Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 67 | 36% | 79,000 miles |
| 2019 | 69 | 22% | 80,000 miles |
| 2018 | 106 | 24% | 82,000 miles |
| 2017 | 314 | 28% | 80,000 miles |
| 2016 | 311 | 19% | 83,000 miles |
| 2015 | 145 | 15% | 80,000 miles |
| 2014 | 235 | 18% | 90,000 miles |
| 2013 | 281 | 16% | 98,000 miles |
| 2012 | 158 | 6% | 51,000 miles |
| 2011 | 268 | 10% | 46,000 miles |
| 2010 | 894 | 17% | 51,000 miles |
| 2009 | 20 | 2% | 64,000 miles |
| 2008 | 47 | 3% | 81,000 miles |
| 2007 | 74 | 7% | 86,000 miles |
| 2006 | 150 | 21% | 73,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was in park(P) on an inclined driveway, the vehicle rolled forward without warning and crashed into a home. No injuries and damages were reported; the contact was able to resume normal driving operation after the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,270.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the fuel door would randomly disconnect from the vehicle. While idling at a stop light, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle the vehicle jerked and hesitated while shifting gear before accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure because there was no warning light illuminated. The fuel door had been replaced; however, the vehicle still experienced the failure with the START/STOP function. The contact stated that the failure became a persistent failure. The contact stated that approximately 6 to 8 months after the first failure, while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact used the App to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate abnormally. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound like an object striking the bottom of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle revived but failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the flex plate had cracked and needed to be replaced. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer's Customer Satisfaction Program: 22N12 Flex Plate Cracks (Power Train). …
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and above, the vehicle failed to accelerate as designed. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stated the failure had occurred approximately 2 months after receiving the first diagnosis. The RPMs began increasing at the time of the second failure with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The failure reoccurred and the vehicle was towed to another dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear differential and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure where it was confirmed that the repair was not covered under warranty or recall. …
Terrible car, after long thinking about it the last accident in this car I think was caused from the transmission literally as soon as I put it in reverse it acted as if I was accelerating and proceeded out of the parking spot a little bit, another scary thing I pulled out of a parking lot and almost got hit because the car acted as if it was in neutral when the car was in drive with on coming traffic!!!!!!!! One time it wouldn't allow me to go into drive it started rolling back wards. Transmission was replaced in 2020 and the car has been parked since late 2022 because of this issue while still peeing $6,000 on a damn car I can't even drive and seeing the same similar issue about this stupid car everywhere is ridiculous and I don't see how there's not a recall on this transmission or buy back issue or something how do you go buy a almost $30,000 car and every 60 thousand miles the …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The message " Shift Sys Fault. Service Required" was displayed. The contact was unable to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that she turned off and restarted the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A bystander assisted the contact in manually moving the transmission shifter cable bushing back into position. The contact stated vehicle then responded as needed; however, the failure recurred while driving and hitting a pothole. The transmission shifter cable bushing was manually moved back into position. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the failure was related to the transmission shifter cable bushing; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. …
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. …
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The vehicle then shuddered and started independently. The contact stated that the failure occurred several times after refueling the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while shifting into gear and would shudder uncontrollably while in reverse (R). The contact also stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered and shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that he would shift into neutral (N) or park (P) to prevent the failure from occurring while at a complete stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the EVAP purge valve assembly and the spark plugs were replaced. …
Related recalls (8)
Power train › Manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026.
Power train › Shift linkage/cable/rod
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Manual transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge.
Show 3 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Remedy: Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to October 31, 2014, 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to October 31, 2014, and 2015 Ford Fusion Energi vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to October 31, 2014.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C11.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, milan, and escape vehicles manufactured from February 27, through March 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin May not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 28, 2010. Owners May contact Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332 and for the…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Fusion years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (894), 2017 (314), 2016 (311), 2013 (281) and 2011 (268) model years. Transmission complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Ford Fusion transmission problems?
Yes — 8 recalls, including 26V-376 (manual transmission, Jun 9, 2026); 22V-413 (shift linkage/cable/rod, Jun 10, 2022); 19V-362 (floor shift, May 13, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Fusion transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (177 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (12).
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.