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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-FORD-FUSION
2012 · ford

ford Fusion problems

2 safety recalls. 2,595 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
5.0 / 10

Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.

2
Critical
0
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

steering
1495 reports · avg $700
critical
airbags
395 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
131 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
brakes
87 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
86 reports · avg $850
critical
body
77 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
cruise control
52 reports · avg $600
severe
engine
49 reports · avg $3,100
severe

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…
12/31/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11708126.0
2012 Fusion · brakes
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.…
12/31/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11633453.0
2012 Fusion · other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V735000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE…
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164240.0
2012 Fusion · steering
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…
12/31/2015 · NHTSA ODI #10817167.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

critical NHTSA 21V158000 10/03/2021

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.
critical NHTSA 17V024000 10/01/2017

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.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Fusion reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.0 out of 10 based on 2,595 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Ford Fusion?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 1,495 complaints filed. 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. 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 2,595 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 10 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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