Is the Ford Fusion reliable?
43% 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: 61/10043%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%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 14%
Good 29%
Mediocre 34%
Poor 23%
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
Transit
62 cars · 66% good
F-150
118 cars · 55% good
Escape
38 cars · 53% good
Mustang
62 cars · 45% good
Explorer
30 cars · 44% good
F-250
26 cars · 34% 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
Standing in front of a Fusion, assume the paint has already been redone on almost every example and start by checking for oil leaks from both the engine and the automatic transmission, because those show up constantly along with active error codes and out-of-range fuel trim. Worn tires are another regular hit, so factor in replacements. The high repaint rate plus those mechanical issues means you should treat any visible leaks or codes as a reason to negotiate hard or walk away rather than hoping the rest of the car is solid.
FAQ
?
?
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.
?
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.
Thinking of buying a Ford Fusion? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
Book an inspection
Based on 35 inspections · updated Aug 22, 2026
