What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Fusion?

Air bags and brakes have the biggest complaint groups. Structure issues such as door handles and dashboard cracking come next.

Does the 2008 Ford Fusion have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year. See the Recalls section for the full list.

Is the 2008 Ford Fusion reliable?

Owners report problems mainly with air bags and brakes. Complaints are unverified, so use them alongside a mechanic's inspection.

What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Ford Fusion?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

2008 Ford Fusion Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?

NHTSA has 1,353 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 1,353 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Ford Fusion^[1]. Air bags and brakes are the two biggest groups^[2]^[3].

1,353owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[4]

20–23MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints split by component group, biggest first.

Air Bags. 638 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe air bags that stayed shut after a hit, including side impacts and a run into a barrier.
Brakes. 542 complaints^[3]. Owners describe rear calipers that seize or stick, uneven wear, and clicking noises that came back after visits to the dealer.
Structure. 82 complaints^[6]. Owners describe interior door handles that snap, cracked or puffed dashboard vinyl near the passenger air bag, and even small animals getting into the cabin.
Power Train. 47 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a gear selector that would not move into reverse, clunks from worn mounts, a failed control module, and sudden loss of power on the road.
Unknown Or Other. 39 complaints^[8].
Engine. 39 complaints^[9].
Electrical System. 28 complaints^[10].
Speed Control. 24 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Fusion is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (21V158), March 2021. About 2,602,668 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (21V081), February 2021. About 1,067 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, a crash, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module (19V904), December 2019. About 600,166 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V024), January 2017. About 654,695 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.^[15]
Remedy pending
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V384), May 2016. About 1,892,343 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. The remedy was not yet available when this record was filed.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Fusion, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
Fusion, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	20 / 29 / 23	$2,900
Fusion, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	18 / 26 / 21	$3,200
Fusion AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[19]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD/AWD^[20]	n/a	n/a	n/a	5	9.2%
4 DR FWD/AWD^[21]	n/a	n/a	n/a	5	9.2%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
FUSION SE/SEL 4DR SEDAN 2.3L V4^[22]	190 in	72 in	57 in	107 in	3,150 lb
FUSION SEL V6 4DR SEDAN 3.0L V6^[23]	190 in	72 in	57 in	107 in	3,150 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fusion model year. The 2008 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2006	730	4
2007	1,064	4
2008	1,353	5
2009	1,023	6
2010	5,639	11
2011	2,926	7
2012	2,617	5
2013	1,957	20
2014	1,432	20
2015	1,066	14
2016	1,724	13
2017	1,202	4
2018	508	2
2019	473	4
2020	235	3

NHTSA's counts for the Fusion show 1,353 complaints and 5 recalls for 2008^[4]. Among the 15 model years listed, 8 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 6 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (235) and the most are for 2010 (5,639)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2008 Fusion?

The 2008 Fusion has a large pile of owner complaints on file^[1]. Air bags and brakes lead the list, so check both before you buy^[2]^[3]. Door handles and dashboard cracking show up in the structure group^[6]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a checklist and not a final score. The generated sections above cover recalls, fuel use and safety ratings.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Fusion?: Air bags and brakes have the biggest complaint groups^[2]^[3]. Structure issues such as door handles and dashboard cracking come next^[6].
Does the 2008 Ford Fusion have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show recalls for this model year^[4]. See the Recalls section for the full list.
How many complaints does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?: NHTSA has 1,353 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2008 Ford Fusion reliable?: Owners report problems mainly with air bags and brakes^[2]^[3]. Complaints are unverified, so use them alongside a mechanic's inspection.
What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Ford Fusion?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Fusion

2008 this page
2010 5,639 complaints, 11 recalls
2011 2,926 complaints, 7 recalls
2012 2,617 complaints, 5 recalls
2013 1,957 complaints, 20 recalls
2014 1,432 complaints, 20 recalls
2015 1,066 complaints, 14 recalls
2016 1,724 complaints, 13 recalls
2017 1,202 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 508 complaints, 2 recalls
2020 235 complaints, 3 recalls

Compare all model years of the Ford Fusion

Other Ford models from 2008

2008 Ford Crown Victoria 50 complaints, 3 recalls
2008 Ford Focus 250 complaints, 1 recall

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2008: midsize cars

2008 Acura RL 13 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 Acura TL 124 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 BMW 5 Series 432 complaints, 6 recalls
2008 Cadillac CTS 175 complaints, 2 recalls
2008 Chrysler Sebring 352 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 Dodge Avenger 844 complaints, 6 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 1,353 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Ford Fusion (53 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 29 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
638 complaints name the air bags component group (18 crashes, 2 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
542 complaints name the brakes component group (29 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,450). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fusion model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Fusion, 2.3L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
82 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
47 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,800). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 107,000). NHTSA vehicle records
39 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V158, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V904, filed December 18, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V024, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V384, filed May 31, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Fusion, 2.3L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION SE/SEL 4DR SEDAN 2.3L V4: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,150 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION SEL V6 4DR SEDAN 3.0L V6: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,150 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2008 Ford Fusion: problems, recalls and fuel economy