CarBrief

The 2012 Ford Fusion has 2,617 owner complaints and 5 recalls on file with NHTSA[1][2]. Steering is the largest complaint group, and the recalls cover air bag inflators and electric power steering[3][4][5].

2,617owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
19–38MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 2,617 owner complaints for the 2012 Fusion[1]. They include 111 that mention a crash, 9 a fire, 66 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component group. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints Crashes Median miles at failure
Steering[3] 1,512 47 82,503
Air bags[8] 436 38 67,000
Electrical system[9] 177 8 61,000
Power train[10] 162 4 51,000
Brakes[11] 130 17 73,900
Engine[12] 124 1 45,750
Structure[13] 101 13 66,000

Steering. This is the largest group by a wide margin[3]. In the sample of steering complaints we read, owners describe the power assist cutting out, a warning message and a wheel that is very hard to turn[3]. Some say restarting the car brought the assist back. Some say a dealer replaced the steering rack[3]. Ford's steering recall describes the same kind of failure (see Recalls)[5].

Air bags. In the air bag complaints we read, owners describe two things. One is air bags that did not deploy in a crash. The other is an air bag warning light or a passenger air bag status problem[8]. A complaint alone does not show why an air bag did not deploy.

Electrical system. In the sample we read, owners describe the car shutting down or not starting with all the warning lights on, front windows and the sunroof opening on their own, and a blower that stopped working[9].

Power train. Owners in the sample describe automatic shifts that feel rough, hesitate or flare. Some also describe engine surge or lost acceleration. Some say dealer software updates did not fix the shifting[10].

Brakes, engine and structure each have far fewer complaints than steering[11][12][13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for the 2012 Fusion. Each applies only to certain vehicles, and several cover many other models too. Ford customer service takes recall questions at 1-866-436-7332[4]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. The hybrid is far ahead of the rest[6].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl[6] 41 / 35 / 38 $1,750
FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd[17] 23 / 32 / 26 $2,600
S FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd[18] 22 / 31 / 25 $2,700
FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd[19] 22 / 28 / 24 $2,800
FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6)[20] 22 / 29 / 24 $2,800
FWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[21] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[22] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200
AWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[23] 18 / 25 / 20 $3,350
AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6)[24] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the prices when the car was new. FFV models run on gasoline or E85[23][21].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates the 2012 Fusion 4 stars overall for both the all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive 4 DR versions[7][25]. The frontal crash rating is 3 stars and the side rating is 4 stars[7][25]. Rollover is 5 stars for the AWD version, with a 9.2% rollover risk[7]. The FWD version gets 4 stars with a 10.5% risk[25]. The Fusion Hybrid listing shows the same ratings as the FWD version[26]. The frontal rating is the lowest of the four.

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows 173 hp for the 2.5L 4-cylinder[27] and 223 hp for the 3.0L 6-cylinder[28].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, converted to inches and pounds. All three variants share the same size: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 57 in and wheelbase 107 in[29][30][31].

Variant Curb weight
S/SE/SEL 4CYL 4DR sedan[29] 3,285 lb
SEL V6 4DR sedan[31] 3,446 lb
SEL AWD / Sport / Hybrid 4DR sedan[30] 3,638 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

2006: 730 complaints, 4 recalls20062007: 1,064 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 1,353 complaints, 5 recalls20082009: 1,023 complaints, 6 recalls20092010: 5,639 complaints, 11 recalls20102011: 2,926 complaints, 7 recalls20112012: 2,617 complaints, 5 recalls2,61720122013: 1,957 complaints, 20 recalls20132014: 1,432 complaints, 20 recalls20142015: 1,066 complaints, 14 recalls20152016: 1,724 complaints, 13 recalls20162017: 1,202 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 508 complaints, 2 recalls20182019: 473 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 235 complaints, 3 recalls2020
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fusion model year. The 2012 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20067304
20071,0644
20081,3535
20091,0236
20105,63911
20112,9267
20122,6175
20131,95720
20141,43220
20151,06614
20161,72413
20171,2024
20185082
20194734
20202353

NHTSA data covers 15 Fusion model years[2]. The 2012 model has 2,617 complaints[1]. Only 2010 (5,639) and 2011 (2,926) have more, so 2012 has the third-highest count[2]. The 2013 model has 1,957 and 2020 has 235[2].

On recalls, 2012 has 5[2]. That is mid-range, from 2 recalls for 2018 up to 20 for 2013 and 20 for 2014[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough comparison only.

Should you buy a used 2012 Fusion?

Steering is the biggest complaint group, and Ford has a recall for electric power steering shutdowns[3][5]. Four air bag inflator recalls apply to certain cars, so ask Ford whether a specific car is covered and what the repair status is[4][14][15][16]. NHTSA gives 4 stars overall, with 3 stars for frontal crashes[25]. Fuel economy depends heavily on the engine, from 19 combined MPG for the 3.5L AWD to 38 for the hybrid[24][6]. Those facts do not rule the car out, but they make a service history and recall check worth doing before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Fusion?
Steering is the component group with the most NHTSA complaints, 1,512 of 2,617[1][3]. In a sample we read, owners describe power steering assist cutting out and a very stiff wheel[3].
Has the 2012 Ford Fusion been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls[2]. Four involve air bag inflators that may explode and one involves electric power steering that may shut down[4][14][15][16][5]. Each applies to certain vehicles only.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Ford Fusion get?
EPA combined ratings run from 19 MPG for the 3.5L AWD to 26 MPG for the 2.5L automatic 6-spd, and 38 MPG for the hybrid[24][17][6].
Is the 2012 Ford Fusion a good year compared with others?
It has the third-highest complaint count of the 15 model years listed, behind 2010 and 2011, and 5 recalls[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 2,617 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Ford Fusion (111 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 66 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fusion model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 1,512 complaints name the steering component group (47 crashes, 2 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,503). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 21V158, filed March 10, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 15V340, filed June 2, 2015: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Fusion Hybrid FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 41 city / 35 highway / 38 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 9.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 436 complaints name the air bags component group (38 crashes, 0 fires, 37 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 177 complaints name the electrical system component group (8 crashes, 4 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 162 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 130 complaints name the brakes component group (17 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 124 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 101 complaints name the structure component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 21V081, filed February 16, 2021: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V001, filed January 7, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 17V024, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Fusion S FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Fusion FWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Fusion AWD FFV, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Fusion AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Ford Fusion with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Ford Fusion with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 223 hp. www.epa.gov
  29. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION S/SE/SEL 4CYL 4DR SEDAN: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,285 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  30. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION SEL AWD / SPORT / HYBRID 4DR SEDAN: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,638 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION SEL V6 4DR SEDAN: length 190 in, width 72 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,446 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.