2018 Ford Fusion Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 107about this part
- Share
- 24%of 444 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 107 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Ford Fusion, 24% of the 444 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,700 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“So first and foremost, this has been a issue before, first time I had this vehicle serviced because the car was shifting terrible I would be driving and the car would slip out of gear and act as if it's in neutral which does not allow the car to accelerate, which occured driving on the highway and everywhere!!!! …”
NHTSA complaint #11572591, filed 2024-02, 119,943 miles“Drivetrain warning light then a check engine light came on. Had the codes read (p2119) came up took to Ford shop and was told my throttle body actuator control system was stuck closed and had failed. My vehicle has just over 41000 miles on it. Luckily it is covered by the warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11400068, filed 2021-03, 41,000 miles“Terrible car, after long thinking about it the last accident in this car I think was caused from the transmission literally as soon as I put it in reverse it acted as if I was accelerating and proceeded out of the parking spot a little bit, another scary thing I pulled out of a parking lot and almost got hit because the car acted as if it was in neutral when the car was in drive with on coming traffic!!!!!!!! One time it wouldn't allow me to go into drive it started rolling back wards. …”
NHTSA complaint #11572850, filed 2024-02, 119,943 miles“I first noticed harsh shifting and delayed shifting. Then I was pulling off from the car wash and my gearshift jump gears from neutral to reverse but not drive however the car did move forward. I had the vehicle towed to winner gord where they immediately knew what the issue was because they said its common. When I got my vehicle back the harsh/delayed shifting was still an issue. Weeks later the car in addition to harsh and delayed shifting it now shakes really bad.”
NHTSA complaint #11413506, filed 2021-04, 61,000 miles“Gear dial stuck in park mode. Gear dial I will not move. When the problem first started then turning the car on and off and trying over and over I was able to get it into gear. This last time that didn't work. Attempted to get the car in neutral using the neutral override method but it failed. Car had to be wenched onto the toeing truck while stuck in gear. Problem began occurring at 40,000 miles. The battery in the car died from leaving the lights on and this seemed to 'reset' the problem and no issues for 6 weeks. …”
NHTSA complaint #11390731, filed 2021-01, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 10251934Mar 1, 2024During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical…
- 10225458Oct 25, 2022Some 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The…
- 10225447Oct 13, 2022Some 2015-2018 Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a rattle noise from the transmission bellhousing area. This may be more noticeable at idle…
- 10213728Jun 9, 2022Certain 2017-2019 Model Year Fusion and Escape Vehicles Equipped with a 1.5L GTDI Engine - Powertrain Control Module Reprogramming. Some of the affected vehicles may exhibit…
- 10211728May 4, 2022Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Corsair, 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with HF35/HF45 hybrid transmissions can now be disassembled to…
- 10202708Oct 13, 2021Some 2015-2020 Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a rattle noise from the transmission bellhousing area. This may be more noticeable at idle…
- 10201614Sep 9, 2021Some 2014-2019 Fusion vehicles built on or before 10-Jun-2019 and 2017-2019 Escape vehicles built on or before 08-Apr-2019 equipped with a 1.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit low…
- 10201019Aug 17, 2021Some 2017-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicle customers may receive a message in their FordPass or Lincoln Way App stating Feature Unavailable. Since this is a fleet vehicle, it cannot…
- 10194428May 24, 2021Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 67 | 36% |
| 2019 | 69 | 22% |
| 2018 | 107 | 24% |
| 2017 | 314 | 28% |
| 2016 | 311 | 19% |
| 2015 | 145 | 15% |
| 2014 | 236 | 18% |
| 2013 | 281 | 16% |
| 2012 | 158 | 6% |
| 2011 | 268 | 10% |
| 2010 | 894 | 17% |
| 2009 | 20 | 2% |
| 2008 | 47 | 3% |
| 2007 | 74 | 7% |
| 2006 | 150 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2018 Ford Fusion
206 complaintsEngine cooling
88 complaintsOther or unknown
48 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsElectrical system
26 complaintsSteering
19 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Ford Fusion
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology