FordFusion2008Overview/ford/fusion/2008/base/

2008 Ford Fusion

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Fusion.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2008 Ford Fusion is a passenger car that specifies a 4.5‑quart capacity of 5W‑20 API oil for its engine. In its model year the vehicle accumulated 1,352 owner complaints, with air‑bag problems representing the primary complaint area and seven recall actions recorded. Compared to the model’s complaint history from 2006 to 2020, the 2008 figure is lower than the 2010 peak of 5,124 complaints but higher than the 2020 low of 176, indicating a reliability level that sits between the worst and best years.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · 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 size225-50R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rimN/A inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.2 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3150 lb
Track (front / rear)60.6 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

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.

9.2–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.20 sec — 2008 SEL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2008SEL 2.3L I-49.20 sec17.00 sec160 hpFWD
2008SEL 2.3L I-49.50 sec17.30 sec160 hpFWD
2007SE 2.3L I-48.10 sec16.40 sec160 hpFWD
2006SEL V6 3.0L V67.20 sec15.50 sec221 hpFWD
2006SEL V6 3.0L V67.40 sec15.70 sec221 hpFWD
2010Sport V6 3.5L V66.70 sec15.20 sec263 hpAWD
2010Sport V6 3.5L V66.80 sec15.20 sec263 hpAWD
2010SEL V6 3.5L V67.10 sec15.50 sec263 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 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 FluidSAE JWS3309 · ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantUSE FORD PREMIUM GOLD COOLANT
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.42 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 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 Hub185 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub188 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number96R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca
Standard BCI Group Number40R

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 Temperature183-190 °F
RPM57 @ Idle rpm
RPM65 @ Idle rpm

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

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 12.15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9021 ft. lbs
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 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
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
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 59 ft. lbs., Step 3: 8337 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
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18 ft. lbs., Step 3: 904 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-818 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 157 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 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 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 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · 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) · PCV Valve (replace) · 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 2008 Ford Fusion sits at the peak of a rising complaint trend, with 1,352 complaints and 7 recalls, compared to 1,064 in 2007 and a sharp drop to 1,020 in 2009. Recall activity also climbed from 5 in 2007 to 7 in 2008, then to 8 the following year, indicating a gradual uptick in safety issues. The most frequent complaint categories in 2008 were Air Bags (559) and Service Brakes (439), with a modest 6 fire complaints and 53 crash complaints. Compared to the broader generation, 2008’s figures are higher than the 2006 baseline but lower than the dramatic spike seen in 2010, suggesting it is a transitional year rather than an outlier. Overall, the data imply that while 2008 had significant issues, it is not as problematic as the later years, making it a comparatively reasonable choice for a used buyer if a recent recall check is performed.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
21
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,352
Owner complaints
53 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,352 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags559
Service Brakes439
Service Brakes, Hydraulic54
Air Bags,Structure36
Structure31
Power Train28
Unknown Or Other25
Engine15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V158000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 10/03/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April…

21V081000Air Bags:FrontalReported 16/02/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 21 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
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…
22B052022-03-28Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr…

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 2008 Fusion take?

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

Does the 2008 Fusion have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.