Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
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 reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended high-speed acceleration and struck a parked vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The vehicle then crashed into a residence. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to her face, back of the head, and neck; however, medical attention was not received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the body shop but was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the dealer twice before the crash; however, the cause of failure was not found and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. …
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH on a bumpy road, the brake pedal was depressed while making a turn however, the brake pedal traveled to the floor. The contact stated that the vehicle stop time was increased and the failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was not able to diagnose a failure cause but flushed the brake lines. The vehicle was able to operate for several months without a failure until the contact was driving over a speed bump. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who stated that he received a failure code for the ABS system. The mechanic stated that the hydraulic control unit pump or ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and descending a slight grade and slowing for a traffic sign, the contact drove over a slight bump in the roadway and felt the brake pedal go almost to the floorboard. The contact stated that he pumped the brake pedal and felt the brakes starting to respond and was able to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that he stopped and turned off and restarted the vehicle and the braking functionality returned to normal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V904000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard without warning. The contact stated that extra brake travel time was needed for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and the contact had her brake lining and rotor assembly were replaced. The mechanic also informed her that the brake master cylinder and hydraulic control assembly might also need replacement. The parts were not replaced. Despite the repair, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to check the repairs that were performed on the vehicle. The mechanic informed her that the work was repaired; the mechanic referred her to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. There was no warning light and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact coasted the vehicle into a parking lot until the vehicle came to a stop. The vehicle was inspected by an on-sight independent mechanic who informed the contact that brake fluid was spewing from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective ABS module. The contact was later informed that the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 103,042.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her son was driving the vehicle and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that a warning message had appeared on the instrument panel that stated to see a mechanic about the brakes. Her son was able to steer the vehicle down a hill and into a curb until he was able to stop the vehicle. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and the brakes resumed normal operation. Her son had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who could not find any failure with the vehicle. Recently, the contact stated that her son had experienced the same failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the brake pedal was soft and spongy while depressed, causing the contact to pump the brake pedal for the vehicle to stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal would go to the floorboard while depressed; however, the failure was intermittent at first but had started recurring more frequently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who bled the brake lines and stated that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed there were no recalls on the VIN. The contact was made aware that the part needed for the repair was on backorder. The approximate failure mileage was 70,500.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she noticed smoke coming from the front passenger's side tire. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road for an hour before restarting and continuing driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the brake hose needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's husband replaced the front passenger's side brake hose himself. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact's son owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his son was driving at approximately 45 MPH, the check engine, "Service Advance Trac" and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failures could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS and Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) modules needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.
Brake complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 194 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Ford Fusion, 7% of the model year's 2,794 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Fusion brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2011 Ford Fusion, though it has 7 recalls for other components. 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 2011 Ford Fusion brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes 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.