FordFusion2012Overview/ford/fusion/2012/base/

2012 Ford Fusion

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Fusion.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Ford Fusion is a passenger‑car sedan that relies on a 5.0‑quart engine oil capacity with a 5W‑20 API viscosity rating and is mated to a six‑speed automatic transmission. It returns an EPA fuel‑economy rating of 17/24/19 mpg and, according to owner reports, accumulated 2,604 complaints with steering cited as the top issue while six recalls were issued for the model year. Within the Fusion’s 2006‑2020 complaint history, the 2012 total falls below the 2010 peak of 5,124 complaints but above the 2020 low of 176, positioning it as a mid‑range year in terms of reliability.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 96r · 500 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 96r · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-60R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.2 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3285 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume100 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Fusion of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.1–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.10 sec — 2017 Sport EcoBoost V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Titanium 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.10 sec240 hpFWD
2013SE 1.6L EcoBoost 1.6L Turbo I-48.00 sec16.10 sec178 hpFWD
2013SE 1.6L EcoBoost 1.6L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.20 sec178 hpFWD
2013SE 1.6L EcoBoost 1.6L Turbo I-48.20 sec16.20 sec178 hpFWD
2013SE 1.6L EcoBoost 1.6L Turbo I-48.30 sec16.40 sec178 hpFWD
2013Energi Titanium 2.0L I-4 + Elec 7.6-kWh8.50 sec188 hpFWD
2013Hybrid SE 2.0L I-4 + Elec 1.4-kWh8.50 sec16.40 sec188 hpFWD
2013Energi Titanium 2.0L I-4 + Elec 7.6-kWh8.60 sec16.60 sec188 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5.0-6.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13.3 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug14.75 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub189 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub189 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.25-1.38 lbs
Oil TypeYN-32

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature171-181 °F
RPM55-58 @ Idle rpm
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)55.0-58.0

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle66 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket19 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle52 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.905 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
117 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3217 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 9074 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: loosen 1 turn, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
189 ft. lbs., step 2: 360 degrees, step 3: 37 ft. lbs., step 4: 9089 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees360 degrees
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
590 degrees90 degrees
690 degrees90 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
135 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3535 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., step 2: turn 457.4 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1install 6 new exhaust manifold stud9 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-818 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miEngine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Fusion recorded 2,604 federal complaints, 6 recalls, 5 investigations and 56 technical service bulletins, placing its complaint volume below the 2011 peak of 2,781 but above the 2013 dip of 1,948. Recalls in 2012 (6) were fewer than the 9 recalls in 2011 and far fewer than the 20 recalls in 2013, indicating a relatively moderate recall burden for that model year. The primary complaint categories for 2012 were steering (1,254), air bags (379), power train (87) and unknown/other (85), with 111 crash‑related complaints and 9 fire‑related complaints reported. Compared with the surrounding years, 2012 shows a continuation of the downward complaint trend that began after the 2010 spike, while its recall count remains lower than the 2013 surge. Consequently, the 2012 model year presents a reasonable balance of lower complaint volume and fewer recalls than its immediate predecessors, making it a viable purchase option provided the buyer verifies that steering and air‑bag service actions have been addressed.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
56
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,604
Owner complaints
111 involved a crash · 9 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,604 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering1254
Air Bags379
Power Train87
Unknown Or Other85
Service Brakes78
Structure63
Steering,Electrical System44
Steering,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)43

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 07/01/2019

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

17V024000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 10/01/2017

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 56 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
SSM 524762024-04-24EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the…
SSM 522432024-02-08Engine And Engine CoolingWhen performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium…
22B05 S12023-07-27Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Fusion. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Fusion take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 API MEETING FORD SPECIFICATION WSS-M2C945-A, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Fusion have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Fusion get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.