2019 Ford Fusion: Coolant intrusion cracked short block
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2019 Fusion report: coolant intrusion cracked short block. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 64,000 miles.
NHTSA has 206 owner complaints for the 2019 Fusion in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11769318 (filed 10/06/2026): “The contact owns a 2019 ford fusion. the contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a leaking the head gasket, which allowed …”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11764875 (filed 09/17/2026): “The 2019 ford fusion i owned was having issues with smoke coming out the tailpipe upon startup, eventually leading to the engine seizing causing me to trade the vehicle in.…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace short block (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,500 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Coolant intrusion cracked short block (2019 Fusion)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2019 Fusion
Estimated repair cost: engine replacement (used or remanufactured engine)
Average shop cost
$1,435
Range $800–$2,225 (labor)
8.0–16.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$2,150
Range $1,200–$3,335 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2012 Chevrolet Traverse: Engine seized · 2012 Toyota 4Runner: Engine blew up · 2014 Hyundai Sonata: Seized engine · 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe: Engine seized · 2018 Chevrolet Cruze: Engine failure · 2018 Ford Edge: Leaking coolant killed engine
Page last updated .