What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Fusion?

The biggest complaint groups are the electrical system, the power train and the engine. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2020 Ford Fusion have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year. The Recalls section lists each one.

What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Ford Fusion?

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

Is the 2020 Ford Fusion reliable?

It has a real record of owner complaints. Check the problems and recalls sections, and compare with other years in the by-year section.

2020 Ford Fusion Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there for the 2020 Ford Fusion?

NHTSA has 235 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 235 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Ford Fusion^[1]. The electrical system is named more than any other group, in 80 complaints^[2].

235owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

23–42MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the biggest groups.

Electrical System. 80 complaints^[2]. Owners describe a touchscreen that goes dark, a radio that cuts out while driving, a backup camera that misbehaves, and a battery that keeps going flat.
Power Train. 67 complaints^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe rough or clunky shifting, an engine misfire warning, a car that hesitates when they press the pedal, and a broken part between the engine and the gearbox.
Engine. 62 complaints^[7]. Owners describe gurgling coolant sounds, a sulfur smell inside the cabin, a loss of power on the road, and warning lights that come on with no clear cause.
Unknown Or Other. 32 complaints^[8]. These reports do not fit one clear component group.
Steering. 13 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the car pulling to one side, a loss of power steering help, and a wheel that locked or turned on its own.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 12 complaints^[10]. These are listed under the fuel and propulsion group.
Forward Collision Avoidance. 11 complaints^[11]. These name the forward collision avoidance group.
Brakes. 11 complaints^[12]. These name the brakes group.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Fusion is necessarily included.

Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater (25V685), October 2025. About 59,006 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Back Over Prevention › Software (25V442), June 2025. About 200,237 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery › Management System/Energy Control Module (Bms/Becm) (23V440), June 2023. About 14,452 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]

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 FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	23 / 34 / 27	$2,500
Fusion AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	20 / 29 / 23	$2,900
Fusion FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	21 / 31 / 25	$2,700
Fusion FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	21 / 31 / 24	$2,800
Fusion Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	43 / 41 / 42	$1,600
Fusion Hybrid Taxi, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	43 / 40 / 41	$1,650
Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular Gas and Electricity^[21]	43 / 40 / 42	n/a
Fusion Special Service PHEV, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular Gas and Electricity^[22]	43 / 40 / 42	n/a

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR AWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	10.9%
4 DR FWD^[23]	5	4	5	4	10.9%
4 DR FWD^[24]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	10.9%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2020 Ford Fusion with 1.5L 4-cylinder^[25]	169 hp
2020 Ford Fusion with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[26]	141 to 240 hp
2020 Ford Fusion with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[27]	173 hp

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

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
FUSION 4DR SEDAN^[28]	192 in	73 in	58 in	112 in	3,472 lb
FUSION 4DR SEDAN HYBRID^[29]	192 in	73 in	57 in	112 in	3,668 lb
FUSION 4DR SEDAN PHEV^[30]	192 in	73 in	57 in	112 in	3,986 lb

How 2020 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Fusion model year. The 2020 is highlighted^[3].

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 235 complaints and 3 recalls for 2020^[3]. Among the 15 model years listed, 0 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 14 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2020 (235) and the most are for 2010 (5,639)^[3]. 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 2020 Fusion?

The 2020 Fusion draws complaints in a few clear areas, led by the electrical system, the power train and the engine^[2]^[6]^[7]. Some reports mention crashes or fires, so they are worth reading before you buy^[1]. Recalls also exist for this model year, and the page lists them above^[3]. These are reports filed by owners, so treat them as a guide and not a final score. A used 2020 Fusion can still be a fair pick if the car you are looking at has had its recall work done and checks out on a test drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Ford Fusion?: The biggest complaint groups are the electrical system, the power train and the engine^[2]^[6]^[7]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2020 Ford Fusion have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows recalls for this model year^[3]. The Recalls section lists each one.
How many complaints are there for the 2020 Ford Fusion?: NHTSA has 235 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Ford Fusion?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2020 Ford Fusion reliable?: It has a real record of owner complaints^[1]. Check the problems and recalls sections, and compare with other years in the by-year section.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Ford Fusion

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
2020 this page

Compare all model years of the Ford Fusion

Other Ford models from 2020

2020 Ford Edge 325 complaints, 4 recalls
2020 Ford Escape 1,902 complaints, 25 recalls

All Ford models

Similar cars from 2020: midsize cars

2020 Tesla Model 3 452 complaints, 21 recalls
2020 Toyota Camry 284 complaints, 3 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 235 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Ford Fusion (11 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
80 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Fusion model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Fusion Hybrid FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 43 city / 41 highway / 42 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
67 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,064). NHTSA vehicle records
62 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 25V685, filed October 10, 2025: Equipment › Electrical › Engine Block Heater. NHTSA recall database
Recall 25V442, filed June 27, 2025: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
Recall 23V440, filed June 23, 2023: Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery › Management System / Energy Control Module (Bms / Becm). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 34 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion Hybrid Taxi, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 43 city / 40 highway / 41 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,650. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular Gas and Electricity: 42 MPGe combined, 610 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Fusion Special Service PHEV, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular Gas and Electricity: 42 MPGe combined, 610 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Ford Fusion with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 169 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Ford Fusion with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 141 to 240 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2020 Ford Fusion with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION 4DR SEDAN: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,472 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION 4DR SEDAN HYBRID: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,668 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FUSION 4DR SEDAN PHEV: length 192 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 112 in, curb weight 3,986 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.

2020 Ford Fusion: problems, recalls and fuel economy