2016 Ford Fusion: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 4, 2026 · Engine · PA

On April 25, 2024, my car broke down as I was driving. There were no warning lights leading up to it, and then all of a sudden, the check engine light started flashing, my temperature gauge spiked, and I was forced to pull over as the car barely responded to the gas pedal. When I got out, there was smoke coming out from under the hood, and just moving the car to get it towed better made the engine shudder and screech. At that time, the mechanic replaced the water pump, which appeared to solve that issue. But after that, between April and November 2024, my check engine light came on no less than 5 times. Each time, I took my car to the mechanic and they identified and fixed the code to the best of their abilities, but a few weeks later, the light would be back on again. They said the car might have an internal coolant leak and needed a new spark plug and ignition coil. Even after they replaced the spark plug and the ignition coil, I would also occasionally hear screeching sounds as I drove, or-- the longer this went on-- the car would shudder any time the engine was running. Finally, my mechanic told me that the internal coolant leak was something only the dealership could fix, so I took it to Ford, who evaluated the car and found an internal leak in cylinder 2. The only way to fix it would be to replace the entire engine, which I could not afford. The car has been sitting undriven ever since. If I'd been on the highway or driving at a faster speed when the engine suddenly cut out, I could've been in an accident. The only warning for the cylinder issue was the continuous check engine light and the shuddering of the engine, and the same issue was confirmed by an independent mechanic (AutoExpress in Doylestown and the Ford Dealership). There are numerous results on a Google search regarding Ford EcoBoost engine coolant intrusion which is the exact issue I'm having but Ford has not recalled the 2016 Fusion nor offered any solution to this dangerous manufacturing defect

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · 99,000 miles · OH · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "No Coolant" was displayed on the instrument panel, and there was smoke coming from outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a blown head gasket. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the rearview camera image was inverted and the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle crashed into an unoccupied vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. A police report was not filed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. A local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · 138,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V695000 (Back Over Prevention). While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started running rough. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who retrieved DTC: P0302 (Misfire in Cylinder #2). The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who retrieved the same code and informed the contact that cylinder #2 ignition coil and spark plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. While driving, there was white smoke coming from the tailpipe, but the vehicle was still running rough. The engine overheated, and the contact pulled over and added additional fluids to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact obtained an extended warranty, but the claim was denied due to not meeting the mileage requirements. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Engine · 145,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was smoke coming from the exhaust. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally before losing motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty engine block. The contact was informed that the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning illuminated, and the message to change spark plug #2 was displayed. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was started, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in cylinder #2, causing engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that weeks before the failure, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the solenoid and ignition coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed May 2, 2025 · Engine · 140,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on two occasions when the vehicle was started and running, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and the vehicle started shaking. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after approximately 30 minutes. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3, and the engine block needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2025 · Engine · NY

Car has white smoke coming from exhaust smells sweet. Coolant continues to be low, even after filling up check engine light for misfire. This is due to coolant intrusion common with the 1.5 L engines on the fusion. There was a recall for the 2017 but mines a 2016 and has the same issues. This is an ongoing issue with this car. There is a This is an ongoing issue with this car. There is a class action lawsuit and it’s been acknowledged by Ford that this is an issue

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · 124,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a code reader retrieved information for a defect with the EVAP system. The EVAP system was replaced by another independent mechanic; however, the check engine warning light returned several months after the repair. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where it was discovered that coolant was leaking into the spark plugs. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2025 · Engine · NC

I believe this car falls under the coolant leak recall that is still under investigation. The car started losing coolant and had white smoke coming from exhaust. I believe the coolant channels have cracked and caused the leak. It needs a new motor to be drivable again. I have been waiting for the recall to cover my vin. The recall currently covers similar vehicles.

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Engine · 131,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was white exhaust smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while inspecting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12 (Short Block Replacement After Coolant Intrusion); however, the vehicle was not included in the Ford Customer Satisfaction program. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 131,000.

Filed Nov 15, 2024 · Engine · 106,000 miles · GA

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated there was heavy white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe after starting the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Nov 13, 2024 · Engine · 77,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. While the contact’s son was operating the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed, with white smoke coming from the exhaust. The contact stated that the vehicle started shaking before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted and later driven to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was coolant inside the engine cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 77,000.