KnownCarProblems2008 Ford Fusion Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,353 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Fusion, most often about the air bags (47% of complaints, typically around 83,000 miles). It is 6th of 15 Fusion model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2008 Ford Fusion problems
Air bags
638 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window.
Passenger side dash, leather is lifting away from dash, right under the air bag cover. Dealer said I have to replace complete dash for 1500.00 I did not repair.
The dashboard right by the passenger airbag is warping. The Ford dealer wants $1000 to replace it on a car that is 6 years old when it should not be warping already. I believe this is a safety concern to airbag potentially not deploying correctly.
Brakes
542 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 109,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist.
While driving at approx. 15-20 MPH approaching a busy intersection began applying brakes and they instantly felt soft and spongy and went nearly to the floor I continued to apply pressure as I approached a busy intersection and eventually stopped. Continued to drive to get someplace safe and at every brake the brakes…
Brakes failed, went all the way to the floor. Had to put the car into first gear, pull over to the emergency lane, and pump madly to get brakes to finally stop the car. This is the third time it happened, and by far the worst incident. Had to pay Ford dealer $1688.00 for new master cylinder and new hcu. Went online to…
Body and structure
82 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels.
I have a 2008 Ford Fusion with the passenger side air bag dash failing to adhere to the dash panel, the foam on the airbag is visible, my Ford dealer has told me that they won't deal with it due to safety and regulations- now what?! Wait for it to explode and kill someone?????!!!!!!
Used interior handle on a Ford Fusion 2008 in a normal manner, and it snapped off. The car can no longer be opened from the drivers side. After a search online, it appears this has happened to numerous people.
Transmission
47 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle decreased in speed and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the external throttle body was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Used vehicle purchase 2 days ago, my husband and I drove the car on a test drive and it went well, after all the papers were done we got in the car and went to go eat and when we came out to leave and I tried to pull the into r and it would not budge so my husband tried to drive instead and he couldn't pull it in to r…
Other or unspecified
39 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 107,000 miles.
Drivers side door lock became inoperable. Drivers side door will not lock using the lock switch or the lock button on the key. The only way to let yourself out from the drivers side is to roll down the window and open the door from the outside. The only way to lock the drivers side door is with the actual key itself.…
We purchased the used car for our 16 year old daughter at the end of december 2012. Over the first year of purchase, we noticed that the dashboard started to lift up around the passenger air bag. We checked with the Ford dealership to see if there was a recall or a fix for it and they said no. He said the entire…
Engine
39 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles.
A burning smell was detected after my 2008 sel AWD was driven/hot. My mechanic saw oil all over the exhaust and cleaned it all off and did a dye trace to locate the leak. The leak is the rear head gasket! I never had a well cared for car leak this early. I always got over 200,000 miles on my buicks. The cost to…
In the driveway and turned the car on. The check engine light and wrench light came on and there was no throttle and the engine took a while to kick on. The scan tool said error code p2112 throttle actuator control system stuck closed.
Electrical
28 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles.
1. Engine started running poorly at startup after work. 2. Check engine light was flashing. 3.made it home with not much power available. Check engine light on constant now. 4. Noticed a burning smell. 5.took it to a shop to check the next day. They replaced one of the rear plug packs. It had burned up. 6. They said…
On monday september 16, 2013 I began to hear knocking from my engine on my way home from work. When I arrived home, I checked the oil dipstick and it was dry. I put two quarts of oil in it and the knocking persisted. On tuesday I took the vehicle in to a local mechanic to tell me what the knocking was. He checked the…
Speed control
24 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, linkages, accelerator pedal.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact was traveling 35 MPH when the brakes were depressed and the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 73,000.
On 2/17/2014 this vehicle experienced a "limp mode" condition. The vehicle was on a high speed road and was able to be safely removed to back streets. The vehicle would not accelerate beyond 20mph. The vehicle was put into park, shutdown and then the key put into the on position paused and started. Problem seems to be…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Ford Fusion recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on april 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and november 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s12.
Full defect summary
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 high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 17, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21s05.
Full defect summary
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 a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with dot 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the hcu will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the hcu as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began april 1, 2021. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s54.
Full defect summary
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 close properly.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing march 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s01.
Full defect summary
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 mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, ford is recalling certain 2009 ford ranger, edge, fusion and mustang, lincoln mkx, mkz and zephyr and mercury milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia and west virginia, or "zone b." additionally, unless included in "zone a" or "zone b" above, ford is recalli
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on july 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19s01.
Full defect summary
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 registered, in alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands, or "zone a." additionally, unless included in "zone a" above, ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 ford ranger, edge and lincoln mkx vehicles, 2006-2008 ford fusion, mercury milan and lincoln zephyr/mkz vehicles, 2005-2006 ford gt vehicles and 2005-2008 ford mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana,
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Extended braking distance
Summary
On april 18, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened engineering analysis (ea) 18-002 to investigate reports of braking concerns in model year (my) 2006-12 ford fusion and lincoln mkz, and my 2006-11 mercury milan vehicles manufactured with continental automotive system?s ABS hydraulic control units (hcus). Complainants report that after an ABS braking event (initiated by slippery or uneven surfaces) the brake pedal moved towards the floor and the vehicle stopping distance increased beyond driver expectations.inside the hcu are four hydraulic normally closed (nc) valves with zinc-coated moving armatures that control the flow of brake fluid. Unstable brake fluid can degrade ove
Extended braking distance
Summary
On december 20, 2016, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened preliminary evaluation (pe) 16-017 to investigate reports of braking concerns in model year 2007 through 2009 ford fusion and mercury milan vehicles.complainants report that after an ABS braking event (caused by braking on a slippery or uneven surface) the brake pedal moved towards the floor and the distance in which the vehicle stopped increased beyond what was expected by the driver.the cause of the problem appears to be the antilock braking system (ABS) hydraulic control unit (hcu), a component manufactured for ford by continental automotive systems.hydraulic control valves within the hcu can experience corrosion and b
Floor mat interference with accelerator
Summary
On may 27, 2014, ford motor company submitted recall 14e-028 (ford recall #14s07) to correct a safety-related problem with certain driver's side ford optional all-weather floor mats sold for use in model year 2006 through 2011 model year ford fusion, mercury milan, lincoln zephyr, and lincoln mkz vehicles built at hermosillo assembly plant (hap) from november 9, 2007, to october 31 ,2010.NHTSA testing determined that the original accessory all-weather mat with a single retention clip (figure 1), may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle with the mat retained by the clip and rotated clockwise.both the single- and double-clip (figure 2) all-weather floor mats may interfere with the a
Accel pedal interference - acc floormat
Summary
Unsecured mats may interfere with accelerator pedal return to idle. A heel blocker in the floor pan provides a platform that may lift an unsecured mat into contact with the pedal. Ford introduced new pedals as a running change early in model year (my) 2010 vehicles. Analysis of complaints received by odi and ford show elevated rates of pedal entrapment incidents in my 2008 through early 2010 production vehicles. Incidents typically occur following hard pedal applications to pass slower traffic or when merging into faster traffic. Drivers allege continued high engine power after releasing the accelerator pedal and difficulty braking, including reports that the incident was controlled by shift
Tire valve cracking
Summary
On october 14, 2008, odi opened pe08-060 to investigate allegations of cracked and leaking snap-in tire valves in model year (my) 2007 vehicles manufactured by ford motor company.the valves were supplied to ford by topseal auto-parts, a subsidiary of the shanghai baolong automotive corporation in china.valves made by topseal for aftermarket sale were the subject of two recent safety recalls by tech international (08t-018) and dill air controls (08t-028), the latter of which was investigated by odi in pe08-036 and ea08-022.the defect conditions addressed by the aftermarket tire valve recalls both involved inadequate resistance to ozone cracking due to issues with the supply of anti-ozonant ch
Questions about the 2008 Ford Fusion
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Fusion?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (638 complaints, typically around 83,000 miles); brakes (542 complaints, typically around 109,000 miles); body and structure (82 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 10, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Ford Fusion?
- It is 6th of 15 Fusion model years by number of complaints, with 1,353 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.