Some 2014-2020 Fusion and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles may be equipped with a 1.5L Ecoboost engine that uses a 50-tooth variable camshaft timing (VCT) intake and exhaust unit from the assembly plant or if a service long block was installed. VCT locking tool 303-1097 is not compatible with this system. If VCT system service is required, replace both the intake VCT (service part DS7Z-6256-F) and exhaust VCT (service part DS7Z-6256-G) as a pair. An interim loaner tool program has been established to enable these repairs. Contact 1-800-403-4844 (Monday-Friday 8:00am to 8:00pm EST; Saturday 8:00am to 3:00pm EST) to obtain this tool. A VCT locking tool compatible with the 50-tooth system is under dev
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Ford Fusion engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Ford Fusion have filed 157 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 80,950 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
157
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Fusion | 282 |
| 2011 Fusion | 90 |
| 2012 Fusion | 49 |
| 2013 Fusion | 314 |
| 2014 Fusion (this page) | 157 |
| 2015 Fusion | 243 |
| 2016 Fusion | 446 |
| 2017 Fusion | 419 |
| 2018 Fusion | 212 |
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 157 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Ford Fusion, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 157 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the short block and head gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2014-2017 C-MAX Energi, 2014-2020 Fusion plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), 2015-2017 MKZ/MKZ Hybrid/MKC, 2016-2017 MKX, 2016-2018 Focus battery electric vehicle (BEV) and 2017 Continental vehicles equipped with SYNC screens 8 inch or larger may be unable to complete modem authorization after 3G to 4G modem upgrade was performed. No Authorization Popup displayed on SYNC infotainment screen during the Authorization process. This may be due to the Sync Software. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to toggle Valet Mode.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the short block and head gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) with only diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301-P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to coolant intrusion into the cylinder. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the short block and head gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Ford Fusion's EcoBoost engines are failing due to coolant leaking internally into engine cylinders, a defect that Ford has partially addressed through Technical Service Bulletins and a limited recall but that continues to affect many vehicles outside the recall scope. Owners report white smoke from the exhaust, rapid temperature gauge spikes to hot during highway driving, rough idle and misfire on cold start, and sudden loss of power followed by limp mode. Most owners discover coolant in cylinders or oil passages only after the engine is torn down, by which point the short block and head gasket are damaged beyond repair. Dealerships often cannot replicate the problem during diagnostics because the fault is intermittent. Water pump failures occurring as early as 77,000 miles have also been reported, with the original pump discontinued and replacement requiring expensive timing belt work. A handful of owners faced engine fires. Ford's response has been fragmented: NHTSA Campaign 17V209000 covers select 1.6L and 2.0L engines, but many 2014 Fusion VINs fall outside this recall. Dealerships refer owners to NHTSA rather than cover out-of-warranty repairs, leaving owners with $6,500–$7,000+ engine replacement bills. Multiple Technical Service Bulletins (19-2139, 20-2100, 23-2223) and service communications (SSM 48106, 48150) exist, but they do not guarantee warranty coverage or prevent the failure from recurring on the replacement engine.
Same Ford Fusion engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant Intrusion into Engine Cylinders
Coolant leaks internally from the cooling system into engine cylinders and oil passages, caused by head gasket failure, improper casting, or short block design defects in EcoBoost engines. This results in coolant mixing with engine oil, loss of compression, and catastrophic engine damage requiring full engine replacement.
When: 50,000–209,000 miles; often within first 2–4 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from exhaust pipe; Engine overheating with temperature gauge rising rapidly to hot zone; Rough idle and misfire, especially on cold start; Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300, P0301, P0316, etc.); Loss of power and limp mode activation during highway driving; Excessive coolant consumption with no visible leaks; Coolant visible on spark plugs or in cylinders upon inspection; Engine stalling without warning
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0301, P0316, P1299 (Engine Overheated), P1450
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement quoted at $6,526.86 to $7,000+. Some owners report needing short block replacement with head gasket repair. Multiple TSBs and CSPs exist (e.g., 19-2139, 20-2100, 23-2223, 48106, 48150) but many VINs fall outside recall scope. Ford dealerships cite parts backorder issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 17V209000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued for select 1.6L and 2.0L EcoBoost engines, but many 2014 Fusion VINs excluded. Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 19-2139, TSB 20-2100, TSB 23-2223) and Service System Messages (SSM 48106, SSM 48150) address the issue but warranty coverage denied for out-of-warranty vehicles. Ford refers owners to NHTSA Hotline instead of warranty repair.
Water Pump Premature Failure
Water pump fails without warning, typically early in the vehicle's service life. OEM water pump is now discontinued and replaced with redesigned unit that uses different electronics and requires timing belt adjustment and special timing kit for installation, making repair complex and expensive.
When: 77,000 miles (example); generally early in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from passenger side of engine compartment on startup; Engine overheating warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement requires removal of right side axle and special timing kit installation. Original OEM pump discontinued with no recall issued. Repair quoted in the several thousand dollar range due to labor and parts complexity. Some owners reported replacement water pump then led to coolant intrusion diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite OEM pump discontinuation. Ford dealership technicians advised cutting and shrinkwrapping unused wires from original pump design. No warranty coverage or financial assistance offered.
Engine Misfire and Stalling on Cold Start or Low Speed
Engine misfires intermittently after cold start or at low speeds (parking lots, intersections, traffic lights), often without check engine light. Vehicle may stall completely, creating a sudden loss of power hazard during traffic maneuvers or merging. Issue persists after fuel sensor replacement and does not consistently reproduce in dealer diagnostics.
When: Intermittent; occurs at <10–15 mph or within minutes of cold start
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire and hesitation on acceleration from stop; Rough idle after cold start; Complete engine stall in traffic or at intersections; RPM needle fluctuation above and below 1 before stall; No check engine light or intermittent code generation; Coolant level abnormally low upon inspection
Codes mentioned: No code (intermittently fails to set), Related to coolant intrusion per owner research (TSB 20-2100)
Repairs/costs cited: Low pressure fuel sensor replacement attempted (cost ~$200–300) but does not resolve misfire. Dealers unable to replicate issue during test drive. Coolant intrusion into cylinders identified as root cause in some cases; full engine replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to diagnose without stored codes. No preventive action offered. Ford references TSB 20-2100 (Coolant Intrusion) but does not proactively notify owners or issue recall for affected VINs.
Engine Overheating and Limp Mode Activation
Vehicle suddenly enters limp mode during highway driving (45–70 mph) when engine coolant temperature spikes rapidly to hot zone, causing complete loss of power or severe acceleration limitation. Vehicle may stall entirely. Symptom often recurs immediately after restart or following coolant top-off.
When: Occurs during sustained highway driving; mileage ranges 50,000–152,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant temperature gauge spikes from normal to hot zone within seconds; Coolant overtemperature warning light illuminates; Vehicle immediately enters limp mode; acceleration fails to respond; Engine sputtering before limp mode or stall; Loss of motive power forces driver to shoulder; Coolant level found low or nearly empty after stalling
Codes mentioned: P1299 (Engine Overheated), Limp mode activation (multiple unknown codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat replacement attempted in some cases but does not resolve recurring overheating. Diagnosis reveals coolant intrusion into cylinders and head gasket failure. Engine replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 19-2139 and NHTSA Campaign 17V209000 reference the failure mode, but many vehicles' VINs not covered. Warranty denied for out-of-warranty vehicles. Dealers clear codes but cannot identify root cause if codes do not persist.
Engine Fire Under Hood
Vehicle catches fire under the hood during normal operation, destroying the engine completely. Fire is severe enough to require fire department intervention. Triggered by oil pressure warning light and loss of power.
When: Mileage unknown; during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure warning light illuminated; Loss of motive power; Loud pop noise from engine; Smoke visible from rear of vehicle and under hood; Engine completely melted; vehicle deemed total loss
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; fire department extinguished fire. No repair possible.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified via phone. Referred owner to NHTSA Hotline. No assistance provided. Police report and case number filed.
Flexplate Cracking and Transmission Damage
Engine flexplate develops cracks causing out-of-round rotation, which damages the transmission oil pump and torque converter. Defect exhibits a rattling noise in transmission bellhousing area. Ford issued Customer Satisfaction Program 22N12 for 2019–2020 Fusion models but 2014 models excluded despite similar failure mode.
When: Can occur shortly after routine service; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from transmission bellhousing area; Noise develops suddenly, often the day after service
Repairs/costs cited: Flexplate replacement and transmission rebuild required. Subframe removal needed for alignment. Repair cost substantial (several thousand dollars). CSP 22N12 covers 2019–2020 models only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 22N12 issued for 2019–2020 Fusion but excludes 2014 model year despite identical failure mechanism. No coverage for 2014 model.
Powertrain Control Module Programming and Coolant System Interaction
PCM reprogramming conducted as recall remedy, but owner reports continued overheating, misfire, and engine shake after PCM update. Dealership denies coolant system malfunction despite repeated breakdowns with same symptoms. Suggests underlying coolant system design flaw not resolved by software update alone.
When: Following PCM reprogramming; shortly thereafter, vehicle breaks down again
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shake and misfire after PCM reprogramming; Loss of engine power; High temperature warning notification stuck on and not returning to normal after cooling; Moisture at exhaust pipe prior to breakdown; Multiple fluid puddles under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reprogramming completed by Ford dealership (Premier Ford). No further action taken on coolant system despite owner's repeated complaints and mechanic's observation of engine shake.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealership assured owner that coolant system is functional and PCM reprogramming resolved the issue. Directed owner to dealership for brake hose recall repair instead of investigating coolant system. Owner requested NHTSA recall 17S09 assignment for VIN.
Synthesized from 157 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact initially discovered that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of coolant. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the coolant level was low; however, the contact later discovered that the coolant level was low again soon after topping off the coolant reservoir. The contact stated that the check…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 Ford Fusion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2014 Ford Fusion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 157 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 104 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 60,000 and 117,632 miles, with the median around 80,950. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 117,632. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Ford/Fusion.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.