2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: August 31, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

While driving my 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]), the braking system suddenly failed. When applying the brake pedal, there was completely zero brake resistance, and the vehicle failed to engage proper braking power, creating an extremely hazardous driving condition. The vehicle was inspected by a certified Ford dealership (Lithia), which officially documented that the vehicle is "UNSAFE TO DRIVE due to having no brake resistance." The diagnostics confirmed that the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), the ABS module, and the Brake Master Cylinder have failed and require total replacement. The dealership also noted that the necessary braking parts are currently completely unavailable (backordered/no parts available). This is the exact same safety defect covered under Ford's previous Safety Recall 19S54 (NHTSA Campaign 19V904) for older Fusion models. However, the recall was never expanded to include the 2012 models, despite them using the same problematic braking infrastructure and experiencing identical catastrophic failures. NHTSA needs to investigate and force Ford to expand the recall to 2011-2012 models before this braking defect causes fatal accidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: July 4, 2025 · Filed: July 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no reservoir cap to check for power steering fluid. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Incident: February 28, 2025 · Filed: March 6, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While the contact’s daughter was operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction, with the message "Power Steering Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Incident: April 4, 2024 · Filed: April 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a message that the “Advance-trac System Failure - Service Required” message was displayed. The contact drove the vehicle home, turned off the vehicle, and noticed that the steering wheel was locked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two prior occasions and was diagnosed as an Advance-trac system failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 207,000.

Incident: December 12, 2023 · Filed: December 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stopped at a local gas station and inflated the driver's side front tire. The contact stated that after inflating the tire, the Advancetrac error and power system failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to drive the vehicle to his destination; however, the power steering seized and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering gearbox. The contact was informed that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced, and the tires needed to be rotated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Incident: May 8, 2022 · Filed: May 24, 2022

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact checked her VIN online and discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Incident: May 29, 2021 · Filed: June 2, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after reversing the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into drive. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact called roadside assistance. The tow truck driver arrived and repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Incident: October 23, 2019 · Filed: November 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ADVANCE AUTO TRAC AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE WHEEL, BUT IT FAILED TO STEER PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND THEN DRIVE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. AAA WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HERITAGE FORD (2075 EDSEL LN NW, CORYDON, IN 47112, (812) 738-3284) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

Incident: January 28, 2019 · Filed: July 11, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED HALL FORD NEWPORT NEWS AT 877-398-2216 (LOCATED AT 12896 JEFFERSON AVENUE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23608) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Incident: June 21, 2019 · Filed: June 22, 2019

I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS A RED ALERT ON THE DASH STATING SERVICE POWER STEERING. THEN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER ANOTHER ALERT CAME ON AND IT WAS YELLOW THAT SAID SERVICE ADVANCETRAC. AFTER THAT HAPPENED I DROVE HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I GOT IN MY VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. EVEN THOUGH IT IS 2019 I UNDERSTAND THE CAR HAS YEARS ON IT BUT AFTER ONLY HAVING IT FOR THREE MONTHS FROM THE DEALERSHIP I AM EXTREMELY UPSET.