Owner complaint record
2016 Ford Fusion Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2016 Ford Fusion owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 1,608 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 20261,608 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
+62% vs 2015
439 complaints, 27% of the total
half of the engine reports that give a mileage came before this
21 mention an injury, 6 a fire
The engine leads the 2016 Ford Fusion record at 27%, with powertrain next at 18%. Of the engine reports that give a mileage, half came before 77,500 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the electric power steering rack, $561 to $1,202 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
Engine complaints lead, and more than half of them mention coolant, often with a warning light, a leak or smoke. The six-speed automatic is under recalls for a shifter cable bushing that can leave the transmission out of Park when the lever is in Park, and a recall covers a steering wheel bolt that may loosen.
2016 Ford Fusion overview
The 2016 Fusion came with a 2.5-liter four, a 1.5-liter turbo four and a 2.0-liter turbo four, all with a six-speed automatic, in front-wheel or, on the 2.0, all-wheel drive.
For 2016, Ford redesigned the center stack with a simpler screen and physical buttons. It also added an S Appearance Package, an SE Cold Weather Package with remote start and heated seats, and a new Shadow Black paint color.
Owners filed 62% more complaints about the 2016 than the 2015 (990), and the engine leads both years. The 2017 drew 1,103, with engine named most.
- Power
- 175 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 175 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 240 hp at 5,500 rpm (231 on regular fuel)
- Torque
- 270 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 181 hp
- Torque
- 185 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Ford media technical spec sheets and ford.com engine pages (Wayback copies), read 3 Oct 2026.
Is the 2016 Ford Fusion reliable?
The 2016 Ford Fusion ranks 5th of 11 Fusion model years for owner complaints, and the engine draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 5thCompared with other Fusion years1,608 complaints, the 5th most of 11 model years (2010 has 5,126).By model year
- 27%The system named mostEngine, in 439 complaints. Half of the engine reports that give a mileage came before 77,500 miles.Problems by system
- 13Recalls13 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Ford Fusion.Recalls
- 57Crashes, injuries, fires57 complaints mention a crash, 21 an injury and 6 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2016 Ford Fusion problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 1,608 complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Engine27%439 complaintsCoolant loss, warning lights, leaks
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What owners describe
While driving on i75 in florida the car lost power 3 times. Just missed causing bad accidents. Dealer claims it was electronic throttle block failures. Looking on line thousands of fusion owners have had the same problems since 2006 yet Ford has never been forced to have a recall.
Engine has a design flaw that allows coolant to leak into the cylinders and cause damage requiring a complete long block replacement. This happens when the engine overheats. This has been diagnosed by the local Ford dealer, they no it is in an issue and corrected the problem in the 2017-present versions of the fusion
CAMDALMARead 4 more owner reports+4
The engine has cracked after not even 100,000 miles. Now I have to replace it for 8000. Ridiculous and danger with the fumes that form from leaking throughout the engine. All I did was drive it to work !!! Ford knows it an issue too!! Do they think we don't deserve our monies worth or to be safe!
My 2016 Ford fusion has a coolant is leaking in the cylinder due to head gasket causing miss firing, overheating and sputtering. Driving down the highway when the overheating light came on causing me to pull over to let engine cool down to pull off onto a exit. Only has 120k miles.
2016 Ford fusion es stalls out during driving does not matter if vehicle is stationary or in motion stalls have occurred in parking lots highways and roads this problem occurs at random times you must stop vehicle put in park and restart
2016 Ford fusion making loud rattling noise from engine. No check engine light ever came on, but Ford saying engine is catastrophic engine failure. Connecting rod in piston broke loose. How does no check engine light ever come on? This could have killed me on the highway. How does a 3 year old car with 128,000 (mostly highway) miles go into catastrophic engine failure? Car has been meticulously maintained.
When it starts
Usually starts around 77,500 miles. Half of owners reported it between 58,585 and 107,746.
What to do
Check the coolant level cold and watch the temperature gauge on the drive.
Our guideCoolant Leak: The Five Places It Comes FromPowertrain18%294 complaintsRough shifts, shifter cable
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What owners describe
2016 Ford fusion making loud rattling noise from engine. No check engine light ever came on, but Ford saying engine is catastrophic engine failure. Connecting rod in piston broke loose. How does no check engine light ever come on? This could have killed me on the highway. How does a 3 year old car with 128,000 (mostly highway) miles go into catastrophic engine failure? Car has been meticulously maintained.
6 speed automatic transmission failed with 60849 miles on the vehicle. Transmission was put in reverse and whole vehicle started shaking. Vehicle drove in drive position. I drove to safe place and had vehicle towed to a Ford dealer. Dealer found metal shavings and black transmission fluid in transmission. Replaced planetary ring gears and bearing assembly-thrust .
CAFLNHMORead 4 more owner reports+4
When I'm going down hill at high speeds , the transmission down shift very hard when I apply the brake at all. It sounds like a very loud revving. Once I press the accelerator again it goes back to normal. It's very concerning , my car has 59,000 mile on it and dealer says they couldn't feel anything, well that probably because they didn't drive it down hill.
Lost all power to the vehicle while going 45 to 50 mph. Terrible situation to be in and would not want this to happen to others. Ford knows this is an issue and needs to deal with it better
This vehicle has had a dead battery 2 times after sitting overnight. No extra power draws we added. The last resulted with the engine light on once it was jump started. The engine code that was on was a p068a ecm/pcm power relay de-energized performance. It will be scheduled to go to the dealership to try to resolve this issue
Harsh or delayed shifting when starting from a stopped position or after slowing in traffic and trying to accelerate. Happens in drive and reverse. I bought the car new and has been happening since. Only 1150 miles on car at this time. Have taken to dealership several times with no resolution.
When it starts
Usually starts around 83,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 58,414 and 102,852.
What to do
Put it in Park on a slope and check that the car holds.
Our guideBad Transmission Symptoms: Seven Causes Ranked from $6.19 to $7,100Steering11%176 complaintsLoss of power assist, steering warnings
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What owners describe
Steering assist fault... Will lock your steering wheel while you driving your car.. Its lots of complaints about this all over the internet will the 2016 Ford fusion and it never got a recall for this... Its dangerous, I thought it was brakes or wheel alignment but its a powering error.
I have received a settlement form as well as for this lease fusion and my first one as well. I it not acting correct! Gas smell , sterrng, horn weak, took to dealership at woodbridge with my friend while I am not in fla . For the short while the previous car red 2015 was replaced at purvis Ford in fredricksburg, va. When I was here last time in 2015. It was ready to blow!
OHFLMOCARead 4 more owner reports+4
Takata recall. Power steering went out upon morning start in driveway; car was stationary. Servicetrac light illuminated. Turned ignition off and restarted.no power steering. Waiting for tow to dealer. Car has 20,000 miles.
Steering wheel rotates left to right about 30 degrees at low speeds up to about 40 mph. Does this on acceleration and braking, on any surface. This fault takes place all of the time it is being driven.
Poser steering will randomly quit along with hill assist and turn the airbag light on. Have been to the dealership where we were charged $140 to be told nothing was wrong now the pose steering is completely gone and will not reset.
I was driving my car on the street going 45 mph and my car steering locked up and warning light came on saying steering assist fault . Then another hill assist fault light came on . I had to come to a stop on the road and turn off my car and let it sit for a few mins and restart it and everything went back to normal.
When it starts
Usually starts around 73,720 miles. Half of owners reported it between 39,875 and 103,154.
What to do
Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and watch for a steering warning.
Electrical system9%140 complaintsWarning lights, camera, screen
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What owners describe
2016 Ford fusion making loud rattling noise from engine. No check engine light ever came on, but Ford saying engine is catastrophic engine failure. Connecting rod in piston broke loose. How does no check engine light ever come on? This could have killed me on the highway. How does a 3 year old car with 128,000 (mostly highway) miles go into catastrophic engine failure? Car has been meticulously maintained.
Lost all power to the vehicle while going 45 to 50 mph. Terrible situation to be in and would not want this to happen to others. Ford knows this is an issue and needs to deal with it better
NHMARead 2 more owner reports+2
This vehicle has had a dead battery 2 times after sitting overnight. No extra power draws we added. The last resulted with the engine light on once it was jump started. The engine code that was on was a p068a ecm/pcm power relay de-energized performance. It will be scheduled to go to the dealership to try to resolve this issue
The 12-volt battery on the energi model will not hold a charge. Repeated jump starts are required. Despite being under warranty, 2 Ford dealers claimed they don't know the source of the problem and refused to replace the battery. No wonder Ford dropped this model. It is a disaster that Ford refuses to acknowledge.
When it starts
Usually starts around 58,100 miles. Half of owners reported it between 19,364 and 83,350.
What to do
Try the camera and the screen, and watch for warning lights.
Engine and cooling7%105 complaintsCoolant leaks, warnings
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What owners describe
Head gasket failed at 75,000 miles and allowed coolant to mix with oil causing the engine to fail and needing to be replaced. Needless to say this is a very costly repair that I feel is Ford motor co. Responsibility. This is far too frequent issue not to receive compensation
The engine cooling failed inside the block on cylinder #2. The cooling system is not operable and resulted in blue smoke under acceleration. The car is no longer under warranty and only has 65k miles on it and is otherwise in good working order. I am told the whole engine needs to be replaced.
CAINRead 2 more owner reports+2
Received a mssg on the car panel that car temp was too high & this vehicle was in the shop for several weeks back in july for something related to the engine.
Coolant is leaking into one of the cylinders which requires a full engine rebuild.
When it starts
Usually starts around 110,500 miles. Half of owners reported it between 82,350 and 132,313.
What to do
Look for coolant under the car and around the engine.
Our guideCoolant Leak: The Five Places It Comes FromWhat repairs cost on the 2016 Ford Fusion
Part prices for the problems 2016 Fusion owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
A remanufactured Maval rack up to a new Motorcraft one, plus a core deposit of up to $400. Recall 19V632 covers corroded steering motor bolts, free at the dealer; check the VIN first.
Check steering racksFor the gas engines, SKP up to Motorcraft at $16 to $99; the Hybrid's pump runs up to $349 from Motorcraft.
Check water pumpsPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 2, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
Check engine codes owners report
9 owners name P0302 (cylinder 2 misfire) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Electrical system complaints start earliest, typically around 58,100 miles. Engine and cooling complaints start latest, around 110,500 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Ford Fusion complaints by model year
2016 is shown in dark. The engine is named most in 5 other Fusion years.
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2016 is shown in dark. The engine is named most in 5 other Fusion years.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion have kept arriving since 2015, with peaks in 2022 and 2023. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
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2016 Ford Fusion recalls
13 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Ford Fusion. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2016 Ford Fusion crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2016 Ford Fusion five stars overall, the same for all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. Its defect office has opened four investigations that cover this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2016 Ford Fusion’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 11%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Optional means some trims have it and some don’t. Check the car you are looking at.
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2016 Ford Fusion
These checks follow what 2016 Fusion owners reported most: coolant loss with engine warnings, then rough shifts. Run the VIN before you pay, because this car has shifter and steering wheel recalls.
- 1Check the coolant level cold
Coolant leads the engine complaints.
- 2Run the VIN for shifter and steering wheel recalls
Only the VIN shows whether they were done.
- 3Put it in Park on a slope
A shifter bushing recall covers a car that may not be in Park.
- 4Drive through every gear
Rough shifts lead the powertrain complaints.
- 5Turn the wheel lock to lock
Steering complaints describe a loss of assist.
Oil and service for the 2016 Ford Fusion
This is what Ford's manual says the 2016 Fusion needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. The car tracks oil wear itself and shows an oil change message on the dashboard, but Ford says never to go past a year or 10,000 miles.
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 5.7 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
- Engine oil
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 5.7 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 4.3 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Orange, prediluted
Service schedule
From the Ford 2016 Fusion Owner's Manual, read Oct 2, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Owners name the engine most (439 complaints), then powertrain (294) and steering (176).
Is 2016 a good year for the Ford Fusion?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the engine complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2016 Ford Fusion: steering (2), power train (4), seat belts (2), fuel system, latches/locks/linkages (2), brakes, back over prevention. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford Fusion problems start?
Electrical system complaints start earliest, around 58,100 miles. Engine and cooling complaints come later, around 110,500 miles.
Which Fusion years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2010 and 2011 model years have the most in the file, and the 2020 and 2019 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 7 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.