2020 Ford Fusion engine problems
64 of the 234 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Fusion name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 26 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 engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 64 reports a crash · 1 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 17 · 2025: 24 · 2026: 15
Half of the 23 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 68,000 and 112,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
234 complaints in all about the 2020 Ford Fusion, 15 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 “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Fusion engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds there was a humming sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that intermittently the vehicle hesitated to start. The tire pressure warning light illuminated; however, the tires were new, and the air pressure was correct.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, smoke and an abnormal odor was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The dealer determined that the failure was caused by a purge control valve failure.
Flex plate is cracked , confirmed by bore scope dealership is quoting 14 business days to diagnose. It is known issue with this make, model, and year and CSP was issued for dealerships to fix but only select VIN numbers. This car is at 91000 miles and meets all criteria for the CSP 22N12.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the sound was also noticed while idling or with the air condition activated. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
The engine is “eating” the coolant causing the vehicle to overheat and break down
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications26 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 25B51 OtherMay 9, 2026
- Certain 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco, 2021-2024 Model Year Bronco Sport, 2020-2022 Model Year Corsair and Escape, 2016-2024 Model Year Explorer, 2019-2020 Model Year Fusion, 2016-2018 Model Year Focus RS, 2022-2024 Model Year Maverick, 2016-2019 Model Year MKC and 2019-2024 Model Year Ranger Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L or 2.3L Engine and Engine Block Heater System Block Heater Replacement
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
P0011 P0012 P0014 P0015 P0016 P0017 P0018 P0019
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Ford Fusion names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Ford Fusion
Source: the same files- electrical problems 81 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 67 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 Ford Fusion?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 64 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (27% of everything owners filed about it), and 26 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 engine on the 2020 Ford Fusion?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 3 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2020 Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 79,000 miles; half of them between 68,000 and 112,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.