FORD FUSION · model year

2011 FORD FUSION

3625 NHTSA complaints, 114 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011FORDFUSION carries 3625 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 114 crashes, 13 fires, 66 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 FUSION is steering with 1388 filings, followed by air bags (329) and engine (276). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 9 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 2011 FUSION. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

3625
Complaints
114
Crashes
13
Fires
66
Injuries
1
Deaths
2011 FORD FUSION — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2011 FORD FUSION. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 3.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

3625 filings

Crashes Reported

114 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 3/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING1388
AIR BAGS329
ENGINE276
POWER TRAIN260
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL252
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM194
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM172
SERVICE BRAKES167
UNKNOWN OR OTHER104
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)93
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE59
STRUCTURE:BODY46
WHEELS38
SUSPENSION27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC22

Recalls (9)

16V38400031/05/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever register

14E02800029/05/2014

EQUIPMENT

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats ma

15V79300024/11/2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010. The affected vehicles have fuel vapor canisters whose purge valves may not op

21V08100016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as

21E01300016/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also i

21V15800010/03/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to

11V57400007/12/2011

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 FORD FUSION AND MERCURY MILAN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 17 INCH STEEL WHEELS AND BUILT FROM APRIL 1, 2009, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2009, AND FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009, THROUGH NOVEMBER 13, 2010. THE WHEEL STUDS MAY FRACTURE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING A WHEEL TO SEPARATE.

19V00100007/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Vi

15V34000002/06/2015

STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford

Recent Complaints

20260219STEERING

Complete loss of power steering while driving, Service Power Steering Now warning light came on right after, service advance trac warning right after that. After doing some research this is a known issue to Ford and customer service agent confirmed this in chat, screenshot included.

20260219WHEELS

Complete loss of power steering while driving, Service Power Steering Now warning light came on right after, service advance trac warning right after that. After doing some research this is a known issue to Ford and customer service agent confirmed this in chat, screenshot included.

20260206STEERING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to turn the steering wheel, the steering wheel seized, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the power steering module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

20260122SERVICE BRAKES

My 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is dangerous to me and others on the road. When I drove my car, was coming to a stopping point and it didn't want to stop. It does it off and on. I took it to the dealership and was told I needed a abs module. They didn't have any because they was on back order. This was during the pandemic and as of 2026 they are still on back order. I also purchased two abs modules used for my vehicle and took it to the dealership to be programmed and was told it wouldn't program. Please I'm needing assistance with this situation

20260122ENGINE

My 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is dangerous to me and others on the road. When I drove my car, was coming to a stopping point and it didn't want to stop. It does it off and on. I took it to the dealership and was told I needed a abs module. They didn't have any because they was on back order. This was during the pandemic and as of 2026 they are still on back order. I also purchased two abs modules used for my vehicle and took it to the dealership to be programmed and was told it wouldn't program. Please I'm needing assistance with this situation

20260115STEERING

Power steering failed, there is a recall (15S18/15V340) that was done in Jan 2017 but all they did was electrical reprogramming. My power steering system (referenced in the recall) mechanical issues failed and I took the vehicle to Ford and Ford Corporate denied the recall claim. I called Ford Recall department on 1/15/2026 at 4:36PM CT and requested to speak to a manager and got connected with the manager on 1/15/2026 at 5:08PM CT in which the manager ended up hanging up on me. Therefore, I called Ford Corporate Customer Service to file a complaint on 1/15/2026 at 5:38PM CT and the representative denied me my complaint and would not provide me the recording of my conversation with her or the representative and manager even though they all told me that our conversation would be recorded. The fact that this mechanical failure occured under the recall terms is dangerous to the public as I was on the highway when my power steering just failed, it was not a wear and tear problem. This

20260109SERVICE BRAKES

UNKNOWN I WAS TOOD IT WAS DUE TOA RECALL AND EVEN WITH MY EXTENSED WARRANTY I AM BEING REFUSED AND MY VWHICLE HAS BEEN AT WILLOWBROOK FORD FOR TWO MONTHS, I cannot afford the repairs up front and sunbilt will only approve for $500 financing. Please help me if there are any solutions to fix my only means transportation and have the customer satisfaction service codes approved for repair

20260109STEERING

UNKNOWN I WAS TOOD IT WAS DUE TOA RECALL AND EVEN WITH MY EXTENSED WARRANTY I AM BEING REFUSED AND MY VWHICLE HAS BEEN AT WILLOWBROOK FORD FOR TWO MONTHS, I cannot afford the repairs up front and sunbilt will only approve for $500 financing. Please help me if there are any solutions to fix my only means transportation and have the customer satisfaction service codes approved for repair

20260109SUSPENSION

UNKNOWN I WAS TOOD IT WAS DUE TOA RECALL AND EVEN WITH MY EXTENSED WARRANTY I AM BEING REFUSED AND MY VWHICLE HAS BEEN AT WILLOWBROOK FORD FOR TWO MONTHS, I cannot afford the repairs up front and sunbilt will only approve for $500 financing. Please help me if there are any solutions to fix my only means transportation and have the customer satisfaction service codes approved for repair

20260109UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I need help to get the recalls done on the vehicle I purchased and was never warned of any issues and now stuck and ford service is dwnyinf the repair recalls and I cannot afford or find financing. Please help

20260106STEERING

While driving on a state highway at approximately 45 miles per hour got a message on the dash saying “service power steering now”. Drove another mile and a half and then suddenly lost all power steering. Steering was stiff annd difficult but I was able to drive another half mile to home and then had the car towed to a mechanic for repair. Mechanic stated that my 2011 Ford Fusion has EPAS (electric power assisted steering) and the steering rack had to replaced to fix the issue at a cost of $1900. Apparently there is a recall for this issue on 2010-2012 Ford Fusions but my VIN was not included in the recall.

20260103STEERING

I was driving down the highway, when my power steering failed it almost caused me to crash. I took it into a ford dealership and they are refusing to honor code 15S18 to replace the power steering box. Stating that it’s past warranty but for a safety recall it should not have an expiration date please help make this right.

20251222STEERING

Turning into a parking lot, power steering disengaged and warning message "Power Steering Assist Fault" appeared. Took the vehicle to an O'Reilly's auto store to have the DTCs read and the printed sheet listed code C1277-20: steering angle sensor signal failure. This issue was dealt with under the recall 15S18 and then customer satisfaction 15N01 for Ford, but I can't tell after calling Ford if my vehicle was part of the recall or not and they say it's not covered. I can't get any real answers one way or another.

20251105STEERING

Power steering no longer works.

20251029STEERING

Electric power assisted steering failed while driving. There was no accident , but had to react quickly to avoid mishap. Back in 2015, there has been a recall for Ford Fusions (2010-2011) that were manufactured from the Hermosillo facility. My vehicle was built at the same location and is a 2011, but does not qualify for a recall based on the records of Ford. I can’t find any record if the previous owner the vehicle serviced or if Ford ever sent me notifications. Between 2015-2017, I was deployed to Afghanistan and then reassigned duty stations,in which I changed my registration to Louisiana to Arizona . Between being oversees and having different addresses, I am not sure if I was ever notified. Currently, I don’t qualify for the customer program due to being over 10’years and having over 150,000 miles. Please help me in any way possible and ensure this doesn’t happen to others.

20251024STEERING

am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety defect in my 2011 Ford Fusion. The vehicle’s electric power steering (EPAS) intermittently fails while driving, causing the steering to become extremely heavy and sometimes lock up. The dashboard displays a “Power Steering Assist Fault” warning. Restarting the car temporarily restores steering assist, but the problem recurs. This is a direct safety hazard. Driving the vehicle in this condition is dangerous, as the steering can fail at any time, including at highway speeds. They say The vehicle was previously repaired under recall but the issue has recurred. I have contacted Ford Customer Service and a Ford Safety Supervisor multiple times, and they refused to perform any further repair, citing that the recall occurred over 10 years ago and my VIN may not be in the current “recall bin.” I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this issue and require Ford to repair the electric pow

20251024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

am filing this complaint regarding a serious safety defect in my 2011 Ford Fusion. The vehicle’s electric power steering (EPAS) intermittently fails while driving, causing the steering to become extremely heavy and sometimes lock up. The dashboard displays a “Power Steering Assist Fault” warning. Restarting the car temporarily restores steering assist, but the problem recurs. This is a direct safety hazard. Driving the vehicle in this condition is dangerous, as the steering can fail at any time, including at highway speeds. They say The vehicle was previously repaired under recall but the issue has recurred. I have contacted Ford Customer Service and a Ford Safety Supervisor multiple times, and they refused to perform any further repair, citing that the recall occurred over 10 years ago and my VIN may not be in the current “recall bin.” I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigate this issue and require Ford to repair the electric pow

20251022SERVICE BRAKES

Abs module is bad

20251021STEERING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The contact stated that the power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty and was above the 150,000-mileage limit. The contact referenced an unknown recall which had a similar failure description; however, the VIN was not associated. The contact stated that, fortunately, the vehicle was not being driven on the highway during the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Mileage: 240,000

20251007STEERING

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. The power steering warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with power steering failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the failure was the result of a computer and sensor failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The independent mechanic reset the fault codes; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,020.

Mileage: 50,020

Compare 2011FORDFUSION to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 FORD FUSION have?
The 2011 FORD FUSION has 3625 NHTSA complaints, 114 crashes, 13 fires, 66 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 FORD FUSION?
The 2011 FORD FUSION received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 FORD FUSION?
Yes, the 2011 FORD FUSION has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 FORD FUSION?
The most-complained component for the 2011 FORD FUSION is STEERING with 1388 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and ENGINE.
Is the 2011 FORD FUSION safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 FORD FUSION has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.