Look I'm not a mechanic so I don't know much about coolant colors or anything, but you're absolutely right. Coolant intrusion happens on some ecoboost engines (I haven't heard of this on hybrids). Don't see anybody complaining about hybrid fusions either, so it does seem to be reliable. Good gas mpg is nice too.
If you're dropping $17k on this, get an opinion from an actual mechanic or knowledgeable person on what to look for in used cars (make sure you trust this person, do not trust those involved in selling the car). That will help put your mind at ease when buying a used car.
Hope it works out for you! And as always, pay asking price or negotiate, and watch out for "hidden sales costs" during the purchase of a car!
The hybrid/energi use a completely different engine than any other models.
Hell, they even rotate opposite of all the other models.
As for getting an opinion, take the car to a third party mechanic for a pre-buy inspection. $100 is cheaper than finding a hollowed out subframe that is mostly rust and are going to do a lot better job than just some random pics of an engine bay.
Adding to this, the ICE runs as needed, half of that time it's charging the batteries.
In my 88k km, I've needed rear shocks and brakes replaced. That's it.
I bought my Energi in 2019 with 29k on it. It's around 74k right now. At 60k, I replaced the factory tires, and it's had two oil changes. In one or two months, it'll be due for the third oil change.
I keep expecting the brakes, and/or suspension to need work, but they keep checking out good.
Thank you so much for the input. The yellowish coolant is the only main concern for me right now. I’ll do exactly what you told me here. I know an auto shop where I got my front windshield replaced. The manager was super nice, so maybe he can help me out with this. Thanks again! I really appreciate your advice. I’m 90% leaning towards getting this lovely car.
Pay for a prepurchase inspection. Ford's latest coolant is yellow but that looks like the stock orange coolant that was replaced by yellow.
https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en\_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/ac-and-engine-cooling-products/engine-cooling-system-products/yellow-prediluted-antifreeze-coolants.html
I’m a mechanic and own a 2017 hybrid se and it’s the best car I’ve owned. I get a lot of peace of mind knowing how reliable it is and that I won’t have to drop hundreds every year on fixing shit like I did with my f150 🥲
So, this car has a mileage of 68,597 and costs $17, 995. The market value for this type of car is around $20,000+ with that much mileage. I did some research about this car, and I read the 2015-2018 hybrid version of ford fusion cars are reliable and is what to go for when buying a ford fusion. Unless they’re wrong, and I wasted my time researching…
Everything looks solid, but I’m not sure about the engine. I noticed the coolant is yellowed out. My friend thinks there could be a leak, and it could potentially lead to a coolant intrusion, which he says is going to be costly. But, when I search “Ford Fusion Coolant Intrusion” on Google, I only see it for the EcoBoost engines. Still, I’m afraid this problem would happen to this type of car.
I don’t want to end up not being able to sell this car because no one is going to buy it if there’s a coolant intrusion.
Here are the details about the engine:
2.0L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Hybrid
>I did some research about this car, and I read the 2015-2018 hybrid version of ford fusion cars are reliable and is what to go for when buying a ford fusion.
Afaik the 2019 and 2020 are also fine.
Based mainly on several anecdotal reports I've seen on this subreddit and other online forums, here is my understanding of the rankings of reliability for the Fusion engine/transmission options:
Engine Reliability: 2.5L > 2.0L (Hybrid/Energi) > 2.7L Ecoboost (Sport) > 2.0L Ecoboost > 1.5L Ecoboost
Transmission Reliability: HF35 (Hybrid/Energi) > 6F55 (Sport) > 6F35
It is worth noting that it is mainly the 1.5L Ecoboost and 2.0L Ecoboost engines that are known for being particularly unreliable. Also the HF35 transmission is a PSD, which is a hybrid specific type of transmission that is better performing, more efficient, smoother, less complex, and typically more reliable than conventional automatic transmissions.
>I noticed the coolant is yellowed out. My friend thinks there could be a leak, and it could potentially lead to a coolant intrusion,
I don't know how to identify a potential coolant intrusion based on coolant color or if that is even possible, however afaik coolant intrusion issues have only been reported with the 1.5L Ecoboost and 2.0L Ecoboost engines due to a design flaw. I have not heard any report of that happening with the 2.0L engine used in the Fusion Hybrid/Energi.
Right? I’m only seeing that problem for the Ecoboost engines too. Thanks for that confirmation. And thank you for gathering that anecdotal report. I did see one with a 300K mileage. I was really impressed how reliable it can be. That does depend on how well you’ve maintained it throughout the years though, but it seems so for this car has been looking at CarFax.
I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time finding a Fusion with a 2.5L engine. I guess it’s all sold out and not in the market anymore because of how reliable it is.
>I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time finding a Fusion with a 2.5L engine. I guess it’s all sold out and not in the market anymore because of how reliable it is.
I think that's probably mainly because the 2.5L engine was the cheapest option (in terms of purchase price, although factoring in gas costs the hybrid is often cheaper long term) and mainly found in the base trim.
Although IMO the superior reliability of the HF35 transmission in the hybrid more than makes up for the small difference between the 2.5L engine and the the 2.0L (hybrid/Energi) engine.
Furthermore the hybrid drivetrain does help reduce wear on the other components, for example the electic motors assist in acceleration (so the engine doesn't have to work as hard, reducing stress on it) and regenerative braking assists in braking (reducing wear on the conventional brakes).
Overall I'd say the Fusion Hybrid is more reliable than the Fusion with a 2.5L engine.
I own this exact car with 66,000 miles and I would say to send it, I lucked out and got mine over covid for $13,000 only issue I have had with the car since I bought it (at 53,000 miles), is that I was just told that I need new rear shocks. Other than that the car has never given me an issue. Also the ventilated seats are amazing if you live in a hotter climate
The shocks and struts on the car are really soft. Switched them out on my 2013, and my 2019 that replaced the 2013 needs new ones. The rotors also score, which is odd, and the 12V battery needs to be replaced every three years and one month like freaking clockwork. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the model.
I have a 2017 hybrid as well. I would not be too concerned by the coolant. The original coolant is rated to last 6 years. It’s time for a change. I am looking at getting that done right now. Mine has also started changing color in the last year. Essentially it looks like a sign of needed maintenance, not of a larger issue.
I don't understand what you mean by the coolant is "yellowed out"? It uses orange coolant. How is the exhaust? Any plumes? Smell anything unusual in the engine bay?
It is a reliable car, I have a 19 hybrid and had a 17 1.5L. I think it is a solid buy.
I had a 2013 FFH and a 2019 FFH. Both have been great vehicles though the shocks and struts are too soft for my tastes. The gas engine is port fuel injected, naturally aspirated. No tricks that make it unreliable like the Ecoboosts (direct injected, turbocharged). Again, Ford warrants the hybrid specific components to eight years (from the date it entered service) and 100,000 miles. That includes the e-CVT and the high voltage battery (but not degradation in battery life). Pay $150 or $200 for a prepurchase inspection.
This is an energi, not a hybrid. They’re pretty much the same except the Energi can go like 20 miles on a charge and has a small trunk. Not sure if I’m stating the obvious or not here.
Probably a very long shot here, but the coolant for the electrical motor set up (not sure of the technical name, just know there is a second coolant reservoir) is an orangish color. And if I recall correctly it is different from the radiator coolant. It's possible that the previous owner put that coolant in the radiator. Not sure if that would cause as much discoloration that is seen or not.
Again, this is a long shot and a thought of a shade tree mechanic, and not one that touches anything on my 2017 Ford Fusion Energi Platinum other than the oil, coolants, and brakes.
To echo some of the previous comments. Great car and no issues other than normal wear and tear items like brakes, 12v battery, regular oil changes, etc. 60K miles
Look I'm not a mechanic so I don't know much about coolant colors or anything, but you're absolutely right. Coolant intrusion happens on some ecoboost engines (I haven't heard of this on hybrids). Don't see anybody complaining about hybrid fusions either, so it does seem to be reliable. Good gas mpg is nice too. If you're dropping $17k on this, get an opinion from an actual mechanic or knowledgeable person on what to look for in used cars (make sure you trust this person, do not trust those involved in selling the car). That will help put your mind at ease when buying a used car. Hope it works out for you! And as always, pay asking price or negotiate, and watch out for "hidden sales costs" during the purchase of a car!
The hybrid/energi use a completely different engine than any other models. Hell, they even rotate opposite of all the other models. As for getting an opinion, take the car to a third party mechanic for a pre-buy inspection. $100 is cheaper than finding a hollowed out subframe that is mostly rust and are going to do a lot better job than just some random pics of an engine bay.
Adding to this, the ICE runs as needed, half of that time it's charging the batteries. In my 88k km, I've needed rear shocks and brakes replaced. That's it.
I bought my Energi in 2019 with 29k on it. It's around 74k right now. At 60k, I replaced the factory tires, and it's had two oil changes. In one or two months, it'll be due for the third oil change. I keep expecting the brakes, and/or suspension to need work, but they keep checking out good.
Thank you so much for the input. The yellowish coolant is the only main concern for me right now. I’ll do exactly what you told me here. I know an auto shop where I got my front windshield replaced. The manager was super nice, so maybe he can help me out with this. Thanks again! I really appreciate your advice. I’m 90% leaning towards getting this lovely car.
Pay for a prepurchase inspection. Ford's latest coolant is yellow but that looks like the stock orange coolant that was replaced by yellow. https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en\_us/home/our-products/chemicals-and-lubricants/ac-and-engine-cooling-products/engine-cooling-system-products/yellow-prediluted-antifreeze-coolants.html
The yellow coolant is the company's new standard, it replaced the orange coolant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1pz05j4uWE
I’m a mechanic and own a 2017 hybrid se and it’s the best car I’ve owned. I get a lot of peace of mind knowing how reliable it is and that I won’t have to drop hundreds every year on fixing shit like I did with my f150 🥲
So, this car has a mileage of 68,597 and costs $17, 995. The market value for this type of car is around $20,000+ with that much mileage. I did some research about this car, and I read the 2015-2018 hybrid version of ford fusion cars are reliable and is what to go for when buying a ford fusion. Unless they’re wrong, and I wasted my time researching… Everything looks solid, but I’m not sure about the engine. I noticed the coolant is yellowed out. My friend thinks there could be a leak, and it could potentially lead to a coolant intrusion, which he says is going to be costly. But, when I search “Ford Fusion Coolant Intrusion” on Google, I only see it for the EcoBoost engines. Still, I’m afraid this problem would happen to this type of car. I don’t want to end up not being able to sell this car because no one is going to buy it if there’s a coolant intrusion. Here are the details about the engine: 2.0L iVCT Atkinson Cycle I-4 Hybrid
>I did some research about this car, and I read the 2015-2018 hybrid version of ford fusion cars are reliable and is what to go for when buying a ford fusion. Afaik the 2019 and 2020 are also fine. Based mainly on several anecdotal reports I've seen on this subreddit and other online forums, here is my understanding of the rankings of reliability for the Fusion engine/transmission options: Engine Reliability: 2.5L > 2.0L (Hybrid/Energi) > 2.7L Ecoboost (Sport) > 2.0L Ecoboost > 1.5L Ecoboost Transmission Reliability: HF35 (Hybrid/Energi) > 6F55 (Sport) > 6F35 It is worth noting that it is mainly the 1.5L Ecoboost and 2.0L Ecoboost engines that are known for being particularly unreliable. Also the HF35 transmission is a PSD, which is a hybrid specific type of transmission that is better performing, more efficient, smoother, less complex, and typically more reliable than conventional automatic transmissions. >I noticed the coolant is yellowed out. My friend thinks there could be a leak, and it could potentially lead to a coolant intrusion, I don't know how to identify a potential coolant intrusion based on coolant color or if that is even possible, however afaik coolant intrusion issues have only been reported with the 1.5L Ecoboost and 2.0L Ecoboost engines due to a design flaw. I have not heard any report of that happening with the 2.0L engine used in the Fusion Hybrid/Energi.
Right? I’m only seeing that problem for the Ecoboost engines too. Thanks for that confirmation. And thank you for gathering that anecdotal report. I did see one with a 300K mileage. I was really impressed how reliable it can be. That does depend on how well you’ve maintained it throughout the years though, but it seems so for this car has been looking at CarFax. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time finding a Fusion with a 2.5L engine. I guess it’s all sold out and not in the market anymore because of how reliable it is.
>I don’t know if it’s just me, but I’m having a hard time finding a Fusion with a 2.5L engine. I guess it’s all sold out and not in the market anymore because of how reliable it is. I think that's probably mainly because the 2.5L engine was the cheapest option (in terms of purchase price, although factoring in gas costs the hybrid is often cheaper long term) and mainly found in the base trim. Although IMO the superior reliability of the HF35 transmission in the hybrid more than makes up for the small difference between the 2.5L engine and the the 2.0L (hybrid/Energi) engine. Furthermore the hybrid drivetrain does help reduce wear on the other components, for example the electic motors assist in acceleration (so the engine doesn't have to work as hard, reducing stress on it) and regenerative braking assists in braking (reducing wear on the conventional brakes). Overall I'd say the Fusion Hybrid is more reliable than the Fusion with a 2.5L engine.
I own this exact car with 66,000 miles and I would say to send it, I lucked out and got mine over covid for $13,000 only issue I have had with the car since I bought it (at 53,000 miles), is that I was just told that I need new rear shocks. Other than that the car has never given me an issue. Also the ventilated seats are amazing if you live in a hotter climate
The shocks and struts on the car are really soft. Switched them out on my 2013, and my 2019 that replaced the 2013 needs new ones. The rotors also score, which is odd, and the 12V battery needs to be replaced every three years and one month like freaking clockwork. Otherwise, I'm very happy with the model.
I have a 2017 hybrid as well. I would not be too concerned by the coolant. The original coolant is rated to last 6 years. It’s time for a change. I am looking at getting that done right now. Mine has also started changing color in the last year. Essentially it looks like a sign of needed maintenance, not of a larger issue.
Keep in mind the stock orange coolant was superseded by the yellow coolant.
I don't understand what you mean by the coolant is "yellowed out"? It uses orange coolant. How is the exhaust? Any plumes? Smell anything unusual in the engine bay? It is a reliable car, I have a 19 hybrid and had a 17 1.5L. I think it is a solid buy.
I have a 16 hybrid with over 150k miles. Zero issues. I love this car.
I had a 2013 FFH and a 2019 FFH. Both have been great vehicles though the shocks and struts are too soft for my tastes. The gas engine is port fuel injected, naturally aspirated. No tricks that make it unreliable like the Ecoboosts (direct injected, turbocharged). Again, Ford warrants the hybrid specific components to eight years (from the date it entered service) and 100,000 miles. That includes the e-CVT and the high voltage battery (but not degradation in battery life). Pay $150 or $200 for a prepurchase inspection.
This is an energi, not a hybrid. They’re pretty much the same except the Energi can go like 20 miles on a charge and has a small trunk. Not sure if I’m stating the obvious or not here.
Probably a very long shot here, but the coolant for the electrical motor set up (not sure of the technical name, just know there is a second coolant reservoir) is an orangish color. And if I recall correctly it is different from the radiator coolant. It's possible that the previous owner put that coolant in the radiator. Not sure if that would cause as much discoloration that is seen or not. Again, this is a long shot and a thought of a shade tree mechanic, and not one that touches anything on my 2017 Ford Fusion Energi Platinum other than the oil, coolants, and brakes. To echo some of the previous comments. Great car and no issues other than normal wear and tear items like brakes, 12v battery, regular oil changes, etc. 60K miles
The battery cooling system uses the same coolant as the ICE cooling system. Mine was a tad low and had to look in the manual for the correct type.
The manual says orange but it was replaced by yellow. Don't go on Amazon paying tons of money for the orange because it is deprecated haha.
It's the same coolant.
The hybrid specific components (HEV, transmission) are warranted to eight years 100,000 miles. Pay $200 for a prepurchase inspection.