Ford Fusion Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 3,033 of the 21,422 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2020 Ford Fusion (14.2%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2010, 2017 and 2016.
Transmission complaints
3,033
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2020 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
14.2%
of 21,422 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
8
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ford Fusion transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 47 | 3.5% | 3 | — | 2 |
| 2009 | 20 | 2% | 1 | — | 2 |
| 2010WORST | 894 | 17.4% | 11 | 10V222000 | 14 |
| 2011 | 268 | 9.6% | 4 | — | 13 |
| 2012 | 162 | 6.2% | 4 | — | 11 |
| 2013 | 316 | 16.1% | 15 | 26V37600022V41300019V36200018V47100018V169000 | 45 |
| 2014 | 255 | 17.8% | 10 | 26V37600022V41300019V36200018V47100018V16900014V736000 | 42 |
| 2015 | 157 | 14.7% | 6 | 26V37600022V41300019V36200018V47100014V736000 | 37 |
| 2016WORST | 317 | 18.2% | 11 | 26V37600022V41300019V36200018V471000 | 38 |
| 2017WORST | 333 | 28.1% | 8 | 17V427000 | 27 |
| 2018 | 118 | 23.4% | 1 | — | 23 |
| 2019 | 79 | 19.1% | 1 | — | 18 |
| 2020 | 67 | 34.5% | 1 | — | 12 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Ford Fusion transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 3,033 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ford Fusion years to avoid for the transmission
2010 Ford Fusion
894 transmission complaints (17.4% of the year's 5,130). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 10V222000.
2017 Ford Fusion
333 transmission complaints (28.1% of the year's 1,185). Most often described: transmission repaired or replaced. Covered by transmission recall 17V427000.
2016 Ford Fusion
317 transmission complaints (18.2% of the year's 1,744). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 26V376000, 22V413000, 19V362000, 18V471000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ford Fusion years to avoid.
Ford Fusion transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Ford Fusion model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 26V376000 · 2026-06-09 · 2013–2016 models
The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 22V413000 · 2022-06-10 · 2013–2016 models
The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- 19V362000 · 2019-05-13 · 2013–2016 models
The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key,…
- 18V471000 · 2018-07-16 · 2013–2016 models
The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key,…
- 18V169000 · 2018-03-12 · 2013–2014 models
Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- 17V427000 · 2017-07-06 · 2017 models
On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
- 14V736000 · 2014-11-18 · 2014–2015 models
In the affected vehicles, the key may be able to be removed even while the transmission is not in Park. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway…
- 10V222000 · 2010-05-24 · 2010 models
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 FUSION, MILAN, AND ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 27, THROUGH MARCH 26, 2010. THE PARK ROD GUIDE RETENTION PIN MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY INSTALLED WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL…
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2010 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 894 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2010 Ford Fusion, 17.4% of all 5,130 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (251 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 10V222000. 11 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2017 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 333 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Ford Fusion, 28.1% of all 1,185 complaints for that year. The most common description is "transmission repaired or replaced" (42 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 17V427000. 8 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2016 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 317 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Ford Fusion, 18.2% of all 1,744 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (29 complaints). 4 transmission-related recalls cover it: 26V376000, 22V413000, 19V362000, 18V471000. 11 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ford Fusion years have the most transmission complaints?
2010 (894), 2017 (333) and 2016 (317), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ford Fusion transmission problems?
In the 3,033 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (15.6%), loss of power or limp mode (14.3%) and transmission repaired or replaced (6.5%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ford Fusion model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration