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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2011 Fusion builds off the 2010's reputation. That's not a good thing.

The first thing that jumps out is the ridiculous amount of power steering complaints. It grinds, it squeals, and it eventually just fails.

And if losing power steering isn’t enough for you, how about a sudden loss of engine power? That combination is enough to achieve clunker status.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,271 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.

2011 Ford Fusion engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 7 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #151

Aug 292013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 38,071 miles

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

Driving 70 mph down the highway and the motor simply cut off. Was fortunately able to make it to the emergency lane and come to a stop safely. Turned ignition off. Then turned the ignition on and the car immediately cranked back up. Drove to nearest gas station thinking maybe being low on gas with about 40 miles to empty was the issue. Filled up with gas and proceeded home. The next day, as we were beginning to take a trip, after turning onto the on ramp and started to accelerate to get onto the highway, the engine turned off again. Fortunately was able to get stopped before being hit from behind by the cars closely behind me that were accelerating to get on the highway as well or by the flowing traffic on the highway itself as I entered the busy highway, thus endangering the lives of my whole family and those persons of the vehicles that may have come in contact with my vehicle. Cranked car right back up and slowly proceeded to the Ford dealership. Where I was told that the mfi throttle body and motor assembly had to be replaced to correct the problem. This is failure is a danger to every Fusion driver and their occupants, as well as, anyone that is driving near them that could hit them in the rear or possibly hit them in the door killing the driver or occupants because the car will not accelerate though an intersection or onto a highway.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #150

Sep 112013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 60,250 miles
My wife was driving down the highway and the engine bucked and seemed to stall, then recovered. The previous week it had stalled completely. Shortly after it stalled while I was driving it again and did not recover.

- Madison, CT, USA

problem #149

Aug 022013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 60,100 miles
Drove a mile from our home to pick up pizza. Went into the shop for about 5 minutes, came out and started the car. Backed out of the space and pulled across a divided road to head home and the car sputtered and lost power so that I had to pull over to the side. The check engine light was lit. I shut down the car and it started right up and the check engine light was clear. It repeated this issue again about 1 week later on the highway for my wife though recovered. Then again for me while accelerating up a state route but did not recover.

- Madison, CT, USA

problem #148

Aug 102013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 60,300 miles

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

I left from my home in the early afternoon. The car had not been used since the previous evening. About 2 miles from my house I got onto a state route and started to go up a slight hill. I had accelerated up to approximately 45 mph and the engine started running really rough, then stalled. The check engine light lit up. It seemed to go down to idle with no response from engine while pushing the pedal. I glided to the side of the road and crested the hill, then let the engine sputter at around idle as I was able to put it in neutral and let gravity take me to the bottom of the hill where I could glide around the corner into a safe parking lot. I shut the car down, waited a minute and it started back up as though nothing had happened. The check engine light was clear. I have not tried to check to see if it stored any codes yet. I had experienced 2 previous events in the previous 2 weeks with this car. The car has been serviced regularly.

- Madison, CT, USA

problem #147

Sep 122013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 34,194 miles
I have been sensing a surge in engine power for several months in my 2011 Fusion. I suspected a throttle body problem and googled for information. I found all of the information on the NHTSA website about throttle body problems for this car as well as information in other forums. It was a good thing as I was prepared for what happened today. I had just left my house when the dreaded (and expected) loss of engine power with the wrench light being illuminated. I experienced the same symptoms reported by so many complaints logged for this issue: Loss of power, rough idle, just enough power to barely move the car, certainly not enough to limp anywhere, much less home, even though the engine was in "limp home" mode. I had my code scanner with me and was able to retrieve the P2111 (throttle stuck open) code before I restarted the car to restore full power. This only worked enough to get the car turned around when limp home was triggered again. I restarted again and was able to get within a block of my house when limp home triggered once more. The third time I was able to get to my house. I called the dealer and then roadside assistance to get my car towed to the local Ford dealer after verifying that they had a throttle body in stock. The car was towed there and a defective throttle body was diagnosed and replaced. This is not a case of if the failure will happen, but rather when. I was fully expecting it any day and sure enough, it happened. I was extremely fortunate as I was less than a mile from home, knew what to expect and how to deal with it, and my car was still in warranty, but only by 1,806 miles! any other situation would have resulted in me being in a very dangerous predicament with a car that was basically dead in the water. I was almost to the point of purchasing a new throttle body on my own in the interest of being proactive rather than being stranded.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #146

Sep 012013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 44,600 miles
This is my second occurrence: I was driving at a level speed of about 45 with the flow of traffic (in-city road, speed limit 45). When I heard my car seem to shift out of gear, and start stalling and slowing down and the wrench icon on the dash was lit up. I was in the left lane of a four-lane street. I got to quickest upcoming shoulder, and turned my vehicle fully off and back on. This stopped my car from stalling and shaking. But I am starting to feel very unsafe in my vehicle because there is no warning when my car will stall out and I do a lot of highway traveling. This was the second time in a 2 week period that this has happened.

- Mesquite , TX, USA

problem #145

Sep 092013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 53,000 miles

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

This is my second occurrence: I was driving at a level speed of about 45 with the flow of traffic (in-city road, speed limit 45). When I heard my car seem to shift out of gear, and start stalling and slowing down and the wrench icon on the dash was lit up. I was in the left lane of a four-lane street. I got to quickest upcoming shoulder, and turned my vehicle fully off and back on. This stopped my car from stalling and shaking. But I am starting to feel very unsafe in my vehicle because there is no warning when my car will stall out and I do a lot of highway traveling. This was the second time in a 2 week period that this has happened.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #144

Sep 072013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 66,000 miles
My 11 Fusion died in gear (lemp mode they call it) in the middle of an intersection where I was almost hit and stopped traffic for a good amount of time due to it being in gear and unable to move. After being towed to a dealer and being told it was my battery; I left the dealer paying for the tow, diagnostic and a battery. I went back a week later for an oil change and was told my car was in good running condition. Around the corner from the dealership is the on ramp to go home. As I was accelerating up the on ramp to highway speed it went into lemp mode again leaving me with no power entering onto the highway. Thank god the semi and other vehicles behind me were paying attention and avoided rear ending me at high speed. I was again towed around the block from to the dealer where they have informed me that it is my throttle body position sensor and is not covered under my extended warranty, or the federal emissions warranty. $600 later; I am trading this car in because it is not safe to be driving with this possibility of losing all power at a critical time. Some one needs to have them account for this error and get these cars off the road. I was close to being killed because of this and sooner or later this will cause a death.

- Saint Louis , MO, USA

problem #143

Sep 032013

Fusion

  • 41,000 miles
I was driving at a speed of approximately 60 mph on a well traveled, busy city highway and my car transmission died. Through careful maneuvering I was able to pull my car off the road and onto the shoulder without incident. I was able to power my car completely down, turn the key and the engine immediately started. I cautiously, or should I say fearfully, proceeded until I was to my destination and another incident did not occur. I spoke to a Ford certified mechanic at my local dealership and had them take a look at my car. Come to find out the throttle box was in need of being replaced. Although my car had low miles on it I didn't think too much of it because mechanical failure does occur, however, I was taken back by the fact that the part was back ordered for the next 4 to 6 weeks from my local Ford dealership. (I did end up paying extra to have an emergency rush put on it as I recently have been doing a lot of driving for work and have a small child I need to Transport at times) once home I looked into "Ford Fusion throttle box" and found that my experience was not unlike many others. The potential danger that I, and others, have faced by driving makes and models of the cars with these throttle boxes is scary. Having had an experience like I did, I was lucky, it is only a matter of time before Ford's luck runs out with this inferior throttle box equipment.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #142

Aug 012013

Fusion

  • 36,056 miles
Car loses power and starts to shake and stutter. Wrench light comes on. Turning off the car, and restarting it will put things back to normal...until it happens again. This has happened on 5 seperate occasions. The last two episodes nearly caused an accident. Pulling onto a major street from a side street. Fortunatly, the on-coming traffic was paying attention and avoided an accident. Also, while making a left hand turn in a busy intersection. Scary situation, but again avoided a near miss. Car was taken to dealer on 8/10/2013. Diagnosis-throttle body needs to be replaced. However, their are no parts available. Interesting...they must be failing at a very high rate. I was told not to expect the part until October 26th. 3 months! so the car sits parked, waiting for a new throttle body. It is much too dangerous to drive. 2011 Ford Fusion (still making car payments) will be sitting for 3 months why I try to figure out how to get to work everyday. 56 miles over the warranty so the repair will cost $600. Thanks Ford. Just happy I didn't cause an accident or get anyone hurt. But its just a matter of time...

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #141

Aug 162013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles

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

I own a 2011 Ford Fusion. On 8/16/2013, on city streets, traveling less than 20 mph, the car engine cut off, the wrench light came on. I was able to steer, but all of my dash indicator lights were functioning as well as A/C and radio. However, there was no response from the accelerator. At less than 5 mph, she began to shudder/balk like I was just learning to drive a stick shift. On 9/2/2013, the same thing happened at two separate times, except during the first I was driving on a toll road at 55 mph. The second incident I was again traveling at 55 mph on an access ramp that leads onto the interstate. In all 3 incidents, the wrench light came on and I did have control of the steering wheel and was able to safely get my vehicle out of the main thoroughfare. I then shut off A/C, radio and ignition; waited a short time and restarted the car. Each time she hesitated ever so slightly before starting and I was then able to drive on to my destination.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #140

Aug 282013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
Car experienced a sudden loss of power during acceleration from a stop sign. Lost 99% of power and missed heavily. Nearly rear-ended. Pulled over, turned car off, waited a few minutes and restarted the car. Ran fine. Drove approximately 15 miles and 25 minutes before parking the car; problem did not recur. Drove approximately 20 miles and 30 minutes to dealership; problem did not recur. Dealership diagnosed the problem the same as many of the complaints on this website - the throttle body actuator is sticking. $400 repair. Information online indicates that this is a new throttle design by Ford, so in essence, Ford is experimenting on my dime. Not acceptable.

- Strasburg, VA, USA

problem #139

Aug 192013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 27,750 miles
I was driving on I-5 on my way home from running errands with the family. I was driving between 70-75 mph, in the fast lane, when the car jerked and the wrench light came on. My car lost acceleration. I was losing speed fast. My husband kept me calm and helped me get the car to the side of the freeway. When we were safely on the side of the freeway the engine was still on but running rough. I turned the car off. I called for a tow truck. I had my father come and pick my son and I up and my husband waited with the car. We had the car towed to harrold Ford. The part was on back order and I was without my car for 10 days. Thank goodness my car is still under warranty and a rental car was included. This is the scariest thing that has ever happened to me in my 25 years of driving. I am so thankful that my husband was with me to keep me calm and help me get our family safely off the freeway. I am so nervous driving my car now, I just pray that nothing like this happens again.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #138

Sep 032013

Fusion

  • 49,452 miles
I was not in an accident. However, my car lost power (engine) while turning on a busy road! I had to turn my car off and restart the engine several times just to get my children and to a safe location. I finally parked the car and we walked home. It could have been worse as we were almost hit turning (when it first went out). The car was towed and I am being told my Ford that the throttle body needs to be replaced and my PCM need to be reprogrammed. The issue is the fact that I have been complaining about the car feeling like transmission is slipping but was told it was "normal? for a Ford. Now that it is out of warranty and almost cost my children and I our lives?it"S not covered. I have only had this car 2 years and call Ford company. Well, while speaking to them I do some research and see that this is an issue and decided to send an email. This is very dangerous and needs to be addressed. Not to mention costing us to have it get fixed. Ford nor my dealership does not have any records of my complaints. The only one they see is from a month ago when the car first stopped on me. I tried to get it seen but no dealership had a transmission clerk that could SE my car for a month!!!! then when I went to turn on the car to check the miles, the engine was off and I was told the error would not read. Ford is not helpful and this issue needs to be resolved.

- Randallstown , MD, USA

problem #137

Sep 032013

Fusion

  • 42,000 miles
Car appeared to have lost fuel power while driving approx. 40 miles per hour. Car jerked and speed reduced to approx. 5 miles an hour. Appeared to not be receiving any fuel even when the pedal was being pushed. Pulled over, turned motor off then restarted. Drove okay for about 5 more minutes than did the same thing again only this time while driving on a highway that had the shoulder of the road being worked on. The time was 5 am and it was extremely foggy. Visibility was poor and the scenario could have been much worse, all things considered. Repeated the process again of turning the motor off and back on, making it to my place of work this time within 5 minutes. Check engine light came on and remained on when the car was started. Took car to dealership after work (approx 8 miles away) without incident although the check engine light was on. Technician called next day stating the throttle body needed replaced and had seen this on multiple occasions lately with Ford vehicles. Although I did not have an accident I can see where this issue has potential to be harmful to the driver and others. I hope something is done soon before something more serious does happens.

- Decatur, IL, USA

problem #136

Sep 032013

Fusion

  • 39,521 miles
I was driving on a major highway (I-70) East from St. Louis, mo, to dayton, oh. Cruise control was on at 65 mph, moderate/heavy traffic. All of a sudden, the car started to decelerate without warning, a "wrench" light and the engine light came on, and when I pressed on the accelerator, nothing happened. I pulled over onto the shoulder, and the car was shuddering. I turned it off and let it sit for a minute and then turned it back on. It seemed to be fine, so I got back on the highway. Three miles later, it happened again. I did the same thing, pulled over/turned off car/restarted, and the car worked okay once I got back on the highway. Four miles later, it happened again. This time, I was between two semi trucks, and was almost rear-ended by the one behind me, which would have resulted in my car basically being "crushed" between the two tractor trailers. I was able to pull over onto the shoulder safely to call for roadside assistance, and after having to tow my car to the nearest Ford dealership, they advised me it was caused by failed throttle body (diagnostic code P2111). The service agent there told me that this was a known issue by Ford (he told me he has seen the same problem on close to 100 other cars), but the company has done nothing about it. I came very close to being either seriously injured, or even killed, because of this. I truly hope that something can be done about this before someone is seriously injured or worse, killed (I know there are reports of crashes and injuries as a result of this problem as I have researched this issue).

- Centerville, OH, USA

problem #135

Aug 252013

Fusion 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
While driving the car it slow down and shake. The wrench light come on. Going on the highway at 65 mph, engine just dies on me, forcing me to pull over, it looses all power but it goes to a very low RPM's for a while, engine shakes and after a couple of minutes just turn off, I turn it back on and it runs like nothing happened.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #134

Sep 022013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 63,000 miles
Driving the 2011 Ford Fusion on the open road, the engine suddenly died. I had to pull over and get out of traffic. Turned the engine off, then restarted. The engine started and I entered the road again. About 3 miles later the engine died again, suddenly. I had to pull over into a partial median, it was very dangerous. The check engine light was on and the light that looks like a wrench. I was able to get the vehicle to my mechanic, where the check engine code was P2111 - throttle body failure. I see from research, that this is a massive issue with Ford Fusion, and yet Ford has not recalled the vehicles. The sudden loss of engine power is very dangerous and placed me and my passengers in immediate danger. The cost to repair is $500! Ford should be replacing these for free just to know they are not going to kill a customer with a dangerously faulty product.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #133

Aug 292013

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
I was merging from one interstate to another and had accelerated to 65 mph. The car automatically started decelerating and shaking. Thank goodness I was in the right lane and was able to pull off. I turned it off and it started again. I was able to drive it a short ways. It did it 2 other times while I attempted to drive it to the Ford dealership and when it did it the 3rd time I pulled off the road and had to get towed. It was extremely scary and had I not been in the right lane to pull over at each time it happened, I don't know what would've happened!

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #132

Aug 312013

Fusion

  • 34,874 miles
I was driving doing 60-65 mph in a construction zone and all of a sudden I just lost power. I pushed the gas pedal to the floor and there was nothing. The engine and radio were still running and the light came on the dash that looked like a wrench. I coasted off the road and stopped and shut the car off, waited a minute or so and restarted the car. I proceeded down the freeway and within 10 minutes the same thing happened again (still in the construction zone), this time the check engine light came on and stayed on after I restarted the car. My husband, son and I were on our way to Utah from Idaho. It didn't do it again for the remainder of the trip so the check engine light went off because it reset itself. My car is still under factory warranty and I need a reliable car maybe the Fusion isn't as reliable as they claim it is.

- Nampa, ID, USA

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