Ford Fusion 2006–2012

1st generation · CD3 · 18,632 complaints, 13,502 with mileage

When failures happen

What fails, and when

By model year

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 73,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The steering accounts for 24.9% of complaints (4,633 reports, 3,709 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 92,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 62,000 and 129,000 miles.

The airbag system accounts for 17.5% of complaints (3,263 reports, 794 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,232 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,000 and 120,000 miles.

The brakes account for 9.7% of complaints (1,812 reports, 1,380 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 104,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 80,000 and 135,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.7% of complaints (1,619 reports, 1,464 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 53,750 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 78,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 6.8% of complaints (1,259 reports, 1,162 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 56,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,300 and 80,000 miles.

Throttle and speed control accounts for 6.8% of complaints (1,258 reports, 1,165 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 68,700 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2010 model year drew the most — 7,026 complaints — while 2006 drew the fewest at 920. The median year sits at 1,533.

That makes 2010 an outlier: roughly 4.6 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 13 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the hydraulic brake circuit (1), the fuel system (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 18,632 complaints filed against this generation, 746 reported a crash; 64 reported a fire; 519 reported an injury; 12 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.0% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 46,000 and 109,000 miles, with a median of 73,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the steering and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 85,232, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

Recalls (13)

What owners reported

Other generations

• Ford Fusion 2013–2020