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2020 Ford Fusion problems

The most common problem on the 2020 Ford Fusion is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 79,127 miles. It has fewer complaints than a typical Fusion model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
90/100
Owner complaints
186
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
95
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
23-42mpg

The worst 2020 Ford Fusion problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2020 Ford Fusion

Check engine light 27Loss of power 12Knocking 11Stalling 11Jerking 9Hesitation 7Overheating 7Engine failure 6Fire or smoke 6Harsh shifting 6Backup camera 5Slipping 5Transmission failure 5

Recalls 3

Equipment: electrical: engine block heaterReported October 10, 2025 · 59,006 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Lincoln MKC, 2016-2023 Explorer, 2019-2020 Fusion, 2019-2024 Ranger, 2020-2022 Lincoln Corsair, Escape, 2021-2024 Bronco, Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. The engine block heater may crack and develop a coolant leak, causing it to short circuit when the block heater is plugged in.
Risk
An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated December 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SA4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on October 15, 2025.

Recall number 25V685000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported June 27, 2025 · 200,237 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Recall number 25V442000 · Recall details

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm)Reported June 23, 2023 · 14,452 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Fusion PHEV vehicles. The battery energy control module (BECM) may become damaged due to excessive voltage and current flow.
Risk
A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S33.

Recall number 23V440000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2020 Ford Fusion

Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Ford Fusion 95

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 95 bulletins for the 2020 Ford Fusion

2020 Ford Fusion fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cyl HybridFWD4340-4141-42
2.0L 4‑cyl Plug-in hybridFWD434042
1.5L 4‑cylFWD233427
2.0L 4‑cylFWD213125
2.5L 4‑cylFWD213124
2.0L 4‑cylAWD202923

What 2020 Ford Fusion owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · 175,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving, the check engine warning light illuminated. A diagnostic test was performed by an independent mechanic, and the failure was associated with the catalytic converter. The catalytic converters were replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the replacement part was no longer produced, rendering the vehicle unrepairable. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

COMPONENT/SYSTEM: Gasoline vapor entering the occupied passenger cabin through the HVAC vents during and after rain with the A/C or heat on. Root cause unidentified, not because it cannot be found, but because Ford Motor Company has not once tested the vehicle under the condition in which the defect occurs, and has refused in writing to assign an engineer who would. Suspected fuel system / evaporative emissions / cowl-to-HVAC intake pathway. Vehicle available to the federal safety agency for inspection on request. SAFETY RISK: The driver and passengers breathe gasoline vapor inside a closed, moving vehicle. Fuel vapor in an occupied cabin is an inhalation hazard and an ignition hazard. The owner drives with the windows open to vent it. Ford’s own agent acknowledged in writing on 09/24/2026: “I understand that your vehicle currently has a gas odor and you do not feel safe driving it.” Ford has since returned the vehicle to the owner unrepaired four times, has never stated it is safe to drive, and has stated in writing that it is closing the case. The vehicle is on the road today with the defect present. If this condition exists on other Fusions, those owners cannot rely on Ford’s dealer network to detect it, because Ford’s diagnostic procedure, as applied four times to this vehicle, does not test for it. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED BY DEALER: YES, BY FORD’S OWN DEALER, IN WRITING. Serra Ford Farmington Hills, authorized Ford dealer, repair order [XXX], opened 07/17/2026, 45,535 miles: “CUSTOMER STATES GAS SMELL FROM AC DUCT WHEN AC IS BLOWING FULL BLAST, VERIFIED ON DRIVE.” The advisor drove the vehicle and smelled it. First reported to the same dealer 06/23/2026, RO [XXX]: gas smell inside the cabin after rain, from the AC/heat. Ford Motor Company Customer Relations supervisor Juan Garza confirmed in writing on 10/21/2026: “I reviewed the July 17 repair order language stating that the concern was ‘verified on drive.’” The next day, 10/22/2026, the same supervisor recharacterized the same INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF I

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · MI

Our 2020 Ford Fusion automatically shifts back into Park and displays the "Shift Sys Fault" error message, the primary culprit is a broken transmission shift cable bushing. Vehicle may be in gear and unable to stop itself from rolling on an incline unless parking brake is applied.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Engine · 72,000 miles · OH

The contact's brother owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the owner was driving 35 MPH, the engine overheated and there was misfire coming from the engine. The check engine warning light illuminated, and there was fluid leaking into the engine. An independent mechanic was contacted by phone. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. In addition, the contact was informed that the failure was due to the manufacturing design of the engine. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NC

2020 Fusion SEL with 41,000 miles. While driving at 65 mph with adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle suddenly jerked on two separate occasions during a three-hour drive.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · AZ

I recently acquired this vehicle from a dealer after the previous owner traded it in and after reviewing the Carfax I did some deeper digging into this vehicle and discovered that there are 3 recalls that have not been serviced. I am hoping that there wasn't any secondary damage due to the recalled items as I haven't noticed anything necessarily wrong with the car but I figured I'd take it in to be safe. I also want a quote for a transmission drain and fill, NOT A FLUSH. The transmission is shifting fine, I just am looking to get it done as preventative maintenance and for peace of mind. The recall repairs are noted in the PDF attached below.

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · IN

Coolant Intrusion. Started with thick white exhaust when starting up in morning. Turned into acceleration lags, car shutting engine off when parked, and exhaust smell coming inside of car. 2014-2019 models have a recall for cracked engine block allowing cooling to leak inside, but 2020 models do not although there is an increased problem with this year and model of car.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Electrical · NJ

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V440000 (Electrical System); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available.

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Engine · MI

COMPONENT THAT FAILED: The engine cooling fan on my 2020 Ford Fusion SEL (1.5L, non-hybrid) became inoperable and blew three fuses. With the fans not operating, the engine overheated, destroying the head gasket and engine, requiring complete replacement. Failure occurred 07/08/2026 at 49,118 miles. WARNING SYMPTOMS: The A/C began blowing warm air roughly 2 days earlier. The engine temperature lamp illuminated on 07/08/2026 — the first and only time it ever came on. No prior overheating, no coolant loss, no leaks, no other alert. I stopped driving immediately on that single warning and had the vehicle towed. SAFETY RISK: A cooling fan failure progressing to engine destruction risks overheating, loss of motive power, and stalling in traffic or at highway speed. I stopped safely; a driver getting this same lone warning on a freeway would face a serious hazard with no notice. The vehicle's protections did not prevent a low-cost part from destroying the powertrain, and the sole warning came immediately before catastrophic damage. CONFIRMED BY INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTERS: Yes. A certified technician at a licensed independent shop found the cooling fan assembly inoperable and identified it as the cause of both the A/C failure and the temperature warning, noting these vehicles are known to fail head gaskets this way. A second licensed engine shop documented the sequence: the electric cooling fan failed, which blew three fuses, causing an overheat condition that caused engine failure. Written findings, inspection reports, and invoices retained. MANUFACTURER INSPECTION: None. Ford declined to consider assistance unless a Ford technician inspected the vehicle, by which time it was already at an independent shop mid-repair. No police or insurance inspection. MANUFACTURER AWARENESS: Ford SSM 48659 covers 2019-2020 Fusion/MKZ non-hybrids with cooling fans inoperative due to open fuses F59, F60, F63, causing engine overheat or lack of A/C cooling.

Filed Jul 31, 2026 · Steering · AL

I was backing out of my drive way when a shift system fault message appeared on my dashboard. When I went to change gears the rotary dial locked up and shifted to park. My safety as well as other people’s safety was put at risk because my car stopped in the middle of the street with little warning. My problem was confirmed by an independent service center with a obd scanner.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2020 Ford Fusion before you buy

Compare the 2020 Ford Fusion

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Other model years

200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020

Questions about the 2020 Ford Fusion

Is the 2020 Ford Fusion reliable?

Owners have filed 186 complaints about the 2020 Ford Fusion, fewer than a typical Fusion model year.

What is the 2020 Ford Fusion year score?

The 2020 Ford Fusion scores 90 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Fusion: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Ford Fusion?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 67 complaints, typically around 79,127 miles. Next is engine (59).

How many recalls does the 2020 Ford Fusion have?

3 recalls, covering equipment, back over prevention and electrical system.

What year does the Ford Fusion have bad transmission?

The Ford Fusion model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (894 complaints), 2017 (315 complaints) and 2016 (311 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2020 Ford Fusion get?

Official estimates for the 2020 Ford Fusion range from 23 to 42 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 43 city and 40-41 highway.

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