Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Ford Fusion. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Front Brake Hoses May Rupture
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
- Consequence
- A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Steering Wheel may Detach
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
- Consequence
- A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (441)
441 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 441 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 204 | 46.3% |
| Power train | 106 | 24% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 88 | 20% |
| Unknown or other | 47 | 10.7% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 5.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 5% |
| Steering | 19 | 4.3% |
| Wheels | 11 | 2.5% |
| Back over prevention | 8 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 1.8% |
How 2018 compares with other Fusion years
Best and worst Fusion years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2,787 | 7 |
| 2012 | 2,516 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1,791 | 19 |
| 2014 | 1,330 | 19 |
| 2015 | 994 | 13 |
| 2016 | 1,632 | 13 |
| 2017 | 1,111 | 4 |
| 2018 | 441 | 2 |
| 2019 | 315 | 3 |
| 2020 | 183 | 3 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2018 Ford Fusion 4 dr fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 42 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 112 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 42 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 43 / 41 / 42 | $1,600 | 112 |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $2,500 | 327 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 32 / 25 | $2,700 | 360 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | $2,700 | 362 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 | 385 |
| 2.7 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 Fusion for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2018 Ford Fusion FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 Ford Fusion have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 23V162000 (brake), 18V167000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 Ford Fusion problems?
Owners filed 441 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (204), Power train (106), Engine and engine cooling (88) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 Ford Fusion get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 43 city, 41 highway and 42 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2018 Ford Fusion get?
NHTSA rated the 2018 Ford Fusion 4 dr fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (10.9% rollover risk).
How does the 2018 Fusion compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2020 Ford Fusion model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (183) and the 2011 the most (2,787). The 2018 drew 441. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.