2016 Ford Fusion · symptom sheet
Head gasket fails or coolant leaks into the engine
- 38owner reports
- 87,800median miles
- $3,340median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
38 of the 364 reports of overheating on the 2016 Fusion describe head gasket failure.
Part of Engine overheats or leaks coolant (364 reports)
Tick what matches of 38 reports
Head gasket failure 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: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside overheating and coolant leaks for reports that name the head gasket. The difference from the wider sheet is where the coolant goes: instead of dripping onto the driveway, it disappears inside the engine, into the cylinders or the oil.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head gasket (37 reports) and the engine (12 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Fusion
Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.
None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.
What owners paid
14 of the 38 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,200 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 75,000 and 111,111 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Head gasket blew, coolant in cylinder 4, needs a new engine. Well know problem that can cause extreme hazards.”
Filed Dec 16, 2023
“The coolant warning system came on, I added coolant. Several weeks later the car began white smoking from exhaust. I towed it to a mechanic. He informed me the head gasket had blown. He began to repair, and found the block was cracked. I did not repair the vehicle and it was towed to my home.”
Filed Aug 27, 2023
“coolant leak, problems with block, problems with head gasket, blowing white smoke. (1.5L ecoboost)”
Filed Jun 9, 2023
“I've had my Ford Fusion for about 9 months now I have white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I asked was it the head gasket and was told no. I was told it was a cracked radiator, water pump and thermostat. Cost me almost $1,700. Only for the white smoke to come back a week later.”
Filed Feb 18, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 38 reports involved a crash. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 335 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 186 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 161 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 133 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