How Long Do Ford Fusions Last? [Miles and Years]

Ford Fusions have a reputation for quality, so they are expected to last long. But how long is ‘long’? How long do Ford Fusions last?

If properly maintained and cared for, a Ford Fusion should last approximately 15 years. From the owners’ actual experiences, their Ford Fusion average miles are approximately 250,000. 

If the average miles you drive your Ford Fusion is 12,000 miles per year, that would mean you could use your car for about 17 years. In fact, a report from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports claimed that the Fusion could even last longer.

Read on to learn more about how long Ford Fusions last, and tips to make them last longer.

How Long Do Ford Fusions Last?

how long do Ford Fusions last

Ford Motor Co. launched the Ford Fusion in 2006. It has been consistently one of the best-selling models of Ford vehicles in the United States. When properly maintained and taken care of it, it can last up to 15 years or put on 250 000 miles.

One of the main reasons for Ford Fusions’ longevity is that it can put on an average of 250,000 miles. That is equivalent to more than 15 years if your average driving miles per year is only 12,000.

One Fusion Car owner who owns a 2013 Ford Fusion said they have already driven their car for 233,000 miles, and it is still going strong. They only did normal maintenance and replaced tires and never had a problem with it.

What can make the difference is the model year of the Ford Fusion. There are some marked changes that Ford made in this nameplate in the years between 2006 and 2013. Unfortunately, even with good intentions, not all the changes made were for the better.

Why Do Ford Fusions Last Long?

There are several reasons why Ford Fusions have long service lives. A given is Ford Motor Co’s corporate approach, which only produces high-quality and reliable cars.

Aside from this corporate attitude, there are still other reasons why Ford Fusions last long.

Here are some of the reasons:

1. Ford Fusions Are Not That Expensive to Maintain

While Ford Fusion is slightly more expensive to maintain than most midsize cars, the cost is not that unusually high. A five-year cost of maintenance for a 2020 Ford Fusion hybrid is estimated to be about $4,300.

This cost seems a bit high. However, compared to other sedans such as the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, the maintenance costs are almost the same.

Ford Motor Co. vehicles come with a standard basic warranty of three-years or 36,000 miles plus a powertrain warranty of five-years or 60,000 miles.

These warranties are fairly standard in the car industry. Also, all recalls are honored by the company. Once a recall is announced, you can take your Ford Fusion, and the carmaker will fix the subject of the recall for free.

2. Ford Fusions Are Designed to Last According to Its Price Point

The car industry’s usual practice is that car designers and engineers design cars according to the price point that the manufacturer has in mind. This goes for the entire fleet of the cars they are making.

Carmakers also specify to their engineers the number of miles they want their cars to last. The engineers then design and build car parts that will last according to the specifications of carmakers.

In other words, Ford Motor Co. can claim that the Ford Fusion cars will last 200,000 miles because they build them from parts and components that, when combined, will last that long. These cars can even last longer because of the extra maintenance and care their owners give them.

Is Ford Fusion Reliable?

Ford Motor Co claims that their Ford Fusions are reliable. Owners of Ford Fusions say that it depends a lot on the model year. J.D. Power has given a score of 4 (out of 5) to the 2020 Ford Fusion. A score of 4 means this car can be regarded as better than most cars in its class.

This score is better than what this car has earned in the previous years. For instance, the 2018 to 2019 Ford Fusion has only earned 3.5 (out of 5). All the other previous models have garnered a score of 3 (out of 5).

It means this car is just average when it comes to reliability in previous models. Thankfully, later Ford Fusions have been improving in the area of reliability.

How Many Miles Can A Ford Fusion Last?

How many miles do Ford Fusions last? Under good conditions and given all considerations, a Ford Fusion can give you 200,000 miles or more. Strict maintenance and good driving habits have a part in prolonging the life of this car.

If you religiously follow Ford Motor Co’s guidelines regarding oil changes, tune-ups, and so forth, you will get the most out of it.

Many Ford Fusion owners say that using synthetic oil and changing it after every 5,000 miles will help the car attain its maximum service life. Always keep in mind that older versions of the Ford Fusion racked up 200,000 or 250,000 miles.

The later models do not possess that span of years of road experience. Ford Motor Co does not stop innovating and changing their cars. Parts that were used in previous models may not be the same parts that are used in the later models. This practice affects the life span of this car model.

Are Fords Good Cars? How Good and Reliable Are They?

How To Make Your Ford Fusion Last Long

How long can Ford Fusions last? Ford Fusions that are not abused and provided with proper care and maintenance will last an average of 200,000 miles or around 15 years.

However, you should do certain things to ensure that your Ford Fusion will last that long or even longer:

1. Conduct Regular Preventive Maintenance on Your Car 

Be conscientious in conducting regular maintenance on your Ford Fusion. You will find specific instructions on how you can do this in the car’s operator’s manual.

This is by far the first and foremost thing that you should do if you want your car to achieve the life span claimed by its maker.

2. Change the Engine Oil Regularly

The engine is the heart of your Ford Fusion. It is the prime mover of your car. Change its oil regularly as per the instruction in the operator’s manual. Ford Fusions require a certain type of synthetic oil and not any other. The instruction also says to top it off after every 5,000 miles.

There are specific instructions when you need to change the engine oil totally. Follow these instructions, and your Ford Fusion will be able to reach the total miles claimed by Ford Motor Co.

3. Clean the Filters Regularly

how many miles do Ford Fusions last

You should be concerned about one filter because if it is not cleaned regularly, the engine’s efficiency will diminish. This is the air filter. It filters the air that goes inside the combustion chamber.

This filter ensures that no impurities in the intake air will penetrate the ‘holy’ chambers of the cylinders. The combustion cycle is continuously going on as you drive your car.

After some time, this filter will be clogged with dust and dirt. This debris must be removed, or the engine will lose some of its power.

4. Change the Transmission Fluid as Required

According to the Ford Fusion operator’s manual, the car’s transmission fluid should be changed every 25,000 miles. Follow this instruction strictly so that you will always experience smooth and seamless gear shifts.

5. Monitor Your Car’s Behavior

If you notice any change in your car’s performance, no matter how small, observe and monitor its performance. Check if there is any change in its behavior. If you notice a fault, check it right away. Repair it right away or have a mechanic fix it as soon as possible.

Don’t let any fault linger, or it may cause even more damage to the car. Some of the issues you need to monitor are overheating the engine, strange noise from the engine bay, hard starting, and unexplained vibration.

6. Give Your Fusion a Complete Wash Regularly

Schedule a thorough wash of your car regularly. This will prevent rust from forming in the car’s body and under the chassis, making it look old.

7. Drive Your Ford Fusion the Right Way

Properly driving your Ford Fusion, or any car for that matter will contribute a lot in extending its service life. Always practice defensive driving. It is the best you can do for your car. Don’t abuse it, and you will be able to use it for its intended life span, maybe even more.

Again, how long do Ford Fusions last? According to users and reviewers, a Ford Fusion can travel up to 250 000 miles or around 15 years if the car is properly maintained and taken care of.

Reliability of the Best Ford Fusion Models

Ford Motor Co. launched the Ford Fusion in 2006. It continued upgrading this model year after year until 2020. That means there is a 2006 Ford Fusion, then a 2007 model, and so forth. Like everything else, there is one model that stands out from all the rest. 

1. Ford Fusion 2020

The year 2020 is the best year for the Ford Fusion. From J.D. Power, this car has received its best reliability rating yet. It got a score of 4 (out of 5). In the previous years, it only received less than 4.

Its 2010 model, for instance, was the worst ever. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received about 1,250 negative reviews about its steering. It also received around 1,500 complaints about its engine.

2. Ford Fusion 2012 & 2013 Models

As for used Ford Fusion cars, it seems that the best is the 2012 to 2013 model. Consumer Reports’ had indicated that this vehicle is a good family car to consider.

3. 2008, 2009, and 2011 Models

The best model years for reliability are the 2012 and the 2013 models. Just one notch below them are 2008 to 2009 and the 2011 models.

This is a midsize sedan that receives high scores with its firm and controlled ride and responsive handling. It also received good ratings on its fuel economy, particularly its 3.0-liter hybrid or V6 engine and its 2.3 liters, four-cylinder gas engine.

It was redesigned entirely for 2013. This is Ford Fusion’s most current model and style. The latest 2020 model carried this style and design.

The Best Ford Fusion Engine

It is not easy to pick the best Ford Fusion engine. This depends on what a person values in a car. There several Fusion engines that can qualify for this status.

1. Ti-VCT EcoBoost Engine

There is the 2020 Fusion that offers a Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine. It is an all-wheel-drive vehicle that can deliver 245 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. Of torque. However, it is only standard for the higher trims.

2. V6 Engine

There is also the Ford Fusion Sport model that has a V6 engine under its hood. Production of this model was stopped in 2019.

3. Hybrid Engine

how long can Ford Fusions last

If you value fuel economy more than any other, then the Ford Fusion with the hybrid engine will be your pick. It can give you 41 miles per gallon on the highway and 43 mpg in the city.

The cost of engine repairs is the same as whatever type of engine is under the hood of your Ford Fusion. Knowing this will reduce the pressure of paying more if you choose a certain engine type other than the other. 

Ford Fusion Coming Back

Ford Motor Co. discontinued the production of the Ford Fusion in 2020. This is due to shrinking sales. It is also to give enough room for newer car models.

Aside from the Fusion, Ford stops producing C-Max sedan, Taurus, hatchback models, and Fiesta. The company is now shifting its focus to SUVs and crossovers.

The latest news is that Ford is now in the process of rebuilding its Ford Fusion line. This time, it will be in cross-over form. Rumors in the industry say that this vehicle will be called the Fusion Active.

Images are going around the internet showing this ‘new’ Fusion model worked at by workers in a Ford car plant. The images suggest that this new car will fall between a conventional wagon and a classic CUV body style similar to the Subaru Outback.

Conclusion: How Long Do Ford Fusions Last?

If a Ford Fusion is properly maintained and cared for, it should last for about 15 years. This is based on the actual experiences of Ford Fusion owners over the years. These people have put on an average of about 250,000 miles on their Ford Fusion cars.

A lot will depend on how you treat your Ford Fusion. If you give it proper care and maintenance and don’t abuse it on the road, you will be able to enjoy its service for a long time.

To get the best out of your Ford Fusion, here are the ways you can take care of it:

  1. Conduct Regular Preventive Maintenance on Your Car 
  2. Change the Engine Oil Regularly
  3. Clean the Filters Regularly
  4. Change the Transmission Fluid as Required
  5. Monitor Your Car’s Behavior
  6. Give Your Fusion a Complete Wash Regularly
  7. Drive Your Ford Fusion the Right Way

Related reading:

Are Fords Reliable?

Ford Reliability

Ford Owner and Manufacturer

Reliability of Ford Escape