2012 Ford Fusion: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Nov 14, 2018 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 105,000 miles · KY

Was driving around 35 MPH and heard a clunk. A few seconds later and another clunk. Then heard a grinding noise and the loss of traction light came on, so I put my foot on the brake, at which point it became clear that the grinding noise was from ABS engaging. Slowed down to under 25, and it stopped these issues. Sped up to above 30, and the problems reoccurred. As these things happened, it became harder to steer. Car system was malfunctioning in some way to think I was losing traction and that ABS need to be engaged. There was no reason for any of this as I was traveling straight on a dry (sunny, no rain), straight road. Eventually the service advancetrac light came on as well. Was able to find a place to pull over by keeping the car under 25 MPH (any speed above that seemed to re-engage the issue). Even at low speeds, loss of traction light and service advancetrac indicator remained on. This issue is dangerous as it makes the car harder to steer and control. I was lucky to be on a straight road with no other traffic.

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Steering · GA

Rack and pinion. Steering wheel makes clunking noise. Vehicle wanders. Ford company states this is not a recall which it should be. This is a manufacturing defect

Filed Mar 3, 2017 · Acceleration, Engine · 44,000 miles · SC

I just hit 40,000 miles, vehicle has become very unsafe, while driving vehicle shuts off. Acceleration take too long and once it kicks in it slams into gear. If I need to reverse it won't find the gear and when it does , I slams into gear, the wrench continues to appear on dash when said event is happening. There should be a recall on that transmission or engine. Very unsafe. When vehicle stalls it becomes a hazard to everyone around me. If someone could please contact me this would be great. Upon searching what the problem could be I noticed numerous complaints about the same issue. Please help! I don't have any photos of the vehicle shutting down and what a hazard it can be . Tell me what to do please.

Filed Sep 25, 2016 · Steering · 65,000 miles · OR

While sitting still or driving the steering will make an audible "clunk" you can hear and feel when turning left or right from the centered position. No code present upon first trip to dealer who recommended rack and pinion replacement. They "updated" the software per the recall specs. Service advancetrac warning came on about a week later and dealer said code c1278 appeared and recommended rack and pinion replacement. Seems like this should fall under the recall of the rack and pinion, but the service dept said it doesn't.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · WI

Harsh shifts between 1-2 and or 2-3, flares when accelerating at times..... Clutches seem to be slipping inside the tramsmission at times during hard acceleration....harsh downshifts... When slowing down for a traffic light but not coming to a complete stop and trying to accelerate the car acts "boggy" when the air is on. It seems like it can't decide which gear it should be in.

Filed Aug 12, 2016 · Steering · 29,100 miles · WI

Car was making clunking sound. When I was driving. Took it in and was told it was the assembly steering system gear. Rack and pin system causing the clunking in gear. Was told my mechanic this a huge safety problem. Was told it wasn't safe to drive the car because if I lose steering could lose control of car and it could cause injury to me my family or other people that are in cars that I may hit if I lose control of the vehicle. I can't believe there isn't a recall from ford for this problem ! I saw there have been several complaints for same issue.

Filed Apr 6, 2016 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NC

The vehicle has a hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear. Also the car will have a hard jerking while driving.. This doesnt happen all the time but is getting noticbly worse.

Filed Nov 18, 2015 · Steering · 80,000 miles · GA

Develop a clunking noise in steering system at 82000 miles. Took the car to a ase mechanic in my town and it was diagnosed as a failed epas (power steering rack.) the bill for this is going to be between 1400-1600! I have read elsewhere online of ford recalling the fusion for trouble codes in the same steering rack for failed sensors and loss of power assist suddenly making the car difficult to steer and risking a crash as a result. My concern is complete mechanical failure due to the clunking like something is either broken or about to break. This would result in complete loss of control of vehicle and a possible crash. I realize things break out of warranty but this is a safety issue first and foremost. My daughter drives the car and my concern is for her safety. If there is no recall issued I will be forced to repair or trade the car and lose what little equity I had in the car because of its repair bill. The car has been well maintained. This is not an abuse issue. My opinion is that this a faulty part. When I took it to my local ford dealer, I was told there were no recalls on the car and I would have to pay the bill out of pocket.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Lights, Steering · 36,000 miles · VA

Transmission slams into gear from first to second, then second to third occasionally. I've had 3 brake calipers seize and 3 rotors replaced as a result. Brake wear is beyond pathetic. Rear turning signal/brake light bulb got so hot that it melted my actual taillight. Paint flakes off fenders from just washing with a brand new sponge.

Filed Sep 9, 2015 · Transmission · 55 miles · KY

While merging onto a busy highway it became necessary to slow down to approximately 25 MPH and then to speed up to achieve the 55 MPH traveling speed of traffic that I was merging with, the car hesitated for several seconds and then "clunked" into gear and sped up with overdrive engaged. The traffic behind and next to me was continuing at the speeds they were traveling at causing a potential collision. This continues even though I have had my dealer check out the transmission several times. It appears to be a problem when my car has to downshift and then immediately upshift to attain speed quickly as when the car in front of me slows prior to merging with oncoming traffic. I have narrowly avoided a collision three times as a result of this hesitation.

Filed Jun 27, 2015 · Transmission · 17,000 miles · CA

Transmission shifts very hard - particularly at lower gears (1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd). It is a hard enough shift to jolt the passengers at times. This happens whether you accelerate rapidly or slowly. The transmission was evaluated at two separate dealerships soon after the vehicle was purchased (as a cpo vehicle). The second evaluation was mediated by ford corporate customer care. Both times I was told that the hard shifting was "a known issue" and that its behavior was typical for this 6f35 transmission. Its hard to believe that ford would knowingly allow this issue to continue without trying to resolve it. My primary concern is that this "known" issue will cause the untimely failure of my transmission due to the hard shifting.

Filed Dec 11, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 77,000 miles · LA

First incident was in 2013, driving down freeway and advance trac light came on then the power steering went out on car. Took in for repairs and cost me 2054.00 for repairs, was told not under warranty. Paid for repair and here it is less than on year later and I have same failures on my vehicle as my husband, son and grandson were coming back from a trip. Thank god no one was hurt. First advance trac light came on followed by power steering fault light came on and they lost the power steering to the car. Tried to turn car off and restart car again and still no power steering available. This is becoming quite common for this model car because my daughter has the same car and had the exact same issue. Something has to be done, before someone gets killed. Always after the issue happens when driving car the engine shifts really hard, RPM's go up and then slams into gear!!!!