For gasoline Ford Fusions, 2009 is the strongest model year in the available year-by-year reported-failure ranking, while 2010 is the weakest. That makes 2009 a reasonable place to start—not a guarantee of reliability. It ranked only 33rd among 52 midsize cars for its model year. The ranking covers gasoline Fusions; it does not establish the best year for a Fusion Hybrid or Energi.
What are the best model years for a Ford Fusion?
VehicleReliability.com’s model-year comparison, accessed in 2026, ranks 2009 as the strongest gasoline Fusion year and 2010 as the weakest among the years it assessed. Its ranking compares each Fusion with midsize passenger cars sold in the same year and is based on NHTSA owner and repair-shop failure reports weighted against U.S. sales volumes. It is a reported-failure measure, not a controlled mechanical test or a forecast for any one used car.
| Model year | Relative ranking | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | #33 of 52 midsize cars | Strongest Fusion year in this ranking, but below the midpoint of its comparison group. |
| 2010 | #43 of 46 midsize cars | Weakest Fusion year in this ranking; give the specific car careful scrutiny. |
These positions are not a head-to-head comparison between a 2009 and a 2010, and they do not mean that every 2009 is dependable or every 2010 is problematic. Mileage, maintenance, repairs, trim, powertrain, and present condition can matter more to a purchase than a model-year position.
Which Ford Fusion years should buyers scrutinize?
Consumer Reports’ Fusion timeline groups the model into 2006–2009, 2010–2012, and 2013–2020 generations, with redesigns in 2006, 2010, and 2013. Its general guidance is that more extensive or complicated redesigns can bring greater reliability risk. That is a reason to inspect a redesign-year car carefully, not proof that all cars from those years are poor.
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- 2010: It is the weakest year in the cited gasoline ranking and a redesign year, so review maintenance and repair records closely.
- 2006 and 2013: Both are also identified as redesign years. The available timeline does not provide a year-specific reliability score that would establish either as a year to avoid.
Do not treat “avoid” lists as substitutes for examining the vehicle in front of you. A well-maintained car with documented repairs may be a better financial choice than a neglected example of a higher-ranked year.
Does the gasoline Fusion ranking apply to Hybrid or Energi models?
No. The cited comparison treats Fusion Hybrid separately, and it does not establish a best-year ranking for Hybrid or Energi versions. Consider those powertrains on their own merits and have the relevant systems checked by a qualified inspector; do not transfer the gasoline model’s 2009-versus-2010 ranking to them.
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What should you check before buying a used Fusion?
Look up recalls for the specific VIN
Use the NHTSA recall lookup with the vehicle identification number (VIN) before purchase, then ask for documentation that any required repairs were completed. NHTSA explains: “When searching by license plate or VIN, you’ll learn if a specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall.” A year/make/model search is useful for general recalls, investigations, complaints, and manufacturer communications, but it cannot tell you whether a particular car has an unrepaired recall.
Check brake and steering history
Ford’s chronology filed with NHTSA documents a 2023 field action concerning front brake jounce hoses on 2013–2018 Fusion and MKZ vehicles, with an exception for the 2.0L DOHC Hybrid engine. Ford describes longer brake-pedal travel and a red brake warning light as possible signs. This describes the action’s scope; it does not diagnose a particular vehicle. Have a mechanic inspect the braking system and verify applicable repair records.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Power steering has a separate history. The Associated Press reported that NHTSA closed a seven-year investigation without seeking further recalls and did not find a safety-related defect trend; earlier recall action covered some 2011–2013 vehicles. That history does not establish the recall status or condition of an individual car, so check its VIN and have steering operation assessed.
Review records and condition—not just the odometer
Ask for maintenance and repair receipts, compare them with the seller’s account, and have an independent mechanic assess the powertrain, brakes, steering, warning indicators, and other systems. VehicleReliability.com scores Fusion years across 12 systems and reports more frequent-than-segment-average powertrain reports for 2018–2020. That model-line finding is a useful reason to pay attention to powertrain condition, not a diagnosis of every car from those years.
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An OBD-II code reader can surface diagnostic trouble codes, but it cannot establish overall mechanical condition or confirm that recall repairs were completed. It is not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection or a VIN recall check.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is a 2009 Ford Fusion reliable?
It is the strongest gasoline Fusion year in the cited comparison, but its #33-of-52 position means it was not among the top half of midsize cars in that ranking. Treat it as a candidate worth evaluating, not as a safe bet based on year alone. The individual car’s service history, condition, powertrain, and VIN-specific recall status should decide whether it fits your budget and risk tolerance.
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