2018 Ford Fusion transmission and drivetrain problems
122 of the 506 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Ford Fusion name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 42 manufacturer bulletins. 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 transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 of the 122 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2018: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 2 · 2021: 8 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 32 · 2025: 22 · 2026: 13
Half of the 52 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 72,000 and 108,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
506 complaints in all about the 2018 Ford Fusion, 13 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 “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Fusion transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Ford Fusion energi battery failure. Dealership wouldn't inspect the battery and kept replacing the battery control module. The replacement part kept failing under warranty and then the dealership quoted me $20,000 for the hybrid battery. They have replaced the BCM twice and error code P0dc9 keeps appearing.
I routinely have plugged in my PHEV, enjoying the quiet electric ride. I could complete a day's commute with the electric charge. However, the battery capacity was significantly reduced at about 50K miles.
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The transmission has failed twice. The first time it was replaced by a licensed dealer. The second time is current. It is available for inspection upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?
The contact's mother owns a 2018 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while his mother was pulling into a parking space, the vehicle abruptly stopped independently. The driver noticed that the vehicle had shifted to park(P) independently, and the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). An unknown warning light was illuminated.
In Mid-August I was sitting at a stop light about to turn left. I was about the 3rd car in line. The light turned, and the first car turned left, and we inched up the car in front of me was able to turn, and the traffic was clear enough for me to also make the turn.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications42 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- SSM 54366 Service bulletinNov 12, 2025
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
The 1 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
P1299 P0217 P0316 P0300 P1285 P0011 P0012 P0014
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Ford Fusion names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Ford Fusion
Source: the same files- engine problems 300 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2018 Ford Fusion?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 122 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (24% of everything owners filed about it), and 42 manufacturer bulletins 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 transmission and drivetrain on the 2018 Ford Fusion?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 2 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2018 Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 81,000 miles; half of them between 72,000 and 108,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.