2017 Ford Fusion Problems, Recalls & Reliability

1,386 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2017 Ford Fusion, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 21/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 78,000 miles.

1,386Complaints
21/100Trouble index
4Recalls
71,000Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2017 sits among all Fusion years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Engine 525 complaints (38%) · typically ~78,000 miles
“The car overheated due to coolant leaking. Found out vehicle has a coolant intrusion requiring a new engine now.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Fusion
Transmission & drivetrain 308 complaints (22%) · typically ~80,000 miles
“The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degraded and detached. Similar issue that was on recall for the 2013-2016 Ford Fusion.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Fusion
Electrical 133 complaints (10%) · typically ~30,353 miles
“My brakes are faulty sometimes I’m not able to stop like I should. I also have transmission problems. When I put the car into reverse or drive I hear a loud boom. It is getting worse by the day. I see that the transmission is on a recall as well.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Fusion
Other 116 complaints (8%) · typically ~38,771 miles
“Coolant leaking into engine. Engine block required entire replacement. Check engine light flashing causing me to contact Ford Dealer/Service. This was December 4, 2023.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Fusion
Brakes & stability 102 complaints (7%) · typically ~82,000 miles
“Manufacturer Recall Number23S12 NHTSA Recall Number23V162 Recall on my vehicle Ford has failed to attempt remedy as of December 2023.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Fusion
Steering 51 complaints (4%) · typically ~41,930 miles
“Yesterday i was parked at work, i got into my car and my service advance trac light and steering assist fault light came on. My steering wheel was locked and i could not turn the wheel. I had no warning and no problems leading up to this.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2017 Fusion

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 741 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 71,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 42,246 and 97,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 23V162000 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.

Fix: 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…

STEERING 18V167000 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.

Fix: 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…

POWER TRAIN 17V427000 2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.

Fix: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…

SEATS 16V874000 2016

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left hand, second row seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…

Federal defect investigations

Front Brake Jounce Hose Failures RQ22004 opened 2022, closed 2023

Led to recall campaign 23V162000.

Technical service bulletins

254 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2017 Ford Fusion. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2017 Fusion TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

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

2016peak 301 in 20242026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2017 Ford Fusion reliable?

The 2017 Ford Fusion drew 1,386 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 21/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).

What are the most common 2017 Ford Fusion problems?

The top reported problems for the 2017 Ford Fusion are engine (525 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (308), and electrical (133).

At what mileage do 2017 Ford Fusion problems show up?

Owners most often report 2017 Ford Fusion problems around 71,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 42,246 and 97,000 miles.

Does the 2017 Ford Fusion have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2017 Ford Fusion. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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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.