Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Ford Fusion body problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Ford Fusion have filed 39 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 64,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Fusion | 77 |
| 2013 Fusion | 160 |
| 2014 Fusion | 71 |
| 2015 Fusion | 24 |
| 2016 Fusion (this page) | 39 |
| 2017 Fusion | 4 |
2crashes
2injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 body 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.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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.
For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommended to order a replacement module using a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a different vehicle. Most modules on these affected vehicles are VIN/vehicle specific and hardware variations between modules do exist. Swapping a module from a vehicle or ordering a module using a different vehicle/VIN can cause ineffective repairs and additional vehicle down time. Make sure all appropriate Workshop Manual (WSM) procedures are followed when diagnosing the condition prior to all module replacements and only order modules using
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Escape/Fusion/MKZ, 2015-2018 Focus,2015-2019 MKC, 2015-2020 Edge/F150/Mustang, 2016-2018 MKX, 2016-2019 Explorer, 2017-2020 F-Super Duty, 2018-2020 EcoSport/Expedition, 2019-2020 Ranger/Nautilus vehicles may experience seat pan looseness, lateral movement, or a clunk/thump noise on turns. This may be due to the seat pan track. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to install a reinforcement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Door latch failures are the dominant complaint. Drivers report doors that refuse to close or suddenly swing open without warning while driving or parked. One owner had a door fly open at a traffic stop; another found a rear door opened at 15 mph and had to tie it shut. Multiple owners drove long distances with latches held closed using bungee cords or dog leashes because the latch would not engage. Failures occur at low miles (one vehicle with 18,000 miles) and affect driver, passenger, and rear doors on the same vehicle.
Owners cite Ford recall campaigns 20S15 and 20V177000, but their VINs are frequently excluded despite showing identical symptoms to recalled vehicles. When denied recall coverage, repairs cost $240–$500 at dealerships. Some owners experienced repeat failures: one fixed a rear door in 2022, then both doors failed in 2023; another paid $400 in 2021 only to have the same door fail again in 2025. Ford declined assistance on the second failure, citing that the recall had already been completed.
Trunk lids pop open randomly while driving or sitting parked, obstruct the rear view, and create safety hazards. One trunk switch replacement cost $309.04. Water enters trunks during rain, pooling in the spare tire well (up to 6 inches reported) and exposing computer components to short-circuit risk. Owners found no established recall or fix for trunk issues despite seeing many identical complaints on forums.
Same Ford Fusion body reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Door latch failure
Latch mechanisms fail to engage and secure doors in closed position. Doors swing open, fail to close, or remain partially open despite repeated attempts to latch. Affects driver side, passenger side, and rear doors across multiple vehicle examples.
When: Failures occur anywhere from 3 years / 18,000 miles through higher mileage; some are repeat failures within 1-2 years of initial repair. One owner reports failure at 86,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Door will not close or latch; Door swings or flies open while driving or parked; Door bounces back when closed; Latch physically in unlocked position; Dashboard warning light indicates door open
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement of latch assembly required. Owners report costs between $240–$500 for latch replacement. One owner paid $400 in 2021 only to experience the same failure again in 2025.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 20S15 (NHTSA 20V177000) and 20S15 exist for 2016 Ford Fusion door latches, but many affected VINs are reportedly excluded from recall eligibility despite having identical symptoms. Ford dealers refuse repair under recall for out-of-VIN-range vehicles and deny warranty coverage. One owner had a repeat failure after recall repair completed in 2024; Ford declined assistance citing prior recall work.
Trunk lid spontaneous opening
Trunk lid opens randomly while vehicle is driving, parked, or both without owner activation. Occurs repeatedly and unpredictably. Some owners report hearing clicking sound from latch before trunk pops open.
When: Recurring failures over periods spanning months to years. One owner reports issue starting April 1, 2021 and continuing.
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk pops open while driving; Trunk opens while parked overnight or when owner is away; Trunk opens after being closed; Audible clicking from latch before opening; Trunk obscures rear view when it opens during driving
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $309.04 for trunk switch replacement after dealership diagnosed a faulty trunk switch. No other repair costs explicitly stated; multiple owners report Ford dealers asking for diagnostic fees with no promise of repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnostics identified faulty trunk latch switch as root cause in one case. Owner expected recall coverage based on the prevalence of identical complaints across multiple forums, but none was issued. Owners describe seeing numerous similar complaints on forums and online but no manufacturer recall or known fix identified.
Trunk water intrusion
Water enters trunk area during rain or wet conditions, accumulating in the spare tire well and potentially reaching computer components mounted in the trunk. Risk of short circuit and electrical damage.
When: Observed while vehicle parked in rain; one documented case at approximately 25,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Trunk becomes wet when parked in rain; Spare tire wheel well fills with water (one owner reports 6 inches); Water appears to pool around computer components in trunk
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in documented cases; no repair costs reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed in at least one case; no action or recall issued.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Was following a Ford fusion in stop and go traffic last night on a rainy freeway. The LED brake lights are so bright that with them on I lost my depth perception to the rear of the car. They are so bright they are almost blinding. Maybe there should be a brightness limit?
Had body trouble with your 2016 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 body problem on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 35,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 35,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2016/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.