2016 Ford Fusion steering problems
186 of the 1,709 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fusion name the steering (NHTSA’s “Steering” heading — the steering column, rack, pump and power assist). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls, 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 steering
Source: NHTSA complaint database12 of the 186 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 8 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 2 · 2017: 13 · 2018: 32 · 2019: 19 · 2020: 23 · 2021: 14 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 16 · 2025: 21 · 2026: 11
Half of the 116 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the steering problem between 40,000 and 103,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,709 complaints in all about the 2016 Ford Fusion, 11 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 “Steering” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Fusion steering problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the steering. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was turned; however, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. In addition, the contact stated that the trunk latch was independently unlocked.
On may 28th, 2020 I took my 2016 Ford Fusion hybrid in for serving at 42,670 miles, because of my vehicles loss of power steering, steering wheel stutter and a winning sound while in motion on city street.
On may 28th, 2020 I took my 2016 Ford Fusion hybrid in for serving at 42,673 miles, because of my vehicles loss of power steering, steering wheel stutter and a winning sound while in motion on city street.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall regarding the steering. The manufacturer was notified and stated that this was a newly issued recall and the remedy was not available.
I can't make a reasonable appointment with a dealer for recall 18v-167 (Ford 18s08) and there two 866 numbers won't provide any assistance to intervene with the dealer to get things moving. Not happy with the dealer response nor mark, nicki or reggi from Ford customer relationships center.
What is on file about the steering
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 19V632000 HighAug 29, 2019 · 116,160 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 Ford Edge, and 2016 Lincoln MKX vehicles originally sold, or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Road salt or other contaminants may corrode the electric power steering gear motor attachment bolts.
- 18V167000 CriticalMar 12, 2018 · 1,301,986 vehicles
- 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.
NHTSA investigation
- PE17007 Steering Wheel Fastening Bolt Loosensopened Oct 23, 2017 · closed Apr 23, 2018
- On March 12th, 2018, Ford Motor Company submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA describing a defect in the steering wheel fastening system of approximately 1,301,986 model year (MY) Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. On March 1, 2018, Ford discovered a design change that affected the MY 2014-2018 subject vehicles. The affected population are MY 2014-2016 Fusion and MKZ with manual and power adjus…
Trouble codes named on this system
C102D
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
- electrical problems 164 complaints
- brake problems 140 complaints
- backup camera and parking sensor problems 132 complaints
- fuel system problems 92 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre steering problems common on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 186 owner complaints naming the steering on this model year (11% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls, 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 steering on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 19V632000, 18V167000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do steering problems show up on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 73,000 miles; half of them between 40,000 and 103,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Steering" heading cover?
The steering column, rack, pump and power assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.