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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Fusion builds off the 2010's reputation. That's not a good thing.

The first thing that jumps out is the ridiculous amount of power steering complaints. It grinds, it squeals, and it eventually just fails.

And if losing power steering isn’t enough for you, how about a sudden loss of engine power? That combination is enough to achieve clunker status.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,381 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Ford Fusion drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 10 of 12)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #51

Apr 072013

Fusion

  • 34,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

As we were driving in the freeway at about 70 mph on April 7th 2013, the car lost power and stalled out in the middle lane of the freeway. At that exact moment the car felt like it jerked hard and then stalled and the light with the wrench symbol came on in the dashboard. Then it immediately disappeared after being on when the car jerked and stalled. Manage to put hazzard lights on and make it safely to the freeway shoulder where the car after a couple of minutes trying and waiting started again as if nothing happened. After turning the car off the car would not turn back on and sounded like the engine was struggling to keep up after the car was jump started. The car then was making sounds in the engine bay and managed to make it to a gas station couple feet away and the car died again after turning it off to refuel once again had to get the car jump started. Car once again started to feel and sound as if it was struggling to stay stable. Had the car towed the next morning to local Ford dealership where they replaced the battery and install a new throttle box. Computer code at dealership determined cause of problem was due to faulty throttle box.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #50

Mar 262011

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 30,500 miles
Car started rough, had very little power when pulling out of garage and the wrench light came on. I could hardly make it to the next drive. Put in reverse and put car back in garage. When I took it into Ford for service there were no codes but they updated the computer hoping it would fix the glitch. On April 4, 2011 it happened again. This time I was stopped at a light on a highway when I gave it gas it started forward, the wrench light came on and once again little to no power when pressing on the accelerator. (I was lucky to not get rear-ended.) I out on the hazards and slowly coasted into a parking lot. I called Ford and had it towed back to the dealer. This time it threw codes so they were able to determine the issue which was the throttle body and it was replaced. (thankfully this was all under warranty.) this is a very dangerous issue. I was 3 lights away from getting onto the interstate during rush hour traffic. I hate to think what would have happened if this had occurred on the interstate.

- Blue Springs, MO, USA

problem #49

Mar 152013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 23,000 miles
While driving on cruise control approximately 70 mph, the car lost all acceleration. The engine is 4 cyl. Engine light came on. Coasted to right of freeway and came to a stop. Turned ignition key to off and then restarted car. Placed in drive and drove and accelerated fine there after.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #48

Mar 122013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 38,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was going through a school zone on my way to work. When I reached the end of school zone I attempted to accelerate but the engine would not. There was no throttle response and the engine was in a very rough idle. I pulled over, shut the car off, waited about 5 min and started it back up. On start-up, the engine cranked a few extra times before it finally turned over. I was able to drive again after that but noticed that the rpms jumped around when I was in third gear between 1500-2000 RPM. Seeing the rpms jump around like that made me think that the engine was going to lose power again, as it is characteristic of this problem. This is third time this has happened to the car.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #47

Dec 212012

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 42,000 miles
While driving, engine completely loses power and wrench light illuminates on dashboard. Pull off of road and stop car and really rough idle. Turn engine off and restart and wrench light goes out. Engine runs fine after. This continues to occur on intermittent basis. Sometimes happens 3-4 times within about 10 miles. Other times it has gone hundreds of miles between incidents.

- Ponder, TX, USA

problem #46

Feb 212013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 21,700 miles
Had the vehicle for about a month but had only driven it about 600 miles. (Feb. 21, 2013 - 21,700 miles) my wife was driving along a 4 lane road doing about 50 mph when she noticed the car suddenly losing power. She was in the left hand lane with no shoulder or room to move to the right lane because of traffic and was almost rear-ended by a dump truck who had no idea she was rapidly slowing down because she wasn't putting on any brake to indicate this. She brought the vehicle to a stop but it would not move even when the gas pedal was depressed. She thought it had stalled but later told me she didn't notice any dash lights on. She turned the key off and restarted it and it ran fine the rest of the way home. Called Ford dealership where it was purchased and he asked about engine code lights (of which none were showing ). he said without a code he couldn't do anything. ( March 7, 2013 - 22,400 miles ) turning a corner from a stop the car accelerated and then lost power, engine seemed to sputter and run rough, pulled over and stopped. Wrench light on dash was on, depressed accelerator pedal but nothing happened. Engine was running but tachometer didn't move at all when accelerator was depressed. Turned engine off, restarted, wrench light went off and ran ok. Have also noted that transmission shifting is not always shifting as smooth as when we first started driving it. It seems to jump or lurch in at least one of the gears but this is just an intermittent problem right now. I will take note of this and report back. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hamlin, NY, USA

problem #45

Mar 062013

Fusion

  • 38,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the highway and I started to feel the car jerk forward slightly about once every ten seconds. About a minute or so later I could no longer accelerate and the amber wrench light was illuminated. I coasted to a stop and pulled over onto the shoulder. When I came to a stop the rpms were very erratic and bouncing between 500-1000. I shut the vehicle, waited a minute, then started it back up. On start up the engine cranked a couple more times than usual but finally turned over. The car ran fine and I was able to continue driving.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #44

Jan 162013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 25,500 miles
While driving at highway speed on an incline, the car lost all propulsion power. After several seconds, the check engine wrench light turned on and I pulled over to the side. Shutting down the vehicle, waiting 1 minute and restarting cleared the check engine light and restored power. The same thing happened 6 weeks later, while idling at a traffic light. After restarting, the system failed again 2 minutes later while driving on level road at 15 mph. The car rested for 2 hours and was then driven without incident to the dealer for repairs. The service technician performed eec test, ppt and component tests, then replaced the throttle body. No subsequent incidents after 1 week.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #43

Feb 252013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 43,353 miles
While driving to work one day my car shut off right after a turn going down a hill, the dash was illuminated and no lights were on other than the dash. I put the car into park and turned it off then started it right back up, it ran fine after that. There is another issue as well though, while driving it hesitated by shifting at higher RPM's than it should and took it to dealer on Monday February 25, 2013 and they still have it with no explanation as to why it did any of those things that I mentioned. The only thing that the service guy says is "well until it is billed out I do not know what is going on with the car." I am very frustrated and just bought this certified pre owned two weeks ago. There should be a lemon law on certified pre owned cars, this is not cool. It has caused a headache for me and now I am stuck paying for a car I cannot even drive right now.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #42

Mar 222011

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
When this vehicle has not been driven for 24 hours, driving it the next day will cause tranmission flaring. Specifically, when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear (approx. At 25 mph), it goes to neutral and then backs into 3rd with a jump. The tachometer registers the jump in rev's as it goes to neutral. Vehicle has been to Ford dealer 4 times and still has the same problem. Ford has a tsb 11-9-9 that explains the problem with their idea of a fix. The fix has been applied with no difference.

- Frisco, TX, USA

problem #41

Jan 232013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is a report for a Ford Fusion with 45000 miles. First event occurred on freeway driving 65 mph. Car just stopped accelerating and wrench light came on but I was able to pull over to shoulder and call aaa. When they arrived I turned off car and turned car back on and car "reset" itself to normal operation. I garaged the car for several weeks and tried to research problem but nothing confirmed. I drove again a couple of weeks later (again 50 mph) on highway and same behavior and made it to shoulder. Turned car off and on to "reset". this is extremely dangerous and life threatening (may get rearended or not have ability to pull over...) got car to bickford Ford service. They said they have one other 2011 Ford Fusion with same issue (numerous reports of this on internet but as of yet no recall) other car was covered under emission warranty to replace throttle cable because that car was from California. Mine is not. $460 later... save receipt and hope this issue is listed as recall for reimbursement. This is a real safety issue!!!!

- Lake Stevens, WA, USA

problem #40

Feb 272013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 51,337 miles
I was traveling down a busy road during morning rush hour and out of no where the car wouldn't move. As I pushed the gas peddle it wouldn't go and the wrench light on the dash came on. I almost was hit from the car behind me. I then put my flashers on and went to the side of the road. I turned the car off and started it up again and the wrench light went off and ran ok. I ran the vehicle report from the microsoft sync on the car and no warnings came up. While coming home it did the same thing again during evening rush hour traffic nearly getting hit from behind again. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off and started it up again. It ran for another 9 miles and did the exact same thing again. While driving to the dealership it did this two more times. I just got a phone call from them saying it was the throttle body. After going online and reading other people having the exact same issue and about being involved in accidents themselves not really sure why this hasn't been recalled!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank god someone was looking out for me yesterday because the roads were slick and it was snowing really hard. Now I have to pay $388 to have something fixed that should've been recalled in the first place.

- Knightstown, IN, USA

problem #39

Feb 222013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 70,800 miles
I purchased a 2011 Ford Fusion SE on February 22, 2013. I drove an hour and 15 minutes to the dealership to get this vehicle. On my drive home, I was sort of skeptical about the car because on the ride back, up and down the hills, I could feel a slight uneasiness of the car but thought that was just the how it was. The next three days it drove fine around town. On the fourth day, on my way pulling into work, I braked at the stop sign to let traffic go and as I let off the brake the car did not go anywhere. I sat there about 3 or 4 minutes before I could get it to go. Once I got home, I left out to go to a store and parked to go inside. I came out and the car would not reverse. It took me about 15 minutes of constantly cranking it, shifting gears and pressing the gas before I could get it to move again. I love the car and its features but I hate that this is happening. What can be done to keep the car and avoid the problems with it?

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

problem #38

Feb 262013

Fusion

  • 38,500 miles
I had just got off the highway and was in rush hour traffic. Traffic had come to a complete stop. When traffic started to move I attempted to accelerate and the engine rpms immediately dropped to around 500 and were very erratic. The engine was running very rough and the amber wrench light was illuminated. I was unable to accelerate and had to idle the car off the road to a nearby parking lot. I turned off the car and looked under the hood but couldn't see anything wrong. I started the car back up and it ran fine; the amber wrench light was no longer illuminated. I took it to autozone to have the obd2 codes read but it didn't show any codes.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #37

Jul 062012

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
I read where the NHTSA was looking into issues with Ford engines from 2009-2011 in Fusion & escapes. Thought I would relay my incident. Traveling about 55-60 mph, the vehicle suddenly and without warning slowed to a crawl on a busy highway. We were able to nurse the car to the side of the road. Noticed a amber "wrench" warning light. Turned off the vehicle and re-started it. We were able to get the vehicle home under normal operating conditions. Since it was a very hot day, just assumed it was heat related. Happened 2 more times that week-end (at lower speeds in parking lots). Took it to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the problem and could not get an error code. Seems like the light has to actually be on. The dealer replaced the throttle body (under warranty). Have not experienced another incident since, however the gears seem to shift much harder now, though not constant. It's a great vehicle, but I always have that power loss in my mind, praying it wont occur again.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

problem #36

Dec 272012

Fusion

  • 37,004 miles
My car lost power and we had to pull over to the side of the road. Eventually I got it started again, limped to a Ford dealership, and was charged $591 for a throttle body replacement.

- Nacogdoches, TX, USA

problem #35

Jun 012012

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 29,000 miles
2011 Ford Fusion -while driving on the interstate at 70 mph, vehicle suddenly lost acceleration, tachometer started going up and down, traction light came on, fuel gage going up and down, a lock light was illuminated, bells were going off and car began to de-accelerate. When I pulled the car to the shoulder turned the car off and back on the problem continued. I immediately drove to the Ford dealer which was close by at the time and had the manager view what was happening. He pulled the car into the shop, shut off the engine and it never restarted. This could have caused a serious accident if I was not able to react as quickly as I did. The car has only 37000 miles. This problem has been intermittently occurring in this vehicle for a year now. When it first started to occur I could turn off the engine and turn it back on and the problem would clear, but not now! the car is not safe! when is Ford going to recall this car!!!

- South Rockwood, MI, USA

problem #34

Sep 192012

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 26,603 miles
Car was hesitating and shifting roughly. Ford dealership performed tsb 11-9-9 to reset power control module. On 10/19/12 car died with no warning while driving my son to school. Part #ds7Z 9E926 a throttle body was replaced. On 11/12/12 took car in because it was still shifting rough and hesitating. Ford couldn't verify my concern and had no codes so they did nothing. On 02/07/13 my car died again while driving down the road. Ford replaced part #ds7Z 9E926 a throttle body again. The car is still shifting rough and not right. Ford needs to address the concern immediately before someone gets killed. It is terrifying to be driving and to lose all power and acceleration.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #33

Feb 082013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 19,650 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the throttle control and transmission warning light illuminated as the vehicle began to lose power. The failure recurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the results were unknown. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 19,650...updated 02/25/13 the consumer stated the wrench light illuminated on the dash, and the vehicle would quickly lose power and speed, go into idle/limp mode and the engine would continue to run at a very low RPM. Pressing on the accelerator did nothing to help. The transmission did not activate, or shift. The vehicle would jump slightly, but very little. The only alternative was to turn the vehicle off and back on again, and then all of the functions were restored, but it also reset and deleted the code, so the problem could not be determined. The dealer kept the vehicle for three days of testing. On the fourth try, the dealer was able to duplicate the failure, in which a code of D42 appeared. Updated 02/27/13

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #32

Sep 132012

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
While entering interstate 275 South on ramp in tampa, fl my car abruptly stopped responding to the gas pedal and the little wrench light came on. All I could do is coast to a stop on the side of the road. Once my speed slowed to around 5 to 10 miles per hour, the car began to jerk and shake. I put it in park, turned it off and restarted the engine, and it worked like normal for about another month or so until it happened again while I was turning right on red on a major 5 line street. Since then it has happened at least 20 times and has become increasingly more frequent. After a little research on the web, it seems hundreds of people are describing the exact same problem. I mean exactly in every way except for the speeds and locations. The oldest model that I recall seeing this problem described about online is a 2010 with only 15000 miles on it. This is a potentially very dangerous issue, that in my opinion, needs to be fixed. When I was making that right turn, the car just stopped in the middle of the road and I had to quickly restart the engine and floor it to avoid causing an accident.

- Tampa, FL, USA

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