The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a stop, the RPM became elevated, the engine revved up, and there was an abnormally loud clunking or thumping sound before the transmission shifted into gear and the vehicle accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that there were contaminants in the transmission fluid, making the transmission fluid dark, and causing the transmission to fail. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000. The VIN was not available.
2015 Ford Fusion: harsh or hard shifting
7 of the 997 complaints about the 2015 Ford Fusion describe harsh or hard shifting.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 5
Harsh or hard shifting by model year
What owners say
Had to have my transmission replaced due to harsh shifting into 2nd & 3rd gear while driving, as well as when you slow down it would down shift in those two gears. Had the transmission replaced, and not even a week later after they also updated the ECU for the transmission, now this transmission that was put in is doing the exact same thing. Now a few weeks later my trunk is randomly opening while I'm driving or while I'm at work, ECT.
The rpms rev and shifting hesitates. Was at a stop light, went to drive off from light and it stalled in intersection as it was stuck in gear and finally went into gear. It slow, hard shifts at usual times. The stalling happens out of the blue. I do not go far because I don't want to have an accident from it stalling in gear! I've put so much money on tranny work, this is ridiculous to not have a safe vehicle and have to worry about being stranded.
Took car to dealership to have recall repairs fixed, now with repairs it has now caused a hard shift in gears. Recall repair has now caused another issue that was not a problem until recall work was completed. I was parked and car wouldn't come out of gear.
My 2015 ford fusion has difficulty changing gears while driving, specifically shifting from first to second, then second to third. Also, rough shifting from park to reverse with my foot on the brake. The latest incident was when I moved the gear shift from park to reverse and the car did not shift into gear. I put it back into park, then into reverse again and it shifted. I drive it home, very slowly, and had it towed to the dealership the next morning. Ford corporate is involved, after four months of me asking for a new transmission, and they have not informed me of a conclusive decision on what they are going to do. I am afraid for my life to drive this vehicle, and have told the dealership and ford corporate so multiple times. The car isn't generating any codes, and they have, so far, refused to put a new transmission and associated parts in the vehicle. I do not qualify for the lemon laws in my state because I am the second owner of the vehicle. However, I purchased it as a certified pre-owned vehicle from what I thought was a reputable dealer. In dealing with this dealership, I have come to realize that the dealer is worthless and shady. I'm working with another dealer now, and they seem to be a bit better. Ford corporate is refusing to take responsibility for the issues with this deathtrap they sold me, and I'm struggling to get out of the car even though it's been in the shop five times now for the same issue. My car is still under warranty. They have replaced several items, but the car drives more roughly after every "repair" attempt. I want out of this deathtrap, and I want ford to give me all of my money back that I paid for it. Word to the wise, don't ever buy a ford.
At times there is a lous clunking when going from park to drive, park to reverse, reverse to drive and vice versa. Also there is some hard shifting when accelerating.
There has been many issues with the front end of my car. Both struts have been replaced at 22,000 miles. The sway bar link was also replaced.I am now at 23,000 miles experiencing a noise like a ball joint clunking in the passenger front and the dealerships cannot figure out what is making the noise. I have brought it to 2 separate dealerships for a synopsis. Still nothing. Also, the transmission shifts very rough and slams into the next gear from 2-3. I purchased this car from sport automotive used cars on october 2017. Ever since nothing but issues. Very dissatisfied with this vehicle. Especially since fords have always been purchased in my family.
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
- Rattle noise from the transmission bellhousing area
- 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
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: 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 2015 Ford Fusion harsh shifting
Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2015 Ford Fusion?
7 of 997 owner complaints about the 2015 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 2015 Ford Fusion?
There are 5 recalls and 23 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2015 Ford Fusion
Check engine light 150Overheating 97Stalling 90Engine failure 88Misfire 76Loss of power 56Power steering loss 51Backup camera 48Door locks 24Jerking 23Won't shift 23Won't start 23Fire or smoke 22Brake failure 21Steering lock-up 20Hesitation 16Airbag light 14No deployment 14Wipers 14ABS 10Grinding brakes 10Seat belt 10Shudder 10Screen failure 8Transmission failure 8Headlights 7Pulling 7Warning lights 7Key fob 6Rollaway 6Knocking 5
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