Is the Ford Fusion reliable?
37% of the 35 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 55/100 — it scores noticeably below average.
35
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections55/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10037%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 53%Across 35 used Ford Fusions we inspected, this model scores noticeably below average — average condition 55/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
60%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
51%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
37%
Oil leaks · Automatic transmission
31%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
31%
Share of inspected Ford Fusions where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 11%
Good 26%
Mediocre 51%
Poor 11%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
91%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
3%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
26%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
How long does a Fusion stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of Ford Fusions in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Ford
F-150
112 cars · 56% good
Transit
61 cars · 55% good
Escape
37 cars · 46% good
Mustang
60 cars · 38% good
Explorer
30 cars · 36% good
Other Ford models we've inspected — or see the full Ford profile.
Straight from recent Ford Fusion reports
2020 Ford Fusion · 72k mi — flagged: dirty or low engine oil, powertrain control module, oil leaks. Inspected Jul 14.
2020 Ford Fusion · 134k mi — flagged: fault codes recently cleared, tires condition & wear, body control module. Inspected Jul 13.
The bottom line
Most of these Fusions carry repainted panels at a 91% clip, so begin by checking every gap and color match for signs of prior damage that the fresh paint might be covering. Underneath, oil leaks hit the engine on 60% and often the transmission as well, joined by fuel-trim issues and active error codes, which means a pre-purchase lift check and full code scan are non-negotiable. Expect tired tires too. If access is refused or fresh drips appear, walk away; the prevalence of these faults otherwise hands you clear grounds to negotiate aggressively.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Ford Fusion?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (60%), tires condition & wear (51%), active error codes (37%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 26% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
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Based on 35 inspections · updated Aug 1, 2026
