This article supersedes 17-2225 to update the vehicle model years affected and Service Procedure. Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2020 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions. This may be due to water intrusion into the exterior mirror connector. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to remove the 16 pin connector and install two weather tight 8 pin connectors.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Ford Fusion visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Ford Fusion have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 6,800 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Fusion | 17 |
| 2011 Fusion | 6 |
| 2012 Fusion | 6 |
| 2013 Fusion | 20 |
| 2014 Fusion (this page) | 19 |
| 2015 Fusion | 14 |
| 2016 Fusion | 13 |
| 2017 Fusion | 6 |
What stands out
Among the 12 model years of Ford Fusion in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2018 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions due to moisture in the exterior mirror connector. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2014 Fusion and 2013-2017 MKZ vehicles may exhibit unintended exterior mirror movement in wet weather conditions due to moisture in the exterior mirror connector. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013-2016 FUSION - WINDOW SWITCH BEZEL WARPED OR DOES NOT SIT FLUSH - EBONY/PIANO BLACK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Fusion has pervasive wiper system failures that degrade visibility dangerously in rain. Owners consistently report that wipers do not clear the windshield fast enough, especially at highway speeds or in moderate to heavy rain. The highest wiper speed setting remains ineffective, forcing drivers to pull off roads in light rainfall—a situation multiple owners say they've never experienced in other vehicles. The problem persists even after replacing blades with multiple brands and having them installed by Ford dealers and independent shops. Some owners describe wiper blades disconnecting from arms mid-operation on multiple occasions across different speeds.
An additional wiper defect involves the driver-side blade failing to fully retract in continuous mode, stopping instead at 20–30 degrees and remaining in the driver's line of sight, obstructing the view of oncoming traffic. Dealers have acknowledged this as a design flaw affecting all Fusions, but no factory fix has been released.
Interior windshield fogging and film buildup also impair visibility. One owner reported interior film so heavy that oncoming headlights caused the windshield to "light up" and lose transparency entirely, with the defroster unable to clear it. The rear window develops manufacturing defects—cloudy blotches and streaks—that distort the driver's view through the rear-view mirror, with no repair available. Additionally, backup cameras function intermittently or fail to activate in reverse, and rear windows have shattered without apparent impact.
Same Ford Fusion visibility reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Wiper blade insufficient speed and clearing ability
Windshield wipers operate too slowly to remove rain effectively, especially at highway speeds or in moderate to heavy rain. Multiple owners report poor visibility forcing them to pull off the road. The issue persists across multiple blade replacements and occurs regardless of blade brand or installation source.
When: From first rainfall after purchase; occurs in light to moderate rain conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers unable to clear windshield fast enough; Visibility becomes blurry or completely obscured in rain; Poor performance worsens at higher vehicle speeds (25+ mph); Issues occur in both moderate and heavy rainfall; Problem persists at night and with oncoming headlights; Affects both low-speed and highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing wiper blades with aftermarket and OEM options without resolution. Issue exists with original equipment and multiple replacement brands. Dealers acknowledge the problem but offer no fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer personnel at multiple locations verified the issue as a design flaw. One dealer informed owner that 'all Fusions have the same wiper defect.' Ford Customer Care response was negative. Some owners report dealers checked multiple vehicles on lot, all exhibiting same behavior.
Wiper blade parking position and field of vision obstruction
Driver-side wiper blade does not fully retract to the 0-degree position in continuous mode, instead stopping between 20–30 degrees. The stationary blade remains in the driver's direct line of sight, obstructing view of oncoming traffic.
When: Continuous wiper mode operation
Symptoms owners cite: Wiper blade travels from vertical (90 degrees) only back to 20–30 degrees; Blade does not clear entire windshield in front of driver; Blade remains in field of vision blocking oncoming traffic; Does not retract to intermittent-mode position (0–5 degrees)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner requested software or hardware update to correct the malfunction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmed the defect is present across multiple 2014 Fusion vehicles on lot. District customer service manager stated the issue needs Ford engineer review before accidents occur in rain.
Wiper blade disconnection during operation
Wiper blades disconnect or separate from the wiper arm during driving. Issue occurs repeatedly across five separate occasions on one vehicle, using multiple blade brands installed by different service providers.
When: During active wiper operation at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Wiper blades disconnect from wiper arm; Occurs at highway speeds, low speeds, and at traffic lights; Happens with multiple blade brands; Occurs with professionally installed blades from multiple retailers
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced blades multiple times using different brands. Blades were installed by Ford service, Pep Boys, and Advance Auto Parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Similar issue reported on 2015 Ford Fusion by coworker with original equipment blades.
Wiper system electrical failure
Complete wiper system failure or partial failure where wipers do not operate when activated, or passenger-side wiper becomes stuck in raised position and does not retract without manual intervention.
When: Upon switch activation
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers do not operate when switch is activated; Passenger-side wiper moves to final upward position and becomes stuck; Blade does not retract for next movement cycle without manual reset; Wiper motor appears to lack power
Windshield interior film and fogging
Interior windshield surface develops film that cannot be wiped off with cloth, squeegee, or eraser. Film impairs visibility and causes significant glare when facing oncoming headlights, especially in low-light conditions. Defroster unable to eliminate film even at high heat.
When: After cool, rainy evening; recurring issue
Symptoms owners cite: Film accumulates on interior windshield surface; Film cannot be removed with cloth, squeegee, or eraser; Visibility becomes marginal on dark roads; Windshield 'lights up' and loses transparency when facing oncoming headlights; Streaks remain even after treatment with Rain-X compound; Defroster ineffective at removing film at high heat setting
Repairs/costs cited: Owner used Rain-X compound multiple times on interior with only partial success. Streaks persist despite repeated treatment.
Rear window manufacturing defect—cloudy blotches and streaks
Rear window exhibits cloudy blotches and streaks of varying size and number that distort and distract driver view through rear-view mirror. Defect occurs during glass tempering process and cannot be corrected.
When: From date of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Cloudy blotches and streaks on rear window; Appearance varies by viewing direction and light conditions; Visible through rear-view mirror affecting driver field of vision; Distorts and distracts driver view; Appearance changes continuously based on light conditions and driving direction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealer hotline verified the issue originates in glass tempering process and confirmed no fix is available.
Rear defroster inadequate cycle duration
Rear window defroster cycles off too quickly to fully remove fogging. Multiple activations required to achieve complete fog removal.
When: During rear window fogging conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window fogs up quickly; Rear defroster does not stay on long enough for complete fog removal; Multiple activations of defroster system needed for complete defogging
Backup camera intermittent failure
Backup safety camera functions intermittently or not at all when transmission is placed in reverse. Camera may cut out mid-maneuver while vehicle is in motion, creating a safety hazard during backing operations.
When: When transmission placed in reverse; intermittent during backing
Symptoms owners cite: Camera does not come on when transmission placed in reverse; Camera functions intermittently; Camera cuts out mid-backing maneuver during vehicle motion; Issue appears common across Ford backup cameras per owner research
Rear window spontaneous glass failure
Rear window glass shattered without apparent cause or impact during normal vehicle operation.
When: Upon opening driver door to start vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window spontaneously shattered; No obvious cause, impact, or external trigger reported
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2014 Ford Fusion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 1,856 and 10,456 miles, with the median around 6,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,856; a quarter make it past 10,456. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.