Selling a broken-down Ford Fusion

Check two things first. Run the VIN for open recalls, since NHTSA lists 48 campaigns for this sedan. And on a 2006-2012 car, find out whether the Takata inflators were replaced: four passenger inflator recalls on those years carry a do-not-drive warning.

Two generations, built mostly in Mexico

Ford built the Fusion from August 2005 to July 2020, for model years 2006 through 2020. First-generation cars all came from Hermosillo, Sonora. The 2013 redesign added a second line at Flat Rock, Michigan, through 2016, while the Hybrid and the Energi plug-in stayed in Mexico. Ford's April 2018 plan to drop most of its North American cars named the Fusion, and 2020 was its last year.

What fails, generation by generation

2006-2012: steering assist, throttle bodies, air bags

Steering draws more owner complaints than any other Fusion part, 5,228 in all, and the bulk of them land on three years. It is 1,594 of the 5,639 complaints on the 2010, 1,329 of 2,920 on the 2011 and 1,349 of 2,616 on the 2012.

The 2010 drew a long federal steering probe but no steering recall. NHTSA upgraded its probe to Engineering Analysis EA17-004 in November 2017, covering 262,599 cars. Investigators found that high friction in the electric steering can set a fault code; assist then ramps down for up to five seconds and is switched off on later starts. They counted 59 alleged crashes, 13 with injuries, most of them slow single-car hits on curbs and roadside objects. Failures peaked at seven to ten years of service. The case closed in February 2024 with no defect trend identified.

The 2011 and 2012 did get a recall. Campaign 15V340 names Fusions from those years without the 3.5 V6, plus the MKZ hybrid, the 2011 Milan and some Taurus, Flex, MKS and MKT models; its 393,623 count spans that whole group. A poor connection inside the TRW steering gear motor can lose the motor position signal and drop assist.

The throttle body is the other big first-generation fault. NHTSA's PE13-003 looked at about 1.59 million 2009-2013 Fusions, Milans, Escapes and Mariners with the 2.5 or 3.0 engine. Resistance builds on the throttle motor's contacts, power falls off, and the engine can be held near 900 rpm. Ford reported 59,807 warranty claims for replacement throttle bodies and set up program 13N03, which paid for one throttle body repair up to a decade or 150,000 miles after the car's warranty began.

Air bags were the top complaint on the 2006, 2007 and 2008. These cars sit in the Takata inflator recalls: passenger campaigns 16V384, 17V024, 18V046 and 19V001, all marked do not drive, which Ford rolled into its Safety Recall 19S01, plus driver-side campaign 21V158 for 2006-2012 cars. Ford's notice says the work is done at no charge to the owner.

2013-2020: a shifter bushing, door latches and the small EcoBoost

Complaints dropped on the second generation and recalls nearly tripled. The 2013 and 2014 each have 20 campaigns, more than any other Fusion years.

The shifter bushing is the one to know about. It joins the shift cable to the six-speed automatic, and when it wears through the lever can show Park while the transmission is not in Park. Get out of the car without the parking brake set and it can roll. Recalls 18V471, 19V362 (2.5-liter cars) and 22V413, which adds a protective cap, cover 2013-2016 cars.

Door latches account for five more campaigns on 2013-2016 cars: 15V246, 17V210, 20V177, 23V775, and 20V331 for earlier latch repairs that may not have been finished properly. The steering returns as well: corroded motor bolts can let the steering gear motor come loose on 2013-2016 cars (15V250, 19V632), and the steering wheel bolt can loosen on 2014-2018 cars (18V167). Front brake hoses that may rupture and leak are recall 23V162, for 2013-2018 cars.

Recall 17V209 covers 2013-2014 Fusions with the 1.6 EcoBoost: driven low on coolant, the head can overheat and crack, and leaking oil can hit hot parts and burn. Dealers fit a coolant level sensor. The 2013 stands out in the data, with 95 complaints that report a fire; no other Fusion year has more than 12. Cars with the 1.6 and the six-speed manual also carry clutch recall 18V169, and in June 2026 NHTSA posted 26V376 for 2013-2016 cars repaired wrongly under earlier clutch recalls, where the clutch can fracture and leak transmission fluid. Interim letters went out August 5, 2026.

From 2015 through 2019, the engine leads the complaint counts. The plug-in Energi has recall 23V440 for 2019-2020 cars, and Ford lists campaign 22G04 for 2010-2012 Hybrid batteries with reduced electric operation.

Complaints and recalls for each model year

Source: the complaint and recall files NHTSA publishes for download, pulled on October 10, 2026. The crash column counts complaints in which the owner reported a crash. A single Fusion campaign can name several model years, so the yearly recall figures total more than 48. For the top part, NHTSA's catch-all label (unknown or other) is passed over.

Fix the Fusion, or sell it unrepaired?

Set the repair quote against what the same Fusion would bring running. When the quote gets close to that number, selling it unfixed usually wins. A few Fusion-specific checks come first.

1. Open recalls. Search the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a Ford dealer about anything that shows. Steering bolts, the shifter bushing and brake hoses are all recall items.
2. No assist on a 2010. There is no recall. Complaints to NHTSA and to Ford put a new steering gear at about $1,500 or more. In May 2023 Ford told dealers a lower-cost remanufactured gear was available for these cars (Special Service Message 51666), so price that one too.
3. Wrench light and no power on a 2009-2013 2.5 or 3.0. NHTSA traced that symptom to the throttle body, so have it diagnosed before you assume the engine is finished. A dealer can say whether 13N03 coverage still applies to the VIN; most cars are now past ten years.
4. Coolant loss or a cracked head on a 1.6 EcoBoost. Confirm 17V209 was done, then use the blown engine guide to weigh an engine repair.
5. A 2019-2020 Energi under 23V440. Leave it unplugged until the dealer repair is done.

For what moves a figure on a non-running car, see what a junk car is worth.

Selling the Fusion whole

1. Gather the facts: VIN, mileage, the fault, and whether the car steers and rolls.
2. Ask for an offer online, or phone (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it is parked: a driveway, a street spot, a parking garage or a repair shop. Pickup is free anywhere in the US. Mention a flat tire or a locked steering wheel.
4. Leave every part on. The hybrid battery, the catalytic converter and the wheels belong with the car. Anything already pulled should be named up front.
5. Hand it over with the signed title, any keys and a photo ID. Each state sets its own plate rule; after you sell lists them.

Weighing other Fords? See the Focus, Taurus and Escape, or the full Ford list.