The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud clunking sound coming from the steering wheel while attempting to make a turn. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the electric rack and pinion had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact ordered the parts and had the dealer install the parts. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the same diagnostic was provided. The contact was informed that the electric rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The parts were ordered by the dealer. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the same diagnostic was provided. The contact was informed that electric rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 208,864.
2014 Ford Fusion: harsh or hard shifting
8 of the 1,337 complaints about the 2014 Ford Fusion describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 117,783
- recalls
- 6
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
What owners say
*Car shifts hard when transitioning into second gear. *The hard shift causes a bit of whip lash *No *No *No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. This has been ongoing issue for the last year. Other Ford Fusion owners have expressed the same issue with their vehicles. *A transmission flush was done at 140k miles
My car is hard shifting, doesn't pick up on speed and has a whining noise coming underneath the hood of the car. My fluid levels are bad the fluid is black I got the 5 quarts replaced but there is still black fluid in the rest of the transmission. Is that causing my car to still mess up?
The vehicle was in motion on the highway when there was a clunk from the powertrain and the engine light and "hazard do not drive" light came on. I pulled over and had the vehicle towed. There had been a odd, sort of hard to hear whining noise when depressing the accelerator coming from some part of the powertrain for around 20,000 miles or so. I didn't think a whole lot about it since there were no warning indicators or engine lights on and besides the whining noise the vehicle ran normal. I had the vehicle taken to a ford dealership for a repair estimate and was told I needed to have the transmission replaced with a brand new one at the cost of almost what the vehicle's resale value was. I later had it taken to a transmission repair specialist where they would remove the transmission then repair the internal components in the transmission at a lesser cost than replacing it with a brand new one. I was told the "transfer gear bearing" failed and had to be replaced a long with other "fail points" known to fail in this particular model transmission.
Its been 3 years since I have had my car and I have not been notified by ford that I have a recall. Not by phone, email, or even in person. The only reason I know I have three is because of my family member who notified me. I have called multiple ford dealerships to complain and get it fixed but they don't seem to want to help. Every time I go or call they take my number and that is it. So I just keep going trusting they will call me back. And this week my car starts to have troubles and my transmission hard shifts into second gear and I damage the front and bumper of my car. I took it to my local mechanic and he says the problem comes from the recalled part. And now my car is parked until I can get it fixed and I have called ford and they wont help.
After months of hard shifting and slipping, in june of 2019...with only 53,000 miles on the car...the transmission popped out of gear and into neutral while on the interstate, and refused to go back into gear. Vehicle had to be coasted, in dangerous fashion and in traffic, off to the side of the road. Vehicle later began shifting okay (temporarily) and no cause or fix could be found. Ford motor company sent us on our way in the vehicle. Then in november of 2019, with only 65,000 miles on the vehicle, the vehicle began clunking and spewing transmission fluid everywhere which driving around the city. Our local ford service department has determined the vehicle needs a completely new transmission. Fmc is also refusing to cover the cost of repair now that the vehicle is just barely out of warranty....even though problems were reported while the vehicle was still under warranty. Attached documents, and incident information (speed, mileage) are in reference to the first incident.
I bought a used 2014 ford fusion from our local ford dealership with 34,000 miles on it, one owner, no history of any issues. As soon as I drove off the lot I could feel a hard shift between 2nd and 3rd and the engine revs up to 4500 before falling back down to around 2000. Then it's worse going from 3rd to 2nd when applying the brakes, the car jolts forward and the engine revs high as you apply the brakes. I've had the car for 3 days now and it has the worst transmission I've ever experienced. It's a very uncomfortable drive and I don't feel safe driving it when I know my car is going to shift so hard that the whole jerks forward. I've never been more unhappy with a car in my life.
Raining: the highest speed setting was not fast enough to clear the windshield I was driving on the highway, city and had to pull over due to the high speed for the wiper is no different then being on low speed. Very dangerous. Definitely not enough to clear the windshield in moderate rain let alone when heavy rain will come. Front end: every time you turn the steering wheel I get a clunking noise and you can feel it in the gas pedal. This has been a ongoing problem.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion Vehicles Equipped With 1.5L Engine
- Certain 2013-2014 Model Year Escape and 2013-2016 Fusion Vehicles Equipped with a 6F35 Transmission Shift...
- Thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission
- Been the result of a differential or transfer shaft bearing failure and the transmission can be...
- Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2014-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge...
- Some 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2018 C-MAX, 2013-2019 Escape, 2014-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge...
- Thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission
- Some 2013-2015 Fusion/MKZ/Escape/MKC with a 1.6L GTDI, 1.5L GTDI, or 2.0L GTDI may exhibit a lack of...
Related recalls
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- Risk
- A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were October 16, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on July 6,2026.
Recall number 26V376000 · Recall details
Power train: shift linkage/cable/rod
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
- Risk
- A damaged or missing bushing may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, the vehicle may roll after the driver selects the 'Park' position. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Recall number 22V413000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.
Recall number 19V362000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is exited without the transmission being in Park and without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
Recall number 18V471000 · Recall details
Power train: manual transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
- Risk
- A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source such as hot engine or exhaust components can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
Recall number 18V169000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- 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 2014 Ford Fusion harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2014 Ford Fusion?
8 of 1,337 owner complaints about the 2014 Ford Fusion (1%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2014 Ford Fusion?
There are 6 recalls and 29 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2014 Ford Fusion
Power steering loss 116Check engine light 90Stalling 84Door locks 74Loss of power 69Overheating 61Engine failure 55Backup camera 40Jerking 34Steering lock-up 29Won't shift 27Transmission failure 26ABS 25Fire or smoke 24Misfire 21Hesitation 20Wipers 20Won't start 20Seat belt 19Brake failure 17Grinding brakes 15Airbag light 12Slipping 12Headlights 10Adaptive cruise 9Tire blowout 9No deployment 8Warning lights 8Battery drain 7Knocking 7Key fob 7Shudder 7Ball joint 6Screen failure 6Power windows 5Pulling 5
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