Ford Fusion electrical problems, 2016–2020
576 of the 4,117 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Fusion 2016–2020 name the electrical system (NHTSA’s “Electrical System” heading — wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading). The loudest years: 2016 (164), 2017 (146), 2019 (145). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Fusion electrical problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the electrical system | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 in depth | 81 | 35% | 30k | 97 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 145 | 31% | 36k | 129 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 | 40 | 8% | 44k | 99 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 146 | 12% | 29k | 145 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 164 | 10% | 58k | 73 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the electrical system. Nothing here is a rate.
When the electrical complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 12 · 2017: 28 · 2018: 30 · 2019: 48 · 2020: 47 · 2021: 31 · 2022: 39 · 2023: 103 · 2024: 126 · 2025: 62 · 2026: 49
Across the model years, half of the 215 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the electrical problem between 16,000 and 65,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the electrical system, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I am submitting this complaint regarding an unrepaired safety recall on my 2016 Ford Fusion, Ford Recall 25SA9 / NHTSA Recall 25V695, involving the rear-view camera. The recall concerns a condition where the rear-view camera may display a blank or distorted image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
On 9/5/2024, the driver (27/M) and lone occupant was found unresponsive in the vehicle which was observed rolling to a stop. The vehicle impacted a chain link fence at low speed and there was minimal damage to the vehicle. First responders commented: "extremely noxious odor, smelling like burnt eggs was detected.
While driving roughly 5mph leaving from being parked for over 1.5 hours the hybrid battery caught/ control module caught on fire. Causing part of the truck carpet to catch fire. Since there was someone in the backseat that quickly felt the heat they turned the car off and stopped. The fire was put out.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while using the key fob to start the vehicle, the heat on the front driver's seat and steering wheel failed to operate as intended. The contact manually depressed the button to turn on the heat. There was no warning light illuminated.
2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE. Vehicle experienced a “Stop Safely Now” warning with hybrid system shutdown, occurring both while driving and while parked/idling, causing jerking symptoms. This puts driver and other roadway users at risk, as loss of power/propulsion can occur without warning while in motion.
What is on file about the electrical system, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 23V440000 CriticalJun 23, 2023 · 14,452 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
NHTSA investigation
- DP22005 Pedestrian alert soundsopened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023
- NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
5 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Apr 29, 2026
- Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
- Feb 17, 2026
- Some 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various connectivity concerns with The Ford App Lincoln App including but not limited to: missing activation prompt pop-upon the vehicle's center display screen when attempting to activate vehicle through The Ford App Lincoln App, incorrect location global positioning system GPS reported through The Ford App Lincoln App,
- Nov 26, 2025
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2165 to update the TSB Service Procedure. Some vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit various SYNC performance related concerns including but not limited to: Display operation concerns Navigation inoperative Voice recognition concerns Phone connection issues Dropped phone connections Applink related performance Travel Link not present
- Nov 19, 2025
- This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
- Aug 7, 2025
- Various 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 3 may experience a partially or fully black center display screen at start-up using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. This does not affect rear camera operation. This may be due to interference from the phone being connected into the media hub using a universal serial bus (USB) cable during SYNC system boot up. To correct his condition, a
Every one filed under the heading is listed. 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 Ford Fusion
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems
- engine problems
- brake problems
- steering problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
- fuel system problems
Every system, every model year: Ford Fusion problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Fusion years have the most electrical complaints?
2016, 164; 2017, 146; 2019, 145. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (35%).
Is there a recall for the electrical system on the Ford Fusion?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 23V440000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do electrical problems show up on the Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 40,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 16,000 and 65,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Electrical System" heading cover?
Wiring, modules, batteries, charging, infotainment and driver displays — NHTSA's broadest heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.