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Ford Fusion Hybrid transmission failure problems

19 of the 1,204 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion Hybrid describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
19
worst model year
2013
typical mileage
115,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    2
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    1
  • 2014
    2
  • 2013
    8
  • 2012
    1
  • 2010
    1

Often reported together

Stalling 4Jerking 3Grinding brakes 3Loss of power 1Check engine light 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P0073 1

What owners say

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WI

2019 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE. Vehicle experienced a “Stop Safely Now” warning with hybrid system shutdown, occurring both while driving and while parked/idling, causing jerking symptoms. This puts driver and other roadway users at risk, as loss of power/propulsion can occur without warning while in motion. Vehicle also set a P0073 (ambient air temperature sensor circuit high) fault code. The ambient air temperature sensor was replaced (Ford part numbers AU5Z-12A647-B / FC4Z-12A647-A) but the underlying issue has not been fully resolved and diagnostics are ongoing. Vehicle also had a prior transmission replacement (January 2023). Vehicle has also had extreme, unresolved electrical issues: fuses repeatedly burning out, lights burning out, two horns replaced due to failure, backup camera display turning blue/failing, and dashboard warning lights randomly illuminating. The dealership has confirmed electrical issues are occurring but has not been able to identify the root cause despite inspection. Issue has been confirmed/reproduced by a dealer. Vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. Exact onset date of symptoms is UNKNOWN, but warning lamps and jerking preceded the “Stop Safely Now” shutdown events.* problems have been ongoing since purchase of the vehicle in 2019. Ongoing still in 2016

Filed Dec 27, 2024 · Transmission · 95,189 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle jerked forward. The contact veered to the right to avoid crashing with another vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown related recall. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,189.

Filed Sep 18, 2024 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted with the transmission warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Transmission · 115,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound at the hood of the vehicle. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact stated that two years later the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no programs to assist with the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2023 · Engine · CA

CVT Transmission Vehicle purchased 4/15/19 with 38,000 miles Transmission was bad and was replaced under warranty by Ford on 8/13/2021 @ 77,099 miles. Noise is back and I took vehicle to dealer for diagnosis 10/10/2023. Diagnosis: Hybrid Electric Unit Motor went out/Transmission is bad and needs to be replaced @ 115,023 miles I have only driven the car $67,076 on this new transmission. This does not seem right. Dealership says I am out of "dealer warranty" and that I must pay out of pocket $7k

Filed Jul 11, 2023 · Transmission · CA

My car has to replace the TRANSMISSION with 54.275 miles . The reason for chance was , when accerating car maked a loud ratlling/screeching noise, from internal noise from transmission. Santa Monica Ford Lincoln Dealer did the job. Then after about driving 35.000 miles, againg The same noise. I tool The car back to SANTA MONICA FORD LINCOLN DEALER, and they (Car had 96000 miles, that time) and they refused to fix it again. They Cheked it, and found the same problema with this transmission. My car is Parking for over a year. FORD never help.

Filed Mar 10, 2023 · Transmission · MO

I drive a 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid with approximately 105,000 miles. The transmission (HF35 hybrid) recently started making a whining noise. The vehicle was diagnosed at a Ford service center as needing a transmission replacement due to failure of the transfer shaft gear assembly bearings. Issues with premature failure of the transfer shaft bearings for this transmission are well documented online and in multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSB 14-0214, 16-0105, 17-0039) spanning several years. Previously, a Customer Service Satisfaction Program 14B07 was established to replace transmissions with this issue, for 2013-2014 model years. The program expired; however, many vehicles were produced with the same transmission issues after this Customer Service Satisfaction Program expired (including 2015 & 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrids built before Aug 2015). It is clear Ford was aware of the transmission issue when these later year vehicles were sold. I have reached out to Ford for assistance in repairing this defect but they have not provided any support. These defective bearings will certainly fail in thousands of cars currently on our roads and highways. Transmission failures are unpredictable and could result in dangerous vehicle behavior and vehicle accidents. Repair of this transmission defect is cost prohibitive for many vehicle owners and will force them to continue to drive the cars with failing transmissions. Ford, or the federal safety agency, should issue a recall or Customer Service Satisfaction Program, to repair/replace these defective bearings both for public safety and to value their customers.

Filed Aug 26, 2022 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while refueling the vehicle, fuel would spew back out of the tank. As both failures persisted, the vehicle began to jerk and hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact attempted to make an appointment with the dealer but was informed that due to a shortage of employees, the vehicle could not be serviced for months. The contact stated that while waiting for the appointment while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal while at a complete stop. The "Stop Safely Now" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective purge valve which caused the transmission failure. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the issue and informed the contact that the recall was not related to the transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2022 · Transmission · 131,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Stop Safely Now" message was displayed and the vehicle then lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced two years prior to the recurring failure. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2020 · Transmission · VA

2010 ford fusion. Consumer writes in regards to transmission failure. *ld consumer states that while driving into an intersection vehicle completely stopped. Vehicle was towed to accents auto (williamsburg, va) where diagnostics were ran. Consumer was informed that vehicle needed to be towed to dealer for diagnosis. Vehicle was towed to williamsburg ford (williamsburg, va). It was determined that the transaxle had failed and the transmission needed to be replaced.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported November 18, 2014 · 56,479 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to October 31, 2014, 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to October 31, 2014, and 2015 Ford Fusion Energi vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to October 31, 2014. 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 Prevention."
Risk
If the key can be removed despite that the transmission is not in Park, a driver may think the vehicle is safety parked, when it is not, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway that could cause the vehicle to strike and injure the driver, other vehicle occupants, or bystanders.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C11.

Recall number 14V736000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Fusion Hybrid transmission failure

Which Ford Fusion Hybrid years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (8 complaints), 2017 (3 complaints) and 2014 (2 complaints).

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