Ford Fusion Brake Problems

Brake complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Antilock › ABS warning light
  12
• Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  8
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
  6
• Antilock › Control unit/module
  5
• Foundation components › Master cylinder
  5
• Power assist › Hydraulic › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  5
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  4
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring
  4

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1076%
• 25k–50k
  1307%
• 50k–75k
  24913%
• 75k–100k
  42623%
• 100k–150k
  64134%
• 150k+
  33418%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to make a right turn, the parking brake activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. The contact was turned off and then restarted the vehicle. Approximately 3 miles later while driving, the failure reoccurred. The odometer lights began flickering, the gear shift indicator (PRNDL) light started to change, the location of the gear shifter started to switch gears, and the radio malfunctioned. The shift sensor malfunction and fault warning lights were illuminated. The failure occurred a total of 5 times. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who reset the vehicle to remove of all the codes however, the failure reoccurred. The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. …

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that their husband was coming to a stop light at approximately 5 mph, he attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. In order to avoid a crash, the driver veered to the right where they went over a curb, into a bush, and eventually came to a stop by crashing into a guard wire. The driver then drove the vehicle in a parking lot nearby and when attempting to stop the vehicle again, the vehicle failed to stop again. The driver had to place the vehicle in neutral and shut it off. There were no injuries reported. A police report was not filed. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer but the diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case and referred them to the NHTSA Hotline. …

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was not repaired. The independent mechanic related the failure to Ford Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N11. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 2,690.

The vehicle wheels and steering wheel bounce and shake when brakes are applied, regardless of the speed level; this felt like I am losing control of the vehicle and as if the wheels, and components of suspension or brake system will collapse all of the sudden. No warning lights came up in the dashboard. The vehicle was inspected by the dealership (Kearny Mesa Ford Service, 7303 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111) and they confirmed the problem, the problem still persisted after they performed checks and repairs, their response was "we are not sure what's causing the problem and we need more time to diagnose.".

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling roughly with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who suggested that the spark plugs be replaced and a tune-up be performed based on the mileage. The dealer performed the spark plug replacement and tune-up, and the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated; however, the vehicle was still idling roughly. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with coolant intrusion into the engine. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear brakes and rear brake rotors needed to be replaced due to a brake fluid leak. The vehicle was not repaired. …

While waiting at a red traffic light in drive and on a slight incline, engine shut off by itself and car started rolling backward with my foot on the brake pedal. The pedal felt harder than normal to push but didn't stop the car. A car stopped behind me was put at risk of impact with the rear of my vehicle. I could see I was getting closer and closer to hitting the other car. As this was happening, i pushed the start button and managed to restart the engine and put it in drive to pull away just before impact. Problem hasn't been reproduced by anyone. Vehicle or components haven't been inspected by anyone. No warning light lamps or other symptoms of the problem prior or during remaining drive home. I don't know if this is related but the car does have a random no start symptom due to a battery discharge condition while parked overnight. …

The contact owned a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle hit a stop sign, which flew and hit the passenger's side window of the vehicle. The vehicle then hit a privacy fence and crashed into an electrical pole. The air bags failed to respond. The contact stated that she hit her chest against the steering wheel and hit the back of her head against the front driver's side seat headrest. The contact's husband arrived at the scene and transported the contact to the residence. The contact was later taken to the hospital, where she was informed that she had sustained loss of 20 percent of her hearing, loss of smell and taste, and intermittent dizziness due to an internal fluid leak in the back of her head. The contact was still receiving medical assistance. …

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in her driveway on a hill without the emergency brakes, the vehicle rolled down the hill and bumped into her husband's parked vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer but was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated on April 2022, while she was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to shake and failed to go over 50 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V427000 (Power Train), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and transferred her to the NHTSA Hotline. …

Related recalls (3)

NHTSA investigations