FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2018 Ford Fusion AWD
The 2018 Ford Fusion AWD has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 426 owner complaints, and gets about 23 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2018 Ford Fusion AWD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 13, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
2 openSteering
12/03/2018
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.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
10/03/2023
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 13, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
426 filed- 131
ENGINE
Coolant Intrusion issue with the 1.5-litre EcoBoost. Short block was replaced by Ford Dealer then engine failed again after only 7,000-miles. Required complete new engine installed at my expense, $12,185.28.
- 97
POWER TRAIN
When I put my car in drive it locked up on me & kept reversing all the way back to park the car would not move no matter what gear it was in it was just locked. I had to have the car towed.
- 79
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering violently, hesitated, and failed to accelerate to approximately 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was fl
- 30
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Went to back up to park . The shifter would not properly work kept going back to park .I couldn't get it into neutral to push it. No warnings. Had to 1st pay for towing from where it happened to a parking space. Then called roadside service
- 21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) appears to have failed. The vehicle's infotainment/play screen is completely blank and unrespo
- 19
STEERING
The electric power steering went out and locked my steering cannot figure out why and traction control light on and service light
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 13, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 13, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 23 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 20 / 29
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,700
- CO₂ / mi
- 385 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 13, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the steering). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD, including the steering. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), about $2,700 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD? +
Owners have filed 426 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Fusion AWD, including 8 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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