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 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started losing motive power and decelerated. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where the transmission was rebuilt and replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and removing the key from the ignition switch, the vehicle rolled away. The contact stated that the parking brake was applied to stop the vehicle and then the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired and was towed back to the residence. The contact was made aware of an unknown power train recall; however, the local dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a mechanic went to the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE OR BE REIMBURSED WITH A VEHICLE OF EQUAL VALUE.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk forward. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure five times in total. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
Unintended acceleration event. Entered vehicle, put my foot on the brake, cranked it, held in that position while seatbelting. Engine had a VERY loud revving sound. Within seconds vehicle moving backwards on its own. Foot still on the brake, had not touched gas pedal, had not touched gear shifter, and was still sitting straight forward with my foot on the brake and confirmed gear shifter in park. The car quickly accelerated backwards faster and brake pedal had no effect on stopping or slowing vehicle. Went approx. 30' across parking lot and only stopped because we hit truck parked behind us. Quickly turned off engine and removed keys. Shifter still shows Park. Careful driver. No history of accidents. I found there were several thousand reported events of unintended acceleration (Ford vehicles 2002 to 2010). Ford tried to explain many as driver error or floor mat touching the gas pedal. …
While driving, the throttle body valve malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to rapidly lose power and go into an engine "safe mode." The check engine light appeared on the dash. I was luckily able to pull over to the side of the road. Restarting the vehicle cleared the error, but the issue continued to recur until I was able to get home. Luckily the sudden loss of power did not cause an incident, but as it occurred on the highway, a sudden drop in speed could have posed a safety risk, especially if it had occurred in inclement weather. There was a recall for the specific part that failed, but due to my model being a hybrid, it was not included even though it contained the exact faulty component. Speaking with Ford Customer Care confirmed this to be the case that my specific car was not included in the recall. I was able to order the replacement part myself and perform the repair. …
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid that has approximately 90k miles. The car started randomly shutting off while driving. No combustion engine, no electric motor propelling the car. Suddenly shutting off while driving is incredibly unsafe. I took it to a Ford dealer and after much communication with Ford HQ, it was determined that the transmission control module was bad. This component is buried inside the hybrid cvt transmission, and as such cannot be repaired. The entire transmission needs to be replaced. After contacting about 10 large transmission shops in the region I found out that none of them can do the work. Ford has made the unit so that the information in the unit can only be copied and written with Ford software. It is impossible for a repair shop to install a used unit. The only way to repair the car is with a new transmission from Ford that I was quoted $14,000 for. …
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) malfunctioned causing the brakes to give out while I was driving the vehicle. Luckily I was on a residential street and I was able to safely pull over, but it could have caused a major accident had it not happened in that location. After taking it to two auto-shops, both concluded that it was a problem with the ABS system. There is an open recall for the 2010 Ford Fusion for the same exact issue (Recall number: 19S54), however it does not cover the Hybrid model, even though it is the same exact issue. In order to stop the vehicle, I need to press down on the brake pedal very very hard and use the emergency brake. It is not safe to drive, and it is a substantial and costly problem with the vehicle to repair. …
124k miles on my Fusion. My wife's car, she doesn't beat on it. Had street cleaning, had to move to other side of street, went around the block. Had very little acceleration, jerking, by the time I made it around the block an Orange Wrench came on to the dash. ( If this would of started on the express way, I wouldn't be alive to report it) Car was fine the 2 days prior, drove it, had it washed, taken in for emissions test. The following day took it in to get the wrench code scanned by my regular mechanic P2701-00 transmission friction element b apply time range/performance My mechanic told to take it in to a few Trans shops to get it checked out to see what they say. Need to replace the entire Trans... Looking at 3500.00 minimum. Unfortunately the trans problem is commonly known now for these years on the fusion. This is something a recall is needed for.
Driving home from the Dr.'s office the vehicle's RPM suddenly began to increase yet the vehicle was not moving faster; the Wrench icon came on, the vehicles Blind Spot Warning came on, the Speedometer went to zero and the vehicle continued to move forward at regular speed. With less than one mile to get home we were able to continue to drive the vehicle. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse to back the car into the garage, the transmission made a loud bang and jerked the car. The vehicle was driven into the garage. The fluids were checked and all are good. The vehicle was then started again and shifted into drive and the loud bang and jerk happened again. The vehicle has not been driven.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, milan, and escape vehicles manufactured from February 27, through March 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin May not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 28, 2010. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 and for the…
Transmission complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 894 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Ford Fusion, 17% of the model year's 5,130 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (83 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford Fusion transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-222 (automatic transmission, May 24, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford Fusion transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 4 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.