Car Yearsto Avoid

2008 Ford Fusion Problems

What owners have reported about the 2008 Ford Fusion, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2008 Ford Fusion a good year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 1,353 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 13 Fusion model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, brakes and body and structure.

1,353 complaints 6 recalls, 2 do not drive 6th worst of 13 Fusion years

Top 2008 Ford Fusion problems

1

Airbag problems

638 complaints (47%) name the airbags, most often the side / window.

Complaints 638 · Usually at 60,000–120,000 miles · Recall 21V158000, 21V081000, 17V024000, 16V384000

2

Brake problems

542 complaints (40%) name the brakes, most often the master cylinder and antilock / traction control / electronic limited slip.

Complaints 542 · Usually at 83,000–145,000 miles · Recall 19V904000

3

Body problems

82 complaints (6%) name the body and structure, most often the body and door.

Complaints 82 · Usually at 55,000–99,000 miles

4

Transmission problems

47 complaints (4%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission and control module (TCM / PCM / TECM).

Complaints 47 · Usually at 61,000–100,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Airbags 47%
Brakes 40%
Body 6%
Transmission 4%
Unknown or Other 3%
Engine 3%
Electrical 2%
Acceleration 2%
Door Locks and Latches 1%
Fuel System 1%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (751 of 1,353). The amber line is the middle value, about 98,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2008 Ford Fusion recalls

Inflator module

The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

Recall 21V158000 · Mar 2021

Air bag inflator may explode in a crash

Injury risk

A replacement frontal air bag inflator can degrade over time from humidity and temperature changes, so it may explode when the air bag deploys in a crash. Sharp metal fragments could then strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag modules and replace the module or inflator if needed, free of charge.

Recall 21V081000 · Feb 2021

Control unit / module

The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly. If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary.

Recall 19V904000 · Dec 2019

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 17V024000 · Jan 2017

Inflator module

Do not drive

S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Recall 16V384000 · May 2016

Equipment

The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal. The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.

Recall 14E028000 · May 2014
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2008 Ford Fusion gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2008 Ford Fusion, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Fusion years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2010 Fusion 5,130
2011 Fusion 2,793
2012 Fusion 2,516
2013 Fusion 1,792
2016 Fusion 1,641
2008 Fusion 1,353
2014 Fusion 1,331
2017 Fusion 1,112
2009 Fusion 1,023

2008 Ford Fusion problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2008 Ford Fusion a reliable year?

It's about average for this model. Owners have filed 1,353 complaints with NHTSA, the 6th most of 13 Fusion model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, brakes and body and structure.

What are the most common 2008 Ford Fusion problems?

Owners most often report problems with the airbags, brakes, body and structure and transmission. 638 complaints (47%) name the airbags, most often the side / window.

At what mileage do 2008 Ford Fusion airbags problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 60,000–120,000 miles, with a middle value near 84,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?

6. Inflator module (21V158000); Air bag inflator may explode in a crash (21V081000); Control unit / module (19V904000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2008 Ford Fusion?

Ask for service records covering the airbags, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2020, 2019 and 2018 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.