2019 Ford Fusion Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 Fusion most often describe engine problems, especially coolant getting into the cylinders and leading to misfires and, in many complaints, an engine or short block replacement. Transmission shudder and flex plate noise are also frequently reported, typically from around 50,000 to 90,000 miles. A smaller but distinct group of complaints covers electrical and infotainment glitches on low-mileage cars.

1. 1
   Engine

   Coolant leaking into engine cylinders (misfire, white smoke)

   • 149 complaints (47%)
   • median 84,717 mi at 5.5 yrs old (63 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,930 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe a check engine light, rough running or shuddering, misfires on a single cylinder, low coolant that keeps needing top-ups, and white smoke from the exhaust. In many complaints a dealer or independent shop finds coolant in a cylinder and says the engine short block or long block must be replaced. Several owners mention being told the VIN was not covered by a customer satisfaction program or campaign for the same symptom. Reported from as low as about 19,000 miles up to roughly 120,000, with many complaints in the 70,000-100,000 mile range.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir level and look for a sweet smell or white smoke at the tailpipe, and ask whether the engine block or head has already been replaced. A coolant pressure test and a scan for misfire codes are worthwhile before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had a recall regarding a coolant related issue. This would cause a misfire, damaging the engine and cat converter. I took the car dealership. They said they fixed. Following day engine light came on. Took it the dealership again. I am told engine need to be replaced. The car is sitting there. It would take couple months to repair they said. Car has 18k mileage on it. 2019 Ford Fusion.”

   NHTSA complaint #11315708, filed 2020-03, 18,900 miles

   “Car shudders/shakes intermittently on cold starts. Check engine light came on may 3 at 11am. Taken to dealer on may 3 at 4pm. After dealer inspection, advised on may 5 that coolant leak into cylinders is requiring a new engine at 28,700 miles. Dealer advised there is a TSB on this and it is a common problem with the engine.”

   NHTSA complaint #11415798, filed 2021-05, 28,700 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, jerking and torque converter faults

   • 54 complaints (17%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe shaking or shuddering while accelerating or shifting, jerking at steady speeds, hesitation, and occasional stalling when coming to a stop. Several owners say a dealer diagnosed the torque converter and replaced it, in some cases more than once, and a few mention the transmission being rebuilt repeatedly. Mostly reported between about 29,000 and 110,000 miles, often during acceleration or gear changes.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car at light and moderate throttle from a stop and at highway speed and note any shudder or slip. Ask whether the torque converter or transmission has been serviced, and whether the rattle-at-bellhousing bulletin has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “my transmission is faulty my car is a 2019 Ford Fusion and it has all the same problems as earlier models with recalls that are equipped with the same components as mine my it keeps stalling when I come to a stop which I see numerous complaints of the same thing it there were no warning lights on at the time it occurred I've done research on my own through forums and there are thousands of complaints of the same thing happing to there's there's no way that can be just are luck there has to be something wrong with the way the car is built or …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514119, filed 2023-03, 111,450 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Upon reaching the destination, the vehicle failed to restart. After several attempts, the vehicle started, and the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the transmission, flex plate, purge valve, and a bent solenoid. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11545852, filed 2023-09, 109,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Cracked or loose flex plate (rattle, shaking, no start)

   • 19 complaints (6%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2021–2025

   Owners report a rattling or flapping noise from the engine bay, often at idle or with the air conditioning on, together with strong vibration, a wrench or check engine light, and sometimes difficulty starting or a stall. Complaints state that a shop found a cracked or loose flex plate and replaced it; in a few cases the noise returned after repair. Generally reported between about 52,000 and 120,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a metallic rattle or knock at idle near the transmission bellhousing, especially with the A/C on, and ask whether the flex plate has been inspected or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormally severe shaking and vibration coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the flex plate was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,547.”

   NHTSA complaint #11633435, filed 2024-12, 120,547 miles

   “The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was making a rattling noise coming from the engine compartment while idling. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the flex plate replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 52,500.”

   NHTSA complaint #11453693, filed 2022-02, 52,500 miles

Buying note. Give the cooling system and engine a close look on this model year, since coolant intrusion and engine replacement come up repeatedly in complaints; a pressure test and service history are worth the cost. Also drive it long enough to feel for transmission shudder and listen for a flex plate rattle before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.