2016 Ford Fusion brake problems
140 of the 1,709 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fusion name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 17 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database14 of the 140 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 6 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 3 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 11 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 65 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 8
Half of the 62 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 40,000 and 110,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,709 complaints in all about the 2016 Ford Fusion, 8 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Fusion brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
As I was driving my car locked up and I had to hard break. I took it into the shop and they said it was a wiring issue and not covered under warranty. They couldn't explain why it would happen and suggested I placed something heavy on my passenger dash. It sounds similar to another recall I saw but my car is not listed as needing that
Our brake light came on spontaneously for several seconds while car sat idle with parking brake off (my spouse was in the car and saw this happen). We turned the parking brake on and off, but the light remained on. It went off after about minute by itself.
Vehicle in motion. After 40mph, service advancetrac lights on dash. ABS is activated even though on dry ground. Brake pedal becomes hard and drops about 50%. Stopping distance dramatically increased. Pedal pulsates under my foot. Traction control turned off. Hill assist turned off.
The car braking system fail without warning, the only way to stop the car is using the "park" gear, the Ford dealer claim the electric wire are eaten by the rodent and charge me $420 for repair, the question I have: 1.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. While driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed to operate. The contact stated that the vehicle coasted until it came to a complete stop. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was currently at the dealer again for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 23V162000 HighMar 10, 2023 · 1,280,726 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ22004 Front Brake Jounce Hose Failuresopened Aug 8, 2022 · closed Mar 24, 2023
- On August 8, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on 50 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging front brake jounce hose ruptures on model year (MY) 2013-2018 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. A ruptured front brake hose results in a brake fluid leak. As a result, the driver may experience an increase in pedal travel and a reduction in the rate of…
17 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Ford Fusion names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Ford Fusion
Source: the same files- engine problems 572 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 315 complaints
- steering problems 186 complaints
- electrical problems 164 complaints
- backup camera and parking sensor problems 132 complaints
- fuel system problems 92 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 140 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (8% of everything owners filed about it), and 17 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall, 1 NHTSA investigation are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 23V162000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 79,000 miles; half of them between 40,000 and 110,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.