2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe transmission problems, including failures, a shifter or gear dial stuck in park, and unexpected gear changes. Steering wheels that loosen or detach, brake noise or weak braking, and airbags that do not deploy in some collisions are also reported, and swollen lug nuts that are hard to remove appear in several complaints. Transmission reports with stated mileage mostly fall between about 48,000 and 70,000 miles, with the lowest at about 5,000 miles.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure, stuck in park or shift faults

   • 21 complaints (36%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 3.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe transmission failures and shift problems, including a shifter or gear dial stuck in park, unexpected downshifts or shifts into neutral, a shift system fault, and transmission failure requiring replacement. Some complaints describe a warning light or message, such as a wrench light or a stop-safely message, while others report no warning light at all. According to complaints, the dealer sometimes said a part was on back order or that the transmission needed replacement, and in some cases the failure returned after a repair. Where mileage is given, most reports are between about 48,000 and 70,000 miles, with the lowest at about 5,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for records of any transmission, range sensor or shift system repairs, and whether the hybrid transmission bulletins listed for this model year have been applied. On a test drive, shift through all gears and into park, and check that the selector moves smoothly and the car does not change gear on its own.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2 weeks ago I went to drive my car and an error code popped up on my screen stating Shift SYS Fault Service Required. I took my car to a mechanic I have been using and he checked the codes to diaganose it. He stated that it needs a Range Control Module, Range Sensor. According to the mechanic this is located inside the transmission and will require quite a bit of time to replace. This sensor controls what gear the car is in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11478536, filed 2022-08

   “Unknown. My wrench light has came on 3 times since owning this car. The first 2 times it has came on I was not able to switch out of park after starting my car, but shortly after the light went off on its own and I was able to drive my car. This Friday (8/26/22), when on my way to work the wrench light came on again and this time stayed on, I was not able to switch out of park from starting it as well. I had my car towed and I’m currently waiting for the mechanic to see what’s wrong with my car( 8/27/22)”

   NHTSA complaint #11481580, filed 2022-08
2. 2
   Steering

   Loose or detached steering, or lost steering assist

   • 7 complaints (12%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2024

   Owners describe a steering wheel that becomes loose, turns freely, or detaches from the column, sometimes at low speed while turning or reversing. Some complaints describe loss of power steering or wheels that seized while the driver tried to avoid another vehicle, and several report no warning light before the failure. Complaints also mention an independent mechanic who found a fractured steering bolt, and the dealer said no recall applied to the vehicle. Where mileage is given, most reports are between about 63,000 and 68,000 miles, with the remaining reports at about 19,900 and about 134,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask whether any steering campaign or bulletin applies to the vehicle, and ask the dealer to check the steering column and bolts before buying. On a test drive, check for looseness, free play and any warning light, including at low speed and while reversing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving down the road and suddenly all the lights came on and lost power steering there was no warning. Nothing. It stopped working. I then see something today in regards to this being an issue and when I contact ford about it was nothing we can do. Ford did not make this very public and I bet if you people expanded this to other newer models and made it public you might find more people that have had the same issue and thought it was just their car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11571624, filed 2024-02

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering was inoperable. The steering wheel detached from the steering column and the steering wheel was spinning at a 360-degree motion. The contact stated that there was no motion on the tires. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a fractured steering bolt. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11575643, filed 2024-03, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake noise, weak braking or ABS warnings

   • 12 complaints (20%)
   • median 34,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe grinding, screeching or metal-on-metal noise when braking, and warning messages such as ABS or brake malfunction lights. Some complaints describe reduced braking, ABS that does not activate, or a brake line or hose that ruptured, and in some complaints a brake pedal that goes to the floor. Complaints also describe a dealer inspection that could not reproduce a brake problem, and a brake line that failed after an earlier hose had been replaced. Where mileage is given, most reports are above 160,000 miles, though the lowest is about 2,300 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask the dealer to inspect the brake lines, hoses and ABS module for leaks or warning messages before buying. Ask whether any brake noise bulletin listed for this model year has been performed on the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving home from work through a residential district and was slowing to make turns, I experienced a horrible screeching noise that was coming from what sounded like the front driver side wheel area. It sounded like the screeching of metal on metal. I found a safe location and pulled off the road in a residential neighborhood. The issue occurred again while tow truck operator was driving the vehicle on the back of his flatbed and again appeared to correlate to use of the brake while driving it up the inclined flat-bed.”

   NHTSA complaint #11085082, filed 2018-04, 2,252 miles

   “I was able to replicate the first issue once, second issue happens more frequently: Braking system not grabbing on as hard as they should and abs did not activate. car also seems to lunge forward sometimes when slowing down, most noticeable when preparing to turn. Took the car to get inspected at a Ford Dealership, they claim to no be able to replicate the issue. I've also opened up a case with Ford Motor Co.”

   NHTSA complaint #11426179, filed 2021-07
4. 4
   Air bags

   Airbags did not deploy in some collisions

   • 6 complaints (10%)
   • median 70,091 mi at 3.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in collisions, including a rear-end collision while driving at about 40 mph and a front passenger airbag in a two-car crash. In a separate report, the seat belt did not lock until after the body moved forward, and in a crash where the car hit a tree after the wheels seized, the airbags did not deploy. Some reports say the vehicle was towed, and a rear-end crash is described as resulting in a total loss. Where mileage is given, reports range from under 20,000 to about 90,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to scan the airbag and restraint system for stored codes, and ask whether any collision repair affected the airbags or seat belts. Check that the airbag warning light comes on at startup and goes out as expected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the freeway and got into a car accident, I was going 60mph and was only able to slow down to 40mph. My airbags didn't even go off with such a big impact and rear ending someone, and my seatbelt didn't lock until after I flew forward hitting the steering wheel.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364462, filed 2020-10, 70,091 miles

   “The air bags did not deploy on the front passenger side after a two car accident. There was an injury to the passenger of the car. Vehicle was inspected by police and there were no warning signs”

   NHTSA complaint #11744654, filed 2026-06
5. 5
   Engine

   Coolant intrusion, overheating or engine failure

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • median 118,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2024

   Owners describe coolant needing occasional top-ups or draining, engine overheating, and engine failure after coolant entered the engine, often with a check engine or other warning light. Some complaints describe a rattling sound, slow starting, or a blown head gasket found by an independent mechanic. According to complaints, the engine was recommended for replacement in some cases, and the manufacturer was notified, with a case opened in some reports. Where mileage is given, reports range from about 94,000 to about 190,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and ask for records of any top-ups, engine or head gasket work. Ask whether the campaign cited in complaints (Ford Campaign 21N12) applies to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -Engine/Coolant System How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Coolant is being drained by engine. Subsequently, the coolant is going in to the engine, causing overheating, and potentially, a fire. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -Yes, I have the repair estimate. There is a class-action lawsuit in California over this issue Case No. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11536863, filed 2023-08

   “The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while her husband was driving 35-40 MPH after an oil change had been performed on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a coolant intrusion in the engine. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11576932, filed 2024-03, 118,000 miles

Buying note. Ask for service records covering transmission, steering and brake work, and check for shift problems, steering play and brake noise on a test drive. Ask whether any applicable bulletin or campaign, including the transmission and brake bulletins listed for this model year, has been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.