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Ford Fusion Best and Worst Years

Recalls and crash-test ratings for every model year from 2006 to 2020, from official NHTSA data.

Model yearsData retrieved By Sources & methodology

Short answer

Among Ford Fusion model years through 2024, 2018 has the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (2) and 2013 and 2014 have the most (20). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.

Quick read

Ford Fusion: Key Facts

Model years with data
15 (2006–2020)
Distinct recall campaigns
48
Fewest recalls
2018 (2)
Most recalls
2013 and 2014 (20)
Most recalled system
Air bags (29)
5-star overall rating
2013, 2014, 2015 and 5 more years

Ford Fusion Recalls and Ratings by Model Year

Ford Fusion — NHTSA recall campaigns and overall crash rating, model years 2006–2020
Model yearRecall campaignsOverall crash ratingMost recalled systems
2020 3 5 stars Back over prevention, Electrical system, Equipment
2019 4 5 stars Back over prevention, Electrical system, Equipment
2018 2 5 stars Service brakes, hydraulic, Steering
2017 4 5 stars Power train, Seats, Service brakes, hydraulic
2016 13 5 stars Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Steering
2015 14 5 stars Power train, Steering, Seat belts
2014 20 5 stars Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Steering
2013 20 5 stars Power train, Latches/locks/linkages, Steering
2012 5 4 stars Air bags, Steering
2011 7 4 stars Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Steering
2010 11 Not rated Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train
2009 6 Not rated Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic
2008 5 Not rated Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic
2007 4 Not rated Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic
2006 4 Not rated Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic

The scale of the difference

Recall Campaigns by Model Year

Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.

  1. 20203 recalls
  2. 20194 recalls
  3. 20182 recalls
  4. 20174 recalls
  5. 201613 recalls
  6. 201514 recalls
  7. 201420 recalls
  8. 201320 recalls
  9. 20125 recalls
  10. 20117 recalls
  11. 201011 recalls
  12. 20096 recalls
  13. 20085 recalls
  14. 20074 recalls
  15. 20064 recalls

Ford Fusion: Analysis

How to read recall counts

A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.

What the recalls were about

Across all model years, the systems named most often in Ford Fusion recalls are air bags (29), power train (22), steering (15), service brakes, hydraulic (13) and latches/locks/linkages (10). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.

Crash-test ratings

NHTSA has an overall star rating for 10 of these 15 model years, and 2013, 2014, 2015 and 5 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.

FAQ: Ford Fusion Best and Worst Years

What are the best years for the Ford Fusion?

By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2018 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 2 each.

Which Ford Fusion model years have the most recalls?

2013 and 2014 have the most, with 20 recall campaigns each.

Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?

No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.

Sources & methodology

Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Fusion", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.

NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by . Editorial policy