CarModelProblems.com

2008 Ford Fusion Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 5.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
1,352Complaints
6Recalls
53Crashes
6Fires
29Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (47.1% of complaints) — is covered by 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 5.5× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags637 · 47.1%RecalledRecall 21V158000 · Recall 21V081000 · Recall 17V024000 · Recall 16V384000
Service Brakes478 · 35.4%RecalledRecall 19V904000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic69 · 5.1%RecalledRecall 19V904000
Power Train44 · 3.3%No official action
Engine39 · 2.9%No official action
Structure35 · 2.6%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS637 · 47.1%
SERVICE BRAKES478 · 35.4%
POWER TRAIN44 · 3.3%
Unspecified / other39 · 2.9%
ENGINE39 · 2.9%
STRUCTURE35 · 2.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY34 · 2.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28 · 2.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL21 · 1.6%

Percentages are the share of the 1,352 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 21V158000 · 2021 · reported 03/10/2021

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 21V081000 · 2021 · reported 02/16/2021

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 19V904000 · 2019 · reported 12/18/2019

If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V024000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V384000 · 2016 · reported 05/31/2016

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 14E028000 · 2014 · reported 05/29/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“DASH BOARD IS CURLING UP AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG.THE FRONT WINDOW DEFROST VENT IS COMING OUT OF THE DASH BOARD . WE HAVE…”NHTSA complaint 10598684 — filed 06/16/2014 · AIR BAGS
“WHERE MY DASHBOARD AIRBAG IS ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE IS IT IS BULGING(SEEING FOAM CURRENTLY).”NHTSA complaint 10595573 — filed 06/02/2014 · AIR BAGS
“I AM THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER OF A 2008 FOR FUSION. THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS BEEN PEELING UP AND PRESENTING POSSIBLE AIRBAG…”NHTSA complaint 10592911 — filed 05/20/2014 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

1720111661201311180201516947020173007120197585202123152023932025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Ford Fusion?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 637 of 1,352 NHTSA complaints (47.1%), followed by service brakes (478), service brakes, hydraulic (69), power train (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2008 Ford Fusion have?

1,352 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 53 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 29 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2008 Ford Fusion have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 21V158000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2008 Ford Fusion's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.