FORD FUSION HYBRID · model year

2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID

134 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012FORDFUSION HYBRID carries 134 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 7 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 FUSION HYBRID is steering with 36 filings, followed by air bags (32) and service brakes (15). 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.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2012 FUSION HYBRID, and 8 remain open. 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.

134
Complaints
7
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 3.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

134 filings

Crashes Reported

7 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 3/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING36
AIR BAGS32
SERVICE BRAKES15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
ENGINE8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
POWER TRAIN3
STRUCTURE:BODY2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
SEATS1
SUSPENSION1

Recent Complaints

20250707STEERING

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 or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

20250306STEERING

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 needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

20240411STEERING

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 home, turned off the vehicle, and noticed that the steering wheel was locked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred on two prior occasions and was diagnosed as an Advance-trac system failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 207,000.

Mileage: 207,000

20231220STEERING

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stopped at a local gas station and inflated the driver's side front tire. The contact stated that after inflating the tire, the Advancetrac error and power system failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to drive the vehicle to his destination; however, the power steering seized and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering gearbox. The contact was informed that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced, and the tires needed to be rotated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20231220TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the TPMS warning light illuminated. The contact stopped at a local gas station and inflated the driver's side front tire. The contact stated that after inflating the tire, the Advancetrac error and power system failure warning lights were illuminated. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and proceeded to drive the vehicle to his destination; however, the power steering seized and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed steering gearbox. The contact was informed that the steering gearbox needed to be replaced, and the tires needed to be rotated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

20220524AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact checked her VIN online and discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20210602POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after reversing the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into drive. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact called roadside assistance. The tow truck driver arrived and repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

20191101STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ADVANCE AUTO TRAC AND POWER STEERING ASSIST WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER THE WHEEL, BUT IT FAILED TO STEER PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, AND THEN DRIVE; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. AAA WAS CONTACTED AND TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HERITAGE FORD (2075 EDSEL LN NW, CORYDON, IN 47112, (812) 738-3284) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 166,000.

Mileage: 166,000

20190711AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT CALLED HALL FORD NEWPORT NEWS AT 877-398-2216 (LOCATED AT 12896 JEFFERSON AVENUE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23608) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190622STEERING

I WAS DRIVING AND MY STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER THERE WAS A RED ALERT ON THE DASH STATING SERVICE POWER STEERING. THEN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER ANOTHER ALERT CAME ON AND IT WAS YELLOW THAT SAID SERVICE ADVANCETRAC. AFTER THAT HAPPENED I DROVE HOME AND THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I GOT IN MY VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. EVEN THOUGH IT IS 2019 I UNDERSTAND THE CAR HAS YEARS ON IT BUT AFTER ONLY HAVING IT FOR THREE MONTHS FROM THE DEALERSHIP I AM EXTREMELY UPSET.

Mileage: 94,000

20190423STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT WAS UNABLE TO BECAUSE IT WAS STIFF. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MATTHEWS CURRIE FORD (LOCATED AT 130 N TAMIAMI TRAIL, NOKOMIS, FL 34275, (877) 405-7194) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF *AS

Mileage: 120,000

20190402STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. SHEEHY FORD OF MARLOW HEIGHTS (5000 AUTH RD, MARLOW HEIGHTS, MD 20746, (301) 298-0793) DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SENSOR SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *BF. CONSUMER STATED DIAGNOSED COMMUNICATION HAD A PROBLEM AND STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN. DEALER HAD CAR FOR 23 DAYS MONTH LATER SAME ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS NEVER LOOKED AT. RECALL WAS MENTIONED BY THE CONSUMER BY DEALER DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*JB

Mileage: 150,000

20190401AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - EVERY FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT I CALL SAYS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT AIRBAG PARTS AND ARE NOT SURE WHEN THEY ARE COMING IN. THEY SEEM TO BE STALLING TO DO THE REPAIR OR THERE IS A REAL ISSUE WITH SUPPLY.

Mileage: 72,000

20190327AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. LYNCH FORD (410 US 30, MT VERNON, IA 52314) CONFIRMED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190225AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH LORENZO FORD (30725 S FEDERAL HWY, HOMESTEAD, FL 33030, 1-(305) 307-8039) FOR OVER TWO YEARS. A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION WAS NOT OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 15N01 (EPAS STEERING EFFORTS), BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION VIA MAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY AND THE MANUFACTURER FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190225STEERING

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V001000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PART WITHIN A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH LORENZO FORD (30725 S FEDERAL HWY, HOMESTEAD, FL 33030, 1-(305) 307-8039) FOR OVER TWO YEARS. A LOANER VEHICLE OPTION WAS NOT OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 15N01 (EPAS STEERING EFFORTS), BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION VIA MAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO ADDRESS PART AVAILABILITY AND THE MANUFACTURER FIELD SERVICE CAMPAIGN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190222AIR BAGS

2012 FORD FUSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD *TR

20190217SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM MY CURBSIDE PARKING SPOT TO GO TO WORK, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND SAID SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF "BREAK SYSTEM FAILURE" OR "CHECK BREAK SYSTEMS", AND I WAS UNABLE TO BRAKE AT ALL. I MANAGED TO CHANGE COURSE AND PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR STOP ON ITS OWN. ONCE STOPPED, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN. I TRIED TO SLOWLY MOVE AND THEN BRAKE, AT WHICH TIME THE BRAKES WERE SUCCESSFUL AND STOPPED THE CAR. I DROVE THE SHORT DISTANCE BACK TO MY HOUSE AND TOOK AN ALTERNATE VEHICLE. THIS IS INCREDIBLY CONCERNING CONSIDERING I CARRY MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN IN IT AND WE FREQUENTLY TAKE LONG ROAD TRIPS TO SEE FAMILY. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON ONE OF THOSE TRIPS, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES ON FREEWAYS THAT TEND TO BOTTLENECK, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING, NOT JUST FOR US BUT ALSO OTHERS.

Mileage: 137,490

20190212STEERING

POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AND IT COST OVER $1,600 TO REPAIR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 15V34

Mileage: 43,473

20190113UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH, MY CONTROL PANEL STARTING LIGHTING UP WITH A BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. I WAS TERRIFIED THAT I WASN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP. AS I APPROACHED THE NEXT EXIT, I TRIED STEPPING ON THE BRAKES BUT IT WAS LIKE PUSHING ON AIR FOR A GOOD 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE MY CAR WOULD COME TO A STOP. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ROLL SLIGHTLY. I HAPPEN TO BE TAKING IT FOR AN OIL CHANGE THAT DAY SO I HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF WHAT THE CODES READ FOR THEM. MY REGULAR MECHANIC ASKED THAT I TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK FOR A FEW DAYS BECAUSE I AM A TEACHER AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET IT TO A FORD DELAERSHIP. AFTER READING ARTICLES ONLINE AND FINDING THIS SPECIFIC ARTICLE HTTPS://WWW.FORBES.COM/SITES/JENSEN/2018/04/24/BRAKE-FAILURE-FEDS-INVESTIGATE-WHETHER-FORD-SHOULD-RECALL-ONE-MILLION-SEDANS/#CA8321370C67 I FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS VERY DAN

Mileage: 128,275

Compare 2012FORDFUSION HYBRID to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID have?
The 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID has 134 NHTSA complaints, 7 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID?
The 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID?
The most-complained component for the 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID is STEERING with 36 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. 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.