2008 Ford Fusion Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Fusion years
- About as many complaints as other years 6th of 15 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1,353 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Ford Fusion. That ranks 6th out of 15 Fusion model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (638 complaints, 47%), typically at around 83,500 miles. Complaints mention 53 crashes, 6 fires, 29 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 5 defect investigations involving it.
- 1,353owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 5NHTSA investigations
- 53complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2008 Ford Fusion problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 638 | 47% | 83,500 | “takata air bags” (26%) | $2,100 |
| Service Brakes problems | 479 | 35% | 109,000 | “master cylinder” (16%) | $1,600 |
| Structure problems | 82 | 6% | 74,000 | “passenger side” (38%) | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 74 | 5% | 101,500 | “brake pedal depressed” (24%) | — |
| Power Train | 47 | 3% | 80,600 | — | — |
| Engine | 39 | 3% | 89,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 39 | 3% | 107,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 28 | 2% | 83,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 24 | 2% | 73,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 14 | 1% | 90,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 11 | 1% | 81,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 1% | 60,700 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 1% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 0% | 64,500 | — | — |
| Tires | 5 | 0% | 20,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 0% | 48,000 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 0% | 143,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 0% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 0% | 109,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 0% | 70,500 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 0% | 59,500 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 0% | 84,500 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 0% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 0% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2008 Ford Fusion recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module; air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: 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.
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.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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 recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDo not drive
Problem: 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, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Extended Braking Distance (EA18002) — opened Apr 18, 2018, closed Jan 15, 2021, led to recall 19V904000.
- Extended Braking Distance (PE16017) — opened Dec 20, 2016, closed May 4, 2018.
- Floor mat interference with accelerator (EA12009) — opened Dec 12, 2012, closed Jun 12, 2014, led to recall 14E028000.
- Accel Pedal Interference - Acc Floormat (PE10019) — opened May 28, 2010, closed Jan 11, 2013.
- Tire valve cracking (PE08060) — opened Oct 14, 2008, closed Apr 9, 2009.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I had the Ford brake recall work completed in 2023, but the same brake issue has returned. This appears to be the same HCU problem covered by the recall, and Ford is now refusing to repair it. I am concerned because this is a serious safety issue, and the recall repair did not permanently correct…
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…
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…
Have to press down hard on brakes to slow or stop. Had landmark ford inspect recall issue & they stated nothing was wrong with 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.
Other Ford Fusion years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Fusion | 183 | 3 |
| 2019 Fusion | 316 | 3 |
| 2018 Fusion | 442 | 2 |
| 2017 Fusion | 1,112 | 4 |
| 2016 Fusion | 1,641 | 13 |
| 2015 Fusion | 994 | 13 |
| 2014 Fusion | 1,330 | 19 |
| 2013 Fusion | 1,792 | 19 |
| 2012 Fusion | 2,516 | 5 |
| 2011 Fusion | 2,792 | 7 |
| 2010 Fusion | 5,130 | 11 |
| 2009 Fusion | 1,023 | 6 |
| 2008 | 1,353 | 5 |
| 2007 Fusion | 1,064 | 4 |
| 2006 Fusion | 730 | 4 |
See all Ford Fusion problems by year, every Ford model, or the Ford VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Fusion?
Owners most often report air bags, service brakes, structure problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 638 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Ford Fusion?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2008 Ford Fusion a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Fusion model years, the 2008 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.