2016 Ford Fusion · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 133owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $585median quote
- 14involved a crash
Newest report Aug 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
133 of the 1,629 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Narrower sheets: Brake warning light stays on (39 reports) · Brake fluid leaks or a brake line bursts (35 reports) · Brake pedal feels soft or spongy (26 reports)
Tick what matches of 133 reports
Brake wear on other Fusion years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2018, 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (13 reports), the pads and rotors (9 reports), the booster (7 reports) and the caliper (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the brakes covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The front brake hoses may rupture and leak brake fluid.
All 13 recalls on the 2016 Ford Fusion, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Fusion
Front brake jounce hose failures. Closed mar 24, 2023, led to recall 23V-162.
Extended braking distance. Closed jan 15, 2021, led to recall 19V-904.
Extended braking distance. Closed may 4, 2018.
What owners paid
9 of the 133 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $191 to $600.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 61 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Ford Fusion that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge and Lincoln MKX Vehicles and 2013-2018 Model Year Fusion and Lincoln MKZ Vehicles Front Brake Flexible Hose Replacement In some of the affected vehicles, brake fluid may leak from one or both front brake flexible hoses.
Some 2013-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit noise when the brakes are applied. When diagnosing and repairing brake noise conditions, use the Workshop Manual (WSM) and the appropriate pinpoint test in section 206-00.
SOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
What owners wrote
“I take it to mechanic they say my car have transmission problems is making lot noise and stop and go really crazy. The dealer say there is nothing wrong with car. The. Brakes sometimes get me scared when I drive I feel we r not safe. No and they canât fix it because they donât have the part for the brakes. The msg was check owner manual something like that which can mean lots different problems in ur vehicle.”
Filed Jun 2, 2023
“I began receiving a brake line warning that my system was leaking, and needed to be filled. I replaced the brake fluid in my vehicle, and less than two hours later the car said the same warning. I couldnât brake without pushing the brake all the way too the floor”
Filed Apr 17, 2023
“I was driving and when I proceeded to brake I felt something pop and my brake peddle went all the way down I could feel like air”
Filed Apr 5, 2023
“Brake line hose burst causing the brakes to fail while driving . I was not able to stop the car had to pull the emergency brake.This is the third time in two years.”
Filed Mar 8, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 14 of 133 reports involved a crash and 6 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 364 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 335 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 186 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 161 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 123 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 100 reports
- Rolls away in Park or will not shift out of Park 63 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 50 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 46 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 40 reports
- Traction control or StabiliTrak light comes on 29 reports