Power Train Problems of Ford Fusion - part 2

2 separate dealerships made me pay to replace faulty tires when the new ones blew out within less than a month of purchase. They also pocketed the mail in rebates I was promised for buying new sets of tires from their locations. I started taking my car to an independent garage for regular maintenance. My traction control light has been on since shortly after I bought the car in 2018 but I never imagined I'd be spending my entire savings on repairs immediately after the useless warranty expired. First it was a cracked flex plate which I'm lucky happened when I was driving on a side road as opposed to the interstate. I was going roughly 55mph when I lost my ability to steer, accelerate, or even cut power to the ignition. My car has been towed 4 times with total cost of almost 10k and it still isn't fixed. I reported everything to Ford they don't stand by anything Ford manufactures. I'll probably be living in this piece of trash soon enough as that savings I just wasted was a down payment for a house.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Fusion 🔎.

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See all problems of the 2018 Ford Fusion 🔎.

In July 2025, my 2017 Ford Fusion se (ecoboost engine) was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into cylinder #4 by sunrise Ford in north hollywood, CA. This is a known issue with the 1. 5l and 2. 0l ecoboost engines and is addressed in technical service bulletin (TSB) 19-2208. The vehicle had only 76,000 miles at the time and had been regularly serviced and well-maintained. Over the past 1–2 years, I received repeated warnings during oil changes that my coolant levels were unusually low, though no leaks were found. In July 2025, the check engine light (cel) appeared. The vehicle exhibited rough idle at cold start, but otherwise drove normally. I immediately brought the car to the dealership, where they confirmed the problem through diagnostics and plug inspection. The dealership quoted me $11,000–$12,000 to replace the engine (long block). Ford customer relations (crc) was contacted and denied financial assistance, citing the age of the vehicle. They also acknowledged this is a known issue and suggested I file a report with the NHTSA, which I am now doing. This engine failure presents a serious safety risk. The cel appeared without warning during normal use. A driver unfamiliar with the signs of internal coolant loss could continue operating the vehicle, risking a sudden loss of engine power, stalling, or further engine damage while in motion. In my case, the failure occurred quietly and was only caught because I acted quickly. Had I ignored the cel or rough idle, engine failure could have occurred at highway speed. The issue was confirmed and documented by a Ford dealer. I am no longer in possession of the vehicle, as I was forced to sell it at a loss due to the cost of repairs. The vehicle is no longer available for inspection, but all related documentation has been retained.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the vehicle failed to shift into reverse. The contact stated that the transmission returned to park(p), and the gear shifter detached. The contact stated that someone nearby was able to reattach the shifter, and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at slow speeds. The contact learned of NHTSA campaign number: 22v413000 (power train); however, the VIN nor the model year was not included. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer opened a case for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 67,793.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70-75 mph on the interstate, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and restarted the vehicle. The message "transmission not in park" was displayed. The contact stated that while veering to the left lane, the vehicle started to shudder. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 216,700.

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The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and service warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed torque converter clutch and a failed transmission. In addition, the contact was informed of metal found in the oil. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware but provided no assistance. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17v427000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Rdofcookevilletennessee/towedmy2011fordfusionse{38milagefromemyhome{duetonodriverecall{airbags. ,ipickupfusion. ,nostart,fordpushedin,outofgurageforairbagrecallfix. Ok|wontstartduetofordsaysbrokentranscable. Fordjumpstart. Nothing. Sir/mamfordofcookevilletn. Arraingment,airbag,driveabilityrecall. {fixed}theyknowlingheardmesayingcar,starts,drives,,uptotow,dropoff. Theircallswereansweredcorrectlyw/informationvin,address. Date,time,pickup. ,>thecarwouldntstartassistinw/jumpstart,,contactassistancemgr. Knowingtheproblem,warstuckreverse,nostart,brokenshiftcablebushing. Carloaded,strappedtoourtrailor,reverse,nodrive,nostart,underhoodmaintanceimunhappyw/fordneversaid1word. Tillheshowedustostart,shiftintoreverse,againfordrive,nopark.

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Shift lever does not select accurate gear due to worn bushing (NHTSA 22v-413, oem 22s43): a degrading bushing attaching the shifter cable to the transmission in certain 2013-2019 Ford vehicles, including the 2016 Fusion, may detach, preventing proper gear selection and potentially causing unexpected movement. Dealers will replace the bushing and add a protective cap.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Fusion 🔎.

Unintenional rollaway due to detached and degraded shift cable bushing. My car jerked me into a half spot when I pulled up to work this am. Upon looking, it would not go in gear at all. The gear shift says that it's in park and the dashboard says it's in neutral. Upon opening the hood and examining, I found that the bushing on the transmission cable was broken. I had no way to go so I called the Ford dealership and had someone let me pay over the phone for the part and I sent a coworker to pick up. Then I called a tow truck to tow my vehicle to total tire care in statesboro georgia. I am going to have to pay the labor fee and also be without a vehicle all day. There are several 2015 Ford Fusions that have had a recall on this very part - but not my VIN. I think this needs to be changed and I should be able to have the cable inspected and replaced as needed.

My 2020 Ford Fusion has experienced three separate flexplate failures, as well as transmission issues following the most recent repair. Failure #1: occurred before I owned the vehicle (confirmed later in the vehicle’s history). The flexplate was replaced by a prior owner in 2022. Failure #2: [8/2023] – while I owned the vehicle, a loud rattling noise came from the engine area. My vehicle was towed to foothill Ford, where it was purchased, and they replaced the flexplate. No power loss occurred. Failure #3: [5/2025] – the same rattling sound returned. I drove it to green Ford, who confirmed the flexplate needed to be replaced, and they replaced it. No power loss occurred, but the noise was severe. After the third flexplate replacement, the transmission began slipping during acceleration. This issue did not exist before the repair, and green Ford had told me the transmission was fine before they replaced the flexplate. Safety concern: repeated flexplate failures and subsequent transmission slipping could cause loss of propulsion or difficulty maintaining speed if the problem occurs at highway speeds or in heavy traffic, creating a potential crash risk. I did lose power on the highway, but was able to pull safely off the shoulder and called a tow truck.

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The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the rpm became elevated, the engine revved up, and there was an abnormally loud clunking or thumping sound before the transmission shifted into gear and the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that there were contaminants in the transmission fluid, making the transmission fluid dark, and causing the transmission to fail. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000. The VIN was not available.

When turned on airconditioner car shuddered engine light came on started blowing white smoke alot and blow buy engine oil in crank case.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently decelerated, and the vehicle stopped unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that nearby drivers assisted with pushing the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's boss's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 246,000.

The rotary gear shift dial has malfunctioned on my teenager's vehicle. His safety was put at risk because it started lighting up as he was driving on a very busy highway the first time that it was noticed to have happened. On 5/26, the vehicle would start, it physically felt like it shifted into the d gear, but would only drive maybe 1 foot until the car was force stopped and said "shift sys fault" the vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by a veteran mechanic, with being able to reproduce the issue. He assumed what it was before even inspecting it. We live in a smaller town, and he informed me this morning that he's replaced 7 of these in the last calendar year alone. What is completely asinine, is the fact that Ford is no longer making this part, so we have to find a used one at a junk yard. Other than this issue, his car has appeared to be in very good shape, has been maintained well and clean. Why is there not a recall on this issue?.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the failure might be associated with the transmission; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the torque converter had failed. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the transmission needed to be disassembled for further diagnostic tests. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 17v427000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

At approximately 67,180 miles, a Ford dealership performed a multi-point inspection on my 2018 Ford Fusion se with the 1. 5l ecoboost engine due to a check engine light on. The Ford dealership diagnosed the vehicle with a coolant intrusion into cylinder 2. The Ford dealership recommended the replacement of the short block and gasket kit, with an estimated repair cost of $7,465. This type of issue diagnosed for my vehicle is a known failure issue for 1. 5l Ford ecoboost engines documented in customer satisfaction program 21n12, which covers coolant intrusion and engine damage in this engine type. Despite the Ford dealership diagnosis of my vehicle matching what is described in customer satisfaction program 21n12, I was informed that my vehicle is not eligible. The coolant intrusion into cylinder 2 is an issue that poses a safety risk due to engine misfires, stalling, overheating, and possible sudden loss of engine power while driving. In my case, my vehicle has become unreliable and unsafe for regular driving. A Ford dealership inspected the vehicle, confirmed and documented the issue, and the repair quote, diagnostic report and diagnostic payment receipt are available upon request. Ford has declined assistance despite the vehicle’s low mileage and clear alignment with known engine defects. I mailed a formal appeal letter to Ford motor company and I am filing a complaint with my state attorney general. This widespread issue affects customer safety, and vehicle safety standards and deserves further investigation, as many other Ford owners of vehicles with 1. 5l ecoboost engines have reported similar failures.

The 6f35 transmission in both of our Ford vehicles that we drive daily for work and school. The Ford Fusion is currently in the shop, but the Ford escape is available for inspection. My safety was put at risk as my Fusion suddenly, without warning, stopped accelerating in the middle of a 2 lane highway, very unsafe. My daughter's escape is putting her safety at risk because she has the same 6f35 transmission, the car is still "drivable" at the moment but not safely drivable, with the rough shifting between 2nd-3rd gear, the slow acceleration and sometimes won't go into gear, her safety is at risk. Like many other Ford owners with this transmission, the car will end up breaking down and needing $5000 in repairs. Yes the issue has been reproduced by the service center. No, Ford has not reached out to me, I have left 7 messages without any return calls, I have sent multiple emails that were returned to sender. There were no warning lights, messages or problems on the Fusion prior to this happening. I own two Ford cars that are both undrivable, I cannot get to work, my daughter cannot get to work/school. Ford is very aware of this transmission issue but will not issue a recall. Also at times when I put my Fusion into drive, from reverse, the backup camera would stay on for a few minutes which makes driving very hard/confusing and very unsafe. Ford needs to take accountability and issue a recall for vehicles with this defective transmission instead of ignoring the issues and telling buyers their vehicles are reliable.

See all problems of the 2019 Ford Fusion 🔎.

When parking I attempted to put the vehicle in reverse and a warning light came on "shift system failure", and the shifter cable locked in placed flashing causing the car to lock without the ability to move. Shift cable bushing is split causing dislodge from the fitting.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. While the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,700.

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the transmission system of my Ford Fusion, specifically related to the valve body and torque converter. The malfunction of these components causes sudden, unpredictable surges or lunges in acceleration, even when the vehicle is being driven at steady speeds or when lightly applying the accelerator. The issue appears to stem from improper pressure regulation or fluid flow within the transmission valve body, which causes erratic shifting and delayed engagement. When this malfunction occurs, the torque converter can fail to properly manage torque transfer, resulting in sudden and forceful forward motion of the vehicle. While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, my vehicle suddenly lurched forward aggressively, as if it had downshifted or received a surge of power without any change in throttle input. This caused the car to rapidly accelerate momentarily, nearly causing me to lose control. The unexpected forward thrust startled me and forced me to take immediate corrective action to maintain my lane and prevent a collision with a nearby vehicle. In another instance, while slowing down to a stop, the car lunged forward again instead of decelerating smoothly, nearly causing me to roll into an intersection. This created a dangerous situation for myself, my passengers, and surrounding traffic. This defect creates a significant risk of collision due to the vehicle’s unpredictable acceleration behavior. The driver cannot reliably control speed or anticipate when the car may suddenly surge forward. The issue compromises both vehicle stability and driver reaction time, particularly at higher speeds or in traffic. If this problem were to occur in a congested area, at a stoplight, or near pedestrians, it could result in a serious crash, injury, or fatality. The failure of the valve body and torque converter in the Ford Fusion represents a critical mechanical defect that directly impacts safe operation of the vehicle.

In 5/2025 I had the transmission light come on my dashboard, then it went away. 2 days later I could not shift my car into drive only reverse or neutral. When I popped the hood the shifter cable was detached and the bushing was in pieces. I purchased the Ford oem parts and replaced it. Today 10/8/25 the light appaired on my dash again. When I got home I popped the hood and the bushing was in pieces. Luckily I had purchased 2 replacement parts in may. I replaced it and it seems to be working. But I should not have to replace them this often. Today 10/8/25 I am purchasing 2 more just in case. But can we get this fixed with something more sturdy.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering abnormally, and the transmission was difficult to shift into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph and attempting to pull into a store parking lot, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted to park or neutral, the sound ceased. The contact stated that the sound returned while shifted into drive or reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer in where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Driver side cv axle broke.

See all problems of the 2010 Ford Fusion 🔎.

Cable and bushing detached for a third time. I called Ford and they said there was not a recall for this issue. I’ve read in multiple places that this has happened to a lot of Ford Fusions.

My car is at 47,000 miles and I started to hear a loud noise . Turns out Ford says it’s the flywheel, transmission pump, and torque converter per Ford technician who completed my inspection . No warning lights came on nor was there any alerts the Ford app. My 2020 Ford Fusion with approximately 48,000 miles experienced a cracked flexplate. This caused severe engine vibration, knocking sounds, and ultimately loss of power while driving. A cracked flexplate can lead to sudden engine stalling or failure to accelerate, especially at highway speeds or during intersections. This puts the driver and passengers at serious risk of a crash due to unexpected loss of power or control. This issue happened without warning and is a known problem in vehicles with the 2. 0l ecoboost engine and 6f35 transmission. Ford is aware of the issue (customer satisfaction program 22n12), but my VIN was not included, even though the symptoms and components match the defect. I am reporting this because it jeopardized my safety and others on the road, and I believe more vehicles should be covered under the existing csp or a recall.

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter failed to shift as intended. The contact stated several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed shifter bushing lever. The contact was informed that the shifter bushing lever needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. In addition, the contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 97,634.

The rear view camera will display a black screen or the image will be reversed causing confusion and dangerous reversal actions. Also the camera will go black in the middle of parking or not display at all. The transmission will slip without warning and the vehicle will have have to be shut down and restarted in order to drive correctly.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Fusion 🔎.

I purchased a used 2020 Ford Fusion from carmax n 2023 with about 56,800 miles. A week later was involved in a nor side impact accident on the back end driver side, insurance paid for a dinted door and there was no other issues with the vehicle according to sons Ford. In 2024 I was on the highway (going about 80 mph) when my engine light came on, no more than 3 minutes later all the lights in my car flickered and I lost power to my entire car almost causing me my life, roadside assistance and a mechanic who had thankfully pulled over explained that my alternator completely shredded my belt. I paid for both my alternator and belt to be replaced but most recently (2025) I continued to whirring and knocking noises for 3 days (no warning lights) , I took it to firestone who stated I needed a motor repair so I got it towed to the dealership. A Ford certified mechanic stated my flex plate was cracked and it begin breaking off and how I needed a new starter as well leaving the car inoperable. They confirmed this was very uncommon due to the car age and the miles on it (80,000 mi) I’ve also reviewed the complaints on NHTSA and it looks like a lot of 2020 Ford Fusions are having these issues but yet no recall.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the flex plate had fractured. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

Transmission shift linkage bushing failure and torque converter shudder shudder been on going problem for approximately 12months90000.

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft flex plate. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to customer satisfaction program: 22n12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000.

The flexplate in my 2020 Ford Fusion se (1. 5l ecoboost engine) failed at just over 53,000 miles. The car began making loud knocking and rattling noises while driving, and it vibrated heavily at idle and during acceleration. This posed a serious safety concern, as we feared the car could stall or break down while on the road with our toddler in the backseat. We took it to an independent, certified repair shop where they diagnosed a broken transmission flexplate, which required immediate replacement. The repair cost nearly $3,000, and the shop confirmed it was not caused by driver error or normal wear-and-tear. The failure was premature and mechanical in nature. The mechanic informed us that this specific engine and flexplate design have been recalled before in other Ford models using the same 1. 5l ecoboost engine and parts. They suggested we contact Ford, as this appeared to be a known defect that should be covered under goodwill or extended warranty. We followed their advice and reached out to Ford directly, but Ford refused to offer any assistance — even though they are aware of these ongoing flexplate failures across similar vehicles. After researching, I discovered Ford has had multiple flexplate and powertrain-related recalls in other 1. 5l and 1. 6l ecoboost engines in previous model years. I also found many online complaints from other Ford owners experiencing the same flexplate failures, often at similar mileage. Yet, this issue has not been acknowledged or recalled for the 2020 Ford Fusion se. This is clearly a design or manufacturing flaw that should be investigated by the NHTSA. Flexplate failure puts lives at risk and results in major repair bills for consumers. Please investigate this ongoing issue before someone is seriously hurt.

Occasionally, the vehicle will drive in reverse when started and the shifter knob is turned to drive (forward). This has occurred at least 5 times and the dealership has not been able to replicate the issue. So in their minds, it is not an issue. On one of those instances we noted that that shifter did not have any mode highlighted even though it was put into drive. There were no warning lamps illuminated, no system messages. The car simply started to reverse when taking the foot off of the brake. The car had to be turned off and restarted multiple times to get it to go forward. This can be dangerous as one could inadvertently strike an object or person that is behind the vehicle.