2011 Ford FUSION: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2,783 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 2,085 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1,403 of 2,783 complaints (50.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 1,420 | 51.0% |
| Braking behavior | 259 | 9.3% |
| Engine operation | 215 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 99 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 98 | 3.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 36 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 1403 |
| Air Bags | 329 |
| Engine | 276 |
| Power Train | 261 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 255 |
| Electrical System | 198 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 176 |
| Service Brakes | 169 |
Steering: 1,403; Air Bags: 329; Engine: 276; Power Train: 261; Vehicle Speed Control: 255; Electrical System: 198; Fuel/Propulsion System: 176; Service Brakes: 169
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 172 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 439 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 478 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 343 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 422 |
| 150,000 and above | 231 |
Under 25,000: 172; 25,000 to 49,999: 439; 50,000 to 74,999: 478; 75,000 to 99,999: 343; 100,000 to 149,999: 422; 150,000 and above: 231
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (478). 698 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 35 |
| 2012 | 76 |
| 2013 | 445 |
| 2014 | 286 |
| 2015 | 247 |
| 2016 | 183 |
| 2017 | 288 |
| 2018 | 268 |
| 2019 | 250 |
| 2020 | 154 |
| 2021 | 152 |
| 2022 | 129 |
| 2023 | 105 |
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2025 | 61 |
| 2026 | 30 |
2010: 1; 2011: 35; 2012: 76; 2013: 445; 2014: 286; 2015: 247; 2016: 183; 2017: 288; 2018: 268; 2019: 250; 2020: 154; 2021: 152; 2022: 129; 2023: 105; 2024: 73; 2025: 61; 2026: 30
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 1,420 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 259 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 215 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10369908 · 2010-12-10 (December 10, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10369908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375898 · 2011-01-14 (January 14, 2011)
2011 FORD FUSION. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING FRONT SEAT HEAD RESTRAINTS. CONSUMER STATES THEY EXTEND TOO FAR FORWARD OF THE SEATBACK WHEN THE SEAT IS IN THE POSITION FOR DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RESTRAINT WAS CONSTANTLY PUSHING HIS HEAD FORWARD. WHEN THE SEATBACK WAS IN THE FULL UPRIGHT 90 DEGREE POSITION, THE HEAD RESTRAINT ALIGNED WITH THE MIDDLE SEAT. WHILE PIVOTING THE SEATBACK ABOUT 5 DEGREES, TO THE DRIVING POSITION, THE HEAD RESTRAINT WAS STILL 1/3 FORWARD OF THE SEATBACK. THE CONSUMER STATED IF HE PIVOTED THE SEATBACK FURT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10375898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10382853 · 2011-02-15 (February 15, 2011)
I BOUGHT A 2011 FORD FUSION ON NOV. 26, 2010. THE DAY I BROUGHT IT HOME, THE PROBLEMS STARTED. IT BANGS SO HARD INTO REVERSE THAT IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE RAN INTO THE CAR WITH A BULLDOZER. IT HAS DEAD SPOTS IN THE ACCELERATION, AND OFTEN GOES ABOVE 5000 RPM WHEN SHIFTING JUST GOING DOWN A NORMAL FLAT HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEMS HAVE GOTTEN WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT AND ARE COMPLETELY RANDOM. IT HAPPENS WITH A WARM ENGINE, COLD ENGINE, IN RAIN, SNOW, SUN, AND EVEN AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR 4 HOURS STRAIGHT. I NOW HAVE OVER 6000MILES ON THE CAR AND THE DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. 30 miles reported. Look up ODI 10382853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392292 · 2011-03-20 (March 20, 2011)
2011 FORD FUSION SEL I DIDN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO DAYS WHEN I STARTED VEHICLE I PULLED OUT IN TRAFFIC I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR REVVED TO OVER 5000 RPM'S, AND DIDN'T ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED SO BADLY THAT I ALMOST GOT REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS 1400 MILES ON IT, AND IT DID THIS ONE OTHER TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD. THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE MERGING OR PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. THE FIRST INCIDENT I THOUGHT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ADJUSTING TO DRIVING STYLE, AND IT WASN'T AS SEV…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,415 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10392614 · 2011-03-23 (March 23, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO LIFT HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH ROOM. HE NOTICED THE FAILURE MORE OFTEN WHEN HE WAS TRYING TO MAKE AN ABRUPT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10392614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10395866 · 2011-04-14 (April 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT WAS EXITING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE STEERING FAILED AND BECAME ABNORMALLY TIGHT. THE POWER STEERING CAME WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395866 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10396886 · 2011-04-20 (April 20, 2011)
2011 FORD FUSION SEL ,. WHILE DRIVING ON A COLD START, PULLING OUT OF NEIGHBORHOOD (LESS THAN 1 BLOCK), CAR JERKED FORWARD, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, THEN SHIFTED LIKE YOU WERE ON A WASHBOARD AND JERKED FORWARD HARSHLY WHILE TRYING TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENED WITH LESS THAN 300 MILES ON VEHICLE. NUMEROUS TIMES THEREAFTER, WHILE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR MILES AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, WHEN DRIVING AFTERWARD AT LOWER SPEEDS CAR WOULD DO THE SAME. EXAMPLE, DRIVING BACK FROM FLORIDA IN NORTH CAROLINA, CAUGHT UP IN A 4 MILE LONG BACKUP, STOP AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10396886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10401504 · 2011-05-18 (May 18, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT WAS ON A STEEP INCLINE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO THE REVERSE; SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD 6-8 FEET. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES WITH FORCE REPEATEDLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE TRAVELED IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10401504 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V574000 · Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
Reported: 2011-12-07 (December 7, 2011)
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.
Consequence: WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JANUARY 24, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V340000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2015-06-02 (June 2, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
Consequence: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V793000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank
Reported: 2015-11-24 (November 24, 2015)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010. The affected vehicles have fuel vapor canisters whose purge valves may not operate properly resulting in abnormal pressure changes in the fuel tank.
Consequence: The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle powertrain control modules and inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for this issue and perform a leak test on the Canister Purge Valve (CPV). The fuel tank will be inspected for cracks. The CPV and fuel tank will be replaced as necessary. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S34.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V384000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-05-31 (May 31, 2016)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V001000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2019-01-07 (January 7, 2019)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V081000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2021-02-16 (February 16, 2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V158000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
NHTSA campaign record ↗