The 2018 Ford Fusion lasts around 250,000 miles with some coolant and wiring issues mentioned by owners. At $16,075 to $24,625, it’s a decent value for a midsize sedan which offers an upscale cabin and great safety technology.
Is the 2018 Ford Fusion a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a great year for the Ford Fusion since it offers a nice mix of luxury & technology for the money, giving it a high overall score. Owner reviews praise the spacious interior, sporty V6 engine, as well as the upgraded stereo system.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice throughout the cabin, the seats are comfortable & supportive, the trunk is also larger than other sedans.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems found on the 2018 Ford Fusion. Buyers should avoid models from 2013–2016, while 2017–2020 are more reliable.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is weak from all three 4-cylinder engines, while the optional V6 is very quick for a midsize sedan.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2018 Fusion earns a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. A rearview camera is standard. Optional upgrades include parking sensors, park assist, lane keep assistance, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, as well as automatic emergency braking.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 27 MPG, giving 445 miles of range from the 16.5 gallon tank. Gas costs are $9 cheaper than average at $205 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2018 Ford Fusion is cheaper than many other midsize sedans, while offering good features for the money.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Ford Fusion?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Ford Fusion offers a fun driving experience similar to European sedans, with average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Fusion at 3.8/5, praising the very quiet interior cabin, but doesn’t like the weak base engine.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Fusion a 4.4/5, enjoying all of the standard technology, but owners don’t like the cheaper entry-level interior.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Ford Fusion Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Ford Fusion include coolant leaks, damage to the wiring harness by rodents, as well as bubbling paint. Overall, these problems are similar to other midsize sedans, although the repair costs are slightly more expensive than the competition.
Coolant leaks show up on some 2018 Ford Fusion models at around 85,000 miles. There are gaskets which fail in the 2.0L engine, allowing coolant to leak. Ford has issued a technical service bulletin for the problem, and many of the repairs have been covered under warranty. If Ford will not cover the issue under warranty, it’s around $1,300.
Damages to the wiring harness by rodents have also been mentioned by Fusion owners in the first 30,000 miles. Ford uses a soy-based wiring harness in the Fusion, which attracts rodents in some cases. There are strobe lights available which deter rodents from entering the engine compartment and are available for under $50. If the wiring gets damaged it’s about $1,000 to replace.
Bubbling paint, particularly around the lower rocker panels, shows up on some Fusion models at around 25,000 miles as well. In areas where the roads are salted, the salt corrodes the paint, leading to bubbling. The only way to fix the problem is repainting affected areas, at a cost of around $850 per panel.
There’s only one recall on the 2018 Ford Fusion, which is better than other midsize sedans its age. The recall covers the steering wheel detaching. Ford will replace the bolt holding the steering wheel for free on affected models.
How Long Will the 2018 Ford Fusion Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Ford Fusion can last around 250,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Camry. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than the competition, according to data from Repair Pal, at $552 per year.
As a 2018 Ford Fusion ages, reaching 100,000 miles, owners should be prepared to replace the alternator for $650, brake hoses costing $150, as well as the camshaft position sensor, which costs around $110.
We have never had any problems with this vehicle. The only thing is cosmetic due to a limb falling and knocking off the passenger side mirror.
I have had the car for a year, I have followed the maintenance suggestions and have had no problems with the car.
Yes! No problems which I cannot believe. I had a Kia optima before and it was always in the shop. I have never had to take my fusion to the mechanic.
I have not run into any problems. It has the occasional stutter but that is all I have noticed with this make of the car.
I have not had any problems with the Ford Fusion as long as I have leased it. Never has caused a problem for me.
Yes it is reliable. There have not been any mechanical issues. I do take care of it and get the oil changed regularly every 5000 miles
Yes the 2018 Ford Fusion is reliable. I have been driving since October and there have been no issues. I maintain my vehicle properly.
Not one single problem and we do follow Ford's service plan so even if a problem existed they will fix
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment is okay in the base 2018 Ford Fusion models and standard equipment includes a 4.2-inch touchscreen. There’s a larger 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 software available with the technology package which also includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Standard safety equipment includes a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include parking sensors, hands-free park assist, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, automatic high-beams, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, as well as adaptive cruise control.
Is the 2018 Ford Fusion a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Ford Fusion is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other midsize cars, while also offering good reliability. Blue book fair market prices range from $16,175 to $24,725, making it less expensive than a Honda Accord or Subaru Legacy. When new, the price range was $22,215 to $38,990. Depreciation is similar to other sedans, losing 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Ford Fusion?
There are five models of the Ford Fusion offered in 2018, from the base S through to the powerful Sport. The 2018 Fusion also is offered with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- LED Taillights
- Keyless Entry
- Rearview Camera
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 2-Inch Center Screen
- Four-Speaker Sound System
SE is a step up, adding:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Exterior Keypad
- Eight-Way Power Driver Seat
- Satellite Radio
- Six-Speaker Sound System
Titanium is next in the lineup with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Upholstery
- Rear Spoiler
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Keyless Ignition and Entry
- Remote Ignition
- 8-Inch Touchscreen With Sync 3
- 12-Speaker Sony Sound System
Platinum adds features including:
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Premium Leather Seating
- Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
- Driver Assist Package
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Unique Grille
- Power-Adjustable Steering Wheel
Sport is the high-performance model which has:
- Unique 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather and Suede Upholstery
- Quad Exhaust Tips
- Adjustable Suspension
- Larger Rear Spoiler
What Engines Come In the Ford Fusion?
- The base engine is a weak 2.5L 4-cylinder which makes 175 horsepower while getting up to 25 MPG. All engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission.
- A step up is the more efficient 1.5L 4-cylinder turbo, which generates 181 horsepower at up to 27 MPG.
- Another option is the average 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 240 horsepower at up to 25 MPG as well.
- Found on the sport model is the strong 2.7L turbocharged V6 which makes 325 horsepower while getting 20 MPG. Performance is great, taking only 5.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Ford Fusion Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Ford Fusion?
The 2018 Ford Fusion is a very comfortable midsize sedan offering seating for up to five passengers. Seating is high-quality, offering supportive cushions paired with nice materials for the price.
Passenger room is good throughout the roomy interior with plenty of space for taller adults in the rear seats.
How Much Storage Space Does the Ford Fusion Have?
Cargo room is better than other midsize sedans, with enough space for 4 to 5 full size suitcases in the large trunk.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Ford Fusion came out in 2013, and was discontinued after 2020 due to a restructuring by Ford to reduce the number of sedans they make.
2014: New 1.5L 4-cylinder engine option, heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.
2015: Standard rearview camera on all models, manual transmission discontinued.
2016: No major changes.
2017: New Sync 3 stereo system, minor exterior styling changes, Platinum model added, new Sport model offered.
2018: No changes from 2017.
2019: New front & rear bumpers, Co-Pilot 360 safety package added.
2020: Sport model discontinued, final model year for the Ford Fusion before it was discontinued.
How Does the Ford Fusion Compare to the Competition?
The Ford Fusion is a good midsize sedan for 2018 since it offers a lot of comfort and technology for the money, although ownership costs are higher than the competition.
The Nissan Altima is another midsize sedan which is available in the same price range. Steering is a bit sportier in the Nissan Altima, while the Ford Fusion has more passenger room. We recommend the Ford Fusion since there are fewer issues reported, although both offer similar overall quality for 2018.
The Chevy Malibu is a competitor which costs about $1,000 less. Where the Malibu stands out is with more standard technology, while the Ford Fusion is quicker, especially with the sport model. We recommend the Ford Fusion, yet both are good choices worth checking out if you’re in the market for a midsize sedan.
Do Owners Recommend the Ford Fusion?
Yes, it's a very reliable car. The heated seats are amazing. I like the option of the ecoboost so that you can turn it off or on.
Yes, easy to drive and maintain. The stylish design makes it a pleasure to look at and be proud of. Ford maintenance makes it easy to keep the car running well with minimal effort. The car is a pleasure to drive, even in traffic the vehicles response is quick and well within reason.
Yes I love it. I have had it a year with no problems! The interior is sharp and nice and there is so much room. I want to keep this car forever, but I will just upgrade!
Yes - very good vehicle. I enjoy driving it. I love how smooth the car rides and how great the gas mileage is.
Yes I like it very much. It drives very smooth, has a quiet engine, adequate interior and all of the extras that I need.
Yes, it’s a good car and has no issues. I have not had any mechanical problems with it. I would like Fords customer service in general to improve
Yes. It has good gas mileage and I like the features. The Ford link system is real nice and I can stream from my phone.
Very good we love it and it's our third Fusion. It drives well is comfortable and has the ecoboost engine