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2020 Ford Fusion: engine failure

6 of the 186 complaints about the 2020 Ford Fusion describe engine failure.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
3%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine failure by model year

What owners say

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 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 Mar 19, 2026 · Body, Electrical · DE · fire · 1 injury

I am reporting a life-threatening incident involving my 2020 Ford Fusion PHEV. On December 5, 2025, while my wife was driving on a public street, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete engine failure followed by smoke and fire originating from the high-voltage battery pack in the trunk. There were no prior warning signs or dashboard alerts before the incident. This vehicle was sold via IAAI auction in September 2023 without disclosing the active, critical safety recall (the federal safety agency 23V440 / Ford 23S33) issued in June 2023. This non-disclosure placed my family in extreme danger. When the fire started, my wife was in a state of panic. I arrived at the scene before emergency services. Being a technician, I performed a high-risk manual extraction of the burning battery pack to prevent the entire vehicle and the surrounding residential area from a potential explosion. I risked electrocution and toxic chemical exposure to save lives. The damaged battery pack is currently preserved and available for professional inspection upon request. As a result of the fire and exposure to extinguisher chemicals, I suffered respiratory distress and asthma-like symptoms for several days. I have contacted Ford Motor Company through official channels and documented all interactions. Ford representatives stated that they 'only assist customers in the United States' and local representatives in [XXX] have officially refused to provide the remedy, stating they are not authorized or equipped for this specific recall. I am now left with a charred, unusable vehicle. I demand a full investigation into the failure of the recall remedy process and manufacturer liability for these life-threatening damages. ( Form fields about my location are place holders. Contact me in [XXX] (Country) at [XXX] / [XXX] ]. I hope you do don't ignore our lives due to geography. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Engine · 152,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle as taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The cam shaft sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving 8 MPH, the engine seized. The message "See Manual" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to several dealers and independent mechanics. The contact was recently informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with an internal engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Transmission · IL

On [XXX] I backed my 2020 Ford Fusion out of my driveway. I stopped and tried to shift from reverse to drive and the transmission locked up in Park, the engine died and the parking brake was engaged. I was sitting across the street with no way to move the car. I had the car towed to a Ford dealer and they replaced the transmission cable bushing and cover. These parts are the same as those used in Fords recall 22S43. Ford continued to use inferior parts on cars built after the dates mentioned in the recall. This is a safety issue as it could happen at any time. Thanks [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Questions about the 2020 Ford Fusion engine failure

Is engine failure a common problem on the 2020 Ford Fusion?

6 of 186 owner complaints about the 2020 Ford Fusion (3%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Ford Fusion?

There are 0 recalls and 9 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Ford Fusion

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

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