2017 Ford Fusion Safety Report
2017 Ford Fusion Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Ford Fusion
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Ford Fusion. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (1069) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 45 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2020 | Compare against the 2020 Ford Fusion with 164 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Ford Fusion before buying across this generation. |
Ford Fusion Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Ford Fusion years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Ford Fusion | 405 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Ford Fusion | 1593 | 12 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Ford Fusion | 345 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Ford Fusion | 1035 | 12 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Ford Fusion | 164 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Ford Fusion Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Ford Fusion, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
268 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Ford onlyPower Train
222 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Ford onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
98 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Ford onlyElectrical System
54 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Ford onlyUnknown Or Other
48 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Ford onlySteering
40 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Ford onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Ford Fusion
Reliability Score
The 2017 Ford Fusion receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Ford Fusion
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Ford Fusion
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Ford Fusion:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant Intrusion Coolant intrusion into the engine can cause severe damage, including engine failure and potential fire hazards. This issue is particularly common in the 2017 Ford Fusion. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic Components Recalled due to hose and fitting failures, these components can lead to brake failure, posing a significant safety risk. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Wheel Functionality Steering wheel issues, including failure to function as intended, have been reported, potentially leading to loss of control. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Rear Camera Failure The rear camera, essential for reversing safety, has been reported to fail, leading to unsafe conditions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Ford Fusion:
Issues with hydraulic components, including hoses and fittings, have been frequently reported.
Steering wheel and handle bar issues have been commonly reported, affecting vehicle control.
Coolant intrusion and engine cooling issues have been reported, leading to engine damage.
Problems with the horn and infotainment system have been observed.
Recall Details for the 2017 Ford Fusion
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Ford Fusion by NHTSA:
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
Consequence: A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front brake hoses, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S12.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.
Consequence: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Consequence: If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.
Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded.
Consequence: During a crash, the improper welds may fail, allowing any stowed luggage to move into the passenger compartment, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left hand, second row seat back frame, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S43.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Ford Fusion
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Ford Fusion with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
2017 ford fusion started to drive rough and minutes later the check engine light illuminated. The car was immediately turned off and taken to a mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed it with coolant intrusion and advised to check for recall. There are no active recalls associated with the VIN. The car needs a new engine at 70,000 miles.
Coolant Intrusion caused my engine to be blown.
2017 Ford fusion with the 1.5 L eco-boost engine with a coolant intrusion. Coolant links into the cylinders due to a flaw engine block design.
The bushing on transmission cable to transmission is missing. We cause shift lever not to work, not being able to put transmission in gear or out of gear. Same problem as earlier ford fusions with automatic transmissions
I pulled in and got gas. I put the car in drive but it wouldn't stay in drive, it went back to park. So I had it towed.there were no warning before this happened!no it wasn't inspected. No it has been reproduced. I was stuck in an parking lot. The bushing for the shifter cable was missing. U would have to contact the dealership for the parts.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The vehicle was started; however, the steering wheel failed to function as intended. The contact moved the gear shift lever to reverse(R), and the steering wheel seized. The tow truck driver had a difficult time trying to move the vehicle onto the flatbed truck. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that high friction on the gear and the e...
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to a local dealer, and the transmission was replaced; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking abnormally while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined ...
Horn, randomly sounds off
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her granddaughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel detached and was left hanging. The driver moved over to the side of the highway. The contact stated that the steering wheel was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V167000 (STEERING); however, the failure occurred. The vehicle was towed to a lo...
Rear camera all of a sudden stops working and says "rear camera not available", creating unsafe conditions when backing up. Common issue on Ford Fusions, for which there's a recall recently announced for the 2016 model year but not for 2017, even though same signs and symptoms and vehicle otherwise. Could you please investigate.
Coolant intrusion into the engine causing my car to missfire going down the road. Car is sitting in my yard unfit to be driven. Dealership claims it had previously been remedied. The car has only been inspected by my mechanic. No prior warnings before the misfire occurred
My backup camera on my 2017 ford fusion failed causing a blue screen on my infotainment screen camera is faulty and is a common issue among other vin numbers using the same part
Engine failed. Lost all compression. Evidently this is a known problem with this engine where the head, head gasket and block fail between cylinders.
There is open recall for 2017 ford fusion coolant leak that may lead to vehicle fire i have the same issue with my 2017 ford fusion but my vin is not flagged now I’m scared to drive the vehicle
2017 fusion 1.5 ecoboost.(purchased at 128k) 148k miles- 1 time white smoke at start up no check engine light. All of a sudden while driving started to drive rough. Towed too mechanic, determined cylinder #2 has coolant intrusion. Conducted the TSB. For this defect. All symptoms confirmed for the coolant intrusion. Got Quoted $10k for engine replacement. Vehicle has been parked in driveway sinc...
My Ford Fusion has the 1.5L ecoboost engine. This engine has engineering issues that are known to Ford. My vehicle started producing white smoke from the exhaust and sluggish performance. At approximately 105,000 miles my vehicle went into limp mode due to a cracked head gasket. This was due to coolant intruding into the cylinders. Ford did a short block engine replacement and reprogrammed the PCM...
Coolant leaking into cylinder, causing sudden rough driving, engine overheating warnings that don’t match temperature readings and distract driving.
Car warning states “steering assist fault service required” total loss of power steering in the vehicle after sat parked for a week, vehicle started without issue, no warning codes can be found with OBDII scanner
In our 2017 Ford Fusion, the back up camera sometimes says "unavailable at this time" (or something close to that) when put in reverse. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety is put at risk for multiple parties - the driver/owner, individual(s)/property behind the vehicle, insurance companies, and potentially others as the total view between mirrors and the backup camera is compromi...
Vehicle is experiencing coolant intrusion from a crack in the engine block 3rd cylinder which is a known issue by Ford for my particular vehicle year (2017). Ford has issued a TSB/Recall for model years 2017-2019, I believe this issue should qualify for manufacturer recall as this is known issue.
Showing 20 of 1069 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 Ford Fusion
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Opened 2022-08-08 · Closed 2023-03-24
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 deceleration, increasing the risk of a crash. It should be noted that the subject vehicles identifi...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Ford Fusion
Has the 2017 FORD FUSION been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 FORD FUSION has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 FORD FUSION have?
The 2017 FORD FUSION has 1,069 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 37 involved crashes. 30 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 FORD FUSION?
The 2017 FORD FUSION received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 FORD FUSION?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 FORD FUSION involve engine (268 complaints), power train (222 complaints), engine and engine cooling (98 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system, unknown or other, steering.
How many crash reports does the 2017 FORD FUSION have?
There are 37 crash reports associated with the 2017 FORD FUSION out of 1,069 total complaints (3.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 FORD FUSION have?
There are 8 fire reports for the 2017 FORD FUSION out of 1,069 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 FORD FUSION?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 FORD FUSION.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 FORD FUSION?
30 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 FORD FUSION. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 FORD FUSION?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 FORD FUSION is proceed with caution. It has 1,069 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 FORD FUSION?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 FORD FUSION are: 1. ENGINE (268 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (222 complaints), 3. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (98 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (54 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (48 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 268 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 FORD FUSION?
Be cautious of potential coolant intrusion, hydraulic brake issues, and steering problems. Regular maintenance and timely recalls are crucial. The 2017 FORD FUSION has 1,069 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2017 FORD FUSION?
The 2017 FORD FUSION receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 1,069 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 45 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Coolant Intrusion and Service Brakes Hydraulic Components.
What are the known issues with the 2017 FORD FUSION?
Known issues with the 2017 FORD FUSION include: Coolant Intrusion, Service Brakes Hydraulic Components, Steering Wheel Functionality, Rear Camera Failure. These are based on patterns found across 1,069 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2017 Ford Fusion?
Common issues include coolant intrusion, hydraulic brake failures, steering wheel problems, and electrical system malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Ford Fusion?
Yes, there are recalls for hydraulic brake components and steering issues.
How can I prevent coolant intrusion in my 2017 Ford Fusion?
Regularly check and maintain the cooling system, and address any leaks promptly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential coolant intrusion, hydraulic brake issues, and steering problems. Regular maintenance and timely recalls are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Ford Fusion
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Ford Fusion. The data includes 1069 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 37 reported crashes, 8 fire incidents, 30 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Ford Fusion an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-15