For 2015-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with turbocharged engines and customer concern of an engine oil leak, refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00 for oil leak inspection and testing methods. Ford has evaluated turbochargers replaced for oil leak symptoms and although oil may collect on the external surface of a turbocharger, it is extremely rare for a turbocharger assembly to be the root cause of the oil leak. Careful inspection of the turbocharger oil feed and drain tubes should be performed along with the recommended WSM procedures as needed. Warranty claims for turbocharger replacement going forward will be assessed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Ford Fusion engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Ford Fusion have filed 212 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 100,000 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
212
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Fusion | 157 |
| 2015 Fusion | 243 |
| 2016 Fusion | 446 |
| 2017 Fusion | 419 |
| 2018 Fusion (this page) | 212 |
| 2019 Fusion | 160 |
| 2020 Fusion | 26 |
When does it fail?
Of the 212 engine complaints filed for the 2018 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
Engine accounts for 49% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 212 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 2018-2019 Edge/Continental, 2018 MKX and 2019 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 1-Aug-2019 and 2018-2019 Fusion/MKZ vehicles built on or before 15-Aug-2019 equipped with a 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit an oil leak from the engine oil pan RTV seal. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the oil pan with a new oil pan equipped with a press in place gasket.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗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 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may include 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 correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the long block engine assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2018 Ford Fusion with 2.0L EcoBoost engine exhibits a systemic coolant-intrusion defect. Owners describe low coolant warnings despite no visible leaks, misfire codes (P0300, P0301, P0302, P0304), white exhaust smoke, rough idle, and shuddering on cold start. Spark plugs pull out wet and corroded, not normally carbon-fouled. The vehicle overheats; some stall without warning, including at highway speeds.
The root cause is coolant leaking from the cooling system into the combustion cylinders—typically through the head gasket or engine block—contaminating the oil and corroding internal parts. Replacing spark plugs or coils is temporary; the underlying defect progresses to full engine failure.
Ford issued Customer Satisfaction Programs 19B37 and 21N12 (expired November 2022, 84,000 miles) and multiple Technical Service Bulletins (19-2208, 19-2346, 22-2133, 22-2229) acknowledging the problem. However, most owners say they were never notified of recalls before purchase or during routine dealership visits, and vehicles beyond the mileage cap receive zero support. Fix cost: $5,600–$13,000 for engine replacement. Owners report that dealerships often initially misdiagnose the issue and that Ford refuses to expand coverage or recall affected vehicles.
Same Ford Fusion engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant intrusion into cylinder(s)
Coolant leaks from the engine cooling system into the combustion cylinders, typically through the head gasket or engine block casting defect. This contaminates the oil, causes internal corrosion, and triggers misfire codes.
When: Typically between 27,800 and 181,000 miles; many complaints occur after routine maintenance (oil changes, pressure testing during service) or without warning. Several owners report failures as early as under 70,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (intermittent or constant); Misfire codes P0300, P0301, P0302, P0304; Low coolant warning light; coolant level drops without visible external leak; White or bluish smoke from exhaust; Engine overheating; coolant temperature warning light; Rough idle; shuddering on cold start; Wet or corroded spark plugs (no normal carbon buildup); Sluggish acceleration or loss of power; Vehicle stalling while driving, including at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: P0300 (General engine misfire), P0301 (Cylinder 1 misfire), P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire), P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required. Owners cite costs of $5,600 for short block replacement to $13,000 for long block with labor. Some dealerships initially recommend spark plug and coil replacement, which does not resolve the underlying issue. One owner reported $9,720.59 for engine replacement with new Ford engine; another cited $8,600 for long block and $10,000 total replacement cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Satisfaction Programs 19B37, 21N12 (expired November 2022 or at 84,000 miles). Technical Service Bulletins 19-2208, 19-2346, 19-2375, 22-2133, 22-2134, 22-2229, 22-2322 reference the issue. Ford has issued a program allowing one-time free repair for vehicles within mileage/date cutoffs, but many owners exceed the threshold and are denied coverage. Ford has refused to expand coverage or issue a recall. Owners report dealers did not proactively notify them of recalls or TSBs before purchase or during routine service.
Engine failure secondary to coolant intrusion
Uncontrolled coolant in cylinders leads to catastrophic engine damage—scored cylinder walls, cracked engine block, failed head gasket, bent rods, or total loss of compression.
When: Progressive failure; often follows initial coolant intrusion detection by weeks to months if vehicle continues to be driven.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine seizing or locking up; Complete loss of power while driving, including on highways at speed; Severe shaking; abnormal engine noise; Heavy white smoke and oil smell from exhaust; Vehicle will not restart or start only briefly before stalling
Codes mentioned: P0300 (General engine misfire), P0301, P0302, P0304 (Cylinder-specific misfires)
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement with long block assembly. Costs cited between $7,000 and $13,000 including labor and parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance offered in most cases. One owner with extended warranty paid only $100 out-of-pocket; most others denied coverage due to mileage or policy expiration. Ford has not issued a recall or expanded warranty coverage.
Inadequate owner notification of known defect
Owners purchased vehicles or took them to dealerships for routine service and were not notified of existing recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, or Customer Satisfaction Programs related to coolant intrusion—a known issue Ford was aware of as early as 2019.
When: At point of sale and during routine maintenance visits (oil changes, inspections) through 2024.
Symptoms owners cite: Owner unaware of recall or TSB before purchasing used vehicle; Dealer service centers did not mention recall during maintenance even when aware of it; Recall or CSP coverage expired before owner experienced failure; No proactive communication from Ford or selling dealer
Repairs/costs cited: N/A—this is a disclosure and process failure, not a repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford and dealerships failed to disclose known defects at time of sale or during routine service. Owners cite possible violations of state consumer protection laws (TBCC Section 17.46, DTPA Section 17.41). Ford Customer Satisfaction Programs 19B37 and 21N12 existed but were not communicated to owners before purchase or before CSP expiration.
Synthesized from 212 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was running rough. Additionally, the A/C was making a loud squealing sound while activated. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that the coolant level was low. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer it was purchased…
The car was taken to the repair shop due to reduced speed and shaking. The repair shop mentioned that a bulletin for the car indicated that coolant could leak into the engine. They reported that the coolant had indeed leaked onto the engine, causing the gasket to blow. The dealer was contacted and was informed that it was an extended warranty of up to 84000/ 7 years. so I was referred to NHTSA…
Block cracked internally inside cylinder number 2 causing a misfire, white smoke on start up, coolant lose, and overheating. Problem is called coolant intrusion. Safety is at risk is the car dies on the interstate. It has a check engine light for misfire on cylinder 2. Ford is aware of this problem but says my vin is not affected by this problem even though I have this problem.
Purchase car in 2019. 4 years later my car is overheating due to a cylinder crack. No recall was found using my vin number but with a cylinder crack and car overheating this is a safety issue.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinder, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the…
Vehicle’s engine was misfiring for a while before check engine light came on. Showing cylinder 2 misfiring codes when scanned. The first dealership replaced the spark plugs, didn’t fix the issue. The next dealership said I have coolant intrusion and need to replace engine.
I have a 2018 ford fusion 2.0L ecoboost with around 77k miles and started to see coolant loss with no visible signs in engine bay or below.car, rough start with error P0316 and occasional misfire. White smoke comes from exhaust on start sometimes. Also have to fill coolant every other day or so. It looks as coolant intrusion issue very common with these engines.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge indicated that the engine was overheating, and the vehicle briefly shuddered. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the head gasket and turbo charger. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering violently, hesitated, and failed to accelerate to approximately 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Ford Fusion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 212 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 110 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 80,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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 $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/2018/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.