2012 Ford Fusion
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 730 |
| 2007 | 1064 |
| 2008 | 1353 |
| 2009 | 1021 |
| 2010 | 5126 |
| 2011 | 2783 |
| 2012 | 2513 |
| 2013 | 1786 |
| 2014 | 1328 |
| 2015 | 989 |
| 2016 | 1607 |
| 2017 | 1105 |
| 2018 | 436 |
| 2019 | 309 |
| 2020 | 178 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
59% of complaints: steering — 1479 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
The power steering will go out and will make the wheel lock up
NHTSA ODI report, 20231005
Also filed under ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Also filed under AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed. The failure was a recurring failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260727
16% of complaints: air bags — 406 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing inflator module and frontal.
CRASH INJURYShow 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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20121116
6% of complaints: electrical system — 163 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH6% of complaints: power train — 158 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.
CRASH5% of complaints: service brakes — 114 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Electric power steering failure
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
Power Steering Failure
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
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
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
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
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
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Ford Fusion — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (1479 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (406 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (163 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fusion have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.