2010 Ford Fusion problems & reliability
5,126 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Fusion, alongside 11 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
62 complaints report injuries (74 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles were involved in 180 fatal crashes with 92 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering → | 1,659 | 32% |
| Power Train → | 894 | 17% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 793 | 15% |
| Engine → | 700 | 14% |
| Air Bags → | 590 | 12% |
| Fuel/propulsion System → | 484 | 9% |
| Service Brakes → | 435 | 8% |
| Electrical System → | 324 | 6% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline → | 221 | 4% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) → | 144 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 32 reported components →Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Among the 3,956 complaints that included a usable odometer reading, the median reported incident mileage was 72,876 miles (middle 50% between 47,875 and 110,000 miles).
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The contact decelerated and pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The vehicle resumed…”
Steering · filed Jul 30, 2026
“I was driving my car down the road and all the sudden I couldn't steer my car It caused me to go off the road and hit a ditch”
Electrical System · filed Jul 9, 2026
“The ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) failed internally due to a stuck valve. The component remains on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. While braking normally on a public road, the vehicle hit a minor road bump, causing the ABS to momentarily engage. Immediately following the bump, the brake…”
Service Brakes · filed Jun 24, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Power Steering Failure
Engineering Analysis EA17004 · opened Nov 20, 2017 · closed Feb 9, 2024
- Power Steering Failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE16011 · opened Sep 28, 2016 · closed Dec 25, 2017
- Electric power steering failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE14030 · opened Oct 2, 2014 · closed Sep 10, 2015 · led to recall 15V340000
- Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Preliminary Evaluation PE13003 · opened Feb 21, 2013 · closed Feb 28, 2014
- Floor mat interference with accelerator
Engineering Analysis EA12009 · opened Dec 12, 2012 · closed Jun 12, 2014 · led to recall 14E028000
- Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture
Engineering Analysis EA11009 · opened Jul 26, 2011 · closed Jan 20, 2012 · led to recall 11V574000
- Wheel Stud Fracture
Preliminary Evaluation PE11003 · opened Jan 21, 2011 · closed Jul 26, 2011 · led to recall 11V574000
- Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Audit Query AQ10001 · opened Nov 18, 2010 · closed Dec 28, 2015
Technical service bulletins
56 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Fusion. The 10 most recent:
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated…
SSM 54601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2026
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the…
SSM 52476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2024
When performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium ATF, MERCON® V has replaced all versions of Motorcraft® Premium ATF and can be used going forward. Mixing Motorcraft® Premium ATF…
SSM 52243 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 8, 2024
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS…
22B05 S1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 27, 2023
Some 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L engine and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), a remanufactured replacement steering gear (MU2Z-3V504-ARM) is available which is…
SSM 51666 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 26, 2023
Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of…
TSB 23-2098 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2023
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor…
22B05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2022
Certain 2006-2010 Model Year Fusion/Milan/MKZ/Zephyr Vehicles Equipped with Anti-Lock Brake Systems DOT 3 Brake Fluid and Anti-Lock Brake System Function In some of the affected vehicles, customers may return to the…
21N11-S3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 7, 2021
Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning…
SSM 48130 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 9, 2019
On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory. Also verify…
SSM 47976 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 10, 2019
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2010 Ford Fusion has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2010 Ford Fusion?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 72,876 miles — worth a pre-purchase inspection if the car is near that mileage.