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:
26 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
14 / 1
Average Mileage:
71,586 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.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. While driving approximately 35 mph, the service power steering light illuminated and the steering wheel locked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
Was driving and my power steering stopped working. Dash indicates power steering assist fault. Service autotrac. I have no power steering and it is extremely hard to turn my steering. I have noticed that this is a problem with multiple Fusion owners and the car is quite new to be having such a serious problem. Not being able to steer or control your vehicle seems very dangerous.
Put car in drive and went to back out of drive way. Steering wheel went stiff and warnings of power assist steering fault and service advancetrac came up. Car has been this way since 11/12/2014 with no changes.
While driving my 2011 Ford Fusion, my power steering suddenly malfunctioned and stopped working. A message on the service dashboard stated "service advancetrac system". this occurred while turning the car. My children were in the car and an accident could have occurred. The car is very difficult to turn without the assisted power steering. I've reviewed the incident on several web sites and require assistance from the NHTSA in advising Ford to look into the issue and to take action to replace this apparent defect. Please visit these sites for additional concerns. www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/8411-service-advancetrac-and-power-steering-failure/www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Fusion/2011/steering/power_steering_failure.shtml thank you for reviewing.
I bought this 2011 Ford Fusion with 42,331 miles. The next day after purchasing it I started it and pulled it out of the garage. There was no power steering. A power steering assist light was flashing. I put the car into park and killed the motor. When I started the car again everything was fine. I called to ask about it and they told me I might have just put the car into drive too quick not letting everything boot up. That was all in good but 2 days later it happened again and it never went off. I had no power steering. I took the car in and had it worked on. They replaced the power steering. 1400 dollars later I read all the other complaints about the same thing and wonder how long it will be before this new steering will go out. Ford if you have a problem step up and do the right thing before someone really gets hurt.
- Unknown, DC, USA
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Started my 2011 Fusion to go home after work today. Got "power steering assist fault" in information window. Found power steering was indeed not working. Turned car off and restarted. Didn't get warning this time. Drove 10 minutes to home with no further issues. Very nervous about it happening again at the worst time. After seeing so many complaints here, Ford definitely needs to address this problem. I'm not really convinced that the gearbox replacement is the "fix".
TL-the contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while making left hand, the steering wheel became seized and the power steering assist failure warning light illuminated. The contact would have to shut the vehicle off and restart to resume normal. The failure occurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.
As I was making a left turn after stopping at a stop sign, the steering wheel locked as I was midway through the turn. I could not move the steering wheel at all. I was able to stop the car thus avoiding a crash. At the suggestion of the motorist behind me who stopped to ask what the problem was, I then turned off the engine and restarted the car. The steering then worked. A day later, as I was driving at night, the headlights would not turn to bright. The next day, the problem did not reoccur.
About 3 weeks ago I was driving on highway 60mph service power steering and service advance trac popped up in my message center I stopped at store went in then came out not even 5 mins later crunk car up then it said service power steering now tried to turn and the wheel was real tight. I've tried everything cutting it off disconnect battery etc nothing worked this is ridiculous just got car a month ago plus have two small boys two months N three years old jus by the grace of god they wasn't wit me cause that's dangerous something got to happen.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power steering was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Son driving southbound interstate 25 from greeley, co to denver, co. Power steering failed without notice. Warning light on dash reads "service advance trac power steering assist fault". son continued to destination, turned vehicle off. Once restarted, power steering returned, but failed again on return to greeley, co. Same warning light. System will no longer reset. Reviewed possible causes on line and found numerous incidents identical to mine.
When putting vehicle in reverse to back out of driveway, the power steering assist fault alert sounded and the vehicle lost power steering. I shut vehicle off and restarted it and put in reverse and it happened again. Shut if off again and restarted and was able to drive without alert sounding. Happened again next day, so I called Ford dealer and they said to bring in for analysis. Took vehicle to dealer and was told the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. Was told they cleared the codes and it would be okay to drive. Drove home from dealer (35 miles) and next day same thing happened when backing out driveway. Went online and found there are numerous complaints about this problem some happening when vehicle had low mileage. This problem could be dangerous because some people complained about vehicle losing all power steering while driving. Ford needs to take these complaints seriously and this should be a recall. My safety should be a high priority with Ford. I will have to pay $1,300 to replace these parts.
While driving my 2011 Ford Fusion I lost all power steering to the vehicle. I couldn't control the steering and immediately turned the vehicle off to see if this resolved it. This happened two other times, and the issue resolved itself after I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on. This last time was a different story. The power steering went completely out, and it has never come back. I was driving to a restaurant, and got my vehicle parked okay, and I thought that the problem would be resolved after I turned it off and back on. This time it didn't. I had to have my vehicle towed home! (this was the occurrence on October 28, 2014. I have had my battery checked to make sure that it is not losing power, but the power steering is still out! I've seen lots of reports about this, and am hoping for a recall. I cannot afford to get this fixed if it costs as much as some of the other posts say (upwards of $2,000 to fix it) Ford needs to help all of these customers now!
Power steering failed numerous times, the latest of which was today. Usually it happens when just departing the driveway, but it once happened while moving on a street - it's scary. I understand the power steering is electrical. I had to replace the battery a couple months ago and I thought that might have taken care of the problem, but it has recurred within the last couple of weeks. I bought the car used and purchased the extended warranty which is still in effect, but the dealer was unable to replicate the problem so no cure was able to be undertaken. The dealer said if we wanted to, they could replace the steering mechanism for about $2,000 which we declined.
While exiting the highway my car suddenly become extremely hard to steer my wife, child and myself where in the car at the time. I have bad the car looked at the can not find anything wrong with the rack assembly.
Power steering assist fault. Over the last 3 months, have had multiple random power steering assist faults. By shutting down vehicle and restarting, these have cleared in the past, but on Nov.2, 2014, upon start of vehicle, power steering assist fault occurred and would not clear. Was forced to drive car home without power steering and almost crashed multiple times. In addition, this fault sometimes has occurred at same time as advancetrac warning. Appears that whatever electrical device is failing is related to both systems.
While driving to doctors appointment, electric power steering failed and caused extreme discomfort to right wrist with existing disability; which requires power assisted steering.
The first two times, I was backing out of a space and then start to turn the wheels while driving away and the steering locks. I can drive back forward into the space, then turn off the car and turn it back on and things are fine. The third time, I was simply turning out of my subdivision and the steering locked again.
My wife was driving then car she went into a parking lot and the power steering went out. Now she has to drive the car another forty five miles to our house with the baby and my younger son and I worry for their safety.
Driving and power steering goes out and am unable to steer vehicle warning lights come on stating advance service trac and power steering. Has happened 3 times first time power steering came back on after car shut off. Next 2 car was taken to Ford.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Van Buren, AR, USA