Problems · by component

2011 Ford Fusion power train problems

268 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Fusion cite power train, 10% of all 2,795 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
268
10% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11722481
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2025Power trainODI 11670407
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2025Power trainODI 11657633
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2024Steering, Power train, Air bagsODI 11621751
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2023Power trainODI 11518817
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2022Power trainODI 11487459

Showing 6 of 268 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.