FORD FUSION · model year

2008 FORD FUSION

1532 NHTSA complaints, 67 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2008FORDFUSION carries 1532 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 67 crashes, 6 fires, 37 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 FUSION is air bags with 637 filings, followed by service brakes (478) and service brakes, hydraulic (69). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2008 FUSION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1532
Complaints
67
Crashes
6
Fires
37
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1532 filings

Crashes Reported

67 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS637
SERVICE BRAKES478
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC69
POWER TRAIN44
UNKNOWN OR OTHER39
ENGINE39
STRUCTURE35
STRUCTURE:BODY34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR12
STEERING11
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES8
SEAT BELTS7

Recalls (6)

16V38400031/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever register

14E02800029/05/2014

EQUIPMENT

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats ma

19V90400018/12/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not

21V08100016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as

21V15800010/03/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to

17V02400010/01/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marian

Recent Complaints

20250830SERVICE BRAKES

I have been having issues with my 2008 ford fusion. I did research and found that the is a Ford customer satisfaction program( campaign # 21N11) which also goes along with recall number 19S54 and ford is refusing to fix the issues. Their lots of complaints and somethingd needs to be done ASAP before someone gets hurt cause this has to do with the brakes.

20250705SERVICE BRAKES

My brake pedal drops to the floor when braking at times. Mechanics say that is my ABS module. I believe this is a very common issue with these vehicles. This has happened to me several times. Only remedy without repair is disengaging the ABS system all together. There has not been a recall on this but there has been a customer satisfaction program associated with the brake system. I tried to have mine fixed and Ford says the program has expired. I feel like braking is the most important thing you need to be on the road. This needs to be a full recall and not a satisfaction program. Thank you

20250208SERVICE BRAKES

HAVE TO PRESS DOWN HARD ON BRAKES TO SLOW OR STOP. HAD LANDMARK FORD INSPECT RECALL ISSUE & THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH BRAKES.

20241021SERVICE BRAKES

took in for two recalls to Serramonte ford, airbag recall fixed, braking issue not fixed due to as dealer put it, issues with computer system and was not given a timeframe to have it completed, vehicle was returned to me.

20241014STRUCTURE:BODY

Door handle is stuck/broken. Door cannot open from the inside or outside. Passengers are stuck in car.

20240927SERVICE BRAKES

The vehicle brakes will engage at random intervals without the brake pedal being touched. This happens at all speeds, and even at a stop. Issue still occurs daily, and has been ongoing for 5+ years. Brake master cylinder and aux boost pump have been replaced twice with OEM parts, and three complete brake jobs (pads, calipers and rotors) in the last 5 years. At slower speeds, it manifests as a drag to forward motion. At higher speeds, the drag is more pronounced, and causes the car to decelerate. It has also caused the tires to "hop" during travel, causing loss of vehicle control. Luckily, no accidents so far. I am aware of the recall for the HCU (ABS Module) for this vehicle, but four different Ford dealerships have declined to examine closer, citing recall 19S54 as a "customer experience" issue, not a safety issue. The brake fluid replacement (DOT3 to DOT4) has been done, but dealer declined to examine or replace the HCU, citing "out of warranty".

20240815UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This isn't an incident. I just want to report that Ford Motors will not replace the Hydraulic Control unit that is under recall for my 2008 Ford Fusion. They will only replace cars that are 15 or less years old. My car has 117,000 miles on it. Far less than the yearly average of 14,000 miles. If this truly a safety issue, then I feel that my car should be serviced under the recall. I chatted with the Ford Customer service rep and he informed me that it was safe to drive, But he did tell me to take it to a Ford dealer (of course) and that I would be financially responsible for the repair. So I own a vehicle that is under a recall, but since it's 1 year past the 15 year ownership date, Ford will not repair it under the recall. Thus any Ford owner that owns a vehicle that is older than mine is also out of luck Thank you for taking the time to read this and maybe encourage Ford to do the right thing. My car should not be any less safe than a 2010 car

20240316STRUCTURE:BODY

I want to file a safety complaint against Ford car company for their vehicle in which I purchased which is a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL for excessive and dangerous rot and rust problem on the frame and suspension and under component which can lead to accidents if one of these components fall apart . I purchased a 2008 Ford fusion SEL in Connecticut which used to be a Massachusetts state government vehicle before I've obtained it. It was well maintenance and had no flood damage. But just like a wide range of cars from Ford especially this model that I've purchased has a serious problem with excessive rust which make the car very dangerous to drive. Mind's speaking I've had to have framework done to my vehicle and change multiple suspension parts because of all the rust my transmission pan literally fell apart and all the oil came because it was so rusted. My stabilizer links and control arms have fell apart in which obstructs the steering which also caused a safety hazard for me and other peo

20240316STEERING

I want to file a safety complaint against Ford car company for their vehicle in which I purchased which is a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL for excessive and dangerous rot and rust problem on the frame and suspension and under component which can lead to accidents if one of these components fall apart . I purchased a 2008 Ford fusion SEL in Connecticut which used to be a Massachusetts state government vehicle before I've obtained it. It was well maintenance and had no flood damage. But just like a wide range of cars from Ford especially this model that I've purchased has a serious problem with excessive rust which make the car very dangerous to drive. Mind's speaking I've had to have framework done to my vehicle and change multiple suspension parts because of all the rust my transmission pan literally fell apart and all the oil came because it was so rusted. My stabilizer links and control arms have fell apart in which obstructs the steering which also caused a safety hazard for me and other peo

20240316SUSPENSION

I want to file a safety complaint against Ford car company for their vehicle in which I purchased which is a 2008 Ford Fusion SEL for excessive and dangerous rot and rust problem on the frame and suspension and under component which can lead to accidents if one of these components fall apart . I purchased a 2008 Ford fusion SEL in Connecticut which used to be a Massachusetts state government vehicle before I've obtained it. It was well maintenance and had no flood damage. But just like a wide range of cars from Ford especially this model that I've purchased has a serious problem with excessive rust which make the car very dangerous to drive. Mind's speaking I've had to have framework done to my vehicle and change multiple suspension parts because of all the rust my transmission pan literally fell apart and all the oil came because it was so rusted. My stabilizer links and control arms have fell apart in which obstructs the steering which also caused a safety hazard for me and other peo

20240117SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hydroplaned, and the anti-lock brakes engaged and disengaged. The brake pedal became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the vehicle had passed testing. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving the vehicle, the brake pedal was squishy and would depress to the floorboard. The contact stated that the solenoid was stuck open. There were no warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 79,259.

Mileage: 79,259

20240116UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The dashboard has warped. The seems on the dashboard around the passenger side airbag cover have become partially unattached to the rest of the dashboard and have caused an opening above passenger side airbag that may allow for debris/dirt to enter into safety equipment and could potentially lead to serious hazards to person if airbag unit deploys. The plastic vent and sensor under the windshield located in the very top front of the dashboard has cracked and has also become dislodged and lifteb from dashboard housing and can pose safety issues if in a collision. There is also some notable brittleness arising in the dashboard material. The warping of the dashboard and its components pose strong safety concerns and a risk to service departments doing recall repairs for manufacturers. There are many similar vehicles produced by this manufacturer during this time that have had same dashboard failures and at the very least it was been the root of stress anxiety for owners and repair dealers

20230901ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The message that the engine was overheated was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the compression chamber and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 68,000

20230901ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The message that the engine was overheated was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that coolant had leaked into the compression chamber and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 68,000

20230628SERVICE BRAKES

I just bought this car and the brakes do not feel right when i go to stop. They are new and i got them changed today and it still makes a pop noise.

20230628UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I just bought this car and the brakes do not feel right when i go to stop. They are new and i got them changed today and it still makes a pop noise.

20230628FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I just bought this car and the brakes do not feel right when i go to stop. They are new and i got them changed today and it still makes a pop noise.

20230613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I discovered my drivers rear brake light bulb melted in their socket. The socket themselves are burnt black and the drivers side tail light case has been hot enough to melt. A quick search on the Internet turns up a lot more chatter about this same issue. Even scarier is the fact that this happening with zero warning. No blown fuse, no codes, nothing to indicate your frying stuff in the back at all. The dealership denies hearing anything , Ford denies hearing anything, even though it's happening all over the country and I found at least five other complaints listed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratiion. I took car in for oil change and discovered this but want $250 for repair and no guarantee it won't happen again. I'm a senior with limited income and it's a 2008 Ford fusion SE HELP NEED RECALL!

20230613EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I discovered my drivers rear brake light bulb melted in their socket. The socket themselves are burnt black and the drivers side tail light case has been hot enough to melt. A quick search on the Internet turns up a lot more chatter about this same issue. Even scarier is the fact that this happening with zero warning. No blown fuse, no codes, nothing to indicate your frying stuff in the back at all. The dealership denies hearing anything , Ford denies hearing anything, even though it's happening all over the country and I found at least five other complaints listed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratiion. I took car in for oil change and discovered this but want $250 for repair and no guarantee it won't happen again. I'm a senior with limited income and it's a 2008 Ford fusion SE HELP NEED RECALL!

20230417POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was a squealing sound coming from underneath the dashboard. The vehicle was hard shifting while accelerating or while idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately 8-times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in TSB Number: 10052190 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 143,300. The repairs were made at the owner's expense in the amount of $2196.46.

Mileage: 143,300

Compare 2008FORDFUSION to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2008 FORD FUSION have?
The 2008 FORD FUSION has 1532 NHTSA complaints, 67 crashes, 6 fires, 37 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2008 FORD FUSION?
Yes, the 2008 FORD FUSION has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 FORD FUSION?
The most-complained component for the 2008 FORD FUSION is AIR BAGS with 637 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2008 FORD FUSION safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.