Last updated: 2026-07-26
Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Sonata: Reliability Compared
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Choosing between the Ford Fusion and the Hyundai Sonata? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Ford Fusion currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Ford Fusion is more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata, scoring 69/100 vs 68/100.
The Ford Fusion edges out the Hyundai Sonata in reliability with a slightly higher average reliability score of 69/100 compared to 68/100 for the Sonata. However, the Fusion has a significantly higher owner complaint rate, with 21.1 complaints per 10,000 sold, compared to the Sonata's 3.7. While the Fusion benefits from fewer recalls over a shorter period, its higher estimated annual repair cost of $581 may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Both vehicles share common issues with the engine and electrical systems, but the Sonata's lower complaint rate makes it a more appealing choice for long-term reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Sonata has 17.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Ford Fusion has 12 fewer total recalls
- 3Ford Fusion scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Sonata: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Fusion | Hyundai Sonata |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 68/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 8 | 20 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 21.1 | 3.7 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2020 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 2 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata?
The Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion both exhibit significant issues with the engine, but the Ford Fusion has a notably higher number of engine-related complaints at 262 compared to the Sonata's 239. The Ford Fusion also faces substantial problems with the power train, amassing 232 complaints with 2 crash-linked incidents, whereas the Sonata has 125 complaints in this category with 7 crash-linked. On the other hand, the Hyundai Sonata shows a higher prevalence of vehicle speed control issues, with 33 complaints and 9 crash-linked incidents, compared to the Ford Fusion's lack of significant complaints in this area. Both models have notable crash-related concerns in different areas, with the Sonata's crash-linked incidents primarily in the unknown or other and power train categories, while the Fusion's are significantly linked to air bag issues.
| Component | Ford Fusion | Hyundai Sonata |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 5.7Average | 0.8Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 5Average | 0.4Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.6Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2.9Low | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.8Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Fusion or Hyundai Sonata?
How Does Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Sonata Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Fusion | Hyundai Sonata | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 71/1003R / 176C | 62/1005R / 163C | Ford Fusion |
| 2019 | 68/1003R / 370C | 71/1000R / 144C | Hyundai Sonata |
| 2018 | 68/1002R / 429C | 61/1003R / 353C | Ford Fusion |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Ford Fusion scored 71/100 and the 2019 Hyundai Sonata scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Fusion vs the Hyundai Sonata?
Ford Fusion vs Hyundai Sonata: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Fusion more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata?
- Based on our data, the Ford Fusion is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Fusion or the Hyundai Sonata?
- The Hyundai Sonata has more recalls (20) compared to the Ford Fusion (8). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Fusion or the Hyundai Sonata?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Sonata has a lower complaint rate at 3.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.1 for the Ford Fusion. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Ford Fusion or Hyundai Sonata safer?
- Both the Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Fusion and Hyundai Sonata? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue