What 1,455 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fusion Energi

Started car and out of nowhere it began sputtering. Then Engine light came on and when tested the diagnostic said “cylinder 2 misfire. I didnt drive anywhere and light was off today when I crank it. well started driving and light is flashing. Ford dealership said this is a common issue from poor design engine but my car only has 40,000 miles. This seems to happen to ALOT of the 2016 eco models. Says coolant goes into engine. I’m aware most of these models have recalls but not 2016 why!!!!! It’s clearly a faulty engine problem if so many people are having the exact problem and code.

NHTSA ODI 11667185

Rear passenger seat belt will not release lock/tension/broken. Will not allow rear occupants to buckle in. Safety issue. Seems to happen on most 2013+ ford vehicles specifically trims like titanium with a 'inflatable belt" This issue should be recalled free of charge, It is a major safety issue not to be able to use a seatbelt. The best remedy would be inspect and replacement of broken components. Both occurred over 80k miles one being a truck (entirely different vehicle)

NHTSA ODI 11666666

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally before losing motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty engine block. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11666726

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the assist fault error and an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with steering gear failure. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,263.

NHTSA ODI 11666814

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning illuminated, and the message to change spark plug #2 was displayed. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #2, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that weeks before the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the solenoid and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664310

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently decelerated, and the vehicle stopped unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that nearby drivers assisted with pushing the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's boss's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 246,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663362

Engine spontaneously became extremely rough, losing power while at the same time engine light started flashing. Had car towed to auto shop. Which stated cylinders 2 and 4 were misfiring. Sought second opinion from different auto shop which confirmed that cylinder 4 was not performing and cylinder 2 was performing minimally. Engine has 47,000 miles on it. Ford customer relations contacted which provided case # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11663464

My car is a 2016 Ford fusion and it was working fine until February of 2025. There was a message that appeared on the dashboard as soon as I started the car. The message was “steering loss, stop safely” making it extremely difficult to turn. The steering can’t even turn left or right. It’s locked in place. I had to get it towed and now it’s undrivable. I can’t even get it fixed because my specific VIN # is not listed for a recall and I’m unsure what to do. I need help what can I do?

NHTSA ODI 11661553

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11660626

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the instrument cluster and the radio turned off unintendedly. The contact stated that the power train, hill assist, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The vehicle was able to be restarted after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to two dealers; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V632000 (STEERING); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA ODI 11660528

The ABS module is faulty and light will come on at random times and makes steering hard and braking on right side of vehicle is hard. I have taken it to Raceway Ford of Hartsville and they are having a hard time getting the part due to it being called obsolete but I think it needs to be on the recall list as well due to it being a safety concern on my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11658864

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was an internal coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,385.

NHTSA ODI 11658956

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on two occasions when the vehicle was started and running, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and the vehicle started shaking. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after approximately 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11658473

The back up camera does absolutely nothing to notify the driver if it's getting too close to something or someone. It does not show the green, yellow or red lines as you're reversing and it does not even beep when approaching something too closely. It's just there. No purpose. There luckily had been no incidents so I put today's date as I fill in this form.

NHTSA ODI 11658285

I have never had this issue before with this car. I started the car up to go to the store and saw all these lights on my dash. I keep my car maintained well. Tires, oil, tune up etc… and when I saw the lights on the dash it said service advance trac and steering loss stop safely with 2 other icons above it. So I didn’t know what that was so I sent to get power fluid not knowing it wasn’t a reservoir. I know Ford had/has a recall on 2016 ford fusions model for THIS EXACT ISSUE! My steering cannot turn at all I need my car, PLEASE I am on disability and it’s not right that the recall won’t cover all ford of this model with this issue. I beg, I need my car fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11657721

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was turned on, the contact attempted to change the spark plug; however, the spark plug was stuck. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that there was a hairline fracture in the engine, and there was coolant intrusion into the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11657244

My 2016 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost has developed Fords known Coolant intrusion into the head gasket and block issue. I’m currently experiencing dangerous misfires, violent shaking, with EVAP/O2 codes (not sure if related). I got it towed and received diagnosis and the car will be needing a new engine. 124K miles on vehicle at the time. We demand immediate NHTSA investigation and a Ford recall.

NHTSA ODI 11656961

My engine is misfiring and now i have to replace my engine.

NHTSA ODI 11655875

Engine has total failure due to coolant in cylinder 2. Ford is horrible

NHTSA ODI 11655923

Coolant leak caused head gasket and block damage. No warning lights ever on to indicate issue. Car simply wound not start one morning. Was towed and received diagnosis of needing new engine. 57K miles on vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11654897

I had an oil change and drove the car for a week no leaks in my driveway. Then a week later at 6am driving in traffic the red engine light comes on, the car slows down, I pull over and turn the car off. It would not turn back on. I had to have it towed and now I’m told I need an engine. How? The car has been maintained and I didn’t hit anything or run over anything. The oil pan is in tack. This could have been serious as I work over night.This needs to be a recall on the 2016 Ford Fusion Titanium AWD 2.0 eco boost.

NHTSA ODI 11654942

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact stated while reversing at 5 MPH, the rearview camera failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated; however, there was a message displayed that the rearview camera would stop working while in reverse, and to please contact the dealer if the camera failed to operate as needed. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the radio intermittently failed to operate as needed. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11654840

When key is in ignition and either In on position with engine off or In accessory state the dash starts to click and the hood then releases and opens Does not happen when key is not in the ignition and driver door is open or when car is running or when car is locked but does happen if key was just removed from ignition and door has not been opened yet There are not service lights on and all trunk buttons still work when pressed

NHTSA ODI 11654306

FORD ALREADY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ENGINES IN THE SE ECOBOOST,, THERE IS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 3.INSTEAD OF THEM RECALLING ALL OF THOSE ENGINES THEY ONLY RECALLED A FEW PUTTING EVERY ONE ELSE SAFTY AT RISK .PLEASE HAVE THEM RECALL MY ENGINE . THEY WERE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE LOCAL FORD SINCE LAST YEAR TO CHECK ON RECALLS FOR THIS ENGINE. I WAS TOLD THEY DIDNT HAVE RECALLS ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY DID HAVE SOME RECALLS ON THIESE ENGINES MY CAR STARTED OVERHEATING IN THE MEDIAN OF THE HIGHWAY I ALMOST CRASHED TRYING TO HURRY AND PULL OVER TO A SAFE PLACE. PLEASE DO A RECALL ON MY ENGINE

NHTSA ODI 11654284

Coolant intrusion into cylinder 4. Engine light on. Reads Codes: p0304 and p0316. Recommended replacement of an entire short block. Common problem on their ecoboost engines. Officially diagnosed by Ford dealership on 04-08-2025.

NHTSA ODI 11653487