2018 Ford Fusion: Engine complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 273 owner complaints for the 2018 Ford Fusion that list the engine component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768910 (filed 10/05/2026): “My 2018 ford fusion suffered a sudden and complete engine failure caused by internal coolant intrusion — coolant leaking into the cylinders and destroying the engine. pep boys diagnosed that the failure developed internally over time and could not have been avoided by the owner. this is a known ford…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11768079 (filed 09/30/2026): “Capital ford of wilmington diagnosed my vehicle with coolant intrusion into cylinder 2, accompanied by diagnostic trouble codes p0302 and p0316, after check engine light came on. i have been advised that the vehicle requires a complete engine replacement, with an estimated cost of $13,180.89. the v…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11766837 (filed 09/25/2026): “My 2018 ford fusion titanium fwd (vin: [xxx]) suffered a catastrophic engine failure while driving, causing sudden vehicle overheating, severe engine misfires, and a dangerous loss of power on the roadway.a certified ford dealership inspection (invoice #xxx) confirmed that the vehicle has a textbook…”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .