2018 Ford Fusion · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 189owner reports
- 94,000median miles
- $8,553median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
302 of the 440 complaints on this car are about the engine. 189 of those describe misfire. Only overheating is reported more often on this car.
Narrower sheets: Engine misfire (67 reports)
Tick what matches of 189 reports
Misfire 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.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the spark plugs (27 reports), the ignition coils (13 reports) and the sensor (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2018 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 2018 model year.
What owners paid
25 of the 189 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $7,000 to $9,742.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 73,000 and 115,000 miles, from the 123 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 17 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 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 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025.
Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2017-2019 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a low coolant level, white exhaust smoke and/or a runs rough condition with or without an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).
Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Programming - Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit collant intrusion into the cylinder bores.
Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming. Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit coolant intrusion into the cylinder bores.
13 more on the 2018 Ford Fusion page.
What owners wrote
“We have coolant intrusion in cylinder 2 of our engine. This can cause highway failure of engine cuts out, car runs rough and it can become a fire hazard. We paid for a diagnostics through a ford dealer. Who we uses all the time for our warranty needs. We noticed car was starting to run rough and check engine light came on 8/5/26”
Filed Aug 26, 2026
“my 2018 ford fusion has catastrophic engine failure. Engine stuttering and misfires with check engine light. Low coolant levels with no visible puddles under the car. Engine overheating, could possibly catch fire. Car recently had a tuneup was told no issues at the time. Failure mileage at 109,000.”
Filed Aug 25, 2026
“Engine failure due to coolant leaking into cylinders. This is a known issue. Also Ford has issued a bulletin on this. but no recall yet! I still own 10k on my car and now a blown engine.”
Filed Jul 14, 2025
“I have a 2018 ford fusion 2.0L ecoboost with around 77k miles and started to see coolant loss with no visible signs in engine bay or below.car, rough start with error P0316 and occasional misfire. White smoke comes from exhaust on start sometimes. Also have to fill coolant every other day or so. It looks as coolant intrusion issue very common with these engines.”
Filed Dec 9, 2023 · 77,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 189 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 215 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 59 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 53 reports