Home · 2016 Ford Fusion Hev · Complaints

What 1,455 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 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 (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)

131 of 1,455 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 1 of 6

Jul 1, 2025Electrical systemEngine

engine light turned and, scanned it and code is P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire detected. Coolant is leaking into the engine. I have looked online and multiple people have had this issue, majority of them taking their vehicles to Ford dealers and being told they need an engine replacement. I have taken my vehicle to a mechanic shop and was told the same thing. my safety was at risk because this issue caused my engine to overheat and the engine would not turn on for a while after. with coolant being mixed in with the oil, it damages the engine and can cause the car to stop being functional while you are still operating it. I am also including a link to a website that has proof that Ford delearships have seen this issue before, are aware of it but do nothing to fix it [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11670602

Jun 30, 2025SteeringElectrical systemSpeed control

Electric Power Steering Motor Attaching Bolts Corrode (NHTSA 19V-632, OEM 19S26): Corrosion of bolts in the electric power steering system can lead to loss of power steering assist in 2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles in certain states. Dealers will replace bolts and apply a sealant, or install a new steering gear.

NHTSA ODI 11670412

Apr 15, 2025Electrical systemBackup camera & sensors

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

Apr 13, 2025Electrical systemBody & structure

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

Mar 28, 2025SteeringElectrical system

I have had road salt contamination with the electrical wiring to the power steering causing the wires to become brittle and break causing a power steering failure in a right curve which caused the steering wheel to jerk the car to the left nearly causing a collision. The power steering failed again due to high friction inside steering gear and has a broken bolt on the EPAS motor to the steering gear.

NHTSA ODI 11651419

Mar 22, 2025Electrical systemEngine

Our 1.5 EcoBoost engine overheated on 3/20/25, my daughter was driving and the vehicle started shaking and it slowed way down, for a moment she feared for her life, she said it had a message and the check engine symbol was illuminated and the vehicle would not accelerate, when she got it was leaking coolant and white smoke, I took my OBDII scanner, one code was P1299 Cylinder Over temp Protection Active, it now emits white smoke and overheats and looses fluid. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 1.5L EcoBoost - Low Coolant, White Exhaust Smoke And/Or Illuminated MIL - Built On Or Before 10-Jun-2019 20- 2100 01 April 2020 This bulletin supersedes 19-2375. Reason for update: Replace Awareness/Interim Message Model: Ford 2014-2019 Fusion Engine: 1.5L EcoBoost 2017-2019 Escape Engine: 1.5L EcoBoost Summary This article supersedes TSB 19-2375 to update the Service Procedure and Parts List. Issue: 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. Action: Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition on vehicles that meet all of the following criteria: • One of the following vehicles: - 2014-2019 Fusion built on or before 10-Jun-2019 - 2017-2019 Escape built on or before 08-Apr-2019 • 1.5L EcoBoost engine • At least one of the following conditions: - Low coolant level - White exhaust smoke - Runs rough condition with or without an illuminated MIL with only DTCs P0300, P0301- P0304, P0316, P0217, P1285 and/or P1299 stored in PCM

NHTSA ODI 11649929

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

Dec 23, 2024Electrical system

The trunk pops open randomly. Noticed that the actuator clicks continuously until I press the door lock button on the fob.

NHTSA ODI 11632167

Sep 22, 2024Electrical system

Sync does not work nor has it ever worked contacted dealer they do not know what’s wrong with it nor have they fixed it or offered to

NHTSA ODI 11615863

Aug 11, 2024Electrical system

This is second time my transmission was bad in a ford

NHTSA ODI 11607835

Aug 3, 2024Electrical system

The trunk randomly pops open at random times. From the vehicle to being parked or driving down the highway. Multiple mechanics as well as Ford have stated they are unable to locate any problems. Once it is popped it takes 30-45 seconds for the clipping to stop before the trunk will close again. Often it will immediately re open and I have to go through this cycle 3-4 times before it stays closed until the next incident

NHTSA ODI 11606287

Jul 1, 2024Electrical system

When audio system is turned on or volume is turned on, loud cracking booming and static noise comes through at random moments. More noise occurs while driving 55+ but still occurs when idiling. The audio occurrence has almost caused several accidents since its loud ear piercing noises that comes from speakers. I have taken it to the ford technician to no avail. Due to other forums this is a issue with most fusions. The noises started occurring after my back up camera was replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11598056

Jun 20, 2024Electrical systemLightsDriver assistance

On Saturday [XXX] I noticed when I opened my driver side door, the dash light & the light on my touch screen began flickering. I didn't think much about it at the time, but the next day, [XXX] as myself & my wife were traveling on the highway, I tried to turn on my cruise control but it would not come on. I then tried to adjust my stereo volume on the steering wheel & it wasn't working either. Well, the next day I checked the fuses & they were fine, so that's when I went online & found out that the clock spring in the steering wheel could most likely be the problem. Well I decided to dig a little deeper into the matter & I found out that some 2016 Ford trucks had been recalled because of faulty clock springs which also could cause the airbag not to deploy when needed. I was just told by an employee from a local Ford Dealership that the 2016 Ford Fusion was not a part of that recall, which I believe should have been a part of that recall, because I'm pretty sure that the same clock springs that were used in those 2016 trucks, were used in the 2016 Ford Fusions. I would like to ask that you would please look into this mater, because this is a serious mater, & I think Ford needs to fix this problem. They should be responsible for all of their vehicles with these bad clock springs & not just those trucks only. Thank you for your time & all you do to keep us safe on the road. God Bless you all! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11595472

Mar 1, 2024Electrical systemAirbagsSpeed control

Car has intermittent electrical issue that causes ECUs to reboot often times disabling safety systems such as ABS, Airbags, Collision Avoidance, Adaptive Cruise Control, power steering and power brakes. Ford dealer believes that it's a short in a wiring harness. They claim this issue has been seen in several vehicles like mine. Ford was able to reproduce the problem and recommends replacement of a wiring harness ($4k). To date, I have not had an accident, but do not feel safe driving the vehicle if the airbags and other safety systems become inoperable. Yes, all of the dashboard lights come on when this issue occurs - technician states that the whole computer system gets taken down. That's very uncomfortable when you are traveling at highway speed and no longer have safety system. Steering and braking do get impacted but are not inoperable. I can provide videos of the dashboard when these events occur.

NHTSA ODI 11574928

Jan 16, 2024Electrical systemFuel system

The car stalls out and stops moving out of no where while driving and smells like fuel as well

NHTSA ODI 11565826

Jan 8, 2024Engine & coolingElectrical system

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had failed several times and was replaced approximately 5 times. The contact also stated there was exhaust coming out of the tailpipe during the initial start-up. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V162000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the alternator was producing 20 volts while accelerating, causing the battery to overheat and burn out. Additionally, cylinder #3 was misfiring due to anti-freeze leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and it was confirmed that there were no recalls related to the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 142,728.

NHTSA ODI 11564112

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

Nov 17, 2023Electrical systemLatches & locks

My trunk pops open by itself, without being activated. So far, if I keep my car locked, it will stay shut, but it has popped open while the vehicle was in motion. This is a safety hazard! It has been happening every day for the last several months.

NHTSA ODI 11555637

Oct 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakes

My driver door lock light will not glow when I lock my vehicle. Transmission is slipping and has a recall on it. Front brakes has a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11549782

Sep 21, 2023Electrical system

My 2016 Fusion Hybrid SE. All SYNC related functions ceased to function . Cant use bluetooth. cant do voice commands. USB is not working and not charging. Radio works fine, but phone button does nothing; menu button does nothing; voice command button on steering wheel does nothing. This is a safety hazard and I know I'm not the only one having this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11545899

Sep 1, 2023SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

This incident has happened to me more than once in the past few months. I am driving along the highway and all of a sudden I lose my power steering. The dashboard reads STEERING ASSIST FAULT. Service required. As well as Service Advance Trac. Safety issue because going at moderate speed to get onto highway and losing all power steering could cause me to go off road if in bad weather like rain or snow. In each situation all it took was me pulling off road and resetting the car by turning engine off and then turning it back on. I have take it to a Ford dealership near me and they ran a full diagnostics but couldnt find anything really wrong with it but it continues to happen at least once a month. Ive read similar incidents with Ford Fusion owners on Google and they werent sure as I that if it was the brake sensor or ABS Module that needs to be replaced. Any assistance or advice you could give me would be appreciated.

NHTSA ODI 11542183

Aug 24, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

There is an issue with the (evap) solenoid/associated sensor that causes the vehicle not to restart at unexpectable intervals and the fuel delivery system is also affected during fueling and seemingly during acceleration, at least. The key was recently replaced and association between the problem and the key reading mechanism is unspecified. A power train affect/association is also likely component- that based upon information provided to consumer. I've heard similar problems with other Fords and in other conversations it has not been indicated to me that the models' component's failure is not problematic. It has not been stated how that is contributory to the increased collision risk associated with the brake component that is a current recall. It began prior to the key replacement which is in the dealer repair record and 4 weeks prior to this submission is listed as the incident onset date.

NHTSA ODI 11540587

Aug 19, 2023Electrical system

In the last 4 years the battery has had to be replaced 3 times. Each time the car runs great then is shut off and the next day won't start, no lights and can't even get into the car without the key. The vehicle can't be jumped or battery charged, everything is dead. Upon replacing the battery everything works fine for about 2 years.

NHTSA ODI 11539589

Aug 1, 2023Electrical system

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument cluster intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster then failed to illuminate and remained off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. The contact is requesting reimbursement for repairs and a recall for this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11535906

Jul 28, 2023Electrical systemEngine

Vehicle won’t start so I called my roadside/towing assistant number got someone out to do battery jump service because I been through this before twice come to find out that wasn’t the issue might needed more gas still wasn’t the issue so I got the vehicle towed to a shop it came back I needed the dealership to reprogram the vehicle they couldn’t because it wasn’t drivable so I got it towed to another shop just for them to tell me I need a new engine they didn’t know what cause the problem but just off what they seen while doing a diagnostic was low compression on all cylinders oil full and normal color (not brunt) coolant is full and clean warranty doesn’t want to cover parts that’s needed for the vehicle like cylinder head gasket check engine light always came on after repairs was fixed

NHTSA ODI 11535116

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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 Hev verdict →