MYRModel Year Report

2012 Ford Fusion

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Ford Fusion
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Ford Fusion Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 2006: 729 complaints 2006 2007: 1064 complaints 2008: 1352 complaints 2008 2009: 1020 complaints 2010: 5124 complaints 2010 2011: 2780 complaints 2012: 2505 complaints 2012 2013: 1779 complaints 2014: 1318 complaints 2014 2015: 981 complaints 2016: 1581 complaints 2016 2017: 1093 complaints 2018: 426 complaints 2018 2019: 304 complaints 2020: 175 complaints 2020
2012: 2505 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2006729
20071064
20081352
20091020
20105124
20112780
20122505
20131779
20141318
2015981
20161581
20171093
2018426
2019304
2020175

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STEERING 57%

57% of complaints: steering — 1433 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The power steering will go out and will make the wheel lock up

NHTSA ODI report, 20231005

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE POWER STEERING FAILED I HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. THE IT BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND I SMACKED MY HEAD

NHTSA ODI report, 20171029

POWER STEERING FAILURE. "POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT" WARNING ON MY DASH, ALTERNATING WITH "SERVICE ADVANCETRAC" WARNING. POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20111027

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 404 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Ive had multiple accidents trying to get this car repaired .

NHTSA ODI report, 20240131

"TAKATA RECALL" I RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION CONCERNING THE AIRBAG RECALL IN THE MAIL THE DAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND WAS EVENTUALLY CONSIDERED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171107

I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE POWER STEERING FAILED I HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. THE IT BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND I SMACKED MY HEAD

NHTSA ODI report, 20171029

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 158 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

The power steering will go out and will make the wheel lock up

NHTSA ODI report, 20231005

POWER TRAIN 6%

6% of complaints: power train — 156 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE 4%

4% of complaints: engine — 111 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 2505
I 20130221 — PE (closed 20140228)

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

I 20141002 — PE (closed 20150910)

Electric power steering failure

R 20150721 — steering

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge.

Campaign 15V340000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20171120 — EA (closed 20240209)

Power Steering Failure

R 20180214 — air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas,...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Campaign 17V024000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190213 — air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019.

Campaign 19V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210317 — air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021.

Campaign 21V081000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210317 — air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair.

Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Campaign 21E013000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210409 — air bags

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

Campaign 21V158000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Ford Fusion — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for steering issues (1433 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (404 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (158 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V340000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V081000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21E013000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V158000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2020 ▲ 2019 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2011 ◆ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Ford Fusion reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Ford Fusion is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Ford Fusion?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 57% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fusion have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.