Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 driving at slower speeds, an abnormal jolt emitted from the vehicle as the vehicle began shaking without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home and upon arrival, her husband informed her that the rear passenger's and driver's side wheel hubs had separated from the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V574000 (Wheels) which she linked to the failure. The contact then called the dealer where she was informed that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The contact also attempted to contact the manufacturer but did not receive a response. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,400.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that seventeen lug nuts had fractured and detached from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 241,506. The contact stated that Ford Motor Company had their vehicle listed as MY2013 although it is a MY2011. This may be the reason why their VIN was not a part of the recall that involved the same issues with their vehicle.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Sensor Fault" was displayed, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that while attempting to rotate the tires, the lug bolts fractured and needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 170,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion equipped with General tires, Tire Line: Exclaim, Tires Size: 225/50/R17, DOT number: A340-WBXJ-3919, and installed as replacement tires. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the rear passenger's side tire experienced a blowout causing the driver to nearly lose control of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 300. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while changing the driver's side front tire, three of the wheel studs fractured. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V574000 (Wheels). The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the front driver's side wheel lug nuts fractured, causing the wheel to detach and the vehicle to shudder. The contact decelerated to 15 MPH, and the vehicle stopped. The driver and the two children that were occupying the vehicle had not sustained any injuries. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V574000 (Wheels). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. Additionally, the contact was informed that the recall covered steel rims however, the vehicle was equipped with aluminum rims. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who contacted the local dealer to confirm the recall details. …
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on five separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began shaking uncontrollably. The contact steered to the side of the road and observed the front passenger's side lug nuts had snapped. The vehicle was taken to a tire repair facility where it was determined that the post, rim, and tire needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
When needing to take the tires off, the socket that came with the vehicle spare tire would not fit on the lug nuts. Upon research we discovered this was a known problem that the factory lug nuts would swell, thus not being able to use the standard equipment provided with the vehicle. I want to replace these lug nuts, however I am not finding lug nuts that will hold the wheel cover onto the wheel.
On 12/13/21, my son swerved out of an accident and hit a high curb which damaged the driver's side tire. Luckily the Air Bag did not discharge. Recall 21S12 Driver Air Bag Inflator Replacement was issued in March of 2021, yet I did not receive a letter, and my car still has not been repaired. Are you waiting for a fatality to occur before providing the dealers with the necessary supplies?
Ford uses aluminum lug nuts posing a safety risk to everyone that has a car with them. I am stuck with a flat tire on my car and no money to fix Ford's decision to use unsafe lugnuts that just strip and break my tools. XAlso their power steering is faulty and went out on me in the middle of driving.
Related recalls
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford fusion and Mercury milan vehicles equipped with 17 inch steel wheels and built from April 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through November 13, 2010. The wheel studs May fracture, potentially causing a wheel to separate.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake disc surface for flatness and replace the discs as necessary. Additionally, the wheel lug nuts will be replaced on all four wheels.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2011 Ford Fusion, 2% of the model year's 2,794 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Fusion wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-574 (lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, Dec 7, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fusion wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 22% 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.