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 Sep 19, 2026

38 of the 363 reports of overheating on the 2016 Fusion describe head gasket failure.

Part of Engine overheats or leaks coolant (363 reports)

Tick what matches of 38 reports

coolant is leaking or disappearing

the engine overheated

coolant got into the engine oil

the head gasket was replaced

there is a class action lawsuit

the engine needed to be replaced

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 Sep 19, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Fusion

PE13-003opened Feb 21, 2013

Engine · model years 2010 to 2013

Electronic throttle body malfunction. Closed feb 28, 2014.

NHTSA summary

On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Milan vehicles. During this investigation, Ford identified a condition in subject vehicles equipped with 2.5L and 3.0L engines that may result in a sudden reduction of engine power.According to Ford, the ETB internal motor contacts may develop a high resistance material buildup condition on the commutator, resulting in intermittent electrical connectivity and reduced engine power. When this condition occurs, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Wrench light will illuminate and the vehicle may enter a limited limp home mode.Ford?s trade name for the feature is Failure Mode Effects Management (FMEM) mode.In this mode, engine power and vehicle speed are reduced, while full function of the power steering, power braking, lighting, and climate control systems are maintained.ODI?s complaint analysis indicate that the predominant failure mode involved reduced motive power associated with the limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Analysis of warranty claims provided by Ford identified 59,807 claims related to ETB replacements and approximately 50 percent of claims are associated with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle B

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.

$1,200$3,340$8,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 75,000 and 111,111 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.

119

220

621

922

723

724

525

126

What owners wrote

“Had head gasket done at 78600 for misfire in cylinder 4 for coolant intrusion 11000 miles later I have misfire in cylinder 4 again with coolant intrusion”
Filed Sep 10, 2025 · 11,000 miles

“My 2016 Ford Fusion 1.5L EcoBoost has developed Fords known Coolant intrusion into the head gasket and block issue. Iâm currently experiencing dangerous misfires, violent shaking, with EVAP/O2 codes (not sure if related). I got it towed and received diagnosis and the car will be needing a new engine. 124K miles on vehicle at the time. We demand immediate NHTSA investigation and a Ford recall.”
Filed Apr 26, 2025 · 124,000 miles

“Coolant leak caused head gasket and block damage. No warning lights ever on to indicate issue. Car simply wound not start one morning. Was towed and received diagnosis of needing new engine. 57K miles on vehicle.”
Filed Apr 16, 2025 · 57,000 miles

“Coolant leaked into a cylinder due to a failed head gasket at 61,000 miles. Ford replaced head gasket, but the issue is due to poorly manufactured engine, and I had the same issue starting again at 99,000 miles. Ford refuses to fix engine since it is out of warranty, but the issue is due to poor manufacturing, not customer negligence.”
Filed Jul 21, 2024 · 61,000 miles

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.