Home · 2016 Ford Fusion Energi · Complaints

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

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 (1,455)Crash / fire / injury (53)Engine (432)Transmission & drivetrain (305)Steering (170)Electrical system (131)Brakes (122)Engine & cooling (100)Fuel system (88)Airbags (53)Speed control (52)Body & structure (44)

53 of 1,455 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters · page 1 of 3

Jan 16, 2025Electrical systemCrash1 death

On 9/5/2024, the driver (27/M) and lone occupant was found unresponsive in the vehicle which was observed rolling to a stop. The vehicle impacted a chain link fence at low speed and there was minimal damage to the vehicle. First responders commented: "extremely noxious odor, smelling like burnt eggs was detected. Odor was most prevalent in backseat area and then when the trunk was opened. In the trunk is where the vehicle's hybrid battery system was located". The driver was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead on 9/5/2024. An autopsy was performed with toxicological analysis. Hydrogen sulfide was detected.

NHTSA ODI 11636247

Jul 9, 2024BrakesFire

While traveling at a high rate of speed of 75 mph, on the highway, my brakes failed, the brake pedal was pushed to the floor. The car was hesitant to shift/accelerate. Upon trying to get some type of braking remedy i almost crashed from off the bridge that i was trying to merge on to. upon trying to stop the car i went up a small grade which brought the car to a stop with the emergency brake on. While out of the vehicle the back, driver side caliber caught flame with bluish and greenish flames from the brake fluid coming out, being the metal was at an extreme temperature. I thankfully had my children's drinks/slushies in the car to throw on the flame to stop the spread and to put the flames out. I had to call for a tow truck to get myself and children off the side of the highway. After a $172.98 bill, the car was towed home. I contacted the dealership, which was then told i was responsible to pay and have it towed yet again to the dealerships lot. I have contacted the ford manufacture customer service line, dealership and the number for the recall notice multiple times to get my car fixed and have yet to receive adequate help in doing so.

NHTSA ODI 11600545

Feb 6, 2024AirbagsBrakesCrash

I went to pick my daughter up from school as usual and the brakes would not work when I tried to stop in the turn loop. It caused me to crash the side of the car into a cement light post.

NHTSA ODI 11570173

Nov 21, 2023SteeringElectrical systemEngineCrash

Date of first incident was Nov 19, 2023. I was driving home from taking my elderly mother to the doctor and my engine just shut off. I had plenty of gas, my oil and transmission had been changed, no warning lights came on my dash prior to the engine stopping. The only message I had on my car said the car is not in park. No one can seem to find out why. It has done this at a moderate rate of speed (45mph). My steering wheel locked and I can't steer the car giving me the option to get to a safe place on the road. I have to hit another vehicle or hit a pole. I have good insurance but I don't want to use it to fix body damage. I can't afford that with a 300 dollar car payment. My break sensor error light will come on as well and I went to have the breaks changed and fluid replaced but it doesn't work. I am afraid that I might get hurt or someone else will, but I can't afford another care to help care for my parents or get to the doctor. The Ford dealership will not let me trade it in unless I give them 7000 dollars. The transmission will Jerk when changing gears. I still owe 9000 dollars. I looked online to see if I could find a solution and multiple people are complaining about the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11556322

Oct 5, 2023BrakesCrash

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The contact exited the highway onto a residential street to park the vehicle; however, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a parked vehicle. The vehicle then drove over the sidewalk and crashed into a residence's sidewall. The air bags did not deploy. The rear doors failed to open, and the people within the residence came outside and assisted in pulling the children out through the rear windows. The contact and three minor children were not injured; however, medical attention was received on the scene from Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the body shop and was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.  

NHTSA ODI 11548395

Oct 3, 2023Engine & coolingCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at 55-60 MPH, the vehicle was sluggish and hesitated to respond when depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle hesitated to respond, causing another vehicle to crash into the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the hospital, where he received medical assistance. The contact stated that he sustained whiplash and lower back pain, and he had received physical therapy. The contact was unsure whether the other driver had sustained injuries. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure later recurred and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone, where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs and ignition coils of cylinder number 3 had failed. The contact stated that all the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the temperature gauge indicated that the vehicle was overheating. Upon inspecting the coolant level several times, the contact noticed that there was abnormal coolant drainage. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion in the engine, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11547965

Sep 28, 2023FirerelatedFire

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, there was smoke and then flames coming from underneath the hood near the driver's side headlight. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle at a friend's residence. The hood failed to open. The contact used a hose at her friend's residence to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries, and medical attention was not received. The police were contacted; however, no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to another friend's residence. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI 11547074

Jul 15, 2023Speed controlBrakesEngineCrash

I got into an accident around May 3rd. Roughly around 11 pm to 12 am. To inform whomever is reading, none of the issues I will list have happened prior to this event. At the accident my car would not turn on, and it would not lock. As well as a piece of the car had broke off. I took my car to Mike's auto body for repairs. When the person inspecting the car had reviewed what was wrong with my 2016 Ford Fusion, I was informed part of the issue was the starter. I was informed by Nick a staff member of Mike's auto body, that the piece was replaced. After I had picked up my car on June 6, 2023 as per the receipt from my payment. The first time the event happened was on around June 6th to June 20th (I know it happened on a rainy Tuesday or Wednesday anywhere from 7am to 8am prior to Thursday June 22nd.) My car flashed "See manual" on my dash board. The air bag light had turned on. My car would not accelerate, the brakes functioned at this point, but when I pulled off the road and parked my car shook. When I had turned my car off, took out the keys, and turned it on again the problem was "resolved" and I was able to continue driving to work. I had called the auto shop and eventually left my car with the auto shop to be safe. The next event happened on Thursday June 22nd at 4:10 pm after I had picked it up from the auto shop when Nick had informed me my car was safe and nothing was reading on the scanner. (I took a picture of the dash board to show the message) and turned my car back into the auto shop. To note, the brakes did not work during this time. The next time it happened was the first time I drove my car again after picking it up from Mike's auto shop. July 1st at 12:47 pm. The same stuff happened. I recorded on video what my car was doing. My car decelerate when my foot was still on the gas, the brakes were not working, hot air out of the ac, car shaking. It happened 10+ times today (7/15/23) after leaving the dealership to fix a recall I have several videos of it

NHTSA ODI 11532460

Jul 5, 2023Speed controlCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the dad was driving with the cruise control set at 65 MHP. While approaching a slower vehicle ahead the driver pressed both the brake pedal and the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel but the cruise control did not deactivate. As the driver switched to the left lane to avoid a collision the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle and a third vehicle was also crashed into. Which vehicle crashed into the third vehicle was undetermined. During the crash, no injuries were reported from either of the three vehicles involved in the crash. A police report was taken and the scene and the vehicle was towed to a nearby wrecking yard. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11530380

May 23, 2023BrakesCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and slowing for a traffic sign, she depressed the brake pedal which depressed to the floor board. The contact stated she saw that the "check brake" warning was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled through the traffic sign and rolled off of the roadway and crashed into a tree stump. The contact stated the vehicle crashed into the tree stump on the passenger side front bumper. The contact stated that she was not injured. The contact had her brother help her push her vehicle back to her residence using his vehicle to push. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available.

NHTSA ODI 11523544

Apr 27, 2023BrakesCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated while her son was driving approximately 30 MPH a vehicle in front of the contact's vehicle was stopped in the lane making a left turn. The contact son's attempted to stop the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard. The vehicle crashed into the rear end of the stopped vehicle. The contact stated her son was not aware of any warning lights. The other vehicle was struck in the right rear fender and from the force of the impact was spun into oncoming traffic. The contact's front end of the vehicle was crushed by the impact. The air bags deployed. The son had sustained bruises on his left shoulder and face from the air bag and seat belt. A passenger in the rear driver's side seat had hit the seat and dislocated an elbow and fractured an arm from the impact with the seat. The police were on the scene and wrote a report. The passenger in the contact's vehicle was transported by ambulance to the emergency room. The contact's vehicle and the other vehicle were not drivable and both were towed away from the crash scene. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11519326

Apr 19, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

After a rear-end collision, my passenger front air bag light comes on intermittently. Because of this, I don't know if the air bag was compromised or if the collision caused a faulty sensor. I can't get an answer from Ford.

NHTSA ODI 11517907

Apr 14, 2023BrakesCrash

The contact owned a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics), a few months approximately four months after the vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that while making a right turn at approximately 10 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle continued to move forward striking a crosswalk pole. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to a lot and then taken to an independent mechanic where it was not able to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11517104

Jan 4, 2023AirbagsCrash2 injuries

Air bags failed to deploy during a roll over accident. Vehicle is in the possession on State Farm insurance.

NHTSA ODI 11500233

Nov 10, 2022BrakesCrash

While driving at a high rate of speed the vehicle’s brakes completely failed nearly causing a serious crash. The car ended up rolling up and over a median causing damage to the vehicle. Upon inspection the from right brake hose ruptured causing a complete loss of brake fluid and loss of braking ability.

NHTSA ODI 11493001

Sep 29, 2022AirbagsCrash

On August the 17th, 2022 at approximately 1 pm our vehicle was rear-ended and was pushed into another vehicle from a dead stop in a traffic jam by a Chevy Van traveling between 45 and 50 mph until impact. Not a single airbag had deployed during or after the accident.

NHTSA ODI 11487153

Sep 8, 2022Transmission & drivetrainCrash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that she placed the vehicle in the park position and then exit the vehicle, when without warning the vehicle inadvertently rolled in reverse and crashed into another vehicle. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to take the vehicle to a Ford dealer for diagnosis but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11483562

Apr 2, 2021Electrical systemFire

RECENTLY, BOTH OF THE FRONT HEATED AND COOLED SEATS ON MY FORD FUSION STOPPED WORKING. I WENT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR, TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE BURNT CONNECTOR IS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SCME MODULE AND THAT BOTH THE CONNECTOR AND SCME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $596.11. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I DON'T BELIEVE THE MODULE IS FAILED, AND THAT REGARDLESS, A MODULE FAILURE SHOULD NEVER RESULT IN A CONNECTOR BURNING AS ALL THIS CIRCUITRY SHOULD BE FUSE PROTECTED AGAINST OVERCURRENT WITHOUT BURNING. I TOLD THEM THAT I BELIEVED THE MODULE APPEARS TO BE FAILED ON THEIR DIAGNOSTICS SYSTEM BECAUSE THE GROUND TO THE MODULE HAS MELTED AND HAS THUS BECOME DISCONNECTED. I COMPLETED SOME INVESTIGATION AND THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO INSUFFICIENT GROUNDING TO THE SCME MODULE (SEAT CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE) UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT RESULTS IN OVERCURRENT TO A GROUND PIN TO THE SCME, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CONNECTOR MELTING AND BECOMING DISCONNECTED FROM THE SCME. I AM CONCERNED DUE TO FIRE RISK IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS WELL AS ANY IMPACT THIS FAILURE MAY HAVE ON THE SEAT AIRBAGS. I WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR AND ADDING A SECOND GROUND WIRE TO THE SCME TO PROVIDE PROPER GROUNDING. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF THE MELTED WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR ON MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11406149

Mar 4, 2021Transmission & drivetrainCrash

CAR DOES NOT MOVE IN SELECTED GEAR. FIRST INCIDENT: THE CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE BUT THE CAR MOVED IN REVERSE. IT WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL 19S16 WHICH DESCRIBES EXACTLY THESE SYMPTOMS. SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE, THE SECOND INCIDENT: CAR WAS PUT INTO PARK BUT MOVED IN REVERSE AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY REPORTED BACK THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THE RECALL PROCEDURE CLEARLY DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE DEALERSHIP SUBURBAN FORD OF WATERFORD MI IS CHARGING ME FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC.

NHTSA ODI 11399107

Jan 4, 2021AirbagsSeatsCrash

MY CAR SEAT UNDERCARRIAGE IS DISATTACHED. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO A NEARBY FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALLS. ALTHOUGH MY CAR'S VIN DID NOT HAVE A RECALL, I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AS EVERYONE ELSE THAT HAD A RECALL. I WAS UNABLE TO ADJUST MY CAR SEAT FOR SUITABLE DRIVING AND THEREFORE ENDED UP HAVING AN ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO REACH OUT TO SEVERAL COMPANIES IN REFERENCE TO MY SEAT ISSUE. NO ONE COULD HELP ME BC MY VIN NUMBER DIDN'T MATCH. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET ASSISTANCE WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE 6/2020 BUT WAS TURNED AWAY AT PLATIMUM FORD IN TERRELL TX. PLEASE HAVE SOMEONE TO CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I HAD A WRECK 12/28/20 MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER THE CRASH. THE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG BROKE MY HUSBANDS ARM, I AM NOT PLEASED WITH FORDS RECALL PROCEDURES BECAUSE ALL DEFECTS THAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR PRIOR TO MY WRECK WERE BEING OVERLOOKED BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALLS LIST. I FEEL LIKE JUST BECAUSE A CAR WAS NOT MANUFACTURED IN A CERTAIN AREA AND IN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME SHOULD ALL BE ACCEPTED IF A FLAW ALIKE WHAT'S NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI 11386479

Oct 16, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

THERE WAS ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONING TAKING PLACE AND THE POWER STEERING WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE CAR WOULD JUST STALL AND LIKE LOCK UP EVERYTHING IN IT AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE FLASHING ON AND ON INSIDE ON AND OFF

NHTSA ODI 11364721

Sep 22, 2020SteeringAirbagsSpeed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE THE INDEPENDENTLY INCREASED IN SPEED TO 40 MPH, AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH AIRBORNE. THE VEHICLE LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. DURING THE FAILURE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNABLE TO BE MANEUVERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, LEFT ARM WAS CUT DEEPLY AND ELBOW, ELBOW JOINT WAS INJURED, AND A CUT ON THE FACE. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ODI 11360464

Sep 22, 2020SteeringAirbagsSpeed controlCrash1 injury

MY FRIEND ARON WAS HAVING AN EMERGENCY WHEN WOKE UP AT 4:00AM TO COME TO HIS HELP. AFTER WAKING UP WITH A REDBULL ,I WAS THEN HEADING TO THE HOUSE AT WICH ARON LIVES . I WAS UNFORTUNATELY AN TO MY SURPRISE . LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY 2016 FORD FUSION THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AS DID THE TIRES . AND TO MY HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF THIS CAR IN MOTION THEN ACCELERATED TO 40 MILES AN HOUR . I WAS COMPLETELY HELPLESS AS TO REDIRECT THE CAR IN MOTION TO A SAFE PATH . I REMEMBER THE FUSION WAS AIRBORNE AFTER I WAS OFF THE ROAD HITTING A DITCH . THE FORD FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. I SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND BACK AN AS WELL. MY ARM WAS CUTT UP BAD. IM NOW LIVING WITH THESE SCARS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11360496

Sep 8, 2020SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash

WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED ALL THE WAY TO EITHER SIDE, MULTIPLE ALARM SOUNDS GO OFF IN THE VEHICLE INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LOSS OF REVERSE SENSORS, LOSS OF HILL ASSIST AND LOSS OF STABILITY CONTROL. THIS OCCURS ANYTIME THE WHEEL IS FULLY TURNED, EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. THIS OCCURRED 2 YEARS AGO IN THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER, AFTER NOT FINDING ANY OTHER ISSUE. NOW IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN, SAME SYMPTOMS, SAME CAUSE. A VIDEO CAN EASILY BE SENT IF REQUESTED.

NHTSA ODI 11353873

Jul 30, 2020Transmission & drivetrainCrash

MY 2016 FORD FUSION TITANIUM ROLLED AWAY FROM WHERE IT WAS PARKED ON A FLAT CONCRETE SURFACE. IT WENT DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE STREET, AND APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 40 FEET INTO A WOODEN AREA BEFORE TREES STOPPED IT. THE CAR NEEDS THE KEY IN CLOSE ENOUGH PROXIMITY TO START. THE KEY WAS IN MY PURSE IN MY HOUSE. THE CAR, WHEN ON, NEEDS TO HAVE THE BRAKE COMPRESSED TO TAKE IT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR PARK TO REVERSE OR PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR. SO, NO KEY. NO COMPRESSED BRAKE. NO MANUAL CHANGE OF GEARS. YET, IT STILL ROLLED AWAY. SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE KEY IN OR BY THE CAR. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE STARTED. YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AND IT GOES OUT OF PARK TO ANY OTHER GEAR. NO KEY. NOT ON. NO BRAKE. I HAD THE NC HIGHWAY PATROL COME AND THE OFFICER DID A REPORT. I HAVE CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI 11342303

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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 2016 Ford Fusion Energi verdict →