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2016 Ford Fusion problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
54% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Ford Fusion are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 71% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 73 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 51%).
Does the 2016 Ford Fusion have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 878 of 1,636 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fusion concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (54%), and the largest group is filed under engine (463). For comparison, the 2015 scores 48% and the 2017 scores 71%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2016 compares with other Ford Fusion years
Of the 11 Ford Fusion years with enough complaints to score, the 2016 is the 4th-worst on engine and transmission share (54%). The worst is the 2018 (77%), the best the 2012 (14%). By volume, the 2016 drew 1,709 complaints (878 drivetrain), against 1,061 for the 2015 and 1,196 for the 2017.
Ford Fusion years to avoid and best years →
2010 Fusion problems · 2011 Fusion problems · 2012 Fusion problems · 2013 Fusion problems · 2014 Fusion problems · 2015 Fusion problems · 2016 · 2017 Fusion problems · 2018 Fusion problems · 2019 Fusion problems · 2020 Fusion problems
The rest of the picture on the 2016 Ford Fusion
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2016 Ford Fusion said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 878 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2016 Ford Fusion transmission recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2016 Ford Fusion involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 13 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk,…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk: A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the…
Fix: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1,…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning…
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the…
Risk: If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the…
Risk: A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is…
8 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model; one of NHTSA's listings did not answer when this page was built, so the list may be incomplete. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2016 Ford Fusion? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2016 Ford Fusion have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 878 of 1,636 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Fusion concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (54%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2016 Ford Fusion is engine: 463 of 1,709 complaints (27%) name it, followed by power train (317) and steering (184). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2016 Ford Fusion reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 54% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 71% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 11 Ford Fusion years we score, it ranks 4th-worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2016 Ford Fusion involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 13 in total: 26V376000 (power train: manual transmission), 22V413000 (power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)), 19V362000 (power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift), and more. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Ford Fusion years are better?
Among the Ford Fusion years we track, the 2012 (14%), the 2011 (23%) and the 2010 (38%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2016 (54%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/ford-fusion
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 3 body styles NHTSA files separately.