Home · 2017 Ford Fusion Energi · Complaints

What 1,030 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 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 (1,030)Crash / fire / injury (47)Engine (349)Transmission & drivetrain (288)Engine & cooling (130)Electrical system (120)Brakes (93)Steering (48)Fuel system (33)Airbags (28)Wheels (24)Speed control (15)

130 of 1,030 complaints match · Engine & cooling · clear filters · page 2 of 6

Feb 26, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the starter had failed. The starter was replaced; however, several days later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the same mechanic, where it was diagnosed for a second time. The contact was advised that coolant intrusion had caused the engine to fail, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11645099

Feb 26, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The dealer determined that the long block engine assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11645138

Feb 6, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the head gasket, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the new engine not being available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11641085

Feb 5, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that occasionally the "Coolant Level Low" message was displayed and after starting the vehicle and driving at various speeds, there was thick white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact decided to replace the head gasket and discovered that the engine block was cracked. The contact researched and became aware that the failure might be caused by coolant intrusion into the engine. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 11640987

Feb 3, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant leaking into the cylinder block and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, opened a case, and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 19-2172 (Coolant in Cylinders, White Exhaust Smoke And/ Or Illuminated MIL). The failure mileage was 47,000.

NHTSA ODI 11640508

Jan 29, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket had failed, causing coolant to leak into the oil, which caused the engine to fail. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that it was a factory defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a related recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639379

Jan 28, 2025Engine & coolingEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into one of the cylinders. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer but was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11639118

Jan 24, 2025Engine & cooling

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11638201

Jan 22, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and call her husband. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with a crack in the head gasket and that coolant was leaking into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

NHTSA ODI 11637687

Jan 14, 2025Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that it was difficult to start the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered, and there was grey smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The vehicle was taken to Miller Auto, where and unknown spark plug was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing cylinders #1, #2, and #3 to misfire. Additionally, the cylinder overtemperature protection was activated. The mechanic determined that the engine or the short block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11635815

Jan 13, 2025Engine & coolingEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shifted out of gear independently. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11635648

Dec 23, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated and that the hood of the vehicle was trembling while an abnormal sound came from the engine upon starting the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving the vehicle at various speeds the engine would stall. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the failure was attributed to coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 and that the entire engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,254.

NHTSA ODI 11632152

Dec 19, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion into the cylinders and that the engine's long block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11631647

Dec 18, 2024Engine & coolingEngine

The contact’s son owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that his son attempted to start the vehicle and became aware that the engine was struggling to turn over. The check engine warning light illuminated and there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust. The contact checked under the hood and the coolant level was significantly low. The contact’s son left the vehicle parked. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired because the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11631390

Dec 12, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH, made an abnormal clunking sound, with an engine misfire while shuddering significantly. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine block. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 21N12, because the campaign had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,500.

NHTSA ODI 11630312

Nov 25, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began to shake with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627221

Nov 25, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an engine misfire with the check engine 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 engine, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11627341

Nov 21, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local O'Reilly's who diagnosed the vehicle with the cylinder #1 misfire. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11626568

Nov 15, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle began to shake, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that coolant intrusion into multiple cylinders damaged the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11625617

Nov 14, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated when starting the vehicle from a cold start the vehicle was vibrating and idling roughly. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH the vehicle was again running roughly and he was smelling the odor of coolant in the passenger cabin. The contact stated that the check engine and "high coolant temperature" warnings had been illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed and the dealer determined that coolant had intruded into the engine block and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that this was a known engine failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

NHTSA ODI 11625293

Oct 21, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine started to vibrate violently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that coolant was leaking into the engine block, resulting in damages to the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 84,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621042

Oct 18, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon the start of the engine, the "Service Engine Now" warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion and needed an engine replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 11620560

Oct 17, 2024Engine & cooling

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11620438

Oct 4, 2024Engine & coolingEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The message "Coolant Overheated" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to Firestone, where it was diagnosed with a coolant leak into the cylinder head gasket. The contact was informed that the cylinder head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,965.

NHTSA ODI 11618148

Sep 30, 2024Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an auto parts store where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant intrusion into the engine block, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact had the vehicle towed to another independent mechanic who confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 Coolant Intrusion Into the Short Block (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11617323

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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 2017 Ford Fusion Energi verdict →