs regular fluid changes.
Pros
2.5 non-turbo engine trusted for very high mileage
Hybrids reported past 300,000 miles
Comfortable ride and quiet cabin for the price
Cons
Coolant intrusion on some 1.5 and 2.0 EcoBoost engines, often costly out of warranty
Automatic transmission seen as the weak point without regular fluid changes
EPA lists 103 Fusion versions for model years 2006–2020 (gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 99 g/mi, for the 2020 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
Gen 12006–2012
19–39 mpg · CO₂ 228–468 g/mi
Gen 22013–2020
20–42 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 88–103 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 99–444 g/mi
2020
27combined MPG
327CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,500EPA yearly fuel cost
7/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2020: Fusion FWD · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo — 27 MPG · 327 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
GasHybridPlug-in hybrid
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Compare rivals
Fusion vs Honda Accord vs Chevrolet Malibu
NHTSA + EPA data
Take 2013–2020. NHTSA lists 35 recall campaigns for the Fusion, against 16 for the Honda Accord and 29 for the Chevrolet Malibu. Pick a range to compare.
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Ford Fusion VIN number location
Where to find the VIN on a Fusion
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
The Fusion's VIN appears on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield and on the door jamb sticker. A label inside the trunk lid near the latch serves as a third identification point. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2013 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (D for 2013) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ
Common Ford Fusion VIN questions
Which Ford Fusion model years have the most owner complaints?
The 2010 leads with 5,638, ahead of the 2011 (2,918) and 2012 (2,616). Those first two alone make up 36% of the 23,904 Fusion complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
How many recalls has the Ford Fusion had?
NHTSA’s recall records show 48 vehicle campaigns for model years 2006–2020, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 35. Then come the Gen 1 (13), and a campaign can span two generations.
Which Ford Fusion recalls are high risk?
16V-384 and 17V-024 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 21V-158, 18V-046, 18V-775 and 19V-001 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 15V-793, 12V-551, 13V-227, 17V-209, 18V-169, 18V-592, 26V-376, 15V-618 and 2 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 16V-384, 17V-024, 18V-046 and 19V-001. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.
Which Fusion generation am I looking at?
By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2006–2012 and the Gen 2 2013–2020. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (D is 2013).
What fuel economy does the Ford Fusion get?
It varies. EPA rates the 2013–2020 Gen 2 at 20–42 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (88–103 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 19–39 mpg for the 2006–2012 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).
How does the Ford Fusion compare with the Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu on recalls?
For 2013–2020 models the Fusion has 35 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda Accord has 16, the Chevrolet Malibu 29. Complaints run 8,563, 7,450 and 4,240 in that order, with no sales adjustment.
What crash rating does the Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Fusion 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.
