2017 Ford Fusion: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,104 NHTSA owner complaints · 4 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The Fusion's record has two separate problems in it. The 2010–2012 first generation carries complaints about the power steering (an electric-assist failure that was recalled) and the throttle body. Read the full note on the model page. 2017 specifically: a year the record favours — 1,104 complaints, score 73/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Ford Fusion (and Fusion Hybrid): the years to avoid and the years to buy, including 2017 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 1,104 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 122.67
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Flexplate cracked 5 months ago, and now it has cracked again. This is due to troqeu converting failure and faulty transmission mounts.
If i do not run my car for atleast 10 minutes before driving, my gas tank will start making a loud horn sound, and when this happens and i go to slow down, the car will shut off. Mechanics say there’s an issue with the purge valve and the charcoal filter. I’ve already had this issue fixed three times and it comes back less than a week prior to service
I experienced an issue identical to safety recall 22S02. Rear brake light remains on due to a broken Brakelight stop bumper. Dealership did not offer to fix at no charge.
Recalls: 4 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 16V874000 | Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 27, 2016, to September 28, 2016. The left rear seat backs pivot pins may have been improperly welded. |
| 17V427000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded. |
| 23V162000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Fusion and Lincoln MKZ vehicles. The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid. |
| 18V167000 | Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,650
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine392 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train308 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Engine And Engine Cooling133 complaints · typical job: Water pump, thermostat and coolant service (3.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,040
- Electrical System125 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other103 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Service Brakes102 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
Other Ford Fusion years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Ford Fusion?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (392 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2017 Ford Fusion a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 73/100, computed from 1,104 NHTSA complaints and 4 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2017 Ford Fusion's most common problem?
392 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2017 Ford Fusion sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2017 Ford Fusion cost to run per year?
About $6,910 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $34,552 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2017 Ford Fusion have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Ford Fusion, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 05/12/2016. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsizes of about the same age.
What will a 2017 Ford Fusion really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 1,104 complaints, 4 recalls on record
- 1104 NHTSA complaints on record (122.7/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (120.8/yr)
- 4 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems