Diagsheet

2016 Ford Fusion · symptom sheet

Wheel bearing, tires or wheels

  • 47owner reports
  • 50,425median miles
  • $191median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jan 1, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

47 of the 1,614 complaints on this car describe wheels.

Tick what matches of 47 reports

1
3
1
38

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the tires (27 reports) and the wheel (12 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the wheels covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-167Mar 12, 2018
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Fusion vehicles. The steering wheel retaining bolt may loosen allowing the steering wheel to detach while driving.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A steering wheel detachment can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S08.

NHTSA investigations into the wheels on the Fusion

EA11-009opened Jul 26, 2011
Wheels · model years 2010

Wheel mounting stud fracture. Closed jan 20, 2012, led to recall 11V-574.

NHTSA summary
To date, the agency is aware of 84 consumer complaints and 361 warranty claims related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.In total, 382 subject vehicles reportedly experienced one or more wheel stud fractures, resulting in 7 alleged wheel separation incidents.Most of the reported wheel stud fractures occurred on subject vehicles originally equipped with 17 inch diameter steel wheels (368 of 382) as did all 7 alleged wheel separation incidents.Of the 7 alleged wheel separation incidents, 5 reportedly involved a wheel becoming detached from the subject vehicle's rear axle.The subject vehicles are designed with a safety margin that requires validation of proper wheel joint function with one missing lug nut and all other lug nuts at the minimum torque specification.If multiple stud fractures occur at a wheel location, analysis of reports indicates that the operator may observe vehicle vibration. If the vibration is ignored and the vehicle continues to be driven the remaining studs may fracture, resulting in a wheel separation.By letter dated December 5, 2011, the manufacturer notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by NHTSA Recall No.11V-574 and Ford Recall No. 11S23) on certain 2010 and 2011 model year Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles to address the potential for wheel separation.The recall vehicles were originally equipped with 17 inch diameter steel wheels and were built from April 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009, and from December
PE11-003opened Jan 21, 2011
Wheels · model years 2010

Wheel stud fracture. Closed jul 26, 2011, led to recall 11V-574.

NHTSA summary
On January 21, 2011, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE11-003) to investigate alleged wheel stud fractures in certain model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.ODI sent the manufacturer an information request letter dated February 8, 2011 and Ford responded by letter dated March 25, 2011.Ford provided a supplemental response by letter dated July 15, 2011.To date, ODI is aware of 29 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles, which now include certain MY2010 Mercury Milan vehicles that are the same or substantially similar to the subject Ford Fusion vehicles in regards to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 4 reported wheel separation incidents related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.The manufacturer's investigation into the root cause of the alleged defect is ongoing.Accordingly, this investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA11-009) to further study the alleged defect.
PE08-060opened Oct 14, 2008
Tires · model years 2007 to 2008

Tire valve cracking. Closed apr 9, 2009.

NHTSA summary
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGE

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

5 of the 47 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $164 to $300.

$164$191$300
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 31,200 and 66,115 miles, from the 28 reports that gave a mileage.

117
318
619
620
921
822
923
124
325
126

What owners wrote

“Stamford Ford in Stamford CT said I need to replace frozen lug nuts due to corrosion. they said it is not covered and I have to absorb the cost of $ 300. All service on this vehicle have been performed by ford service department. a recall should have been issued to correct this issue. this is a safety issue and FORD must fix this at their cost, not the customer's.”

Filed Jan 15, 2024

“the lug nuts had swollen and were not able to loose without damage. In order to rotate my tires the dealership had me pay for new lug nuts. If they the parts were that cheaply made at the factory, why am i asked to pay for them.”

Filed Jul 21, 2023

“I took my car for tires to be rotated and balanced. The LUG NUTS are swollen because of the metal they're made from. I will have to PAY for new lug nuts which are the exact same lug nuts as are on my car - and the same thing will happen again - and I'll have to PAY AGAIN. This is outrageous. Ford should have a recall for all affected vehicles. We have a 1999 vehicle and the lug nuts are in excellent shape.”

Filed May 18, 2023

“I was at the ford garage and they told me my lug nuts are swollen! Which can be very hazardous!!!”

Filed May 15, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 47 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.

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