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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:
42 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
21 / 1
Average Mileage:
79,175 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2011 Ford Fusion Owner Comments (Page 14 of 66)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1055

Feb 262021

Fusion

  • 79,092 miles

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

Another Fusion with power steering assist not functioning. Recall 15S18 not applying to many of the defective steering vehicles. How can only select vehicles only be effected with the same parts on all? praying for a miracle no one loses their or a family member life or lives.

- Gatesville, TX, USA

problem #1054

Nov 092020

Fusion

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle loss power steering assist. The contact stated that the power steering assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to gateway Ford (1055 w andrew johnson hwy, greeneville, tn 37745) where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the power steering needing to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering) however, three months later the failure occurred. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

- Chuckey, TN, USA

problem #1053

Feb 102021

Fusion

  • 174,000 miles
Power steering went out and it's very dangerous

- Vienna, WV, USA

problem #1052

Mar 052018

Fusion

  • 90,000 miles

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

NHTSA and Ford cherry picked several models of 2011/2012 Fusion models out of a power steering rack sensor recall. If you check enough blogs you will find that this leaves out tens of thousands of vehicles and many have experienced loss of power steering including myself. I replaced out of pocket one time and 50000 miles later the issue returned. Ford should be ashamed for this. Never again.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #1051

Feb 072021

Fusion

  • 133,300 miles
The power steering assist quit working for multiple seconds multiple times over a period of 5 years while the vehicle was still under the extended 10 year warranty afforded us via the safety recall 15S18. Each time we brought the vehicle in to be checked for dtcs, there were no dtcs present probably because the failure would only occur for about 3 seconds. Not long enough to set a dtc. At ten years and 28 days after the in service date of the vehicle the power steering assist failed for about 15 seconds, just long enough to set a dtc. When the rack failed, the steering was nearly impossible to turn and may have resulted in an accident if the failure would have occurred while actually driving down the road. Lucky for us we were still in the driveway in gear but not moving. Ford diagnosed the problem as a failed power steering rack, but since we were 28 days past the ten years, they refused to install a power steering rack under the terms of the recall. We had to pay $2100 for a replacement power steering rack.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #1050

Dec 272020

Fusion

  • 224,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 mph, the electric power steering failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the service power steering amd stability traction warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer bob-boyd Ford (2840 N columbus St, lancaster, oh 43130, (740) 654-1122) where it was diagnosed with needing the software to be updated. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 224,000.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

problem #1049

Jul 072020

Fusion

  • 85,651 miles

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

There was a safety recall for the 2011 Ford Fusion, however, I put my VIN into Ford's system to access the power steering assist failure recall, and it does not come up. The 2011 Ford Fusion and other years were recalled by Ford, yet it doesn't show for my car. I need this repair completed, as this vehicle is unsafe in its current state. I was driving the vehicle on the city streets and the highway, it lost all steering control. I was in fear of my life. I could barely turn the steering wheel and had to maneuver two lanes of traffic to come to a stop. I have not had the car for long, yet it sits in the garage because it is unsafe and undriveable. I need to know why my 2011 Ford Fusion is not covered. Ford knew about the faulty steering racks in these vehicles and refuse to repair or offer a remedy for some of the same model year vehicles.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #1048

Jan 302021

Fusion

  • 58,000 miles
Twice in the past year, I had a power steering assist fail when it was parked at a store. The first time, it was okay after I let it sit for 1/2 hour. Last week, when I got in my car, it failed again. I was able to drive it 8 miles and parked it at the dealer. They couldn't scedule it til March. I had to go home 20 miles away. When I got back in, it was okay. Has there been a recall" or should I have my mechanic look at it"

- Falls, PA, USA

problem #1047

Feb 012021

Fusion

  • 131,000 miles
I was driving on my way home and all of a sudden my power steering went out. Because of this I hit a curb and popped a tire but luckily no one was harmed. I looked into the issue and saw many others have had similar problems and I discovered that there was a recall for that same part (recall #15S18). I contacted my local Ford dealership and the service manager laughed at me saying it was my fault for hitting the curb after telling him I hit the curb because the steering went out. After more discussion they refused to grant the recall because I was one month past the warranty date and it would cost over $2000 to fix. If this were to have happened to me on the highway I could have been killed. Luckily it was on a street close to my home. Although I wasn't injured, someone else may have been or may be in the future.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #1046

Jan 232021

Fusion

  • 124,000 miles
While driving with my three children the power steering went out on the car. I was able to get the car home without an accident. I could not park on the street as the lack of power steering made it impossible. Once parked we turned the car off and started to look into possible problems.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

problem #1045

Jan 242021

Fusion

  • 5 miles

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

2011 Ford Fusion. Power steering assist fault appeared many times when started the vehicle. The message tends to disappear by turning off/on the vehicle. One time steering lost power while driving at 30mph. Turned the vehicle off/on on middle of the road and then the issue disappeared. Have no confidence now in driving this vehicle. Own this vehicle for one year and 173100 mile on it.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #1044

Jan 202021

Fusion

  • 111,800 miles
Power steering assist fault began to appear randomly, same as described for the other recent complaints. Usually can be cleared by turning off/on, but a definite safety issue if it occurs while driving.

- Hinckley, IL, USA

problem #1043

Jan 172020

Fusion

  • 157,000 miles
Loss of power steering and continued intermittent power steering assist fault after reprogramming. Ford and local dealership art hill Ford refuse to acknowledge issue as an active recall after performing programming instead of gear replacement back on 02/17/18

- Merrillville, IN, USA

problem #1042

Dec 102020

Fusion

  • 140,000 miles
When the vehicle is first started, there is power steering. Then after driving for 5 minutes or so, it losses power steering and goes into manual steering mode. This happened 3 or 4 times and now there is no power steering at all. There was a recall dealing with this issue in 2015 but I did not own this vehicle at this time and am unsure if the recall was repaired. The car only has 140,000 miles.

- Mansura, LA, USA

problem #1041

Dec 302020

Fusion

  • 123,000 miles
When I brought the 2011 Ford Fusion the power steering fault came on and went on and off and had car looked at they did not detect a problem this was like 11/2018 and then later on in fact years later the power steering fault came on and off and finally stayed on without going off. It was difficult to steer car. Was on the road had to be very careful driving home. I had the car looked at and found out that there was a recall but it has since expired for a rack and pinion and that I would be liable for the cost to repair. The first part of the recall was to try to reset it but in my case it did not work so I was out of 160 and had to pay for further repair a rack and pinion, which was in upwards of 1500. Had I known about the recall I would've got it repaired before I brought the car. They told me the recall had expired in 2019 they could not repair it. I am very disappointed in they way they handled it I think they should have at least covered the parts.

- Paoli, PA, USA

problem #1040

Jan 102021

Fusion

  • 80,000 miles
While in motion, the vehicles powered steering gave out - with the failure of 'service advanced track'. turning the wheel becomes nearly impossible - it's extremely dangerous. Often, before the 'service advance track' failure, when starting up the car, if I started turning it would flash a warning related to the steering - I have to wait about 5 seconds before turning. I've told various mechanic shops about this issue (when intermittent) and they were been unable to diagnose it. Since I purchased the vehicle years ago, I noticed that the steering leans slightly to the right. The 'service advance track' failure has occurred once in the past and the resolution was quite expensive / unwieldy ($2K) - it involved replacing the axle, amongst other components, that were damaged because of the steering issues. This occurring twice, in both cases while driving the vehicle (possibly under highway conditions), has been exceedingly worrisome & stressful. In an instant, turning requires a tremendous amount of effort - I am certain, in some situations, this sudden steering failure would have resulted in horrendous accidents. The first time the 'service advanced track' failure occurred: Restarting the vehicle allowed it to become drivable - enough that I could bring it to various mechanics. I believe I was told I could replace basically the entire steering system, for an exorbitant price, but, the mechanics could not even guarantee it would fix anything. This time, it was wholly undrivable.. now that this has occurred a second time, I have absolutely no confidence that the electric steering in this vehicle is safe - it genuinely worries me that this vehicle is on the road. Unless Ford can wholly diagnose, recall and fix this issue, I will be selling the vehicle and buying a new one - for my safety, my passengers safety & the safety of other drivers on the road.

- Austin Tx, TX, USA

problem #1039

Jan 092021

Fusion

  • 145 miles
Power steering assist fault - no power steering in car

- Williamsport, MD, USA

problem #1038

Dec 272020

Fusion

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at low speeds, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The failure mileage was 104,000.

- Corman, NY, USA

problem #1037

Dec 242020

Fusion

  • 85,603 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to drive the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult. The vehicle was taken classic Ford of smithfield (1324 N brightleaf blvd, smithfield, nc 27577) but was not diagnosed or repaired, due to the diagnostic and the repair fees. The vehicle was later taken to Firestone and was diagnosed that the steering rod and rack & pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,603.

- Smithfield, NC, USA

problem #1036

Dec 312020

Fusion

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the power steering malfunctioned. The contact regained control after the vehicle swerved and pulled over. The tract steering light and the service power steering light was flashing. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back home. The contact took the vehicle to davidson Ford of clay (3690 state route 31, liverpool, NY 13090, (877) 810-7456) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the VIN was not under recall. The dealer stated that the manufacturer would be contacted to see if any assistance would be provided. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Liverpool, NY, USA

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