Is the 2017 Ford Fusion a bad year?
1,116 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 500, 8.6× a quiet Fusion year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Ford Fusion were filed between 58k and 105k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Fusion owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 500 (45%) | 58k–105k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 315 (28%) | 61k–101k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 102 (9%) | 64k–113k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 37 (3%) | 25k–81k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 9 (1%) | 36k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 125 (11%) | 10k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 52 (5%) | 20k–69k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 28 (3%) | 17k–74k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 24 (2%) | 33k–58k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 16 (1%) | 18k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (1%) | 5k–52k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 6 (1%) | 33k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,116 complaints: 37 mention a crash · 8 mention a fire · 24 report an injury · 118 say the car was towed.
76 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Turned car on and immediately received the shift sys fault service required warning. Car would not go into gear as well as the parking brake would not go off.
Car ran rough when first started them smoothed out, happened a few times the check engine light turned on. Coolant was leaking in cylinders #4 and #3.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Ford Fusion: 4
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid. A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving. A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded. If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded. During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 241
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Ford Fusion. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Some 2015-2017 Edge, 2016-2017 MKX, 2017 Fusion/MKZ/Continental vehicles equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak…
For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM)…
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
Neighbouring years
2016 Fusion: 1,660 complaints, consider selling · 2018 Fusion: 445 complaints, consider selling.
Every Ford Fusion year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · All Fusion years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Five Hundred · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Ford Fusion a bad year?
1,116 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 500, 8.6× a quiet Fusion year. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Ford Fusion were filed between 58k and 105k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Ford Fusion?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (500), transmission and drivetrain (315), brakes (102), fuel system (37), stability control (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 58k–105k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Ford Fusion have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-162), Steering (NHTSA 18V-167), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 17V-427), Seats (NHTSA 16V-874). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.