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2020 Ford Fusion problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

183owner complaints
3safety recalls
10involved a crash

Also reported: 3 fires, 5 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 183.

Power train67
Usually 58,500–102,898 miles (middle half of 24 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic transmission › internal › bearings/bushings (1); Automatic transmission › torque converter (1); Clutch assembly › bell housing (1)
Engine52
Usually 67,500–117,000 miles (middle half of 15 reports with mileage)
Electrical system38
Usually 2,650–23,750 miles (middle half of 7 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Wiring (1)
Unknown or other27
Usually 11,502–23,300 miles (middle half of 3 reports with mileage)
Steering12
Usually 73,810–84,180 miles (middle half of 3 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Rack and pinion (1); Steering control module (1)
Fuel/propulsion system11
No mileage given in these reports
Service brakes10
Usually 38,750–38,750 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Forward collision avoidance9
No mileage given in these reports
Parts named: Warnings (6); Adaptive cruise control (4); Automatic emergency braking (1)
Engine and engine cooling7
Usually 75,782–111,750 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Structure5
Usually 4,051–4,051 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Body (5)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Power train

24 reports with mileage · median 77,064 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Engine

15 reports with mileage · median 79,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Electrical system

7 reports with mileage · median 4,051 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (3)

Recalls that cover the 2020 Ford Fusion. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Equipment › electrical › engine block heater

Campaign 25V685000 · 2025-10-10 · 59,006 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.

Consequence: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 15, 2025.

Back over prevention › software

Campaign 25V442000 · 2025-06-27 · 200,237 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Consequence: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Electrical system › propulsion system › traction battery › management system/energy control module (bms/becm)

Campaign 23V440000 · 2023-06-23 · 14,452 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.

Consequence: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.

Questions to ask the seller

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

67 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 58,500 and 102,898 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

52 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 67,500 and 117,000 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

38 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 2,650 and 23,750 miles.

Any steering noises, pulling, stiffness, or loss of power assist? Turn lock to lock while parked and listen.

12 owner complaints mention the steering.

Any stalling, hesitation, loss of power, or fuel smell? Ask whether fuel-system parts were replaced and get the receipts.

11 owner complaints mention the fuel or propulsion system.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Ford Fusion years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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