The Lemon Index2012 Ford Fusion.
The 2012 Ford Fusion is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 644 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 236, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 19 to 38 mpg combined. The best Ford Fusion year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 2,616 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Fusion year. 2012 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 42K to 112K miles on the car (1,808 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 50K–122K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 34K–101K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 34K–89K 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
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- 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…
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2019
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.
- steering 2015
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
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 51 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Illuminated mil or safety stop now message, or a no
- On the left hand half shaft seal, there is a fluid leak from the transmission because of wear…
- Mercury/ford: on some vehicles, there is a fluid leakage, coming from left hand (lh) halfshaft…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedPower steering failure2017–2024
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2014–2015
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2013–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Got into the car. Started it and the power steering did not work. Drove it seven miles home not working. Started it up the next day and it was working.
2012 Ford Fusion owner · NHTSA complaint 10514358
More owner reports
Driving on interstate suddenly power steering stopped working. At the same time service light appeared on dashboard.
NHTSA complaint 10631618
Vehicle lurched then lost power and check engine light came on. Vehicle would not accelerate after losing power. Since the repairs, the vehicle will occasionally lurch when the car is in gear and the brakes are applied.
NHTSA complaint 10592762
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Ford Fusion reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 236; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Fusion year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2012 Ford Fusion problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (62%), transmission & drivetrain (10%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 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 2012 Ford Fusion get?
19 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Ford Fusion safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Ford Fusion problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,300 and 112,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,000 miles, from 1,808 complaints.
Does the 2012 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 10% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Ford Fusion cost in fuel a year?
About $1700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Ford Fusion have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Fusion year is better than the 2012?
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