10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
42 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
21 / 1
Average Mileage:
79,175 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 Ford Fusion:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #1295

Mar 072023

Fusion

  • 153,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the lug nuts and the studs had fractured and were replaced by a tire mechanic. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the message "Check the Connection of The Fuel Inlet Port" was displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality inadvertently while making a turn into the driveway. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was only included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags). Additionally, the manufacturer informed the contact the recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering) was previously performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.

- Manchester, OH, USA

problem #1294

Jan 012024

Fusion

  • miles
Loss steering not able to drive.

- Memphis , TN, USA

problem #1293

Jan 172024

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering went out on my son while driving and he could have gotten in an accident! at 61k miles and the part on this car was made 10 days before the recall. I believe this VIN should have been included in the Steering Gear Assembly recall! Now I-??m stuck with a 2k repair! For a faulty Steering Gear Assembly! And Ford Motor won-??t budge- spouting the 60k warranty. This part should not fail at 61k- it-??s a known issue! Many engineers at Ford have told me it-??s highly likely the part in my car could have been in the same manufacturing lot as the ones recalled.

- Plymouth , MI, USA

problem #1292

Jan 202024

Fusion

  • miles
While driving power steering lost. Instant loss of control of vehicle. Brought to dealer scanned for diagnostic code U2011 present. The dealer applied to have my steering rack replaced under campaign 15N01. Ford denied. I called for customer service and although they are aware of the issue it is Not a recall so they are not required to replace it or offer any good will. The campaign is expired on my vehicle by 3 years. This should be a safety recall for which there is no expiration date. It is up to the NHTSA to enact this potentially deadly situation. Ford has acknowledged this defect for which I have already experienced loss of power steering but is hiding behind a date on an expired campaign verses a safety recall. What needs to happen for this to be a recall which would require Ford to address their faulty part?? Please contact me immediately to discuss.

- Colchester , CT, USA

problem #1291

Jan 262024

Fusion

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the message "Power Steering Assist Fault" was displayed, and the steering wheel was locked. The contact read information online on how to reset the vehicle and was able to reset the vehicle the following day. The contact drove to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Bozeman, MT, USA

problem #1290

Dec 262023

Fusion

  • 168,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed with the "Service Power Steering Now" and "Service Power Assist Fault" messages displayed. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to steer the vehicle due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the computer was reset; however, the failure returned soon after the reset. Upon investigation, the contact discovered and linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V340000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #1289

Jan 172024

Fusion

  • miles
The power steering went out in my vehicle after it being well in the negative temps as I live in North Dakota. After doing some research online it seems to be a common issue with my vehicle. I am glad it happened not while I was in motion, as losing power steering on the highway would not have been good. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" Power Steering Assist Fault. It has been looked at by an independent car shop and the Ford dealership where I live. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Power steering going out. While I was not in motion at the time of the failure, if i had been the safety of everyone around me and my own life would have been put at risk. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Ford has it at their dealership right now. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" It happened to me once before when it was really cold, but turned back on. Now I have a $2,500 bill on my hands, as the whole steering rack needs to be replaced.

- Dickinson, ND, USA

problem #1288

Jun 012018

Fusion

  • miles
Upon starting the car and putting the car into motion, the steering locks and "power steering assist fault" appears on the dashboard notices. To be able to steer the car I have to turn the car off and back on. The steering wheel cannot be turned when this fault happens. Yes the problem has been confirmed by a dealer. The warning message "power steering assist fault" appears on the dashboard.

- Fairview, NC, USA

problem #1287

Jan 182024

Fusion

  • miles
Within one week, my power steering fault came on twice, luckily driving at 5-10mph. But still scary at 10mph. Scary to imagine any faster. It locks up randomly out of no where in the neighborhood. Nothing touched before hand, no indication it was going to lock up, no warning. It locks up and cannot move the wheel so I have put it in park and turned off engine and restart it to move the steering wheel again. On the dash it will say -??Power Steering Fault-??. This is my vehicle I rely on for work and commute for myself and my child. No other vehicle possible for backup. This is dangerous and will not risk driving the vehicle, and at dead end with work and transportation on a busy schedule. I was lucky it did not happen in an intersection or crowded street or freeway and more lucky that my child was with me on one of the two times it happened driving 5mph and not 10mph. Cannot imagine it happen with other vehicles around.

- Orland, CA, USA

problem #1286

Jan 032024

Fusion

  • miles
Power Steering Assist Fault in a 2011 Ford Fusion not being treated due to it previously being reprogrammed to satisfy the recall 15S18 but they never replaced the steering gear which is now failing. The CSP 15N01 is now expired on my car and the dealership and Ford corporate refuse to treat it despite the negligence of the original technician who never correctly fixed it in the first place. This is an extremely dangerous issue as power steering may randomly shut off and make it nearly impossible to steer safely. The steering gear replacement was confirmed by an auto repair store.

- 46142, IN, USA

problem #1285

Dec 282023

Fusion

  • miles
On 12/28/2023, my power steering went out on my Fusion. It gave a message in the message center -??Power Steering Assist Fault-??, and after software diagnosis, the steering rack has been confirmed to be faulty. The vehicle has been a nightmare to drive, requiring up to 14 rotations of the steering wheel to rotate sufficiently, causing minor but repeated injuries to my neck, hands, wrists, and arms. On 1/10/2024, a supervisor called me and again denied an extension of the repair program to replace the faulty rack, putting my income and safety at risk.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #1284

Jan 082024

Fusion

  • miles
While driving my car the steering went out causing a huge safety issue and making my car un drivable. Has a CSP 15N01 through Ford Motor Company which has a limitation of 10 years or 150,000 miles whichever comes first that went out in 2015 causing owners of 2011-2013 to be forced to pay for the cost related to the repair in excess of $2,000 plus. This defect is Ford caused and should be reopened to the owners of these older vehicles before someone gets seriously injured or results in death by loss of steering. control. Being a mother of 3 with very limited income and this being my only mode of transportation, I am at a loss and will be unable to get this repaired or another vehicle resulting in the loss of my job and my children being unable to get to and from school. This recall should be reopened and this defect repaired.

- Madisonville, TN, USA

problem #1283

Jan 032024

Fusion

  • miles
While driving at low rate of speed, I lost all steering and check power steering now light came on. I slowly took back roads and drove it home.

- Morgan City , LA, USA

problem #1282

Dec 292023

Fusion

  • miles
The electronic power steering assist module malfunctioned resulting in loss of steering control. The unit began smoking and was stopped immediately, fortunately in the driveway so there was no risk to anyone while the car was travelling on a roadway. The vehicle (2011 Ford Fusion) is currently not driveable since as soon as the battery is reconnected it heats up and the unit starts smoking again. There is no way to steer the vehicle as a result. There was an online article indicating that this year and model may have been subject to a recall due to the steering defect, but searching the NHTSA database did not reveal this particular issue being addressed. The vehicle has not yet been inspected as it needs to be towed to either the dealer or auto repair shop depending on whether Ford will assist in the repair.

- Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #1281

Dec 272023

Fusion

  • miles
I bought the car in 03/2019. I was not informed about this recall. We had the epsa go out last week, called the ford dealership, made an appointment. Drove the car without power steering to the dealership, they looked at it and told us $2,200. I said there is a recall, the man said I am at 158,000 and that is over the allotted 150,000 miles. I was not informed about this recall, therefore I could not know to go get this fixed. I called Ford customer service and she said they cannot help. This is a SAFETY concern and I do not know how this is even legal. I am filing a formal complaint.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #1280

Aug 172023

Fusion

  • miles
I was driving on the highway and my power steering suddenly went out on me in the middle of traffic. My 2011 Ford Fusion SE had a "Power Steering Assist Fault" on my dash and it stopped working, it only had 117k miles on it. I then took it to the dealership to get it diagnosed and they said it was the Rack and Pinion that needed to be replaced. They told me that its a known problem, and for this generation of Fusion there was an extended warranty for this problem, but only 10 year/150k miles, whichever comes first and my car(12 years old) is now too old to get it replaced at no charge. Said that Ford around 2011 was introducing electric power steering for the first time. The Ford Dealership then wanted me to pay out something like $2300 to have them replace the parts needed. This was so incredibly dangerous to have this suddenly happen, I almost wrecked trying to get off the highway during rush hour. I have no clue why Ford would make a car and not make it a mandatory recall to replace parts for the electronic steering. After Googling my issue, I found many others having this same problem and getting screwed over by Ford. Please don't keep letting them get away with this. I just want to feel safe on the road in my car.

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #1279

Nov 212023

Fusion

  • miles
I experienced power steering failure while driving nearly causing me to have a major accident. This failure is due to a Power steering module failure. Ford had a safety recall for this (14S06), link below. There was no warning. I had a mechanic inspect and confirm the problem. The car is nearly un-drivable. I tried calling a Ford dealership (Tasca Ford, Berlin CT) they told me the recall expired. I called Ford, they told me the same thing. However, Ford's recall support page clearly states "Safety, Compliance, and Emissions Recalls do not expire. Affected vehicles remain eligible until the repair is completed." Link below. I'm at loss. It's a very expensive repair that Ford should cover. Please Help. [XXX] [XXX]. Thanks, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Newington, CT, USA

problem #1278

Nov 282023

Fusion

  • miles
on November 28, 2023, I was driving about 30 mph when my power steering completely went out. Two warnings popped up stating -??service power steering now-?? and -??service advancetrac-??. The two icons with what looks like tires sliding / tcs indicator are also present. I did nothing out of the ordinary and typical driving. I wasn-??t on icy roads or speeding. I didn-??t hit my brakes in any manner that would trigger a mishap with sliding. But this is scary to have happened and now because it-??s winter in Idaho, it will be absolutely unsafe for me to operate this vehicle. This needs to be taken care of.

- Twin Falls, ID, USA

problem #1277

Sep 202023

Fusion

  • miles
As I drive the power steering is locking up and my steering assist vault keeps coming on. I have taken my vehicle to Clinton, Indiana Ford dealer & currently taking it back 11/28 for the same issue. Please help. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Montezuma, IN, USA

problem #1276

Nov 212023

Fusion

  • miles
My power steering has gone out, making it very unsafe to drive. It-??s a workout to turn the car and I do not feel safe driving it.

- Springdale, AR, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »