Owner complaint record
2011 Ford Fusion Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2011 Ford Fusion owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 2,783 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 3, 20262,783 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
-46% vs 2010
1,403 complaints, 50% of the total
half of the steering reports that give a mileage came before this
37 mention an injury, 10 a fire
The steering leads the 2011 Ford Fusion record at 50%, with airbag system next at 12%. Of the steering reports that give a mileage, half came before 89,000 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the electric power steering rack, $514 to $1,222 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
Half of the complaints name the steering, most of them a warning light and a loss of power assist. Ford recalled the 2011 Fusion without the 3.5L engine for its electric power steering, and the airbag complaints follow Takata inflator recalls.
2011 Ford Fusion overview
The 2011 Fusion came with a 2.5-liter four and two six-cylinders of 3.0 and 3.5 liters, with a six-speed automatic or, on the four, a six-speed manual, in front-wheel or, on the sixes, all-wheel drive.
Owners filed 46% fewer complaints about the 2011 than the 2010 (5,126), and the steering leads both years. The 2012 drew 2,513, with steering named most.
- Power
- 263 hp at 6,250 rpm
- Torque
- 249 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 240 hp at 6,550 rpm
- Torque
- 223 lb-ft at 4,300 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 175 hp at 6,000 rpm
- Torque
- 172 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Ford's fordvehicles.com engine specifications (Wayback copy), read 3 Oct 2026.
Is the 2011 Ford Fusion reliable?
Owners filed more complaints about the 2011 Ford Fusion than about any other Fusion year except 2010, and most of them are about the steering. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 2ndCompared with other Fusion years2,783 complaints, the 2nd most of 11 model years (2010 has 5,126).By model year
- 50%The system named mostSteering, in 1,403 complaints. Half of the steering reports that give a mileage came before 89,000 miles.Problems by system
- 9Recalls9 recall campaigns cover the 2011 Ford Fusion.Recalls
- 80Crashes, injuries, fires80 complaints mention a crash, 37 an injury and 10 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2011 Ford Fusion problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 2,783 complaints about the 2011 Ford Fusion that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Steering50%1,403 complaintsLoss of power assist, steering warnings
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What owners describe
Daughter says her fusion steering locked tight at low speed in a parking lot and she couldn't turn the steering wheel. Took it to dealership. They say the rack and pinion and the electronic module need to be replaced at a cost of $1600.
6 months old car had transmition and electrical problems, driver door lock not opening, ac went out! Air bags sensor out, and now experiencing 2nd transmition issue. Dealership is not taking full responsibility for it, as transmition was replaced at another garage! Have been dealing with this car since 2012. Hard jerking.
OHWITXIARead 4 more owner reports+4
Intermittent power steering failure. When backing out of my driveway, power steering locked up then was drivable. Locked up again 66 miles later while backing up in driveway.. Took it to team Ford, $2199.00 to repair. Over 400;00 was recalled in 2015; for same problem. Why not mine?
My 2011 Ford fusion makes a creaking and thumbing sound and also when you go over a bump or turn the wheel not matter if its right or left, when driving.
A safety recall work on the power steering occurred june 2019. The power steering failed at 60mph on 12/29/2020. Was told by dealership, you now have to pay for the repairs. I never believed the repairs were completed because the same groaning noise continued afterwards. Ford needs to do what is right.
On a few separate occasions, while either sitting in traffic at a light or driving my 2011 Ford fusion has stalled in the middle of traffic. It hasn't happened for a few months and there is no rhyme or reason to when it will happen. When the stalling occurs the car literally shuts down in the middle of traffic and I have to restart the car to proceed.
When it starts
Usually starts around 89,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 60,000 and 128,000.
What to do
Turn the wheel lock to lock with the engine running and watch for a steering warning.
Airbag system12%329 complaintsTakata inflator recalls
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What owners describe
"takata recall", 2-1/2 years ago received recall notice; received 2 more since yet Ford not able to install repair yet. Ford says "don't ride in front passenger seat". How long is my family to be kept out of car. Be realistic. Ford needs to make repair now now now! What kind of oversight are you maintaining? 2-1/2 years !!!!
Takata recall. It has now been more than 18 months since I received the first notification of this recall. I frequently have 5 people who need to travel in this vehicle, so not using the passenger seat is not an option. Ford needs to install the new airbags, buy back all affected vehicles, or pay for car rentals when front passenger seat is required.
MSAZTXSCRead 4 more owner reports+4
Takata inflators. I received a notice in july of 2016 indicating a recall occurred. However, it is now march of 2017, and I have not received any card indicating that I can take the car to the dealer for the airbag replacement. I am very worried that the car is a hazard to drive.
Takata recall... Received my recall notice from Ford on july, 2016. They still do not have parts and have not offered any options. I am afraid my passenger will die, or that I will die if a metal fragment hits me. If I disconnect the seat belt, then my passenger may die as well.
The air bags were recalled in june of 2016. I received a notice from the bankruptcy court (tk holdings, inc) to contact a local dealer for a replacement air bag. I did and they do not have any replacement air bags. When will this recall be fulfilled? The delay in remedying this defect is unreasonable.
Takata recall: I received a recall notice for airbag for this car june 1, 2016. I have contacted Ford dealerships many times but never given a date when the replacement will take place.
When it starts
Usually starts around 90,200 miles. Half of owners reported it between 60,000 and 134,636.
What to do
Run the VIN: the airbag recalls should show as done.
Engine10%276 complaintsStalling, loss of power
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What owners describe
Two days in a row my 2011 Ford fusion stalled and an error symbol of a wrench appeared on the instrument panel. I coasted to curb, turned the car off and then restarted. Vehicle then resumed normal operation. In both cases I was at an intersection and fortunately the vehicles behind me were able to drive around me.
Car stalled while on highway. Because of traffic, speed was approximately 40 mph. With no power/ acceleration, driver turned on hazards and maneuvered to left shoulder. Car was shut down and restarted. Problem recurred. Car was towed to nearest dealer. Throttle body was replaced and problem has not recurred.
MOMDTXFLRead 4 more owner reports+4
Car has extreme, loud, embarrassing belt area noise. In checking with two local Ford service departments I am told this happens all the time and is common. It's about a $700.00 repair. Ford should take care of this problem for those affected which I am told are most that have been so unfortunate to have purchased a fusion of the year 2011. This is ongoing from 0 to 70 mph.
Engine ticking sound reported to Ford dealer after my mechanic found it was inside engine. Dealer found engine block crack and replaced engine - invoice #315874 - al packer's white marsh Ford, 9801 pulaski hwy. Baltimore, md 21220. Dated 11/12/15 engine 2.5 liter there are other reports of this problem posted on the internet relating to the same Ford engines.
My car lost power and we had to pull over to the side of the road. Eventually I got it started again, limped to a Ford dealership, and was charged $591 for a throttle body replacement.
Driving on highway at 65 miles went car would lose power and couldn't accelerate and car started to shake when came to a stop, cut car off, waited a min, cut car on, took a couple extra cranks before turning over, and car worked fine this had happened 3 times and is very random and dangerous.
When it starts
Usually starts around 45,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 36,085 and 59,525.
What to do
Accelerate on the highway and feel for a loss of power.
Our guideEngine Power Reduced: Meaning, Causes and How to FixPowertrain9%261 complaintsStalling, rough shifts
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What owners describe
Driving to work running fine first 18 miles then stalled and wrench light came just luckily was close to wrecker service. Car would start sluggishly but when gas pedal pushed stalled and check engine light and wrench came on. Had to have it towed to thornhill Ford at chapmanville, wv.
Vehicle speed 60 mph. Rpms going from 2 to 6 mph did not want to go over 60. Then vehicle stalled on expressway. Took it to Ford dealership. They said they replaced the tbi. Still doing the same thing. Car is parked because afraid it will kill us.
MSNJRead 2 more owner reports+2
My car has stalled out and surges it looses all power. My check engine light came on and I immediately drove it to the dealership p2111 code showed up when the diagnosed the problem. I have researched the issue and have found that this is common in this paticular model. This should be a factory recall.
Put the car in reverse and the power steering locked up. This has happened about 6 times since then and the Ford dealer keeps saying that the cant find the problem. But why is this happening if there isnt a problem?
When it starts
Usually starts around 45,500 miles. Half of owners reported it between 34,050 and 64,114.
What to do
Drive through every gear and feel for a harsh shift.
Our guideBad Transmission Symptoms: Seven Causes Ranked from $6.19 to $7,100Throttle and speed control9%255 complaintsStalling, throttle problems
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What owners describe
Traveling on the highway doing 70mph and the car stalled. Brought it to Ford and they said the throttle body is defective and needs to be replaced. Car had stalled several times 2 days earlier while at a red light, had to have one foot on brake and one foot on gas to keep it from stalling again. Ford does not cover this defect.
On a few separate occasions, while either sitting in traffic at a light or driving my 2011 Ford fusion has stalled in the middle of traffic. It hasn't happened for a few months and there is no rhyme or reason to when it will happen. When the stalling occurs the car literally shuts down in the middle of traffic and I have to restart the car to proceed.
PAVARead 2 more owner reports+2
Car went into limp mode. Lost almost all power. Will move on flat road with limited rpm about 1000. No power and car shakes while moving. This repeat of what happen year back while driving at 40 mph - lost power. At that time dealer change throttle body to correct the problem. In less that year I see same systems and car is back to dealer.
2011 Ford fusion lost power and stalled and found out that the electrical throttle body needed to be replaced for a cost of 500.94 by a mechanic because it is not covered by Ford even thought there are many complaints about this bad part in the fusions. There should be a recall on this and/or reimbursement for getting it fixed. Only had the car 6 months with less than 28k miles on it.
When it starts
Usually starts around 45,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 33,900 and 58,650.
What to do
Feel for hesitation when you press the throttle from a stop.
Electrical system7%198 complaintsShow detailsHide details
What owners describe
6 months old car had transmition and electrical problems, driver door lock not opening, ac went out! Air bags sensor out, and now experiencing 2nd transmition issue. Dealership is not taking full responsibility for it, as transmition was replaced at another garage! Have been dealing with this car since 2012. Hard jerking.
2011 Ford fusion lost power and stalled and found out that the electrical throttle body needed to be replaced for a cost of 500.94 by a mechanic because it is not covered by Ford even thought there are many complaints about this bad part in the fusions. There should be a recall on this and/or reimbursement for getting it fixed. Only had the car 6 months with less than 28k miles on it.
NCPARead 2 more owner reports+2
The windows and sun roof on my Ford fusion 2011 opens on their own when no one is around the car. My car was 200 miles away from me and friend found windows and sunroof opened. Had to make trip to car in order to close windows. Ford dealer said that this could not possibly happen even though the taurus had the same problem.
While driving at 60 mph on the highway, vehicle appeared to "stall" causing a sudden loss of acceleration. This occurred on three separate occasions in the past week. Vehicle malfunction caused vehicle to enter "limp" mode.
When it starts
Usually starts around 57,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 37,122 and 94,500.
What to do
What repairs cost on the 2011 Ford Fusion
Part prices for the problems 2011 Fusion owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
For the 2.5L and 3.0L: a remanufactured AAE rack up to a new Motorcraft one, plus a core deposit of up to $400. The 3.5L uses a hydraulic rack, $247 to $269 from Terrepower or Cardone. Under Ford's recall 15V340, for 2011 Fusions without the 3.5L, a dealer checks the steering and replaces the gear free if it finds loss-of-assist codes; check the VIN first.
Check steering racksFor the 2.5L, Wells up to BSE; the 3.5L runs $111 to $169, up to Motorcraft.
Check throttle bodiesPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 3, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
Check engine codes owners report
22 owners name P2111 (throttle actuator stuck open) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Engine complaints start earliest, typically around 45,000 miles. Airbag system complaints start latest, around 90,200 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Ford Fusion complaints by model year
2011 is shown in dark. The steering is named most in 3 other Fusion years.
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2011 is shown in dark. The steering is named most in 3 other Fusion years.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2011 Ford Fusion have kept arriving since 2010, with peaks in 2013 and 2017. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
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2011 Ford Fusion recalls
9 recall campaigns cover the 2011 Ford Fusion. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2011 Ford Fusion crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2011 Ford Fusion four stars overall, the same for all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. Its defect office has opened four investigations that cover this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2011 Ford Fusion’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 9% to 10%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2011 Ford Fusion
These checks follow what 2011 Fusion owners reported most: steering that loses its power assist, then airbag recalls and stalling. Run the VIN before you pay, because this car has steering and airbag recalls.
- 1Turn the wheel lock to lock
A steering assist failure is the top complaint by a wide margin.
- 2Run the VIN for steering and airbag recalls
Both have campaigns on this car; only the VIN shows the fix.
- 3Watch the dash
A steering warning light is the most common thing owners describe.
- 4Accelerate on the highway
Engine complaints describe stalling and a loss of power.
- 5Drive through every gear
Rough shifts show up in the powertrain complaints.
Oil and service for the 2011 Ford Fusion
This is what Ford's manual says the 2011 Fusion needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. The car tracks oil wear itself and shows an oil change message on the dashboard, but Ford says never to go past a year or 10,000 miles.
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 5.5 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- 6-speed Aisin F21: Motorcraft Premium ATF; 6-speed 6F35: Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Manual transmission fluid
- Motorcraft SAE 75W-90 GL-4 gear oil
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Specialty Green or Specialty Orange, whichever the car came with
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 6.0 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- 6-speed Aisin F21: Motorcraft Premium ATF; 6-speed 6F35: Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Manual transmission fluid
- Motorcraft SAE 75W-90 GL-4 gear oil
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Specialty Green or Specialty Orange, whichever the car came with
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 5.3 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- 6-speed Aisin F21: Motorcraft Premium ATF; 6-speed 6F35: Motorcraft MERCON LV
- Manual transmission fluid
- Motorcraft SAE 75W-90 GL-4 gear oil
- Coolant
- Motorcraft Specialty Green or Specialty Orange, whichever the car came with
Service schedule
From the Ford 2011 Fusion Owner's Guide, read Oct 3, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Fusion?
Owners name the steering most (1,403 complaints), then airbag system (329) and engine (276).
Is 2011 a good year for the Ford Fusion?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the steering complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Ford Fusion?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2011 Ford Fusion: airbags (5), steering, fuel tank, equipment, wheels. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fusion problems start?
Engine complaints start earliest, around 45,000 miles. Airbag system complaints come later, around 90,200 miles.
Which Fusion years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2010 and 2011 model years have the most in the file, and the 2020 and 2019 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Other 2011 sedans to compare
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 5 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.