These tires didn't wear out. The tread still had grooves, but the sidewalls had deep cracks, and one was torn open near the rim. The date code on the sidewall reads 2722, so the tires were made in the 27th week of 2022 and were only about four years old.
The car: a 2014 Fusion Hybrid
The Hybrid comes from the factory on 225/50R17 tires, a different size from the regular SE's 235/50R17. That matters when you shop: buy the size on your door jamb label, not just any 17-inch tire.
What the damage looked like
When a tire runs low on air, its sidewall flexes more with every turn of the wheel and the air inside gets hotter. NHTSA says that makes a tire more likely to fail, and it calls underinflation the leading cause of tire failure. Hitting curbs and potholes adds to it. That's how a sidewall can crack long before the tread is worn out.
Can a cracked sidewall be repaired?
No. Tire repair guidance only allows a plug and patch in the center of the tread, not in the shoulder or the sidewall. The sidewall flexes too much for a patch to hold. If you see a crack you can fit a fingernail into, a cut, a bulge or any cords showing, replace the tire.
The real repair: 2 tires for $260
Both tires on the axle were replaced, for $260, about $130 a tire. Replacing them in pairs keeps the grip and handling even from side to side. Compared with the store prices below, $130 a tire sits at the budget-to-midrange end for this size.
Your 2014 Fusion's tire size
| Trim | Factory tire size |
|---|---|
| S | 215/60R16 |
| SE | 235/50R17 |
| Titanium, Titanium Hybrid | 235/45R18 |
| S Hybrid, SE Hybrid | P225/50R17 |
| Energi SE Luxury, Energi Titanium | P225/50R17 |
Sizes are from Mavis's listing for the 2014 Fusion. Optional wheels can change the size, so check the label on the driver's door jamb and your sidewall before you buy. The car in these photos is a Fusion Hybrid on its factory P225/50R17 size, with 94H all-season (M+S) tires.
What tires cost (225/50R17, per tire)
| Tire | Treadwear warranty | Price per tire |
|---|---|---|
| Milever Sport Pro (Mavis) | 40,000+ mi | $88 to $114 |
| Evoluxx Capricorn UHP (Mavis) | 50,000+ mi | $126 to $139 |
| Mavis Touring A/S 2 (Mavis) | 70,000+ mi | $122 to $160 |
| Yokohama AVID Touring-S (Discount Tire) | 65,000 mi | $143 |
| Mavis Traction Control (Mavis) | 75,000+ mi | $145 to $183 |
| Goodyear Assurance All Season (Mavis) | 65,000+ mi | $181 to $193 |
| Michelin Defender 2 (Mavis) | 80,000+ mi | $216 to $228 |
Mounting, balancing, valve stems, disposal and tax usually come on top. Sam's Club, for example, lists its installation package at $20 a tire. The Fusion has tire pressure sensors in the wheels, so ask whether the sensor service is included.
Keep it from happening again
- Check the pressure once a month, when the tires are cold, using the numbers on the door jamb label, not the "max press." number on the tire.
- Don't ignore the tire pressure light. It means at least one tire is low. Driving on a low tire is what flexes and overheats the sidewall.
- Look at the sidewalls when you check the pressure. Fine surface lines are common; deep cracks, cuts and bulges are not.
- Watch the curbs. The scrapes on this wheel show it has hit curbs, and hard hits can damage the sidewall from the inside.
- Know your tires' age. The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year. NHTSA notes some makers recommend replacing tires 6 to 10 years old, whatever the tread looks like.
What to ask the shop
- "Is the sidewall damage repairable, or does it need replacing?" (The honest answer for a sidewall is replace.)
- "What's the out-the-door price for two, including mounting, balancing, valve stems or sensor service, disposal and tax?"
- "Do the new tires match the size and load rating on my door label?"
- "Can you check the other two tires and the alignment while it's on the lift?"
Is it worth it?
Yes. Tires are the only part of the car touching the road, and a cracked sidewall can fail at the worst moment. Two good tires for around $260 is a fair deal for this size.
Use our tire size and tire life tool to compare sizes or see how many miles your tread has left. More on the Ford Fusion repair page, including our Fusion suspension noise guide. Prices checked November 8, 2026. The $260 is from a real repair in Raleigh, NC, November 2026.
