Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2015 Ford Fusion
The 2015 Ford Fusion has a significant number of recalls, mainly involving transmission, brakes, and steering issues. With nearly 1,000 owner complaints, the most common concerns are related to engine, steering, and power train. Buyers should inspect these areas carefully, as evidence of issues is substantial though not overwhelming, given the model's age. Documentation of repairs and whether recalls have been addressed will be essential for a sensible purchase decision.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2015 Ford Fusion has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns and 997 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 3 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V376000 Transmission Clutch May Fracture and Leak Fluid NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V162000 Front Brake Hoses May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V413000 Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V011000 Brake Light Malfunction and Possible Rollaway Risk NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V177000 Doors May Open While Driving NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V632000 Steering Gear Motor May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V590000 Front Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V362000 Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V471000 Unintentional Rollaway Due to Detached Shift Cable NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V167000 Steering Wheel may Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V875000 Front Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V250000 Loss of Power Steering Assist From Salt Corrosion NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V736000 Key Removal When Not In Park/FMVSS 114 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 272 complaints
- Steering 163 complaints
- Power Train 145 complaints
- Unknown or Other 125 complaints
- Electrical System 102 complaints
- Service Brakes 82 complaints
Of the 997 complaints on file, 34 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 997 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Engine complaints reported
How to check: Ensure smooth idling and acceleration during inspection.
Potential steering issues
How to check: Verify steering is responsive and without noise.
Shifter cable may detach
How to check: Test shifting through all gears smoothly.
Brake hose rupture potential
How to check: Inspect brake hoses for signs of leaking or wear.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Engine should start smoothly without unusual noises.
Red flag: Rattling or knocking sounds
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for smooth idling with no vibrations.
Red flag: Engine misfiring or rough idling
- 03
Low-speed turns
What to check: Steering should be smooth and quiet.
Red flag: Grinding or clunky noises when turning
- 04
City driving
What to check: Ensure transmission shifts smoothly.
Red flag: Harsh or delayed shifting
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Car should accelerate without hesitation.
Red flag: Transmission slipping under load
- 06
Hard braking
What to check: Brake pedal should feel firm.
Red flag: Spongy pedal or extended stopping distance
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have all recall repairs been completed?
- Any history of transmission issues?
- Have you experienced any steering problems?
- Are there any known brake issues?
- Has the car been in any accidents?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Maintenance records
- Accident history report
- Transmission service history
- Brake system repair records
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2015 Ford Fusion at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2015 Ford Fusion? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.