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 ↗2015 Ford Fusion visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Ford Fusion have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 18,000 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
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Fusion | 6 |
| 2012 Fusion | 6 |
| 2013 Fusion | 20 |
| 2014 Fusion | 19 |
| 2015 Fusion (this page) | 14 |
| 2016 Fusion | 13 |
| 2017 Fusion | 6 |
| 2019 Fusion | 3 |
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.
2013-2016 FUSION - WINDOW SWITCH BEZEL WARPED OR DOES NOT SIT FLUSH - EBONY/PIANO BLACK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LINCOLN/FORD: SOME VEHICLES, PARKED OVERNIGHT, WILL EXPERIENCE INTERIOR CONDENSATION ON WINDSHIELD OR WINDOWS AND NOT ABLE TO SELECT MENU CLIMATE CONTROL ITEMS OR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL BE GRAYED OUT AND NEED TO BE REPROGRAM, WITH LATEST CALIBRATION, THE FCIM. MODEL 2013-15 FUSION, MKZ.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Wiper problems dominate this cluster. Multiple owners describe wipers at maximum speed failing to clear the windshield during rain or snow, leaving them unable to see road markings or oncoming vehicles. Several had to slow from 45 mph to 25 mph or pull over entirely. A dealer acknowledged Ford was aware of the issue but unable to fix it; Ford switched to a "Euro" wiper design years prior, which introduced stuttering and skipping. One motor replacement didn't help. A backup camera that came on as black screen or "camera not working" message starting in January 2025 left one owner guessing whether reverse sensors would alert him. A sun visor fell off its hinge and dangled from the vanity mirror power wire, forcing the driver to hold it until safe to stop. At 150,000 miles, one owner's driver and passenger windows stopped working along with several steering wheel buttons. One stationary vehicle's door glass shattered when opened, and the same owner found windshield cracking. Dealers typically said nothing was wrong with the wipers or refused repairs without recalls.
Same Ford Fusion visibility reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield wipers inadequate speed / insufficient clearing
Wipers at maximum speed fail to clear the windshield during rain or snow, leaving visibility so poor that drivers cannot see road lines or oncoming traffic. Multiple owners report having to pull over and stop, reduce speed significantly (from 45 mph to 25 mph or less), or wait for rain to stop. One owner states Ford was aware of the issue but did not know how to fix it.
When: Typically within first week to one month of ownership; also reported at 13,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers fail to clear windshield at highest speed during heavy or moderate rain/snow; Reduced visibility forces pulling over or speed reduction; Occurs repeatedly in wet weather; Dealer comparison tests showed similar wiper speed to other 2015 Fusions on premises
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wiper motor in one case for $100 deductible under extended warranty. Other owners received no repair; dealer stated nothing was wrong.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford dealer acknowledged being aware of the problem but stated they did not know how to fix it. One dealer noted the issue started when Ford switched to 'Euro' wiper design. Standard blades changed from 28" to 26" at delivery in at least one case.
Wiper stutter, skip, and mid-stroke stopping
After running for a few minutes, wipers begin to stutter and skip across the windshield. Some units stop partway down the glass, pause, then return to park position. Dealer identified the issue as stemming from the 'Euro' wiper design change. Replacement wiper motors do not resolve the problem.
When: After a few minutes of operation; design issue noted as occurring after Ford's change to Euro wipers.
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stutter and skip mid-stroke; Wipers stop halfway down windshield then return to park; Problem persists after new motor installation; Occurs despite changing blade length from 28" to 26"
Repairs/costs cited: New wiper motor replacement attempted but did not resolve issue. Blade length reduction from 28" to 26" did not solve problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged the 'Euro' wiper design introduced the problem a few years prior to complaint. No fix offered.
Rear backup camera black screen / no image
Camera fails to display image when vehicle is in reverse, showing either a black screen or 'camera not working' message directing driver to contact dealership. Failure began in January 2025 and occurs randomly. When camera displays black screen, rear backup sensors are inconsistent—sometimes they alert to obstacles and sometimes they do not.
When: At 18,000 miles in one case; another reported failure beginning January 2025.
Symptoms owners cite: Black screen or 'camera not working' message in reverse; No image displays when reversing; Backup sensors inconsistent when camera is non-functional
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated owner would be responsible for repair cost due to no recalls. In the January 2025 case, repair status unknown.
Driver side sun visor hinge failure
Driver side sun visor fell off hinge and dangled from the wire powering the vanity mirror. Plastic mounting piece appears to have failed, leaving no screws to secure it. Driver had to manually hold it until able to pull over and stow it.
When: No mileage or timing given.
Symptoms owners cite: Sun visor detached from hinge; Dangling from vanity mirror power wire; Plastic mounting component failure
Window failure (passenger and driver side)
Passenger and driver side windows failed to operate. Windows did not function as needed when button activated. Steering wheel buttons also failed to function.
When: At approximately 150,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Windows failed to roll down; Multiple steering wheel buttons non-functional
Door glass shattering and windshield cracking
Driver side door glass shattered when driver opened the door while vehicle was stationary in driveway. Owner also found a crack in the windshield.
When: No timing or mileage given.
Symptoms owners cite: Door glass shattered upon opening while car parked; Windshield developed crack
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Driver side sun visor fell off hinge and was dangling from wire that powers vanity mirror. Plastic part holding it up seems to have fallen off. No screws there. Had to hold it in one hand until I could pull over and figure out how to stow it.
Had visibility trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Ford Fusion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 13,000 and 43,900 miles, with the median around 18,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 43,900. 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/2015/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.