Car Yearsto Avoid

2012 Ford Fusion Problems

What owners have reported about the 2012 Ford Fusion, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

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

Is the 2012 Ford Fusion a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the Fusion. Owners have filed 2,516 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 13 Fusion model years. The most reported problems involve the steering, airbags and electrical system.

2,516 complaints 6 recalls, 2 do not drive 3rd worst of 13 Fusion years

Top 2012 Ford Fusion problems

1

Steering problems

1,473 complaints (59%) name the steering, most often the electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

Complaints 1,473 · Usually at 52,000–124,000 miles · Recall 15V340000

2

Airbag problems

404 complaints (16%) name the airbags, most often the frontal and inflator module.

Complaints 404 · Usually at 38,000–103,000 miles · Recall 21V158000, 21E013000, 21V081000, 19V001000, 17V024000

3

Electrical problems

164 complaints (7%) name the electrical system, most often the instrument cluster / panel and ignition.

Complaints 164 · Usually at 39,000–90,000 miles

4

Transmission problems

158 complaints (6%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and control module (TCM / PCM / TECM).

Complaints 158 · Usually at 25,000–90,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Steering 59%
Airbags 16%
Unknown or Other 5%
Engine 5%
Brakes 5%
Body 4%
Acceleration 3%
Stability Control 3%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (1,716 of 2,516). The amber line is the middle value, about 75,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2012 Ford Fusion 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

Inflator module, Frontal

The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, 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 dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge.

Recall 21E013000 · Feb 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 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or 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 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY 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 19V001000 · Jan 2019

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

Power steering can shut off unexpectedly

Crash risk

A steering motor sensor fault can cause the electric power steering assist to shut down. Without assist, the wheel becomes much harder to turn at low speeds, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will check the power steering control module for fault codes and, if any loss-of-assist codes are found, replace the steering gear free of charge.

Recall 15V340000 · Jun 2015
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2012 Ford Fusion gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2012 Ford Fusion, you'll hear about it the same week.

One email per new recall. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Fusion years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2010 Fusion 5,130
2011 Fusion 2,793
2012 Fusion 2,516
2013 Fusion 1,792
2016 Fusion 1,641
2008 Fusion 1,353
2014 Fusion 1,331
2017 Fusion 1,112
2009 Fusion 1,023

2012 Ford Fusion problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2012 Ford Fusion a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the Fusion. Owners have filed 2,516 complaints with NHTSA, the 3rd most of 13 Fusion model years. The most reported problems involve the steering, airbags and electrical system.

What are the most common 2012 Ford Fusion problems?

Owners most often report problems with the steering, airbags, electrical system and transmission. 1,473 complaints (59%) name the steering, most often the electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

At what mileage do 2012 Ford Fusion steering problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 52,000–124,000 miles, with a middle value near 84,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2012 Ford Fusion have?

6. Inflator module (21V158000); Inflator module, Frontal (21E013000); Air bag inflator may explode in a crash (21V081000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2012 Ford Fusion?

Ask for service records covering the steering, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2020, 2019 and 2018 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.