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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-FORD-FUSIONNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
2012 · Ford
Ford Fusion problems
2 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 2,604 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
2
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Fusion?
Avoid — the steering
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced.
1 fatality report and 2 fire-related complaints on the steering
Electrical system: 86 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 34,000–85,717 mi
Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Ford Fusion? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 1502 owner reports
· tends to show around 90,639 mi · ~$700 to fix
airbags — 395 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,194 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
powertrain — 131 owner reports
· tends to show around 59,722 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 89 owner reports
· tends to show around 88,335 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
critical on this model
, showing up around 90,639 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Fusion· steering
I recently started to experience hard steering while in transit the power assist light came on and so does the advanced track warning light. I discovered there was a recall so I took it in to the Ford dealership, which was JC Lewis Ford in Savannah, Georgia, but the technician…
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to engage. The contact stated that the parking brake was used to slow and stop the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Ford fusion. The contact started the vehicle and experienced a loss of power steering without warning. The vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 15v340000 (steering); however, the failure recurred after the repair was performed. The…
I purchase this car used with 15000 km on, issue occurred at 73000km. Ford fusion 2012 sel AWD I was driving to work and the steering locked up, it was extremely hard to steer. I drove it directly to the dealership. Benton fry Ford belleville, on they inspected it and indicated…
Had a problem with your 2012 Ford Fusion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.0 out of 10 based on 2,604 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Ford Fusion has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Ford Fusion?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Ford Fusion is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the steering was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 2 fire-related complaints on the steering; Electrical system: 86 complaints, classified critical, failures cluster 34,000–85,717 mi; Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Ford Fusion?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 1,502 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,639 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Ford Fusion a good used car to buy?
It scores 5.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 2,604 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 90,639 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Ford Fusion?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 1,502 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 90,639 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 90,639 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Fusion has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Ford Fusion?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,604 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Ford/Fusion.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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