I was driving my car one day and as I was coming down the road the car jerked and picked up speed like on its on and I had to really stop abruptly to stop the car. I thought that was strange, I didn't have any warning lights or any indication that anything was going on I just thought it was weird, then like 2 days later as was driving the car would do this random jerk but again no lights on any indication anything was wrong so I went to work car seemed fine, got on the high way to go pick up my grand kid after work and when I signaled to change lanes attempted to accelerate to pass, the car just hummed and my speed started to diminish and I immediately coasted to nearest exit because I could not accelerate more than 15 mies, I coasted to a strip mall turned the car off waited til I thought the car settled for a moment and attempted to start the car and when I put the car in gear it jerked but as I tried to accelerate it just hummed and no speed overc15 . So I left the car got it towed the next day to another shop because any ford dealerships I called to see if I could tow for diagnostic test said they had extensive waiting period like one had weeks before they could look at the car. So I had it towed to another car lot who had a good business rating to be told that it seems to look like something had came loose from the transmission. That i may have to get it replaced, this car starts right up, didn't give me any indication of a problem and doesn't even have a hundred thousand miles on it. Where did ford drop the ball on this car? Im very disappointed , I attempted to drive the car around the corner one day trying to explain to my neighbor the weird behavior of the car and the transmission piece I was told that cane loose, and the car ran fine for about 20 minutes even picking up speed and everything then the moment I got back on my block its like it got warm and then we had to push it back on the driveway it went back to not being able to accelerate.again
2016 Ford Fusion: jerking or lurching
44 of the 1,662 complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion describe jerking or lurching.
- owner complaints
- 44
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 79,000
- recalls
- 4
Jerking or lurching by model year
What owners say
Ford has a recall on 2016 Ford Fusion transmission cable shifter. My car is not under the recall but displays the issues the recall states. My car jerks during acceleration and difficult to park. Can please help me resolve the issue with Ford. They refuse to fix the issue because my car VIN# was not placed under the recall. It is not fair for me to pay for an mechanical issue that was defective by Ford causation.
purchased a used vehicle. At the time of purchase, there were no visible issues with the car. However, approximately 20 days later, a significant jerking and knocking problem related to the transmission appeared. Due to this issue, I stopped using the vehicle for a while. After consulting with a mechanic, I was informed that the transmission needs to be replaced. As of now, the car is struggling significantly to move. When I turn the ignition, the engine starts, but the vehicle does not move. If I turn the ignition off and restart it, it may move slightly after shaking the vehicle, but then it quickly stops and displays an error again. In this condition, the vehicle is not drivable. Unfortunately, the person I bought the car from refused to accept any responsibility or take the car back, despite my clear communication about the issue. Additionally, the following issues have also started to occur: The steering wheel becomes stiff suddenly. This resolves temporarily after turning the ignition off and on again. The brake pedal sometimes vibrates as if it’s losing pressure. I can clearly feel this under my foot while braking. Sensor malfunctions have also started to appear. The current condition of the vehicle poses serious safety and functionality concerns. Unfortunately, I am not financially able to cover any additional repair costs. Therefore, I would like to know if there is anything legally or technically that can be done regarding this matter. Otherwise, I will be forced to sell this vehicle as scrap. Thank you in advance for your support and assistance. Sincerely,
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 80 MPH while driving. The vehicle started jerking and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The vehicle jerked and then failed to exceed 40 MPH. After refueling, the vehicle was slow to start. The contact had to pump the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who retrieved DTC: P02, P0087, P0131, P0302, and P1450. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle would not pass State inspection. The local dealer was contacted, who confirmed an unrepaired recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have had road salt contamination with the electrical wiring to the power steering causing the wires to become brittle and break causing a power steering failure in a right curve which caused the steering wheel to jerk the car to the left nearly causing a collision. The power steering failed again due to high friction inside steering gear and has a broken bolt on the EPAS motor to the steering gear.
The power steering failed suddenly while driving. The vehicle became nearly impossible to steer and control. Our safety and the safety of others vehicles or pedestrians was put at risk because the car could not be steered or controlled properly. The failure could have easily caused a serious and perhaps life threatening accident. Luckily, due to circumstances, we were able to pull over safely without causing an accident. It suddenly became extremely difficult to steer the car to a safe stop. No warning lamps were illuminated until the problem was actually happening. The warning lamps read "power steering assist fault; pull over safely immediately". The car was towed to a auto mechanic. The mechanic was able to "reset" the power steering but could not diagnose the problem. We then took the car to a Ford Dealer for further inspection. The Ford Dealer diagnosed the car and said it needs a new Power Steering Rack. We were told the original part is "failing" from the inside. The repair at the Ford Dealer is priced at $3170. The car is 9 years old and the mileage is approximately 80,000. For about two days before this incident we noticed that the steering occasionally felt slightly "jerky" while making turns but there was no warning lamps until the power steering completely failed.
I have a 2016 Fusion SE w/ 1.5 ecoboost. I have to check and add coolant every time it's driven. It shows cylinder 2 misfire. It loses power and runs very rough. The check engine light turns on and will turn off without being reset. It might stay off a day or two but then turns back on. While driving down the highway last Friday it started chugging and jerking and i lost power making it difficult to steer. The safety issue I see is the sudden loss of power while driving 55 with cars behind me and also coming at me. My check engine light turned on and was flashing as this happened. Ive never seen it flash before. I had it to a mechanic about a year ago because the check engine light. This is when i was informed about the tsb regarding the coolant issue. I called the Ford dealership and they said my vin wasnt one affected but clearly it is. Yes it's available for inspection upon request. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter
The car started to jerk as I was driving. Sometimes it's OK other times it starts when I accelerate like it goes out of gear came on. I did try to take it to AutoZone with the light had already gone off. I also took it diagnostic. they said that I could Transmission control module issue. I change my battery voltage. Immediately battery this resolved the problem for about 30 minutes and then the process started over again. Insecure driving this vehicle at this point I have read online. This is an issue 2016 Ford fusion I need help .
The ABS System light , The traction off and on at the same time, the advanced track light, and finally the tire pressure monitor fault I belive is what it says. The lights came on one day when I crossed over railroad tracks that were a little rough nothing that should damage anything on a vehicle. one after another the lights began coming on. The steering is very tight and makes it hard to drive. When I go over bumps or any uneveness in the roadway the car will shift making the steering wheel jerk and the car to swerve. When you push on the brakes at times it feels like they are skipping and making a weird skipping sound as well. I thought it was needing the brakes so I got all for sides new brakes and rotors. That did not help either. I had a diagnostic scan done the car but it did not pick up anything but an h20 sensor so I got that repaired. I don't know why this is happening and I'm a single mother/grandmother. I cannot afford to spend a lot of money trying to fix these issues.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine coolant over temperature warning light illuminated. The contact stopped the vehicle and checked the coolant level. The contact stated that the coolant level was sufficient. The contact proceeded to drive the vehicle to the intended destination. The contact stated that when the speed increased above 20 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently. The engine overheated and then seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure due to coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,500.
Transmission is constantly jerking when engine light is on. Driver assist back up reports to return to dealership and the front just doesn't work at all.
Steering Wheel power steering no longer works. Can't turn the steering wheel. Became extremely difficult to turn before permanently parking. The 2016 Ford Fusion is currently at the dealership and they confirmed the issue. It's been inspected by a Ford Dealership Service Center. Yes, a light came on in the vehicle, but I do not remember which one. Nothing we did caused it to stop working. One day it just started jerking and catching while turning. Then it stopped working suddenly.
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
Questions about the 2016 Ford Fusion jerking
Is jerking or lurching a common problem on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
44 of 1,662 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion (3%) mention jerking or lurching. The model year with the most reports is 2010.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
There are 4 recalls and 22 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Ford Fusion
Check engine light 270Overheating 191Engine failure 136Misfire 131Backup camera 124Stalling 93Loss of power 70Fire or smoke 60Power steering loss 54Door locks 53Won't shift 41Screen failure 35Won't start 33ABS 27Hesitation 27Airbag light 25Brake failure 22Transmission failure 21Steering lock-up 15Shudder 13No deployment 10Adaptive cruise 9Grinding brakes 9Fuel pump 9Harsh shifting 9Rollaway 9Seat belt 9Wipers 8Headlights 7Slipping 7Battery drain 5Knocking 5Fuel smell 5Sudden acceleration 5Warning lights 5
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