2010 Ford Fusion Problems, Recalls & Reliability

7,026 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2010 Ford Fusion, alongside 13 recall campaigns and 9 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Steering leads the reports, typically around 102,000 miles.

Avoid this year if you can. The 2010 Ford Fusion sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2006, 2009, 2015, 2018–2020.

7,026Complaints
100/100Trouble index
13Recalls
67,500Typical trouble mileage

Avoid

Where 2010 sits among all Fusion years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Steering 1,660 complaints (24%) · typically ~102,000 miles
“The vehicle was stationary. When i got into the vehicle, the wheel would not turn and it said "service power steering now".”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Fusion
Transmission & drivetrain 898 complaints (13%) · typically ~51,000 miles
“My electronic power steering went out on the freeway. It's a known problem with the electronic power assisted steering.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Fusion
Speed control 794 complaints (11%) · typically ~53,000 miles
“The wrench light come on and i lost acceleration. Very hazardous situation. The throttle body needs replacing. This should be a recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Fusion
Engine 794 complaints (11%) · typically ~55,000 miles
“I was driving down the highway at 70 mph and my car stalled. The wrench symbol lit up and my check engine light came on. I pulled over, shut the engine off, and started it again. It happened again about 5 minutes later, and has continued to happen several times.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Fusion
Fuel system 705 complaints (10%) · typically ~59,300 miles
“Lost engine power while driving and could not accelerate or maintain speed. Engine was still running however. Turned off car and restarted and acceleration worked like normal. This happened again today (9/18/2013).”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Fusion
Airbags 590 complaints (8%) · typically ~86,277 miles
“I received a recall notice in the mail for my ford fusion 2010 regarding the airbags”— owner report to NHTSA, 2010 Fusion

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 5,606 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 67,500 miles. Half of those reports fall between 46,000 and 101,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (13)

AIR BAGS 21V158000 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the…

AIR BAGS 21V081000 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17,…

AIR BAGS 21E013000 2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014…

Fix: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19V904000 2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives.…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve…

AIR BAGS 19V001000 2019 Do not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…

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. The…

AIR BAGS 18V775000 2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ vehicles that previously received a replacement passenger air bag under recall 16V-384, 17V-024 or 18V-046. In the event of a crash requiring deployment…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…

AIR BAGS 18V046000 2018 Do not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern…

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. Owners…

AIR BAGS 16V384000 2016 Do not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang…

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. Ford…

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 15V793000 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010. The affected vehicles have fuel…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle powertrain control modules and inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for this issue and perform a leak test on the…

EQUIPMENT 14E028000 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number…

WHEELS 11V574000 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FORD FUSION AND MERCURY MILAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH STEEL WHEELS AND BUILT FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2009, AND FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009, THROUGH NOVEMBER 13, 2010. THE WHEEL STUDS MAY FRACTURE,…

Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR BRAKE DISC SURFACE FOR FLATNESS AND REPLACE THE DISCS AS NECESSARY. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WILL BE REPLACED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS.…

POWER TRAIN 10V222000 2010

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, MILAN, AND ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, THROUGH MARCH 26, 2010. THE PARK ROD GUIDE RETENTION PIN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL…

Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT…

SEATS 10V161000 2010

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, EXPLORER, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, AND MERCURY MILAN AND MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN DECEMBER 15, 2009 THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2010 EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT MANUAL RECLINERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MANUAL RECLINERS FOR BOTH POWER AND MANUAL SEATS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT…

Federal defect investigations

Power Steering Failure EA17004 opened 2017, closed 2024
Power Steering Failure PE16011 opened 2016, closed 2017
Electric power steering failure PE14030 opened 2014, closed 2015

Led to recall campaign 15V340000.

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction PE13003 opened 2013, closed 2014
Floor mat interference with accelerator EA12009 opened 2012, closed 2014

Led to recall campaign 14E028000.

Wheel Mounting Stud Fracture EA11009 opened 2011, closed 2012

Led to recall campaign 11V574000.

Wheel Stud Fracture PE11003 opened 2011, closed 2011

Led to recall campaign 11V574000.

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit AQ10001 opened 2010, closed 2015
Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat PE10019 opened 2010, closed 2013

Technical service bulletins

56 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2010 Ford Fusion. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2010 Fusion TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2009peak 2,051 in 20132026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2010 Ford Fusion reliable?

The 2010 Ford Fusion drew 7,026 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).

What are the most common 2010 Ford Fusion problems?

The top reported problems for the 2010 Ford Fusion are steering (1,660 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (898), and speed control (794).

At what mileage do 2010 Ford Fusion problems show up?

Owners most often report 2010 Ford Fusion problems around 67,500 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 46,000 and 101,000 miles.

Does the 2010 Ford Fusion have recalls?

13 recall campaigns apply to the 2010 Ford Fusion. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.

← 2009 Fusion All Fusion years 2011 Fusion →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.