Ford Fusion brake problems, 2016–2020
272 of the 4,117 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Fusion 2016–2020 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2016 (140), 2017 (112), 2020 (11). Filed under the same heading across these years: 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 brake 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 brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 11 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 9 | 2% | — | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 112 | 9% | 80k | 11 TSBs · 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 140 | 8% | 79k | 17 TSBs · 1 recall · 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 brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2018: 15 · 2019: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 6 · 2022: 28 · 2023: 134 · 2024: 23 · 2025: 24 · 2026: 12
Across the model years, half of the 125 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 50,000 and 108,000 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 brakes, 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.
As I was driving my car locked up and I had to hard break. I took it into the shop and they said it was a wiring issue and not covered under warranty. They couldn't explain why it would happen and suggested I placed something heavy on my passenger dash. It sounds similar to another recall I saw but my car is not listed as needing that
Our brake light came on spontaneously for several seconds while car sat idle with parking brake off (my spouse was in the car and saw this happen). We turned the parking brake on and off, but the light remained on. It went off after about minute by itself.
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
Speed sensor radar on right front tire sending alerts to car all at once — Antilock Brake Fault, Pre Collision Assist not available, Hill start assist. Steering wheel gets heavy randomly. And brakes start slipping. This is a safety hazard I have a baby. My car is only 5 years old problems like this shouldn’t be happening.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 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…
Other systems with a record on the Ford Fusion
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- engine 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 brake complaints?
2016, 140; 2017, 112; 2020, 11. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (9%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Ford Fusion?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 23V162000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Ford Fusion?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 79,418 miles across the model years; half of them between 50,000 and 108,000. 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.