2011 Ford Fusion Airbag Problems

330 owners have reported air bags problems with the 2011 Ford Fusion to NHTSA — 12% of all 2,794 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 93,000 miles. That ranks #6 of 15 Fusion model years for airbag complaints (a typical year has 101). 4 related recalls have been issued.

330complaints
93ktypical miles
4related recalls
19crashes
0fires
12injuries

Which parts fail

  • Frontal
    2
  • Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
    1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    710%
  • 25k–50k
    69%
  • 50k–75k
    1521%
  • 75k–100k
    913%
  • 100k–150k
    2130%
  • 150k+
    1217%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove off the road and crashed into a ditch. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged causing both the driver side and passenger side airbags to deploy. The contact indicated that the airbags did not immediately deploy and both occupants had sustained concussions when the driver made contact with the steering wheel and the passenger made contact with the dashboard. The driver also sustained a right leg injury. Both received medical attention where mediation was provided. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 200,000.

200,000 miles · May 2022 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45-50 MPH, she depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to engage. The ABS warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that she applied pressure to the brake pedal and the pedal went to the floor and failed to stop the vehicle. As a result, the contact swerved around another vehicle however, the contact's front driver's side crashed into another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

250,000 miles · Mar 2023 · crash

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the lug nuts and the studs had fractured and were replaced by a tire mechanic. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the message "Check the Connection of The Fuel Inlet Port" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality inadvertently while making a turn into the driveway. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was only included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags). Additionally, the manufacturer informed the contact the recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) was previously performed on the vehicle. …

153,000 miles · Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to drive to the residence by using manual strength to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the doors and the windows had failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

162,000 miles · Oct 2024

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V158000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that parts were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,859. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

156,000 miles · Feb 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the steering wheel unlocked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure was not able to be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

150,000 miles · Mar 2020

FORD has failed to remedy this safety recall for my vehicle in a timely manner. I have tried to schedule my FFH airbag recall repair for months. The dealership never answers their phone, nor do they respond to written inquiries. I also have called FORD and spent hours on the phone with no resolution. My mechanic can perform the recall repair. I need specific contact info for billing, so I can get my recall paid for (that my mechanic will perform). I am worried about the unrepaired recall, and the safety of those in my vehicle. Please do not respond by providing contact info for the dealership or FORD. I have already attempted to contact & schedule several times. They will not answer. *** I need specific contact info for billing so I can get my recall repaired by my mechanic***

Dec 2021

Takata Recall. The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 21V158000 (Air Bags) and 19V001000 (Air Bags) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that parts were not yet available for the recall repairs. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue however, no further assistance was provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags). Parts distribution disconnect for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags).

Dec 2020

The contact owned a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags); prompting the contact to schedule the vehicle for repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who refused to perform the recall repair, but the contact was unaware of the reason for the refusal. The vehicle was not repaired but remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was later informed that the vehicle was towed away and destroyed without his consent. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

Jan 2025

This car has been recalled to replace the drivers side airbag. We have a 1 year old infant traveling in this car, and we do not feel safe driving it. We have reached out to the dealer for the recall fix of the defective airbag, but it is not available. It has been almost 6 months, we try to avoid using the car, but it is very difficult to avoid it. This is a very long time to fix a serious, life threatening issue. This is our second report on this issue, however we have moved since the initial report and wanted to update our address. What can be done to help us? Thank you.

Apr 2021

Related recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 21V-158 · Mar 10, 2021 · 2,602,668 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 21V-081 · Feb 16, 2021 · 1,067 vehicles

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-001 · Jan 7, 2019 · 782,384 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-384 · May 31, 2016 · 1,892,343 vehiclesDo not drive

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California,…

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Airbag complaints in other Fusion years

’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’2031961563835959133040410143395028544
Airbag complaints per model year, Ford Fusion.

Frequently asked questions

How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion?

NHTSA has 330 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Ford Fusion, 12% of the model year's 2,794 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).

Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Fusion airbag problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 21V-158 (inflator module, Mar 10, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-081 (frontal, Feb 16, 2021); NHTSA recall 19V-001 (inflator module, Jan 7, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fusion airbag problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries to air bags 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.