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2016 Ford Fusion: common problems and reliability
· 2nd generationOne of the weaker Fusion years.
4,629 owner complaints, most about engine. 13 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Fusion?The 2016 Ford Fusion has 4629 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 13 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag hard, delayed, or harsh shifting from the 6f35 automatic transmission.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Fusion years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Fusion?
Across the 15 Fusion model years we track, complaint volume runs from 233 (2020) to 5,923 (2010). With 4,629 complaints, the 2016 Fusion sits above the model's median of 3,051.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Fusion
steering:electric power assist system
Campaign 19V632000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 18V471000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 19V362000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
seat belts:front
Campaign 16V875000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured November 2, 2012, to July 31, 2014, and 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 14, 2012, to July 31, 2014. In the event of a crash, heat from the deployment of a seat belt pretensioner may cause a front seat belt anchor cable to fail.
Show 9 more recalls
steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Campaign 18V167000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
seat belts:front:anchorage
Campaign 16V250000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured from March 10, 2016, through March 16, 2016. The front driver seat track assembly's rear riser may have been improperly welded to the seat track rail, and as a result, the driver may not be adequately restrained in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
fuel system, gasoline:storage
Campaign 15V618000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 20V177000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Fiesta, 2014-2016 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component within the door latches may break making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)
Campaign 22V413000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 23V162000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 23V775000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015 Fiesta, 2016 Fusion, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A component inside the door latches may break, which can make it difficult to latch or possibly allow the doors to open while driving.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 25V695000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when the vehicle is in reverse.
power train:manual transmission
Campaign 26V376000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
What owners report on the 2nd generation Fusion
Owners of the 2013-2026 Fusion generally describe it as a comfortable, quiet, and stylish sedan that serves well as a commuter, with the hybrid variants earning particular praise for fuel economy and longevity.
- Very frequentHard, delayed, or harsh shifting from the 6F35 automatic transmission
- RecurrentTransmission fluid leaks, including from the axle bushing and seal
- RecurrentCoolant intrusion into cylinders causing engine failure on 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines
- RecurrentABS
Traction control, and airbag warning lights caused by corroded wheel speed sensors or connectors.
- RecurrentBattery drain, sometimes traced to the audio control module (ACM)
Owner insights for the 2nd generation Fusion. Read the full 2nd generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Fusion listings typically run $9,178–$13,824 across 2010 to 2020 model years.
Other Fusion model years
Compare every Fusion year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Fusion against its rivals
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