CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Fusion doesn’t have the same track record of power steering failure as the previous 3 model years. Of course, those owners said their steering failed at 60k–100k miles. So this appears to be a classic "wait and see" scenario.
In the meantime, there’s plenty of interior accessory problems to complain about. By themselves, each is a barely a blip on the radar. But combined, they give you that feeling of what the hell have I gotten myself into?
Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost transmission is a nightmare. The RPM from 2nd to 3rd gear takes it time to shift. Then when you accelerate to try to gain some speed it shifts hard from 6th to 5th. I know many people with this problem. These transmissions are awful, and I am a big Ford Fan. If I switch to tritonic mode same thing RPM from 2nd to 3rd takes it time and then when it does change if gives you a bump and when I change gear from 6th to 5th manually same thing, you will feel it shift hard.
I have 4 newer Fords and this is the only car that is doing this. In addition to the 2013 Ford Fusion rant below, I also have a 2013 Ford F150, 2013 Ford Focus and a 2014 Ford Focus. I love Ford but this particular vehicle is an absolute mess.
In late 2013 my 2013 Ford Fusion Ecoboost intermittently started to have a random hard downshifting problems at highway speeds. It felt like it was going from 6th gear down to 3rd gear. I took it in and the dealer and they could not duplicate the problem (take it home .... no problem!). Months later (February 2014) the car continued to do the exact same thing (transmission popping, jerking down to a low gear) and this time the engine light came on (only time it has done this) and it felt like I ran over an elephant with just my transmission and it about sent me through the front windshield as it downshifted and the RPM's went so high that I am sure that Sir Henry Ford rolled over in his grave.
I took it into the dealer and they just "re-programmed" the transmission. Then in June of 2014 the car did it again at 70-MPH on the interstate in the 2nd to left lane and lost all power to the engine and it rolled to a stop and would not start. I had to get it towed to the dealer and I was told there was no compression in the engine and they suspected major failure. Well .... the timing belt had broke, every valve was bent, the tops of the pistons were marred up and the engine had to be replaced. It took 6 1/2 miserable weeks of being in the shop.
I got it back on Friday, August 22, 2014 and took it home and drove it very little. Went to work on Monday, August 25, 2014 and with less than 70 miles on the new engine, it did the same thing again when shifting around 70-MPH. Took it back to the dealer and they "re-programmed" the transmission .... Those technicians are ever so clever aren't they! They told me just to drive it and let them know if it did it again they were going to install a recorder (like a flight recorder) and I would have to push a button when it happens so they could see if anything comes up on the computer. Are you freaking kidding? The whole event lasts about a second or so and they want me to push a button when it starts so they can record this. I am going 70-MPH and my hands are on the steering wheel and I have traveled over 102 feet in just one (1) second.
I just took it on a road trip again this weekend September 5-7, 2014 (approximately 1,000 miles from Colorado to Nebraska and back to Colorado) and it did it four (4) more times. I have insisted it needs a transmission but the dealer will not do anything.
I am starting a Lemon Law case against Ford. They will not fix the problem and given how the first issue started, now with the new engine and all, the same problems are starting again and these "new" issues are no different. I would imagine that Ford has put an additional $5K to $7K back into the repairs of this vehicle and they will have to do it again if something is not done to fix this shifting issue that is throwing all this torque back into the engine.
Bought new Fusion about month ago. It was driving smoothly, but when I went to highway, it downshifted on me very hard. It felt like hitting speed breaker. Done that to me few times and now it also does that on local roads.
I talked with Ford dealer and he said if there is no check engine light on, then, there is no problem!!!!!!! Really?
So is that a fix or trying to avoid the problem???? Or should I just wait until something falls off?
I love my new Fusion-drives nice and comfortable but this issue bugging me.
was driving highway for a 16hour trip and a few times needed to pass a slower car ( no problem) then 3 times in the trip went to pass another driver doing 70mph and when it went from 6 gear to 5th gear a very hard slam even my wife said what was that unsure at the time then it did it again, and on the 3rd time i know something is not right when i get home from my trip the dealer will be getting a call I now have 2 open issues with this car I love the car but have some concerns will keep all posted when both issues are addressed
- Robert L.,
Seabrook, NH, US
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Ford Fusion SE 1.6 Ecoboost transmission is a nightmare. The RPM from 2nd to 3rd gear takes it time to shift. Then when you accelerate to try to gain some speed it shifts hard from 6th to 5th. I know many people with this problem. These transmissions are awful, and I am a big Ford Fan. If I switch to tritonic mode same thing RPM from 2nd to 3rd takes it time and then when it does change if gives you a bump and when I change gear from 6th to 5th manually same thing, you will feel it shift hard.
- kingcobra91, Los Angeles, CA, US