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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:
80,373 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 16 of 64)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #968

Jan 182020

Fusion

  • 86,000 miles

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

Whenever I make a certain turn my wheel locks up and I can no longer turn without wrestling my wheel to turn. My dashboard starts to go off and I get a message 'power assist at fault'. I would have to turn my car off and on a couple times for me to be able to drive again without any issues. It gets worse when I'm about to pull out from a parking spot, that's when it mainly starts.

- Inverness, FL, USA

problem #967

Oct 152019

Fusion

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering became difficult to operate without warning. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where they replaced the rack and pinion. The vehicle was repaired. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Newton, IL, USA

problem #966

Feb 152020

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 71,500 miles
Our 2011 Ford Fusion's electronic power steering failed and locked up. Ford has recalled 455,000. Our make, model, and year match but Ford tells me our VIN does not. This is a horrific safety issue. No warning it just goes out. Ford told me just to keep my receipts and maybe your VIN will be added to the list. And maybe get reimbursed. This can be over $2500. To fix. One VIN is covered one is not. The replacement parts through Ford have been updated as to fix the problem. They didn't tell anybody they did it in a unethically. If you buy yours part(s) from day Napa. You could have the say horrible problem. How is that even right. Consumer had power steering angle sensor replaced.

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #965

Feb 212020

Fusion

  • 160,000 miles

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

When I put my car in reverse from a parked position, the sensor for the power steering electronic steering assist warning light comes on and I struggle to turn the wheel. I have to shut my car off and let it set for about 20 seconds and then I can drive. Sometimes it takes me turning off my car twice. It has only happened when I put my car in reverse.

- Buron, MI, USA

problem #964

Feb 282020

Fusion

  • 146,000 miles
No power steering assist. Says "power steering assist fault" and steering is difficult. Vehicle was in motion

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #963

Feb 202020

Fusion 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
My wife was driving our 2011 Fusion and the power steering light came on and the warning light stated to service the power steering immediately. The steering locked down where she could no longer control the car so she pulled over and I had the car towed to the local Ford dealer : stokes hodges Ford (1850 jefferson davis hwy graniteville, SC 29829) at my expense. They checked and confirmed that this power steering recall was applicable to our Fusion and would install it. The service department called me back later in the week and said that they could not replicate the issue and that the car showed no code therefore they could not install the recall parts. My wife almost had a serious accident because of the power steering issue so she is afraid to drive the car again due to her close call with an accident. I furthermore called the Ford Motor Company office for issues like this and they agreed with the Ford dealer and ignored me. The bottom line is that I insist that the recall be installed before we drive the Fusion again.. the vehicle was in motion. The problem occurred while turning on a highway onto another at a stop light.. the recall consists of replacing a steering gear and an electronic steering assist system is what the dealer told me. I brought the car new and was never notified by the Ford Motor Company about this issue. Please help as soon as possible so we can use the car again without being scared. I found this information on the Ford Motor Company recall website :1field service actions: Epas steering efforts thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- North Augusta, Sc, SC, USA

problem #962

Jul 162019

Fusion

  • 145,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the power steering assist warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was restarted and the warning light disappeared. Recently the vehicle was started and the power steering failed to operate as designed. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics and to (bergstrom Ford Lincoln of the fox valley, 525 S green bay rd, neenah, wi 54956) and (kayser Ford 2303 w beltline hwy, madison, wi 53713) where the contact was informed that the failure was due to a software failure. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V340000 (steering). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #961

Feb 242020

Fusion

  • 170,000 miles
Power steering failure, as described in Ford recall 15S18, ntsa campaign 15V340000. Vehicle alerted that power steering needed to be serviced while in motion to a highway on-ramp. No issues with control, exited highway and returned to residence, parked. Attempted to drive vehicle an estimated hour later, and had a complete power steering failure at ignition. Vehicle alerted "service power steering now". original recall work was completed in 2016 @105K, now @ 170K complete part failure, >65K on new part... Ford states work/part warranty only valid for 12mos, yet new product they want to sell me carries a lifetime warranty... $2500 fix for a known issue.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #960

Feb 252020

Fusion

  • 123,000 miles
Message on dashboard reads power steering assist fault, then a loss of all power steering. Power steering loss occurred once while backing the vehicle and another while in forward motion at about 40 mph on a highway.

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #959

Feb 242020

Fusion

  • 88,000 miles
The power steering suddenly freezes and makes it impossible to turn the steering wheel.. this is the 4th time it has happened. Today it happened in a driveway, not ours. There was a warning that flashed, power steering assist fault, as shown below. Wife turned the engine off. Waited a few seconds and turned back on, no warning and steering wheel turned.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #958

Feb 152020

Fusion 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel ceased. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated, service soon and the traction control warning light were also illuminated. The contact also that while the vehicle was being reversed the steering wheel ceased. The contact called woodhouse Ford South located at (2288 osage ranch blvd, plattsmouth, ne 68048) and informed the dealer of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000. The consumer stated the power steering angle sensor failed. The entire rack and pinion was replaced. The vehicle's VIN was not included in the safety recall.

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #957

Feb 152020

Fusion

  • 71,000 miles
We have a 2011 Ford Fusion according to consumer reports Ford recalled 445,000 Fusion and other makes and models for a electronica power steering failure ours has done this now this vehicle has 71,000 miles on it is all and you cannot turn the steering wheel I don't even know how I'm going to get this vehicle to get repaired I called the my local Ford dealership and they said the consumer reports really doesn't know what they're talking about because they only take a select few VIN numbers that they have this problem or this problem part and of course our vehicle did not have the problem part even though our vehicle is acting in the same manner as those that do so the Ford Motor Company is basically covering up probably thousands of vehicles that are out there right now that could cause accidents could cause fatalities could cause some major safety problems because if it goes out when you're driving it you cannot hardly just barely turn the steering wheel you're in a bad shape I am a 100% disabled american veteran and this is very difficult for me to even try to turn the wheel I understand that the ntsb and the dot of the federal government are investigating forward on this problem I hope you continue to do this and see that this is a safety problem this isn't like a a leaky valve cover gasket this is a safety problem that's going to cause people to be killed I hope and pray that you will continue to push forward in this matter because I'm not having any success at all at the consumer level I am thankful that president trump is in office that he believes in the people so I hope and pray that his departments fight for the consumer I appreciate your time

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #956

Feb 152020

Fusion

  • 71,000 miles
The electronic power steering has completely failed. The safety issue this caused could have been easily catastrophic. Growing up in non-power steering years I know the effort it took to steer, especially when not moving. However, our 2011 Ford Fusion, since the electronic power steering failed you can hardly turn the wheel at all. I am thankful my wife was not going at interstate speed and trying to exit when this happened. I looked on consumer report to see if any others or if any recalls were reported. I found that 445,000 were recalled by Ford, 2011-2013. Many models were recalled for this same problem. However, when I called two different dealerships they said our 2011 was not covered. The dealership said it was only those with certain VIN numbers. So, our vehicle not one of the 445,000 recalled, has the same problem, same safety issues is not covered. Ford knows there's a problem, but they are failing to admit it. We have just over 71000 miles on this vehicle. Like many other before us I am counting on the ntsb to encourage Ford to do the right thing and recall these faulty unsafe electronic power steering units and replace them. When you have 445000 problems you have a problem. The incident happened on a secondary road as well as stationary parked. I'm glad I was test driving it for my wife no way could she could of turned the wheel. Thank you

- Glenwood, IA, USA

problem #955

Feb 102020

Fusion

  • 176,000 miles
Electronic steer assist fault warning came on while son driving vehicle and power steer when out and he lost control and almost crashed

- Asheboro, NC, USA

problem #954

Feb 082020

Fusion

  • 159,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while her nephew was driving at approximate 60 mph, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and drifted to the right of the road with no warning lights illuminated. The contact's nephew was able to power off the vehicle however it took several attempts to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnosis or repairs. A dealer was notified and informed the contact the repairs to replace the electronic power steering would be $2,000. The contact referenced the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15V34000 (steering). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #953

Dec 202019

Fusion

  • 86,579 miles
Power steering assist falt fault notice displayed intermittently at startup normally clearing with 2nd start. This eventually resulted in total failure of the power steering.

- Safety Harbor, FL, USA

problem #952

Feb 062020

Fusion

  • 138,000 miles
I started my car up and the warning came on saying power steering assist default.I can not turn the wheel it is very hard to steer.I brought this car used from the Ford dealership on 09/24/18.my car was stationary but it could have happen on the highway I am glad it did not at 70 years old I thank god.it is the electric power steering assist in these Ford cars and they are dangerous I want my car fixed by Ford.

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #951

Feb 042020

Fusion

  • 88,000 miles
Last night while driving thru the city, a dashboard light came in indicating there was a problem with my power steering and it became very difficult to steer my car. When I turned the car off and then restarted it, the steering was normal, but a few minutes later, the steering stiffened again and the warning light came back on. Luckily, I got home safely, with a lot of effort. But, thus is a very dangerous malfunction. I understand that there is a recall on this issue, but my VIN isn't included. Why?

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #950

Jan 202020

Fusion

  • 170,000 miles
Service power steering light came on while driving on the street and it was hard to steer the car.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #949

Jan 232020

Fusion

  • 192,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at about 30 mph, the steering assist warning light illuminated. The driver pulled into the parking lot and the vehicle experienced the power steering failure. The contact called the charlie henderson Ford, Inc. Located at 105 U S 90, waveland, ms 395760 and was informed that the vehicle was over the mileage and therefore not covered by a warranty program. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.

- Kiln, MS, USA

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