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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,328 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Ford Fusion electrical problems

electrical problem

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2008 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Jun 102023

Fusion

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I discovered my drivers rear brake light bulb melted in their socket. The socket themselves are burnt black and the drivers side tail light case has been hot enough to melt. A quick search on the Internet turns up a lot more chatter about this same issue. Even scarier is the fact that this happening with zero warning. No blown fuse, no codes, nothing to indicate your frying stuff in the back at all. The dealership denies hearing anything, Ford denies hearing anything, even though it's happening all over the country and I found at least five other complaints listed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratiion. I took car in for oil change and discovered this but want $250 for repair and no guarantee it won't happen again. I'm a senior with limited income and it's a 2008 Ford fusion SE HELP NEED RECALL!

- Ypsilanti , MI, USA

problem #27

Aug 042021

Fusion

  • miles
1. Currently on My 2nd PCM and 4th set of coils and plugs. I was driving My car a few months ago and it started struggling to stay running and the engine light started flashing and after about 2 minutes the car completely shut down. Bought All new coils and Plugs to find out that the pcm was just popping them. Replaced the Pcm and Coils and plugs and Now My car is sitting due to the same problem with the PCM and coils. 2. About a Year ago, I Pulled into the Gas station and when I got back into my car it wouldn't start. After days of Mechanic work I was told that the wiring harness that powers the fuel pump were melted. Which could have very easily caught My car on fire while I was inside. 3. 6 months ago My power Steering went out for the 1st time because of the bolt on the pully and happened again 3 months ago. How are these things not recalled!!?? I've seen a ton of complaints!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #26

Aug 182018

Fusion

  • 168,975 miles
I have this car the computer is bad just all the ones I seen it is a 2008 Ford Fusion sel it shuts everything down.

- Pedro, OH, USA

problem #25

May 102010

Fusion

  • 18,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My air bags are turned off and so far no dealer said they can fix the air bags after all these years. My passenger seat belt would not buckle and Ford refused to fix it unless I paid a $300 price. I took it to bell tire and they put a new one in for much less. I don't feel I should have paid anything because it was a safety issue. I also had to put 5 batteries in my car because the would be totally dead. The last one even though it was under warranty I had to pay for. Year 2017. I told them to DC my automatic starter because they thought for several yrs. It might be that and it was. In the mean time I paid for an altanater I did not need. Paid out a lot of money to the dealer that was not necessary. I have all the bills for all the years. All started in 2010with the battery which I bought when the car was still under lease. I bought the car and to date the miles are just going to 36,000

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #24

Jan 202017

Fusion

  • 0 miles
The passenger airbag is not good, the electric system when close the doors don't works.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #23

Oct 012014

Fusion

  • 50,000 miles
Takata recall: My passenger front seat airbag is faulty and that has been implicated in a number of intermittent, unexplained electrical problems and a constant "parasitic drain" on my battery requiring a replacement alternator and 2 batteries, so far. Also I have been limited in performing duties of my job which requires transportation of others who (for medical needs) need to be in the front seat for observation. Therefore I have suffered a financial loss as well. I drove this vehicle for 5 years, transporting my own children it the front seat before I received a safety recall notice. I was totally unaware of the deadly potential danger I exposed my children for hours everyday. I am now suffering from guilt, fear and shame for being unable to confidently protect my children from dangers that were well known to Ford & takata for many years, but kept secret from the public. I have suffered emotional stress and psychological damage-similar to ptsd - from this situation.

- Hilo, HI, USA

problem #22

Feb 172016

Fusion

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brake pedal goes to floor when ABS kicks in. Brake pedal is now spongy. Cd player makes noises like it is trying to change cd's but there are no cd's in it.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #21

Feb 252016

Fusion

  • miles
Brakes are spongy and intermittently do work at all..have replaced calipers twice and bled the lines only to have the same problem. Air bag on passengers side is coming apart in dash. Drivers side door handle snapped and the doors lock themselves even with key in ignition running. Looking online I see that many have had the same issues.

- Dover Plains, NY, USA

problem #20

Sep 092015

Fusion

  • miles
When attempting to brake weather on highway/gravel/city streets or bumps this vehicles brakes are not working properly. They are very soft to push as if there was air in lines, you always have the brake peddel to the floor to stop and pray that you do stop. I have spent $$$ trying to fix this problem... one day im not going to stop in time my kids or myself and anyone kr anuthing involved is going to be hurt. This problem is worse if the road is wet but it is still a constant problem on an every day basis. I have had workers from Ford and other shopes tell me I need to get it fixed, as I have tried and spent $400+ and still wont fix it. I have been doing research and seems like it is the ABS module from other complaints.

- Braymer, MO, USA

problem #19

Jul 042016

Fusion

  • 63,000 miles
I have replaced the broken bolt on the idler pulley for the second time in 6 months. This is an annoying issue with this engine. Fortunately it happened on statrt up so we were in the driveway. Had it happened on the highway, the loss of power steering could have easily resulted in a fatal crash. The bolt is poorly designed and needs to be larger and or harder. If this is not fixed someone will eventually be killed. How many deaths does it take to warrant attention by Ford"?"

- Port Ornge, FL, USA

problem #18

Sep 192015

Fusion

  • 1,114 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I don't have a clue. It's just bust to flame

- Milledgeville, GA, USA

problem #17

Sep 012010

Fusion

  • 25,000 miles
Many times after this initial incident, my 2008 Ford Fusion would again not start upon first full turning of ignition key. Then upon second attempt it starts. The first key turning results in crank but no turnover of engine, long crank. This happens at least once a month, sometimes 2-3 times a month. Invoice [xxx], dated 3/1/2011 and odometer reading 53088, from fluorescent garage & radiator; 549 St. Ferdinand; fluorescent, mo, describes my attempt to solve puzzling long crank. Their invoice description of work, related to the problem: "hard to start some times long crank, no codes stored, scan data normal. Cleaned electric throttle plate. Fuel pump marginal on scope. Possible ECM update/ flash per/ identifix.". this did not solve the problem. So few days later, had my 2008 Ford Fusion checked out for problem at dave sinclair auto, Ford dealer in St. Peters, Missouri, since car was within 100,000 miles warranty, invoice [xxx], odometer reading 53195, dated 3/4/2011. Invoice description: "a cranks. Wont start. Suspects fuel pump. Cause: 06 eec test found pats codes, none related to fuel pump. Reprogrammed PCM. All tests pass. 97233 cp $95 parts: 0.00 labor: $95 5.70 environmental fee. Total chg $101.13 w sales tax. Technician said they replaced fuel pump and I had to sign statement that they were not liable for further work if fuel pump was replaced. This annoyed me. My dad, [xxx], worked at the hazelwood, Missouri Lincoln-Mercury-Ford plant for many years. It was difficult to make the problem evident as it occurred randomly. This did not solve problem either. Problem continues today, all else ok on car. I am wondering if original key bobs sometimes don't allow the start, just as sometimes they don't open the doors. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #16

Apr 252015

Fusion 4WD 4-cyl

  • 95,739 miles
Car parked at the driveway, started the car, see an engine light and wrench light in the dashboard, tried to accelerate gas pedal, it appears there's no accelerating power. RPM unstable, engine shaking. Called aaa roadside assistance, aaa technician checked and started the car its the same issue. He recommended to disconnect the positive battery cable to reset computer system. Disconnected wait for 10 seconds and re-start the engine, then everything worked. Took the car to a Ford dealer, service advisor believe to be the electronic throttle body problem. Verified in the computer if there's a recall for 2008 Ford Fusion, however nothing reported at this time.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #15

Sep 102014

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 142,000 miles
Belt idler pulley attachment bolt broke off while negotiating a corner, detaching the pulley from the front of the motor causing sudden loss of power steering assist, alternator charging, and engine cooling. Ford Fusion equipped with the 2.3L motor. This issue has now happened multiple times, with multiple parts replaced each time in an attempt to fix the underlying issue. A quick search online reveals this to be a very common problem with the Ford/Mazda 2.3L 4 cylinder.

- North Branch, MI, USA

problem #14

Aug 122014

Fusion

  • 90,000 miles
After I purchase my vehicle about 2 1/2 years ago I contacted my dealer multiple times in the past and I let them know it felt like my car was not accelerating properly and I was told that's just how Ford's drive. Eventually the dealer ended up having to replace the coil stating that it had been burned out in the llama problem should be fixed. Now back in August it just got completely worse. I was driving and attempted to accelerate at a green light and my car would not proceed, at that point I continued to press on the gas and eventually my car slowly picked up and begin to go now every time I accelerate my car feels as if it is stalling.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #13

Jun 142014

Fusion

  • 134,000 miles
I was driving down the street and my car would not go pass 20 mph. I hadn't previous had any problems from my vehicle. The car shut off and I got it towed to the dealership. The mechanic told me that I would need a new computer and my current computer was burning out my ignition coils. It turned out to be about ~$1800 worth of work. I was told that this problem is becoming more common and that there should be a recall on the computer and ignition coils soon if it's not already in the works. Of course, the only recall I noticed for this vehicle is the floor mats. This same problem occurred approximately 2 weeks after the car was fixed.

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #12

Jul 252012

Fusion 4-cyl

  • miles
2008 Ford Fusion. Consumer writes in regards to all weather floor mat issues with accelerator pedal recall notice. The consumer stated she did not use rubber floor mats in her vehicle. However, on July 25, 2012 she experienced a frightening sudden acceleration when she shifted from park to reverse and then to drive. She noticed some unusual movement as she shifted into reverse and then to drive, there was definitely unwanted acceleration. She was in a parking lot and managed to get the vehicle stopped and turned it off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The floor mats were not in the way of the accelerator when the incident occurred. The dealer replaced the battery, due to low voltage codes and it was explained to her, the battery was the cause of the problem.

- Kingsport, TN, USA

problem #11

Aug 182014

Fusion

  • 82,000 miles
My car wouldn't accelerate, then my check engine light comes on. Within 20 my car completely shuts off. Had to tow it to a mechanic, to tell me the computer system in my is burning up the coils in my engine. I called the dealership to see if there was a recall on this, and there was not. In fact as I look on the internet I have similar stories about the exact same problem. I told the dealership that and there was nothing they could do. Also on this site I reading how some of them the dashboard curls up, mine is also doing that. I bought this car brand new, just paid it off and this happens. I even finance through Ford, you think they would try to help.

- Saint Charles , MO, USA

problem #10

May 232014

Fusion

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the front driver side power locks failed. In addition, the rear drivers and passengers side power locks failed. The contact also mentioned that the window had to be opened manually and the doors would have to be opened from the outside. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Temple, TX, USA

problem #9

Feb 122014

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 60,971 miles
Traveled from ct to marathon, fl, arriving after noon. Within sight of the hotel destination the engine began to break down and run rough. I also smelled smoke. I managed to get to the hotel parking lot before the engine quit altogether. A local shop diagnosed the problem as two cylinder misfires and failed ignition coils. 57 mi from the dealer in key West and over 100 mi from miami, I elected to have a local ase certified shop replace the coils. Reflashing the PCM showed a new set of codes and that the PCM was failed and needed to be replaced. According to machado Ford in miami, there were no pcms in Ford's inventory in all of the us. Searched for remanufactured pcms was fruitless as well. Finally contacted armstrong Ford in homestead and they said they could fix the car. $996.56 to the shop in big pine key. Transported the car to homestead on fri 2/21. Monday the dealer had located a PCM and replacement was completed under warranty Tuesday afternoon. I picked up the car on Wednesday and left for jacksonville in the afternoon. 120 mi North in jupitor, the engine failed again. We sat on the side of the fl turnpike's 70 mph traffic until we could have the car transported to mullinax Ford in West palm, arriving after the service dept had closed. The next day I learned that all three catalytic converters were plugged and needed replacement. Two converters were available and were replaced on 2/28. The third converter was back ordered with an expected availability of 3/31. Since the remaining unit had discharged its contents into the tailpipe and was discarded, I was able to drive back to ct. Tasca Ford in berlin ct is still waiting for the replacement converter after numerous extensions of delivery dates from Ford. The Ford customer serv rep refused to return my calls. My total out of pocket expenses exceed $4000 to date.

- Wethersfield, CT, USA

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