Is the 2018 Ford Fusion a bad year?
445 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 273, 4.7× a quiet Fusion year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2018 Ford Fusion were filed between 78k and 120k miles. You're at 99,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 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 99,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 272 (61%) | 79k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 108 (24%) | 74k–109k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 6 (1%) | 61k–108k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Fuel system | 30 (7%) | 51k–86k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 26 (6%) | 10k–60k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 19 (4%) | 22k–69k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 5 (1%) | 7k–65k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (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 99,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 445 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 5 report an injury · 34 say the car was towed.
55 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
I was not informed of a recall. I started having issues with my engine about 4 months ago, it stopped on me in another city and state Montgomery, Alabama.
Losing coolant in the engine. No apparent leaks on ground or around engine. Rough running when first started but smoothed out after a few miles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 99,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Ford Fusion: 2
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.
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: 149
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 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…
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…
Some 2018-2019 Edge/Continental, 2018 MKX and 2019 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 1-Aug-2019 and 2018-2019 Fusion/MKZ vehicles built on or before…
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
Neighbouring years
2017 Fusion: 1,116 complaints, consider selling · 2019 Fusion: 315 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
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Questions
Is the 2018 Ford Fusion a bad year?
445 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 273, 4.7× a quiet Fusion year. At 99,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2018 Ford Fusion were filed between 78k and 120k miles. You're at 99,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Ford Fusion?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (272), transmission and drivetrain (108), brakes (6), fuel system (30), electrical system (26). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 78k–120k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Fusion have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-162), Steering (NHTSA 18V-167). 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.