2008 Ford Fusion Problems – Is the 2008 Ford Fusion A Good Car?

Most 2008 Ford Fusion problems have to do with the brakes, engine, transmission, interior, AC and heating system, and others. Although the top reported problem about this vehicle is not related to the engine or the transmission, reported brake problems were very significant and can cause safety issues. 

To get the most accurate information about the vehicle's mechanical problems, it is recommended to conduct a review for most reported customers' complaints and make a conclusion about what type of mechanical problems were mostly reported. Thanks to many online complaints websites, which allow customers to report any issue they face with their vehicles. 

For example, the 2008 Ford Fusion received a total of 153 reported complaints to carcomplaints.com, a total of  248 reported complaints to vehiclehistory.com, a total of 138 reported complaints to Edmunds.com, and a total of 300 reported complaints to repairpal.com.

In this article, we summarize the results of our intensive review of all customer's comments on the websites mentioned above. In summary, we include information about the problem category, reported repair options and repair costs, and the mileage at which the problem occurred. 

The goal of this article is to assist current owners in predicting what type of mechanical problems they will be facing and at which mileage. We also target new shoppers and help them make an informed decision about whether to buy the 2008 Ford Fusion or not based on the type of problems and whether they can handle it or not. 

2008 Ford Fusion Description

 

Before discussing the details about the 2008 Ford Fusion, we would like to give an overview of this vehicle and highlight the main pros and great features in it.

The 2008 Ford Fusion is a midsize car that seats up to five passengers. The vehicle gets about 20 miles per gallon on city roads and 29 miles per gallon on the highways. 

This vehicle comes with either a 2.3 L four-cylinder or a 3.0 L V6 engine. This engine is associated with either a five-speed manual or five or six-speed automatic transmission. It provides from 160 to 221 horsepower. The vehicle's fuel tank capacity ranges from 16.6 to 17.5 gallons, depending on the trim level. 

According to Kelly Blue Book, the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2008 Ford Fusion is $18,500. This price increases by the trim level, and it can get to as high as $30,000.

2008 Ford Fusion Problems

In this section, we summarize the most reported problems about the 2008 Ford Fusion by current and previous owners. Most reported problems about this vehicle were either related to the brakes, interior, engine, transmission, AC and heating system, or other. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion brakes problems

 

 

The most-reported problem about the 2008 Ford Fusion is related to the brakes. These problems had to do with brakes not functioning properly, ABS failure, issues with the emergency brakes, and premature brake wear.

A very common brake problem with the 2008 Ford Fusion is that brakes might not function suddenly. Many owners reported that their brakes would go all the way to the floor and require some time until it comes back. The owners reported that this problem is very common not only in the 2008 model year but in all Ford Fusion model years. To get brakes to function back, the owners had to either replace the hydraulic control unit or repair the brakes itself. The average repair cost for this problem was $1,200, and it mostly occurred in vehicles around 114,000 miles. 

Another common problem with the brakes in this vehicle is the ABS failure at vehicles around 78,000 miles. This problem was very concerning to many owners as it caused significant safety issues, not because of the severity, but because it might go away on its own and comes back while driving in traffic. ABS problem required a complete replacement to the part for about $1,200.

Furthermore, several owners reported that the emergency brake could operate normally sometimes, and other times, it could stiff and not move at all. To get the problem resolved, these owners had to replace the calipers for about $360. Emergency brake issues occurred mostly at vehicles around 83,000 miles. 

Lastly, a couple of owners indicated that they had to replace the rotors, brakes, and calipers more than six times, and still, the premature brake wear occurs. These issues occurred mostly on vehicles around 90,000 miles. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion interior problems

 

 

Issues with the 2008 Ford Fusion interior were the second most reported about this vehicle. Interior issues included dashboard deterioration, door latch not working, and upholstery falling.

Several owners reported that the dashboard would start buckling at the passenger side. Even when they tried to glue it back, the problem was not resolved, and they suggested that the repair was not worth the money. Most of these owners ended up without resolving the problem. This issue occurred mostly at vehicles around 78,000 miles.

Door lock issues are a very common problem not only with the 2008 model year but also with almost all model years for the Ford Fusion. Ford even recalled certain vehicles with significant problems with the door latch, but not from this model year. Owners who faced this problem had to replace the door latch or the door lock for about $160, and this problem mostly occurred at vehicles around 80,000 miles. 

The last problem we would like to highlight here is the upholstery falling apart. While this problem did not have to do with safety issues, it still was very frustrating to many owners of vehicles around 59,000 miles. To get the problem resolved, owners had to either replace the door panel or install a new dash without covering by Ford's warranty. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion engine problems

 

 

Engine issues are the worst thing any car owner would like to deal with when it comes to mechanical repairs and repair costs. This is because it usually costs a lot of money to repair engine issues, and the repairs must be done as fast as possible to avoid complete engine failure. 

Unfortunately, engine problems were reported frequently by many owners for the 2008 Ford Fusion. These problems had to do with check engine light frequently illuminating, burning in the coils, and unintended acceleration. 

Check engine light is used by the internal computer to indicate mechanical issues with the vehicle. The 2008 Ford Fusion can experience frequent check engine light illuminating despite the continuous repairs and frequent maintenance. To get this issue resolved, several owners had to repair the circuits without indicating repair costs. The problem mostly occurred at vehicles around 68,000 miles. 

A group of owners complained about significant issues with the vehicle not moving without any indication of a clear reason. When taking the vehicle to the mechanic, it turned out to be a burnt coil. To get the problem resolved, they had to replace the coils for about $1,850. The problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 93,000 miles. 

Lastly, a couple of owners reported issues with unintended acceleration, although they tried to stop the vehicle and stall. The problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 84,000 miles. They did not include information about repair options or repair costs. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion transmission problems

 

 

Similar to engine problems, transmission issues are also very complicated and usually require high repair costs, especially if it got to transmission failure. Unfortunately, the fourth most reported problem about this vehicle was related to issues with the transmission, commonly: transmission slipping, rough shifting, and making weird noises. 

A good number of owners reported that their transmission started jerking and slipping without a clear reason or any previous warning signs. The problem was resolved by replacing the clutch plate or the whole transmission part for about $4,540. Transmission issues mostly occurred at vehicles around 71,000 miles. 

Issues with shifting were also reported about the 2008 Ford Fusion transmission. The problem required very high repair costs forcing many owners to either sell their vehicle or replace the transmission with a used one for about $3,000. The problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 80,000 miles.

Lastly, a couple of owners indicated that whenever they start their car, it works just fine until they engage the transmission, it starts making weird groaning sound for about 30 seconds. These owners did not indicate repair options or repair costs. However, they mentioned that this issue occurs mostly at vehicles around 90,000 miles. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion AC and heating problems

 

 

AC and heating problems were also reported about the 2008 Ford Fusion but not as frequently as the previously mentioned problems. Some of the tops reported AC problems to include issues with the heater core, heater blowing cold air, and AC blowing hot air. 

Most of these reported problems were related to leaks in the heater core. The problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 114,000 miles and required about $980 on repairs to replace the heater core. 

Another problem was related to the heater blowing cold air or not working all the time properly. This problem occurred mostly at vehicles around 100,000 miles. The owners did not indicate that this problem is very significant; they described it more as “very annoying.”

Lastly, a couple of owners complained that their AC system blows hot air without a clear reason. When taking it to the mechanic turned out to be a problem with the air sensor as it needs to be replaced. The average repair costs for this problem were about $470, and it occurred mostly at vehicles around 86,000 miles.

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion electrical problems

 

 

2008 Ford Fusion electrical problems were not reported as often. However, the only reported problems indicated that the dome light doesn't go off after closing the door and can stay on for more than 500 feet of driving at vehicles around 98,000 miles. 

At least one owner complained about having issues with the smart junction box failure of a 38,000 miles vehicle. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion windows problems

 

 

Similar to the electrical problems, windows problems were not reported frequently about the 2008 Ford Fusion. The only reported problem indicated that water could leak from the sunroof during carwash or when it rains. The owner did not indicate information about repair options or repair costs. However, his vehicle was at about 99,000 miles. 

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion paint and body problems

 

 

The last problem we would like to highlight here is related to the body and paint of the 2008 Ford Fusion. Although the problems in this category don't affect safety issues, it did frustrate many of the vehicle owners. 

One of the top reported complaints in this category is that paint would chip off of the 60,000 miles vehicles bumper. The problem required a complete repaint to the part. 

 

2008 Ford Fusion Reviews – What do 2008 Ford Fusion owners say about their car?

 

In this section, we included information about what current owners think of their 2008 Ford Fusion problems.

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion owner one

 

 

The first owner reported issues with his vehicle’s transmission to carcomplaints.com: “we took our car back to Capital Ford in Raleigh NC about this 2 times, and it was a certified pre owned vehicle at the time of purchase, and under warranty, then each time we took it back to them, they said they couldn't detect a problem, now it is getting worse, we are senior citizens on a fixed income and now we have no money to fix it and we are still paying on it. F O R D FIX OR REPAIR DAILY”

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion owner two

 

 

The second owner reported issues with his vehicle’s mileage to Edmunds.com: “Bought a 2008 Fusion SEL V6 used with 30K miles on it (my first American car, only Honda and Toyotas before this). Great looking car, great performance, plenty of power, very nice amenities. Time will tell on the reliability. My only beef with this car is the gas mileage. I don't know how in the world people here are stating they get 25 to 32 MPG out of this V6 unless that is going 65 mph on cruise control without AC running. I am getting a horrible 19- 21 MPG with mixed city/highway driving and I drive it very easily, rarely floor it or fully utilize the V6. I will probably get an accord when I pay this off just because of the poor gas mileage.”

 

• 2008 Ford Fusion owner three

 

 

The third owner reported issues with his vehicle’s brakes to vehiclehistory.com: “Have had a problem with the brakes that I have read a lot of other people had the same issue and it should have been a recall from ford. Also have had problems with my serpentine belt coming off. Have had to change a pulley and tensioner which hopefully has fixed the problem”

Conclusion

 

The 2008 Ford Fusion had many reported problems on several car complaints websites. The majority of reported problems had to do with the brakes, interior, engine, transmission, and others. 

Although brake problems were reported the most and more than transmission and engine problems, brake problems tend to cause safety issues to many owners like brakes not functioning; emergency brake stuck, and premature brake wear. 

As we mentioned earlier, the purpose of our article was to assist current owners in predicting what type of problems they will be facing at which mileage; we recommend that current owners maintain regular maintenance to the brake, engine, and transmission. Plus, they should take any strange noise or vehicle behavior very seriously to avoid significant and complicated problems that might require high repair costs. 

It is clear now for current owners the type of problems they might be facing when owning a 2008 Ford Fusion vehicle. The reported problems might put red flags, and the new shoppers might sit and think carefully about the type of problems they will be facing before making the final decision.