RepairPal lists "squeaks and creaks over bumps and turning" among the most common complaints on the Fusion, along with harsh transmission shifting. The noise is annoying, but the fix is usually inexpensive if you track it down before it chews up tires.
Common causes on the 2013-2020 Fusion
| Part | What it sounds or feels like | RepairPal estimate (2013-2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Sway bar (stabilizer) links | Light clunk or rattle over small bumps, uneven driveways | $121 to $183 (2016-2019), $116 to $138 (2020) |
| Rear trailing arm bushings | Creak or clunk from the rear, pulling when braking, wandering | $260 to $295 |
| Shocks / struts | Bouncy ride, clunk over potholes, oily shock body | Get a quote, varies by trim |
| Front lower control arm bushing or ball joint | Clunk over bumps, vague steering, uneven tire wear | Get a quote after inspection |
| Wheel alignment | Off-center wheel, pulling, edge wear | $159 to $233 |
Owners on TrueDelta report the same pattern: leaking rear shocks around 30,000 to 72,000 miles ($85 to $250), a cracked lower control arm bushing at 68,000 miles ($450), a loose sway bar at 91,000 miles ($250), and a front ball joint at 70,000 miles ($600). Those are individual reports, not price guarantees, but they show what typically wears.
The trailing arm bushing is a sneaky one
RepairPal's trailing arm page points out that the bushing usually fails, not the arm itself. Symptoms include squeaking, creaking or clunking, pulling to one side when braking or accelerating, wandering in the lane, and odd swirl-shaped wear on the tire edges. It also recommends doing both sides at once because the other bushing is probably close behind. A noisy bushing can wait a short while, but a clunking one should be fixed right away.
Rule out the steering recalls
If the noise comes with steering that suddenly gets heavy, that's a different problem. Two recalls cover corrosion of the bolts that hold the electric power steering motor to the steering gear:
- 15V250: 2013-2015 Fusions (and MKZ) built through March 20, 2015
- 19V632: 2013-2016 Fusions in certain states with heavy road salt
Dealers replace the bolts and apply sealer, or install a new steering gear if the bolts are broken, free. Another recall, 18V167, replaced the steering wheel retaining bolt on 2014-2018 Fusions. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
How to narrow it down at home
- Bounce test: push down hard on each corner. If it keeps bouncing, the shock on that corner is likely tired.
- Look for oil on the shock bodies. A wet, grimy shock is leaking.
- Drive slowly over a speed bump with the windows down and a friend listening outside. Front or rear? Left or right?
- Check tire wear. Inner-edge or feathered wear points at bushings, ball joints or alignment.
- Grab the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock with the car safely on stands and rock it. Play there suggests a ball joint or wheel bearing.
What to ask the shop
- "Can you show me the worn part, or the play in it?"
- "Are you replacing links and bushings in pairs?"
- "Is an alignment included, and can I get the before and after printout?"
- "Are recalls 15V250, 19V632 and 18V167 done on my VIN?"
- "Are you using quality parts with a warranty, or the cheapest available?"
Is it worth fixing?
Yes. Ford stopped making the Fusion after the 2020 model year, but plenty of them have years left in them, and suspension bushings and links are some of the cheapest repairs you can make on any car. Ignore them and you'll pay for tires and alignment instead. The only time to think harder is when a high-mileage car needs suspension work plus something big, like a transmission. Then add it all up against the car's value before you commit.
See more on the Ford Fusion repair page. Temperature gauge climbing? Read our Fusion overheating and coolant leak guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
