Home · 2012 Ford Fusion Hev · Complaints

What 2,604 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Fusion Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (2,604)Crash / fire / injury (129)Steering (1,503)Airbags (436)Electrical system (174)Transmission & drivetrain (162)Brakes (127)Engine (119)Body & structure (101)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (90)Speed control (87)Fuel system (67)

162 of 2,604 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 1 of 7

Mar 9, 2026SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

Good evening, I’m emailing to you regarding my ford fusion q20212. My steering has went out non drivable. I did see where that year had a lot of power steering issues.. could you help me out on the power steering recall and the power train.. also need to get airbag completed. Text me a Time to meet I can’t drive it ar all will need towed. Thank you for print ur time… I really need to get fix so I have ride to work… [XXX] ’s [XXX] text me . Vin number is [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11723156

Oct 2, 2025Transmission & drivetrainAirbags

On [XXX] ,I was driving in my car heading home with my [XXX] son in the backseat when my steering wheel just locked up on me and didn't want to turn and it was just stiff. I turn off my car immediately and waited about ten minutes to turn on. The car started up and the steering wheel became un loosen but this situation is off and on and it's scary . It's the third time now it happened. Next im experience a airbag warning symbol on my dashboard today [XXX] and that's even scarier driving in the car with a toddler because it's not safety. I don't know how to remove it off my dashboard and don't know how to fix the problem either. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11691106

Aug 6, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the battery had failed and there was battery acid on the shifter cable and connector. The dealer replaced the battery, the shifter cable, the connector, the rear parking light bulb, and the purge valve. The dealer also completed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 92,343.

NHTSA ODI 11678699

Feb 3, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngine

2012 Ford Fusion is having issues similar to the Ford Focus recall, 18S32, that pertains to the canister purge valve and powertrain issue. Current fusion has a 2.5L motor in it. Have replaced the canister purge valve 3 times in a 2-year span and is currenting giving codes (as well as engine light being on) of another failure. Do believe it is affecting the powertrain as well, as it is jerks under workload.

NHTSA ODI 11640272

Oct 17, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle rolled backward with no warning light illuminated The contact engaged the parking brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact also noticed that the transmission shifter cable had dislodged from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620416

Apr 12, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Car was impacted by previous recall related to the power steering electrical systems and power steering assist fault light. Ford needs to pay for these issues, so many people with this vehicle have had this issue and ford is refusing to pay for it.

NHTSA ODI 11582699

Feb 22, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

When I started my vehicle to drive, a warning on my dashboard came on that said "Power Steering Assist Fault" and my steering wheel is now unable to turn in any direction.

NHTSA ODI 11573505

Jan 4, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The transmission seems to be slipping losing power and just plain failing if ford knew about this and stil put them out for years in different cars already had a recall on the transmission can we get this one recalled cause ain’t no way anyone should have to pay 2500 + to get a transmission replaced in a car with only 80000 miles on it .. and I’m still financing the car as well this just seems ridiculous they can get away with not fixing faulty parts they decided to go ahead and put in there and release the car anyway .. this lose in power has cause me to almost wreck or get hit a few times when I go to pull out and it wants to slug out into the intersection

NHTSA ODI 11563541

Nov 29, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and jolted with the transmission shifting into gear. The contact stated that the jolt was more violent when the vehicle was first started and shifted into drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated before moving forward and then jolted into gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI 11557376

Sep 2, 2023SuspensionTransmission & drivetrainEngine

Pulled out of a side street Taylor onto a main highway 39 beach Blvd and car jolted and didn’t have much go. Seemed sluggish. Transmission mount bolt had snapped off and I could have been in a major accident because I had oncoming traffic coming at me when I merged into the street and lost power because of the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11542286

Aug 25, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle rolled backwards. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact activated the parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the shift cable needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contact. The failure mileage was 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540842

Aug 20, 2023SteeringTransmission & drivetrain

It is hard for me to steer my steering wheel. It keeps saying service power steering. This is dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11539642

Apr 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

TRANSMISSION SLIPPING NO WARNING LAMP OR CODE

NHTSA ODI 11516820

Apr 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission issues continue to appear without warning. Car shutters at times and fails to shift properly at low speeds. When exiting the freeway and coming to a stop, car wants to surge forward, even with brakes firmly applied. I have had the wrench light come on briefly two times. Took the car into a local transmission shop and requested diagnostic scan for codes and trouble shoot. No codes were found for transmission or any other system on the car. As the car had 100K miles, shop recommended a Transmission fluid change, even though Ford does not recommend this until 150K miles. Shop noted that fluid color was still red in color and no foreign debris was found in the old fluid. There is no evidence of fluid leaks either. Transmission shop recomended that I contact Ford delearship to see if they can reprogram or update Transmission Control Module. Contacted local dealership and was told that they would charge a minimum of $242.50 to run another diagnostic scan, but that there were no guarantees that this would solve the problem. A simple Google search shows that there are many "known issues" with this Ford Transmission that is in my vehicle, but Ford has not issued any recalls to remedy the problem. I feel that I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with an unreliable vehicle that Ford "knows" has transmission problems but chooses to ignore their customers.

NHTSA ODI 11516952

Mar 22, 2023SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Service advance trac and service power steering now keeps coming on . I’ve looked this problem up and seems to be a VERY common thing amongst ford fusions. Because of this , my power steering turns off and no matter how many times I reset the code , it keeps turning back on . It makes it very dangerous to drive the car especially if it turns off in the middle of a trip/drive.

NHTSA ODI 11513289

Jan 22, 2023SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Power Steering Gear , no had it fixed at ford diagnostic code P07AE . Was driving on the freeway power steering went out and car jerked wheel all the way to right almost hit guardrail with 5 yr old daughter in car. Yes . yes. No.

NHTSA ODI 11503064

Nov 9, 2022SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemCrash

Power Steering just locked up while driving with no warning or indicator, it still drives but it randomly locks up where i have no control over the vehicle In backing up out of our driveway i wasnt able to stop because the braking system froze up along with the steering and i hit a truck that was going down our road

NHTSA ODI 11492943

Sep 21, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Did not put car into park and was able to turn key fully back and remove the key from the off position. Car started rolling on slight incline. No issues other than rain sensor wipers not always working, so maybe an issue in column. Have not taken to dealership or mechanic yet.

NHTSA ODI 11485670

Sep 8, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. While driving at an undetermined speed, the transmission was slipping and failed to shift into the proper gear. The vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The contact called the local dealer who informed him about the diagnostic test and also about parts not being available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11483540

Sep 2, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. Both the power train and check engine warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to both an independent mechanic and a dealer but neither could diagnose to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11482563

Aug 30, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission fluid was black in color and the fluid level was low due to a leak. The mechanic drained the transmission fluid and added new transmission fluid, then sealed the driver's side front transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 68,882.

NHTSA ODI 11482065

Jun 30, 2022Transmission & drivetrainAirbags

I called Ford at Sam Galloway in Fort Myers and I told them that I have at least 5 recalls but only one is important which is the passenger air bag. I was told that they have availability for September. I asked them, why wasn’t I informed of the recall? They couldn’t answer. I need to know where should I take my car. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11471840

Apr 28, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the power steering became inoperable and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11462568

Feb 19, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

I currently am the owner of a 2012 Fusion Hybrid. My transmission is not shifting properly. I have had the PCM updated as an attempt to correct the issue. It will rev high, like a race car, and drives like a race car. It does not shift into higher driving gears as designed. My son, who is a student driver, isn't safe to drive it. I believe that this is an issue that Ford is aware of and the dealership is wanting $5000-$6000 to fix. There are no warning lights on, so the dealership gets almost $200.00 for a diagnostic. This is not fair to the consumer.

NHTSA ODI 11453030

Jan 28, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission shuddering, 1st to 2nd gear shifts shake the entire vehicle, especially when cold. Abbrupt downshift. Gear searching from 5th to 6th when highway driving.

NHTSA ODI 11449265

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Working with the data? Download all 2,604 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Ford Fusion Hev verdict →