The Lemon Index2008 Ford Fusion.
The 2008 Ford Fusion is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 37 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 25, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 to 23 mpg combined. It's the best Ford Fusion year we track.
One of the most reliable. 4× fewer complaints than average.
Worst year 2010
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,353 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Fusion year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 70K to 132K miles on the car (756 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 60K–120K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 84K–140K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 55K–99K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2021
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- airbags 2021
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute hu…
- brakes 2019
The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- equipment 2014
The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 21 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Power steering fluid leaks from steering rack and pump attachment joints
- If there is an intermittent lack of power, surge, or hesitation while driving the brakes will…
- A job aid was developed and now available for the ptu internal or external fluid leakage for…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedExtended braking distance2018–2021
- ClosedExtended braking distance2016–2018
- ClosedFloor mat interference with accelerator2012–2014
- ClosedAccel pedal interference - acc floormat2010–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Used interior handle on a Ford Fusion 2008 in a normal manner, and it snapped off. The car can no longer be opened from the drivers side. After a search online, it appears this has happened to numerous people.
2008 Ford Fusion owner · NHTSA complaint 10404417
More owner reports
Accelerated from stop sign and accelerator stuck at half wide open. Had to use brake to stop the vehicle. This car would not decelerate and it was very difficult to stop. No cruise control was on either.
NHTSA complaint 10215290
Gas pedal was stuck to the floor causing acceleration. Brakes worked but cars gas pedal was stuck.
NHTSA complaint 10314241
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Ford Fusion reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 25; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Fusion year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2008 Ford Fusion problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (22%), doors, locks & latches (16%) and airbags (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Ford Fusion get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Ford Fusion problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 70,000 and 132,000 miles. The middle report was at 98,000 miles, from 756 complaints.
Does the 2008 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2008 Ford Fusion cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Fusion year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works