2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid problems & reliability
95 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 36 | 38% |
| Air Bags | 32 | 34% |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 16% |
| Electrical System | 12 | 13% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 10 | 11% |
| Engine | 8 | 8% |
| Unknown OR Other | 7 | 7% |
| Power Train | 3 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 2% |
| Structure | 2 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 62,000 miles (middle 50% between 28,134 and 84,053 miles), based on 71 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no reservoir cap to check for power steering fluid. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed…”
Steering · filed Jul 7, 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While the contact’s daughter was operating the vehicle, the steering wheel was very difficult to turn in either direction, with the message "Power Steering Malfunction" displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and…”
Steering · filed Mar 6, 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated a message that the “Advance-trac System Failure - Service Required” message was displayed. The contact drove the vehicle…”
Steering · filed Apr 11, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering Analysis EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · open
- Power Steering Failure
Engineering Analysis EA17004 · opened Nov 20, 2017 · closed Feb 9, 2024
- Electric power steering failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE14030 · opened Oct 2, 2014 · closed Sep 10, 2015 · led to recall 15V340000
Technical service bulletins
10 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
When performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium ATF, MERCON® V has replaced all versions of Motorcraft® Premium ATF and can be used going forward. Mixing Motorcraft® Premium ATF…
SSM 52243 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 8, 2024
Some 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L engine and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), a remanufactured replacement steering gear (MU2Z-3V504-ARM) is available which is…
SSM 51666 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 26, 2023
Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of…
TSB 23-2098 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2023
Certain 2010 â  2012 Model Year Fusion / MKZ / Milan Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Battery Reduced Electric Vehicle Operation BECM and PCM Software Update In all the affected vehicles, outdated software may result in…
22G04 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2022
Certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor…
22B05 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2022
Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of…
TSB 20-2142 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 27, 2020
Some 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation. Do not attempt repairs…
SSM 48238 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 3, 2019
Ford: no service action is recommended for this condition. Please use at your discretion. Various 2010-2015 vehicles may experience a turbulence noise, similar to an helicopter noise, at highway speeds when the rear…
44863 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 2015
Ford/lincoln: when flat towing vehicle, battery will drain, due to manual instruction of key remaining in accessory position. Model 2010-13 fusion, 2010-11 milan, 2011-12 mkz. *pe
ASI-45113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2015
Ford: vehicles may received invalid data from accessory protocol interface module (dtc u0554:00) from generic function module during diagnostic self tests. Model 2012-2013 focus electric, c-max/fusion/mkz hybrid…
ASI-32226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 1, 2013
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 62,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.