Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford Fusion owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the dad was driving with the cruise control set at 65 MHP. While approaching a slower vehicle ahead the driver pressed both the brake pedal and the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel but the cruise control did not deactivate. As the driver switched to the left lane to avoid a collision the vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle and a third vehicle was also crashed into. Which vehicle crashed into the third vehicle was undetermined. During the crash, no injuries were reported from either of the three vehicles involved in the crash. A police report was taken and the scene and the vehicle was towed to a nearby wrecking yard. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 67 MPH, the vehicle started to sputter. The vehicle inadvertently decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate over 15 MPH. The contact veered the vehicle off the road and turned the vehicle off. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's Auto Parts by the contact's husband to be diagnosed and the mechanic retrieved DTC code: P0011 and diagnosed that the actuator throttle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact veered off the roadway. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle malfunction message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V427000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated the brake lights were continuously illuminated. The contact taped the brake button in to stop the warning light from appearing. The contact also stated that the failure caused the battery to drain. There was also a failure while accelerating with the RPM being inoperable while depressing the accelerator pedal down to the floorboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Shift Lever Does Not Select Accurate Gear Due To Worn Bushing (NHTSA 22V-413, OEM 22S43): A degrading bushing attaching the shifter cable to the transmission in certain 2013-2019 Ford vehicles, including the 2016 Fusion, may detach, preventing proper gear selection and potentially causing unexpected movement. Dealers will replace the bushing and add a protective cap.
When driving my 2016 Ford Fusion, the Transmission Not In Park light comes on without any other warnings. This is unsafe because it stops accelerating. Most times I'm on the freeway. This is a safety issue that has been happening for about 2 years now. The dealerships tell me that they can't fix it because the safety issue does not occur when they have the vehicle and cant read any codes. One Ford dealership sold me a radiator and told me that was the issue. A different Ford dealership told me that it has nothing to do with the radiator. No one seems to be able to repair this safety problem that I am experiencing. Another Ford dealership told me that there is a recall but my VIN Number does not fall in that recall. How can I get my vehicle associated with the recall and have it repaired. I feel so unsafe driving especially in construction zones where I am unable to pull over. …
I got into an accident around May 3rd. Roughly around 11 pm to 12 am. To inform whomever is reading, none of the issues I will list have happened prior to this event. At the accident my car would not turn on, and it would not lock. As well as a piece of the car had broke off. I took my car to Mike's auto body for repairs. When the person inspecting the car had reviewed what was wrong with my 2016 Ford Fusion, I was informed part of the issue was the starter. I was informed by Nick a staff member of Mike's auto body, that the piece was replaced. After I had picked up my car on June 6, 2023 as per the receipt from my payment. The first time the event happened was on around June 6th to June 20th (I know it happened on a rainy Tuesday or Wednesday anywhere from 7am to 8am prior to Thursday June 22nd.) My car flashed "See manual" on my dash board. The air bag light had turned on. …
This failure narrowly resulted in a serious accident when my vehicle applied the brakes without warning and dropped the speed to below 40 mph on the Highway! I was extremely fortunate not to have been closely followed by a large semi at the time. I researched on my own and found this was a known defect: Ford Recall reference #22S02 (21C24) March 2022. includes vehicles built in Hemosillo plant from Oct 2013 thru 6 April 2015. my fusion was built there on 2 April 2015 but was not included in the March 2022 recall so I was never notified. Apparently this was a known defect and on going problem since Ford issued SSM 50328 to cover various vehicles built from 2013 to 2021 (Includes 2013-2017 Fusion/MKZ). I was able to drive the vehicle safely on back roads to a local Ford dealer where the problem was addressed. …
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 80 MPH while driving. The vehicle started jerking and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle jerked and then failed to exceed 40 MPH. After refueling, the vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to pump the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who retrieved DTC: P02, P0087, P0131, P0302, and P1450. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle would not pass State inspection. The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed an unrepaired recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was driving my car on the interstate at 75 mph and had the cruise control on when the wrench light came on and the car started slowing down and losing power. I pulled over and shut the car off for a few min, started driving, and it did it again. A couple of mechanics I've talked to said it could be the throttle body positron sensor or the throttle body itself. I've had the fuel pump and fuel pump modulator and relays checked. I've also had the spark plugs checked and changed and the issue was still there. The car has a mileage of 71,000. The car is still not fixed at this time.
Acceleration complaints in other Fusion years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2016 Ford Fusion, 3% of the model year's 1,644 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Ford Fusion acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2016 Ford Fusion, though it has 13 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 2016 Ford Fusion acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.