2011 Ford Fusion Powertrain (other) Problems

Powertrain light came on and threw code p1450 and car went into limp mode. Car will stall at stops and lights and won't go over 40. Replaced the canister purge valve which turned light off but it immediately came back once trying to over 40 and went back into limp mode. Everything I have read and ai has said based on diagnostic information says it's the electronic throttle body which has a recall for this model and year of car but not this vin for some reason.

NHTSA ID

11722481

Incident

Mar 4, 2026

rdofcookevilletennessee/towedmy2011fordfusionse{38milagefromemyhome{duetonodriverecall{airbags.,Ipickupfusion.,nostart,fordpushedin,outofgurageforairbagrecallfix.OK|wontstartduetofordsaysbrokentranscable.fordjumpstart.nothing.sir/mamfordofcookevilletn.arraingment,airbag,driveabilityrecall.{fixed}theyknowlingheardmesayingcar,starts,drives,,uptotow,dropoff.theircallswereansweredcorrectlyW/informationvin,address.date,time,pickup.,>thecarwouldntstartassistinw/jumpstart,,contactassistancemgr.knowingtheproblem,warstuckreverse,nostart,brokenshiftcablebushing.carloaded,strappedtoourtrailor,reverse,nodrive,nostart,underhoodmaintanceimunhappyw/fordneversaid1word.tillheshowedustostart,shiftintoreverse,againfordrive,nopark.

NHTSA ID

11670407

Incident

Jun 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The lock warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a chip inside the transmission causing the transmission to seize. The vehicle was not repaired. The origin of the chip was unknown. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11657633

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V001000 (Air Bags). The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to drive to the residence by using manual strength to steer the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the doors and the windows had failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

NHTSA ID

11621751

Incident

Oct 11, 2024

Mileage

162,000 mi

My vehicle is a 2011 Ford Fusion, with 165,000 miles on it. When leaving my apartment, as soon as I got on the highway and went above 15 mph my car violently started to shake, I immediately pulled over safely and got out to check around and under the car. Got back in and put it back in drive. Started to drive and it once again started to violently shake. I immediately pulled over again and called to have it towed. Once able I tried to get Ford to look at it but they said the next appointment was 2 months out. I had another mechanic look at it and he said the PTU had failed and would need a full removal and installation of the transfer case. With all the work that needed done he said it would be over 4K. I don’t have that kind of money right now because I just had tire rods replace and ball joints so I’m just going to have to wait. Having been without a car has been so difficult. I searched online and found that many drivers of the Ford Fusion as well as other models are experiencing issues with the PTU. Again, I don’t have this money right now so unfortunately I’ll have to have the car sit at my place until I figure out what to do. When I called the Ford dealer, he said he has seen several PTUs go out. It’s just frustrating because I always keep up with maintenance with my vehicle, as well as tires. I don’t race my vehicle or anything so this shouldn’t be happening.

NHTSA ID

11518817

Incident

Jan 6, 2023

Transmission slipping,lurching,hard shift,jerking while driving. No prior lamp warnings or other symptoms. Break pedal when applied or released after acceleration or just before a complete stop vehicle makes a pin ball bouncing sound then when acceleration repeated transmission issues. This has put my saftey at risk as well as my passengers because of the sudden slipping,lurching,hard shift,jerking while driving. Trying to understand problem I came across a ongoing investigation regarding ford and knowingly using faulty transmission in a multitude of there vehicles in which mine is exhibiting exactly same behaviors.

NHTSA ID

11487459

Incident

Mar 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated as she entered the driveway, the steering wheel became hard to maneuver as the power steering warning light illuminated. The contact notified the manufacturer and was advised to have the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering gear failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000

NHTSA ID

11479617

Incident

Jul 25, 2022

Mileage

88,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle and depressing the brake pedal to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11447364

Incident

Nov 1, 2021

Mileage

70,000 mi

AT 138825 MILES, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO HAVE A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #4, WHICH WAS INITIALLY A VACUUM HOSE LEAK. THEN, THE CAR STARTS HAVING AN “EARTHQUAKE” WHENEVER THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAUSE WOULD THEN BE AN EGR MALFUNCTION. AS TIME WENT BY, THE MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 4 SHOWS UP AGAIN. TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE ISSUE LOOKED AT, FOUND TO BE A CROSS THREADED SPARK PLUG, AND THEY RECOMMENDED THE CYLINDER HEAD BE REPLACED, THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY REPLACED, THE COOLANT BEING REPLACED, AND THE AC BEING RECHARGED. REPAIR WOULD’VE COST $10,500.

NHTSA ID

11416763

Incident

May 14, 2021

Mileage

139,063 mi

WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING 55MPH A GRINDING NOISE CAME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND CAUSED THE CAR TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND BACK IN DRIVE MAKING IT TO A PARKING LOT WHERE IT WAS ACTING LIKE THE BRAKE WAS BEING ENGAGED AND DISENGAGED. GOT.IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PTU WAS BAD CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP ALL OF SUDDEN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD AWD FAMILY OT VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11343410

Incident

Jul 25, 2020

Mileage

101,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED HER VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FIRM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING CEASED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE DUE TO THE FAILURE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID

11323825

Incident

May 7, 2020

Mileage

36,000 mi

MY FORD FUSION HYBRID HAS RECENTLY STOPPED WORKING AS A HYBRID AND RUNS MAINLY ON THE GAS ENGINE. AFTER REVIEWING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BY OTHER OWNERS, I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THE HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY (HVB) SEEMS TO BE PRE-PROGRAMMED TO BECOME INOPERABLE AFTER APPROXIMATELY 9 YEARS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS REALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BATTERY. THE POSTS I'VE READ SUGGEST RESETTING THE AGE OF THE HVB BY USING THE APPROPRIATE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. MY QUESTION IS WHY DOESN'T FORD MOTOR CO. SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALERT CUSTOMERS TO THIS EASY FIX? *TR

NHTSA ID

11323592

Incident

Apr 11, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

FOR THE LAST YEAR EXPERIENCING PROGRESSIVELY WORSENING DRIVABILITY ISSUES. THE MOST CONCERNING IS STEADILY INCREASING THROTTLE LAG (TIME BETWEEN APPLYING MORE PRESSURE TO ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE RESPONDING), WHICH I VIEW AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND APPROPRIATELY WHEN APPLYING THROTTLE, WHICH MAY INCREASE RISK OF ACCIDENT B/C VEHICLE MAY NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN NEEDED EITHER PLACING ME AT RISK BECAUSE IT LEAVES ME IN THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE OR PREVENTS MY VEHICLE FROM EXPEDITIOUSLY RESPONDING TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE.. SECONDARILY VEHICLE NOW OPERATING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN GAS POWER MODE (WORSENING MPG EFFICIENCY) BUT ALSO CAUSING JERKING/HESITATION WHEN TRANSITIONING BETWEEN GAS/EV MODES. THIS POWERTRAIN WAS NOT DESIGNED TO WORK IN GAS ONLY BUT AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GAS/EV, THEREFORE IN GAS ALONE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS MANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCE SAME PROBLEM. TO DEALER SERVICE X 3 - 1ST 2 DEALER SAID NOTHING WRONG. FINALLY GIVEN A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN (ATTACHED) THAT FORD IS AWARE FOR AT LEAST 4 MONTHS AND FORBIDS SERVICE TO THE CAR! THUS I HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE THAT FORD HAS NO SOLUTION FOR REPAIR FOR AT LEAST 4 MONTHS, AND NO INDICATION OF WHEN THIS WILL BE ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ID

11307900

Incident

Feb 6, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY CAR WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE AND LUNGE FORWARD, ALSO WHEN UP SHIFTING AND DOWN SHIFTING IT WOULD BE HARSH AND CLUNK. I TOOK IT THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN AT A PRICE OF $5490, BECAUSE THE ONE IN IT HAD TO MANY PROBLEMS AND WOULD COST MORE TO FIX THEN THE REBUILT ONE, SO THAT'S WHAT I DID THE CAR ONLY HAD 71438 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11296748

Incident

Oct 14, 2019

Mileage

71,438 mi

THERE IS DELAY IS GEAR, HARSH SHIFTING FROM PARK AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING. FORD DEALERSHIP FAILS TO SERVICE AIRBAG RECALL AND THROTTLE BOTTLE RECALL. FORD SAYS F635 TRANSMISSION IS 'SERVICE-FREE' AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DOESN'T NEED REPLACED UNTIL 150K MILES. AT 140K NOW, MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION IS FAILING COMPLETELY. EVER SINCE FIRST OWNING THE FUSION, THE CAR HAS ROUGH AND DELAYED SHIFTING THROUGH PARK-REVERSE-NEUTRAL-DRIVE-LOW AND THROUGH DRIVE GEARS 1-6. QUITE DANGEROUS TO HAVE THIS OCCUR WHEN DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS THROUGH MOUNTAINS. FORD IS A CRIMINAL COMPANY - I WANT THEM TO BUY THIS JUNK OF A CAR BACK FROM ME. ABSOLUTE GARBAGE COMPANY AND GARBAGE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11291013

Incident

Jan 1, 2017

VEHICLE GOES TO HIGH SPEED WHEN BACKING UP IN REVERSE, AND IS UNCONTROLLABLE. EVEN PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT ENOUGH TO SOP THE VEHICLE. IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY TO CHANGE THE GEARS ON THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. IT RECENTLY HAPPENED YESTERDAY DEC.2, 1919. DURING THIS INCIDENT, I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE TO PREVENT HITTING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME IN A WALMART PARKING LOT, AND FOUND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REVVING OUT OF CONTROL GOING FORWARD.

NHTSA ID

11286755

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

DROVE AT 25 MILES PER HOUR MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AND HESITATED ON ACCELERATION. AT THIS TIME A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR COMPLETELY LOSS POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THE CAR MOVED AT 10 MILES/HOUR. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS! I WAS LUCKY BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE EARLY MORNING, NOT MANY TRAFFI. I COULD HAVE IN CAR ACCIDENT IF IT HAPPENED IN A RUSH HOUR. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO FORD DELLER AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES IN LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. YOU GUYS REALLY NEED TO GET ALL OF THERE FORD FUSIONS OFF OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID

11258250

Incident

Sep 25, 2019

Mileage

2 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,000.

NHTSA ID

11256362

Incident

Aug 25, 2019

Mileage

168,000 mi

WHILE TAKING A ONE LANE EXIT ON THE FREEWAY GOING AT 30 MILES PER HOUR A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR COMPLETELY LOSS POWER. THE CAR COASTED UNTIL IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS! I COULD HAVE DIED. YOU GUYS REALLY NEED TO GET ALL OF THERE FORD FUSIONS OFF OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OR BRAKE TO SLOW ON THE FREEWAY. I WAITED 5 MINUTES AND THE CAR TURNED ON WITH NO PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO HE SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WHILE LOOKING ONLINE THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. WHICH NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. I CAN'T WORK IF I CAN'T GET THERE WITH A CAR THAT I'VE PURCHASED!!! I REFUSE TO DRIVE THIS CAR!

NHTSA ID

11252656

Incident

Aug 16, 2019

Mileage

191,250 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED AND THE SERVICE NOW, POWER STEERING, AND ADVANCETRAC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

NHTSA ID

11246702

Incident

Aug 26, 2019

Mileage

199,000 mi

THROTTLE BOTTLE POPS A CODE. WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON WHILE IN MOTION AND SUDDENLY STALLS. I CAN PULL OVER AND SHUT OFF VEHICLE TO CLEAR CODE. RESTARTING VEHICLE WORKS AMD I CAN DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. IT DOES HAPPEN AGAIN USUALLY NEXT DAY. IT DOES NOT MATTER THE SPEED OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC STARTED FAILED THROTTLE BODY. MY CAR ONLY HAS 121000 MILES. IS THIS STILL COVERED BY FORD. 2015 A JUDGEMENT COVERED VEHICLES FOR 10YRS OR 15000MILES WHICHEVER CAME FIRST.

NHTSA ID

11246449

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

121,000 mi

THE CAR IS CONTINUOUSLY REPORTING HIGH TEMPERATURE, WHEN IN FACT THE ENGINE IS WORKING AT NORMAL TEMPERATURE. COOLANT FLUID ARE AT THE CORRECT LEVEL AND MANUAL/VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DOES NOT SHOW ANY EVIDENCE OF HIGH TEMPERATURE DAMAGE. AFTER REPLACING THE COOLANT SENSOR, THE ECU KEEPS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. OTHER THAN THAT THE CAR WORKS JUST FINE. THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION EVEN AFTER A FEW MINUTE OF TURNING IT ON DURING THE MORNING BEFORE THE ENGINE GETS WARM. THE CAR HAS ONLY 24K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11245609

Incident

Aug 1, 2019

Mileage

24,500 mi

8 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS MY CAR HAS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND I HAD TO TRY TO STEER TO SIDE OF ROAD. STOP. START CAR AGAIN. LAST WEEKS TIME, THE 8TH TIME, WAS ON HWY 85 IN ATLANTA TRAFFIC. I WAS ACCELERATING AROUND SOMEONE THAT WAS HAVING A PROBLEM AND IT JUST WOULDN'T GO ANYMORE. I WAS SO LUCKY TO HAVE A MARTA BUS BEHIND ME THAT SLOWED. SO I COULD STOP. THEN START AGAIN AND TAKE OFF. OTHERWISE IT WOULD'VE BEEN A HUGE ACCIDENT BECAUSE SOMEONE WOULD'VE HIT ME. I'VE REPORTED THIS TO MY FORD DEALRSHIP EACH TIME. THIS LAST TIME HE SAID FORD FOCUS AND FIESTA WERE JUST RECALLED FOR SAME ISSUES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE TRANSMISSION ON THE FORD FUSION AS WELL. THE OTHER TIMES I WAS ON TWO LANE ROADS. ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD. IT'S VERY SCARY THOUGH FOR YOUR CAR TO JUST GO INTO NEUTRAL AND YOU NOT BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11240396

Incident

Jun 28, 2019

I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL DEALER ON 05/16/2019. I NOTICED AN OCCASIONAL HESITATION WHEN I ACCELERATED SOMETIMES. CONVERSELY, IT SEEMED AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHED AHEAD WHEN I WAS BARELY ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS ODD OCCURRENCE HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT THE MORE I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR. TO THE POINT THAT I LOOKED FOR PAPERWORK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION SERVICE. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, I'VE BEGUN TO HEAR OF ISSUES WITH THE FORD FOCUS AND FORD FIESTA THAT SOUND EXACTLY WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING. I USE TODAY'S DATE AS WHEN IT HAPPENED, BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AS I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11232084

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

Mileage

64,210 mi

POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON, CAR RANDOMLY LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11207629

Incident

May 14, 2019