How Long Does a Ford Fusion Last? [in Mileage and Years]

Whether you’re buying or leasing a vehicle, choosing the right model is a big decision. You want to make sure you get your money’s worth by getting a car that will last a long time. Does the Ford Fusion fit that bill? Luckily, we researched how well Ford Fusions hold up and how expensive its maintenance might be down the road. 

As long as you keep a good maintenance routine, a Ford Fusion can typically last up to 200,000 miles. Some owners have claimed that the Ford Fusion can last up to 15 years, but that largely depends on the model year, type of engine, and how many miles you drive it per year. 

Keep reading, as we take an in-depth look at the Ford Fusion’s reliability over time so that you can get a good idea of what to expect for the longevity of your vehicle.

How Long Does A Ford Fusion Last?

The first Ford Fusion was introduced back in 2006, which means that the 15-year claim comes from Fusion owners who are still driving the 2006 model today. But that doesn’t reflect how long every Ford Fusion will last.

The model year can make all the difference in how long a car lasts, and the Fusion has seen some stark changes in quality between its 2006 launch and the 2013 redesign (which is the basis for the 2020 Ford Fusion). As you’ll read below, not every change is for the better.  

How many miles can you get on a Ford Fusion?

A Ford Fusion can hit 200,000-miles or more under good conditions and strict maintenance. Follow the manufacturer guidelines for tune-ups and oil changes to get the most out of a Ford Fusion. Many people swear by synthetic oil, and changing it out every 5,000-miles to max out the car’s durability. 

Keep in mind that the 200,000-mile track record for the Fusion comes from older models that have had time to rack up that much road time over a span of years. The parts that Ford uses to make a Fusion can change from year to year, which can affect how well a Fusion holds up later in its life and what problems it might encounter.  

Is a Ford Fusion a reliable car?

Once again, the answer depends on the year of the car. The 2020 Ford Fusion earned a  J.D. Power score of 4 out of 5 in reliability, which is considered “better than most” other cars. If you look back at previous years, the score begins to fall. A 2018-2019 Fusion earned a 3.5 out of 5, and all other previous versions only scored a 3 out of 5 in reliability, which means they’re average. 

The Fusion line has also been hit with an absurd number of recalls since Ford redesigned the Fusion back in 2013, but we’ll discuss that more in-depth later. The newer models don’t have as much of a track record to go on, but the 2018-2020 models seem to be a lot more reliable than their earlier versions so far. 

I thought Ford was going to stop making Ford Fusions. Is that a problem? 

It’s true that Ford will stop making Fusions after 2021, which raises an important question: Will it be harder, or more expensive, to fix a car once it's not being made anymore? Surprisingly, no. Companies usually stop making parts for a popular line of cars a decade or two after it disappears. There’s a lot of money to be made in the parts sector of the auto industry, and Ford as a company is still going strong so you’ll be able to find Fusion parts just as easily in 2021 and later much like you can today. 

What is the best Ford Fusion engine?

The best Ford Fusion engine depends on what you value in a car, and luckily, there are many options to choose from. To save the most money upfront, go for the standard 2.5L i-VCT engine or the 1.5L EcoBoost. 

If speed and power are forte, look at the Fusion Sport models with a V6 engine. Production for Fusion Sport ended during 2019, so you’ll have to buy this model used. The 2020 Fusion still offers a Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine that can pump out 245 horsepower, but it's only available on higher trims. 

If you value an eco-friendly option that reduces your gas bill, the Fusion has had a hybrid option since the 2010 model year. The 2020 Fusion’s hybrid engine can reach up to 43 MPG in the city or 41 MPG on the highway. It also comes with a plug-in hybrid option if you want to charge the electric half of the engine at home.   

The repair estimates (more on that in the next section) don’t change depending on the engine type. A hybrid engine usually costs around the same to maintain as an internal combustion engine, so you can choose the engine you want without the added pressure of paying more down the road in repair fees.

Is a Ford Fusion expensive to maintain?

The good news is that Fords are not usually expensive to maintain. The estimated five-year cost for maintenance and repairs on a 2020 Fusion Hybrid comes out to around $4,300. This seems like a lot, but when you compare it to estimates on other sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the costs are about the same across the board. 

Ford offers a standard three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Select brands might offer longer warranties, but Ford’s warranties are fairly standard for the auto industry. Everything beyond that is out-of-pocket. 

The good news is that all recalls are covered by the manufacturer, and you can take your Ford Fusion to the nearest Ford dealership and get a recall fixed for free. The bad news is that you’ll probably need to do that a lot with the Ford Fusion, as you’ll read below. 

Do Ford Fusions Have A Lot Of Problems? 

The number of problems that a Ford Fusion has depends on its model year. The Fusion’s design has not been overhauled since its redesign back in 2013, and most of the changes from year to year are relatively small. That being said, the Fusion line has been plagued with transmission problems since it was produced back in 2006. 

The transmission issues mostly seem to affect Fusion models with an automatic transmission. The cause of it seems to be an outdated software that controls the powertrain and shifting, which wears out the transmission and can make it break down. This is pretty costly, and the fact that Fusion owners across the board have had problems with their transmissions raises a red flag. This issue either falls under the warranty or a safety recall, so it should be free to take it in and upgrade the software.

Ford Fusion Recalls

The change in design from the 2012 Fusion to the 2013 model created an eye-popping jump in the number of recalls spanning the last several years. The 2012 Fusion has seen three recalls since its launch compared to the 2013 Fusion’s terrifying record of seventeen recalls, with the most recent one being announced in June 2020.

Below, we’ve listed some car parts affected by the recalls for each model year starting with the 2013 Fusion. Please note that some parts are affected by multiple recalls and that this list is consolidated to save space. 

• 2013
  • Engine and engine cooling 
  • Power train  
  • Latches, locks, and linkages 
  • Steering
  • Seat Belts
  • Electrical systems 
  • Airbags
  • Fuel System
  • Headlights 
• 2014
  • Engine and engine cooling 
  • Power train 
  • Latches, locks, and linkages 
  • Steering
  • Seat belts
  • Electrical systems 
  • Airbags
• 2015
  • Power train
  • Latches, locks, and linkages 
  • Steering
  • Seat belts
  • Electrical systems 
• 2016
  • Power train
  • Latches, locks, and linkages 
  • Steering
  • Seat belts
  • Fuel system

The number of recalls for the 2017 Fusion goes back down to a more moderate number of three, affecting the steering, power train, and seats. The 2018 Fusion only has one recall for the steering wheel. While the sharp decrease in recalls could mean that Ford finally fixed its Fusion problems, it’s more likely that the recalls in the newer models just haven’t been found yet. 

Any number of recalls is a dangerous issue, so it’s not surprising that Ford canceled its Fusion lineup after 2021 with such a troubled history. While earlier models of the Ford Fusion can and have lasted for the past fifteen years on the road, the longevity of Fusions made after the 2013 overhaul is dubious at best. 

In Conclusion

Now you have a thorough understanding of how long a Ford Fusion can last, and the many factors that affect its longevity. Whether you are interested primarily in Ford or considering other manufacturer’s models, check out our blogs for comprehensive automotive reviews:

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