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CarComplaints.com Notes: Ford significantly updated the Fusion for the 2010 model year. We wish they hadn't

Throttle body issues have led to a ton of reports about a sudden deceleration and loss of power while driving. Ford issued a “customer satisfaction program” in March 2014 that, unsurprisingly, has left very few customers satisfied.

2010 is also the year we started seeing complaints about the power steering failing. Throttle and steering failure? Yeah, that’s why this is a clunker.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,048 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Ford Fusion drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 1 of 40)

problem #798

Oct 182023

Fusion

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving home from the Dr.'s office the vehicle's RPM suddenly began to increase yet the vehicle was not moving faster; the Wrench icon came on, the vehicles Blind Spot Warning came on, the Speedometer went to zero and the vehicle continued to move forward at regular speed. With less than one mile to get home we were able to continue to drive the vehicle. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse to back the car into the garage, the transmission made a loud bang and jerked the car. The vehicle was driven into the garage. The fluids were checked and all are good. The vehicle was then started again and shifted into drive and the loud bang and jerk happened again. The vehicle has not been driven.

- Selma, TX, USA

problem #797

Feb 232023

Fusion

  • miles
I have a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid that has approximately 90k miles. The car started randomly shutting off while driving. No combustion engine, no electric motor propelling the car. Suddenly shutting off while driving is incredibly unsafe. I took it to a Ford dealer and after much communication with Ford HQ, it was determined that the transmission control module was bad. This component is buried inside the hybrid cvt transmission, and as such cannot be repaired. The entire transmission needs to be replaced. After contacting about 10 large transmission shops in the region I found out that none of them can do the work. Ford has made the unit so that the information in the unit can only be copied and written with Ford software. It is impossible for a repair shop to install a used unit. The only way to repair the car is with a new transmission from Ford that I was quoted $14,000 for. This is a scam against the consumer. A decent running car is reduced to scrap value over a single component that only the dealer can repair at an exorbitant price. This is inherently unsafe and a total consumer scam.

- Eastsound, WA, USA

problem #796

Jun 042023

Fusion

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started losing motive power and decelerated. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where the transmission was rebuilt and replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #795

Jan 052023

Fusion

  • 161,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk forward. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact stated that he had experienced the failure five times in total. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

- Providence, RI, USA

problem #794

Jan 192023

Fusion

  • miles
This vehicle has been in our family since new and all recalls and service has been done on schedule. Currently only have 75K miles on it. On January 19, 2023 I was driving the vehicle in question and had a warning pop up saying Check Brake System and Service AdvanceTrac at the same time I lost my brakes and the vehicle lost power but not total power. No warning was given prior to this happening. I was able to stop the vehicle after pushing the brakes all the way to the floor and putting the car in neutral. I was luckily in my neighborhood after driving home in heavy traffic. I was able to get the car to my driveway and after restarting the car the warning went away and my husband drove the vehicle and did not have the issue. I found that Ford had a Customer Service Satisfaction internal recall back in 2010 on this vehicle for the exact same problem. The fix was applied back in 2010. I just recently brought the car in for another recall for a battery firmware update which I believe could have messed with the fix that was applied back in 2010. I called Ford and they stated there was nothing they could do. I can't get into a ford dealership for them to look into this for another 2 weeks. If other vehicles received this same firmware update for the battery they may incur the same issue and someone could be hurt or worse killed if they panic and don't know what to do. I had a hard enough time stopping the vehicle and I knew what to do but luckily I was not in traffic when it happened. I found an article written by Consumer reports back in Feburary 2010 stating the same issue. Vehicle is available for inspection at any time.

- Ashland, VA, USA

problem #793

Nov 042022

Fusion

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and removing the key from the ignition switch, the vehicle rolled away. The contact stated that the parking brake was applied to stop the vehicle and then the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired and was towed back to the residence. The contact was made aware of an unknown power train recall; however, the local dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #792

Aug 012022

Fusion

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my car 2 Wrench lights appeared on my dashboard. My car suddenly started to slow down and it would not regain speed. I had to find a safe place to pull over. When the traffic cleared I started back on my way home at a very reduced speed. This problem has occurred multiple times but my Ford dealer is unable to fix it. This problem has been addressed in Ford's "Customer Satisfaction Program 13N03 for Non-Hybrid Ford Fusions. Hybrid Ford Fusions have thee same Throttle Body Assembly part that has been replaced by Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program 13N03, so why not include Hybrid Ford Fusions too? (My car has only 61,000 miles.)

- Homosassa, FL, USA

problem #791

Apr 192022

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle stalled. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a mechanic went to the residence and diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE OR BE REIMBURSED WITH A VEHICLE OF EQUAL VALUE.

- Stewartsville, PA, USA

problem #790

May 142021

Fusion

  • miles
While accelerating in my car, the transmission felt like it was slipping and jerks into gear. it happens anytime I go from a stop in the first few gears. It is very dangerous if I would have to move out of the way of traffic.

- San Antonio , TX, USA

problem #789

Mar 292021

Fusion

  • 171,000 miles
I was driving back home and the 'power steering assist fault' message came up on my dash. I didn't know what that was about until after about 4 miles when I was supposed to get off the highway but the steering just wouldn't turn. I immediately freaked out. I kept going straight for a bit and I then tried to force it towards the right shoulder (thanks goodness I was on the right lane already) but as I started to slow down the cars behind me would honk and the passagens would stare at me while passing like if I was trying to mess with them on purpose. That was scary and embarrassing. Turned the emergency lights on and pulled over to call a friend who knows a bit about cars. I was told I was ok to force the steering in order to get home, although I was so sure it was going to literally break and come off in my hands. After around 13 miles I got home and my now both arms are totally sore and I'm not kidding. I wasn't even able to maneuver the car into my small garage since it's impossible to turn the steering wheel if the car is fully stopped. The car is there... parked and useless. I just called Ford and I was told I will have to pay for the tow truck to take the car to the dealership, for the diagnostic and to get the car fixed. Seriously? I'm an college student full of stuff to pay and always living in a budget. It seems like the cost for this is over $1800 and there's no chance I have such absurd amount to fix this problem that wasn't even my fault. I need the car every single day since in Utah there's no way you can get anywhere without it. I don't consider driving the car in this situation (it's probably not even recommended) and I've been borrowing my roommate's car, which I can't do for much longer for obvious reasons. I wonder what Ford is going to do to help not only me but all the unfortunate Ford Fusion's owners.

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA

problem #788

Feb 112021

Fusion

  • 195,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Advancetrac came on and also service power steering now came up steering is now hard I check the recalls on this site yesterday went to a Ford dealer the said their where no recalls I came home and refreshed the page an now it says that theirs 0 recalls.. I am unaware of what's going on... please get back to me this is my only vehicle I have to get to work....steering is hard N it's a hassle drive

- Glendora, NJ, USA

problem #787

Feb 212021

Fusion

  • miles
Problem with transmission. Chugging and irregular shifting

- Stafford, TX, USA

problem #786

Feb 172021

Fusion

  • 82,500 miles
Engine light, advance trac light, ABS light, battery light, tire pressure monitoring system light, alarm light suddenly came on. Then dash went completely blank. Headlights went out, lost control of vehicle at high speed. Dash lights came back on stirring control of vehicle lost. All dash lights started flashing. Breaking system not working.

- Shrewsbury, MA, USA

problem #785

Sep 032020

Fusion

  • 210,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle one Saturday morning and the brake pedal went down to the floor and after I pumped the brakes a few times the brakes started to work again so I immediately called a mechanic to take a look at

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #784

May 132020

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 87,300 miles
My family financed our 2010 Fusion sel in September of 2011, was certified used with 7,900 miles, purchased with extended warranty as well. My mom and my sister drove the car for about 7 years, they loved it and had no issues with it. They passed it down to me in 2018 when I got my license, my mother told me how to take care of our cars and what not to do, we don't abuse our vehicles. The first major issue was the throttle body that completely went out after accelerating from a green light it felt like my transmission was going to fall out of my car, with the RPM jumping up and down, shifted horribly. I then drove my possessed car to the nearest dealer, the throttle body was replaced the same day in may of 2018 under warranty and worked fine ever since (sometimes). They said this is a common issue. Extremely leaky 17' rims causing multiple mornings where I woke up to a flat tire. Ford said nothing they can do even though it's the same stock rims since we've bought it (same problems even with new tires). Tire pressure sensor fault that's been faulty since 2018 especially in the cold, took it to the dealership and they claimed they fix it, but they didn't. and now I feel like my steering is going out, I sometimes lose power whenever I turn left, the orange stabilitrak/stability lights up on my dash and is a little rough, in April of 2020 I turned into my driveway turning left, my engine completely stalled, if I wouldn't have straightened out my steering I would have completely hit the corner of my porch. I'm afraid to drive this car on the freeway, both engine and steering issues? dealer says it's normal and that it's fine. Right.. not what carcomplaints.com says I'm 18 about to graduate and go to college in September, I currently have no job due to the quarantine, and might have to consider purchasing a new Fusion before my current car injures/kills me.

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #783

Nov 012019

Fusion

  • 77,000 miles
Car accelleration is sluggish/weak after car comes to complete stop. Poses real danger when entering traffic, especially left turns with oncoming traffic. Problem has been reported by several others. Cause is design defect in vehicle/battery age counter in car's computer. Only allows for one digit. Causes battery to stop working properly after car reaches 10 years of age. My car was purchased in aoril 2010. Had local auto shop reset counter to "0". (car has only 77,000 miles) now functions as intended. Copy of repair invoice attached. I will send copy to Ford Motor Company rquesting reimbursement after filing report here.

- Ben Lomond, CA, USA

problem #782

Jun 062018

Fusion

  • 11,800 miles
My ABS and traction light stays on. My car shifts really bad when I hit an hole and when I go over 65 mph I fell like I am losing control.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #781

Dec 182019

Fusion

  • 133,000 miles
Vehicle is a 2010 Fusion hybrid. Vehicle hesitates for 1-3 seconds when accelerating from a stop. There is a delay because of what appears to be a failure of the hybrid drive system to provide adequate power. I also notice this during routine driving, although it is not a safety concern then. The hybrid power system has simply stopped providing the additional power required by the powertrain to operate properly. This is particularly problematic when pulling out of a side street onto a busy road. The car has enough power to get me into the middle of the road but then hesitates to accelerate properly for 2-3 seconds, presenting a danger to me and other cars. I am learning to compensate for this delay but this is safety concern for me and other drivers. Other drivers of the same model of similar age are reporting the same issues on forums such as "fordfusionhybridforum.com"

- New Albany, OH, USA

problem #780

Oct 112019

Fusion

  • 91,000 miles
My 2010 Ford Fusion had the service power steering light come on while driving down the highway, and then the power steering went out and the service advancetrac came on. I called the dealership and even though my car has two open recalls for airbags and fuel tank, along with an extended one on my throttle body, they can't get my car in until next month. I've tried disconnecting the battery terminals, and replaced the battery in hopes that it would reset the computer as the car does not have a power steering pump and is controlled by a computer chip.

- Hauser, ID, USA

problem #779

Jan 012017

Fusion

  • 110,000 miles
Delayed exclamation when I press the gas pedal and slowing down for no reason while driving on the highway. The tie rod breaks over and over again. I've had it fixed 5 times in one year

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

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