The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the engine made a bubbling sound after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an engine misfire was diagnosed, and a fuel odor was detected. The mechanic determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Ford Fusion fuel smell problems
73 of the 22,468 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 73
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 93,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel leak 16Check engine light 10Stalling 7Misfire 4Fire or smoke 2Jerking 1Fuel pump 1Fuel gauge 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P0455 1P0453 1
What owners say
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
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.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The failure persisted, and the fuel odor became stronger, causing the contact headaches while driving the vehicle. Upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure, the mechanic discovered that the fuel line was rusted. The mechanic informed the contact that he was unsure what had caused the failure. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The mechanic stated that had the contact continued driving the vehicle as-is, the vehicle could have caught on fire. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, there was a strong fuel odor entering the cabin of the vehicle that lingered for days. The contact's grandson then discovered that fuel was leaking from the rear driver side of the vehicle. The contact continued driving the vehicle, and the vehicle shut off while driving 50 MPH on the highway. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact coasted the vehicle while in neutral(N) to a safe area. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who discovered a crack in the fuel tank and a defective purge valve. Upon investigation, the contact's grandson discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 15V793000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), which was linked to the failure. The dealer was notified about the failure, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle remained unrepaired with the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owned a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, there was an abnormal gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle with a scanner and received an EVAP system error code. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, there was fuel leaking from the vehicle near the fuel tank. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
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
Over the course of 3 weeks I started to notice a strong smell of gasoline after filling my fuel tank that lasted for about the first quarter of the tank. I did look around the car and under it to see if I could observe a leak, but saw nothing upon visual inspection. After about 3 weeks I observed a very strong smell of gasoline when I walked out to the car in the morning and observed gasoline on the rim of the passenger side tire as well as on the ground by the tire. At that point I looked up recalls on the 2015 fusion and did find one on the fuel system but was advised that it is not active on my vin. I took my car to a local shop where they found that both fuel senders were wet and leaking thus causing the fuel leak.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V227000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to call the federal safety agency Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was 162,037.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being refueled, the contact heard an abnormal sound. The vehicle was started, and the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle began shaking. The contact observed an abnormally strong gasoline odor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010. The affected vehicles have fuel vapor canisters whose purge valves may not operate properly resulting in abnormal pressure changes in the fuel tank.
- Risk
- The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle powertrain control modules and inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for this issue and perform a leak test on the Canister Purge Valve (CPV). The fuel tank will be inspected for cracks. The CPV and fuel tank will be replaced as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S34.
Recall number 15V793000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 13, 2015, and 2016 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 12, 2015. The affected vehicles have a fuel tank that may have insufficent wall thickness. As a result, the fuel tanks may crack in the event of a crash and thus the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
- Risk
- A fuel tank that cracks may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15C11.
Recall number 15V618000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Police Interceptor Sedan and Police Interceptor Utility vehicles; and certain model year 2013 Lincoln MKS, MKT, and MKZ vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the fuel delivery module may develop a crack, allowing fuel to leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. The recall began on July 20, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S04.
Recall number 13V227000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Fusion fuel smell
Which Ford Fusion years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (30 complaints), 2011 (10 complaints) and 2013 (9 complaints).
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