2017 Ford Fusion brake problems
112 of the 1,197 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2017 Ford Fusion name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 11 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 112 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 10 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2016: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 65 · 2024: 10 · 2025: 7 · 2026: 3
Half of the 53 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 60,000 and 105,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,197 complaints in all about the 2017 Ford Fusion, 3 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.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion Energi. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal failed to return to the original position; or would not respond immediately and effectively to stop the vehicle. The brake warning light was illuminated.
Brake service lights comes on. Noticed softer feel when pressing on brakes and longer distance needed to come to complete stop. There were no noticeable changes in driving habits before the maintenance light came on. Diagnostics were done 02/2023 at Sacramento Downtown Ford and was told to replace a brake hose
While traveling down the road, suddenly the steering gets hard to turn and the antilock brake system goes out. Usually, you can correct the problem by stomping on the brake or turning the car off and back on. Several warnings come up including Advancetrac failure.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The component that failed is the vacuum pump in a ford hybrid car model 2017. Yes is available for inspection.
Some months ago the check brakes light came on. I went to the brake shop and they said there was a little wear on the rear brake pads so they replaced them and cleaned all the brakes and filled the fluid. I was fine for a a while then a few months ago the check brakes light reappeared.
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…
11 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2017 Ford Fusion
Source: the same files- engine problems 538 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 336 complaints
- electrical problems 146 complaints
- steering problems 65 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2017 Ford Fusion?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 112 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (9% of everything owners filed about it), and 11 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 2017 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 2017 Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 80,000 miles; half of them between 60,000 and 105,000. 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.