Used car safety, rank #159 of 181
Ford Fusion Safety Rating (2019-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2019-20 Ford Fusion, a midsize car, compared with its class and with the current model.
The 2019-20 Ford Fusion has an IIHS driver death rate of 67 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize cars average of 58.1, which is 15% above the class average. That places it #159 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 16.2/100.
What the Ford Fusion death rate means
At 67 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Ford Fusion is 15% worse than the midsize cars average of 58.1. The 95% confidence interval is 30 to 104, which overlaps the class average, so some of the gap may be chance.
The other-driver death rate of 28 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Ford Fusion. It is no higher than the Ford Fusion's own driver death rate. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used cars
The safest midsize cars in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Ford Fusion highlighted. It ranks 7 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Toyota Camry hybrid at a death rate of 19.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry hybrid | 2018-20 | 19 (0 to 38) | 58.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Fusion hybrid | 2019-20 | 25 (0 to 56) | 50.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Honda Accord hybrid | 2018-20 | 45 (1 to 90) | 30.9 | n/a | n/a |
| Honda Accord | 2018-20 | 46 (34 to 57) | 29.8 | n/a | n/a |
| Volkswagen Jetta | 2019-20 | 47 (24 to 69) | 29.0 | n/a | n/a |
| Toyota Camry | 2018-20 | 48 (38 to 59) | 28.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Ford Fusion (this page) | 2019-20 | 67 (30 to 104) | 16.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Kia Optima | 2019-20 | 80 (45 to 115) | 14.6 | n/a | n/a |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 2017-20 | 91 (73 to 108) | 13.0 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize cars: 58.1 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
Safety recalls for the Ford Fusion
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
3 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering equipment, back over prevention, electrical system.
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Equipment: electrical, engine block heater
Risk: An electrical short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed December 3, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated September 2026.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge.
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Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery, management system/energy control module (bms/becm)
Risk: A damaged BECM can result in a loss of drive power or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery and update the BECM software for free, or Ford will repurchase the vehicle. If your vehicle is currently operating normally, Ford has authorized dealers to replace the fuse block and a software update as an interim repair before the availability of remedy parts for the final repair. This repair will be free of charge (parts and labor). As an alternative remedy, Ford is offering a vehicle refund. Please see Ford's owner notification letter or contact Ford for full details.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Ford Fusion: Common Questions
Is the Ford Fusion a safe car?
Not on this measure: its drivers died at a higher rate than its class average. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 67 per million registered vehicle years for the 2019-20 Ford Fusion, 15% above the class average (58.1 for midsize cars). That earns a used-car safety score of 16.2 out of 100 and rank #159 of 181 used vehicles.
What is the Ford Fusion driver death rate?
67 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 30 to 104. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Ford Fusion died at a rate of 28 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2019-20 models.
How does the Ford Fusion compare with other midsize cars?
The midsize cars class averages 58.1 driver deaths per million; the Ford Fusion sits at 67. Among the 9 midsize cars compared above it ranks 7 by safety score; the top of that group is the Toyota Camry hybrid with a death rate of 19.