Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The driver-side interior door latch stop working and I couldn't get out of the car! This malfunction happened in a very mundane manner. As I was doing regular errands, in and out of the car on Friday, August 5, 2016, on my third errand stop, the door latch broke. I really didn't notice a "snap" or any kind of "breaking sound." I don't know if the break occurred while I was driving or not. I was stopped/parked in shopping center parking lot when I noticed this problem. At first I panicked and was quite afraid. I called my boyfriend and he calmed me down and instructed me on how to simply roll down (electric) window and reach out and then open door from exterior. Then, he told me to roll window up by leaving ignition on and. This worked. So I been using my car like this until I could get it fixed. …
Driving on a highway my car went from 65 MPH to 30-35 unexpectedly. It would not respond to the gas peddle at all and a large orange wrench icon appeared on dashboard. Luckily I was able to get to the shoulder and restart the car. I called Ford and was told this was a known issue but a recall was not issued due to it being a "non critical" issue. They also said this particular issue was tested on the Hybrid model but not found to be a problem. They told me Ford did offer an extended warranty for this issue for non-Hybrid Ford fusions, but since I was a Hybrid owner I was out of luck. I had to pay $400 to have my car repaired for their known issue. When I called Ford customer support I was treated very rudely and was told that "the NHTSA did a thorough investigation and the Hybrid was not found to have this issue and that this particular issue was not critical". …
While driving uphill. My car lost power and could only go approximately 40 MPH. The powertrain warning light came on. This happened 6 times over a week or two. It was due to an electronic throttle body failure and the repair cost over $500. The next day I found out Ford has a customer satisfaction program #13n03 to replace this known defective part in Ford fusions and other models. The warranty for the electronic throttle body was extended to 10 years and 150,000 miles. My car is 8 years old and has under 100,000 miles. I called Ford and after speaking to a representative and a supervisor, was told Fusion hybrids are not included in the customer satisfaction program. The electronic throttle body in my Fusion Hybrid is the exact same part that is in the Fusion that is covered in the program. …
My daughter has her learner's permit and was driving my Ford Fusion Hybrid on a 45 MPH street. The wrench light came on and the car would not accelerate as she was driving up a hilly part of the street. Cars began honking and passing and my daughter became extremely nervous. Thankfully, we were not involved in a car accident but she was quite shaken by the incident. I took the vehicle to the Ford dealership to have it repaired and was advised this was not a recall even though there are several thousand complaints and issues. I had to have the throttle body replaced which is apparently a defective part. I don't understand why there isn't a recall for this defect. I understand the NHTSA considers safety a huge factor when recalling parts. However, the part is clearly defective and has cost consumers greatly. …
My wife and I were driving home on the nj turnpike doing about 70-75 MPH and a wrench popped up the the screen. We have 2 sons 1 is 22 months old and the other is 5 months old. I proceeded to look into the owners manual to see what it was and it showed throttle malfunction please contact the dealership. Being it was a Sunday May 17, 2015 and Ford service centers are closed on Sunday I looked into it online and saw there were numerous complaints made. My wife began to panic and doesn't want to drive the car. I just called Ford at [phone] and I was told that there is nothing on the Ford Fusion Hybrid with this issue and that I would have to come out of pocket because my car doesn't have a warranty anymore to call the Ford dealership and have it taken care of and if anything comes down for the Hybrid then I May get reimbursed.
Due to a design flaw, the car's computer system cannot accept an indication of more than one digit in the "age" entry. For this reason, the electric high voltage battery stops working when the car approaches 10 years of age, causing a serious and dangerous hesitation in the drive train when starting from a dead stop creating a very dangerous driving condition, especially when making a cross-traffic turn. Repeated requests from my Ford dealer to Ford motor company for an explanation of how to fix this problem were unsuccessful. My letters to Ford senior management have gone unanswered for several months. I have since learned how to reset the "age" data, and my dealer has followed the instructions to eliminate the condition. Ford should be required to issue a recall for correction of this known design flaw.
After switching the gear shift from the park position, I immediately noticed my brakes failed and my vehicle began rolling forward. The vehicle stopped after placing a substantial amount of pressure on the brakes. After turning the vehicle on and off the two symptoms went away. Later that day the same issue happened for the second time while my vehicle was stationary. The third time that this issue occurred I was driving on a highway and almost went into opposing traffic. The service light turns off after restarting the car but returns later that day. Updated 9/28/15 the consumer stated in addition to the brakes, there was an issue with the advanced track system. Updated 10/13/15
Driving on city street, speed limit 45, unable to normally accelerate - did so extremely slowly - noticed wrench indicator light and stop safely warning light both on. Car would only accelerate to 40mph despite pressing gas pedal down completely. Could not drive to work as it required highway driving up to 60 MPH and couldn't risk danger of slow or stalling vehicle. Research indicates this is well known to Ford (faulty throttle body) and was partially accommodated with extended warranty (13n03) but otherwise eligible Hybrid vehicles not covered by that program. Dangerous issue + known to manufacturer = eventual lawsuit.
Driving at highway speeds, normal operation, in sunny conditions when I lost acceleration ability and was only able to coast. The yellow wrench indicator came on (no check engine light). I was fortunate enough to move to the should safely since there was limited traffic on the highway and I was driving in the right lane. I cycled the car off and on and was able to resume normal operation. This same situation happened twice more in city driving before I could get into the dealer for an appointment. Eventually the dealer evaluated the vehicle and replaced the electronic throttle body.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate normally and was very sluggish. The power train warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. After restarting the vehicle, the failure would go away, but would recur shortly afterwards. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000. ..updated 10/28/16
Transmission complaints in other Fusion Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 9% of the model year's 509 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.