The Lemon Index2009 Ford Fusion.
The 2009 Ford Fusion is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 48 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 33, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 20 to 23 mpg combined. The best Ford Fusion year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,023 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Fusion year. 2009 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 72K to 125K miles on the car (623 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 81K–130K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 63K–127K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 59K–96K miles
Recalls 7
- 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 7 recalls
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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 19 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Throttle body will develop contamination on internal motor contacts resulting in an intermittent
- The throttle body internal motor contacts may be contaminated, resulting in an electrical
- Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
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
The chrome on the inside driver door handle is peeling and severely cut my finger.
2009 Ford Fusion owner · NHTSA complaint 10466290
More owner reports
Sudden acceleration when car was put into reverse. The car engine was turned off. Floor mat was not touching the gas pedal. Dealer could not find any codes in car computer. Car is 2009 Ford Fusion, v-6, awd. Model sel.
NHTSA complaint 10344746
Driver side interior door handle broke making it difficult to exit vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10439410
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Ford Fusion reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 33; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Fusion year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2009 Ford Fusion problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (21%), body structure (19%) and seats (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Ford Fusion have?
7 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 2009 Ford Fusion get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Ford Fusion problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 72,700 and 125,000 miles. The middle report was at 97,000 miles, from 623 complaints.
Does the 2009 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Ford Fusion cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Ford Fusion have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Fusion year is better than the 2009?
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