The 2018 Ford Fusion has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,582,712 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 567 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 20, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC23V1620002023-03-101,280,726 affected
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence
A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
STEERING18V1670002018-03-121,301,986 affected
Defect
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Consequence
A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
196
POWER TRAIN
101
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
83
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
47
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
23
1crashes1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
22
STEERING
19
WHEELS
10
AIR BAGS
5
3crashes4injuries
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
1crashes
Total complaints567
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light”
“The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light”
“Ford's double-capped acorn lug nuts experienced outer cap expansion/separation during an emergency roadside tire change. A defective design known by ford. Rendering the supplied tire iron and a separately purchased multisize tire iron ineffective at removing the lugs. The failure left the vehicle…”
“Per mechanic, head gasket has failed due to known issue with 1.5l ecoboost engines. Coolant is leaking into the engine. White smoke in the exhaust indicating coolant leak. Vehicle is currently availble for inspection upon request, but is destined to be sold. Driver safety as well as surrounding…”
“I own a 2018 ford fusion ecoboost. I purchase it in 2021 with 11k miles on it.â today it has 34k miles and the engineâ block developed a crack.â through my research and my ford dealer, I've discovered this issue is a known issue with the 1.5 and 2.5 litre enginesâ in the fusion.â my repair bill…”
“Coolant intrusion”
“When I put my car in drive it locked up on me & kept reversing all the way back to park the car would not move no matter what gear it was in it was just locked. I had to have the car towed.”
“Formal complaint – 2018 ford fusion 1.5l ecoboost – engine block defect statement of issue:I am writing to report a premature engine failure on my 2018 ford fusion 1.5l. The vehicle is exhibiting all symptoms of the well-documented "coolant intrusion" defect described in ford technical service…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationRQ22004 Opened 2022-08-08 · closed 2023-03-24
Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures
On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result,…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Ford Fusion as of
July 20, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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