Car Yearsto Avoid

2009 Ford Fusion Airbag Problems

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

How common are airbag problems on the 2009 Ford Fusion?

359 owners have reported airbag problems on the 2009 Ford Fusion, 35% of all complaints for this year and the 2nd most reported problem area. Most reported problems happened at about 65,000–125,000 miles. 5 recalls cover this area.

359 complaints 35% of all 2009 complaints 90,000 miles typical

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (72 of 359). The amber line is the middle value.

When problems were reported

Airbags complaints by the year the problem happened.

Airbags complaints by Fusion year

2009 Fusion 359
2014 Fusion 43
2015 Fusion 39
2016 Fusion 50
2017 Fusion 28
2018 Fusion 5
2019 Fusion 4
2020 Fusion 4

Related recalls

Inflator module

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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

Recall 21V158000 · Mar 2021

Air bag inflator may explode in a crash

Injury risk

A replacement frontal air bag inflator can degrade over time from humidity and temperature changes, so it may explode when the air bag deploys in a crash. Sharp metal fragments could then strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag modules and replace the module or inflator if needed, free of charge.

Recall 21V081000 · Feb 2021

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 18V046000 · Jan 2018

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 17V024000 · Jan 2017

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 16V384000 · May 2016
Check your VIN for open recalls

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Other 2009 Ford Fusion problems

Common questions

What are common 2009 Ford Fusion airbag problems?

Complaints most often name the airbags.

At what mileage do 2009 Ford Fusion airbag problems happen?

Most complaints that gave a mileage fell between about 65,000–125,000 miles. The middle value is about 90,000 miles.

Is there a recall for 2009 Ford Fusion airbag problems?

Yes: 21V158000, 21V081000, 18V046000, 17V024000, 16V384000. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Which Fusion year has the most airbag complaints?

The 2008 Fusion, with 638 complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports.