The transmission failed suddenly. To my understanding there have been reported issues with the transmissions for this vehicle having sudden failures without warning. My car slipped out of gear while driving 60mph. I have had the car towed and checked by a certified mechanic who confirmed that the transmission has failed, and its poorly built. My mechanic used to be a mechanic for FORD and is familiar with the poor build quality of the engine, transmission and turbo. I have not had the component inspected by anyone else. There were no symptoms or warning lights before this failure. The car was driving fine and then, the transmission slipped and failed.
2016 Ford Fusion: transmission slipping
7 of the 1,662 complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion describe transmission slipping.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls and 22 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Transmission slipping by model year
What owners say
The transmission jerks sometimes between 1 and 3 gear. It was slipping a little in second gear. That issue only happened one time but for the most part it’s a hard shift on a regular basis between 1 and 3 gear.
My driver door lock light will not glow when I lock my vehicle. Transmission is slipping and has a recall on it. Front brakes has a recall.
129k miles. Transmission slipping out of gear at 70 +/- MPH. Pulled into gas station, allowed to cool for 1hr. Transmission would engage momentarily, then slip out of gear and not go into gear again without shutting down vehicle, restart, shift to d, repeat. Seems to hold at low speed so long as there is a constant load on the transmission. Unsafe to replicate at speed. Vehicle not listed in recall 18s32 for evap purge valve, but showed similar symptoms starting around 126k miles. Vehicle scheduled for service for purge valve prior to transmission issue. Maintenace not completed yet.
On tuesday (july 2nd) morning I backed my car out of the garage and into the residential street. I stopped approx. 4-5 feet past my mailbox - enough for my car door to clear - to get my mail. I put the car in park, got out of the car, opened the mailbox and was getting the mail when the car hit me and knocked me down. It was moving in reverse. The residential street is pretty level. I got up and tried to catch it but it picked up speed and then knocked me down again. I did not realize it at the time but I had already broken my right elbow in the first fall. The car continued to accelerate until it ran into and destroyed a neighbor's mailbox and was stopped. My right elbow sustained a second break which required repair with a plate/screws/wires and I was told I will never regain pre-accident usage of my predominant hand and arm. I had several large contusions on my face which are still present a week later. I have a plate-sized black bruise on my inner right thigh. My left leg is heavily bruised with a large wound and the inner and outer sides of my left foot are black with bruising. I have bruising and scrapes and cuts in multiple places. I believe the car slipped out of gear. If I had not put it in park, it would have started rolling immediately as I took my foot off the brake and got out of it. Instead it hit me completely unexpectedly. I spent almost 3 days in the hospital. I am going to have the car inspected and looked at. There is a current ford recall for this gear issue for cars from the same factory mine came from and the assembly year. My car has not been included in the recall as of yet but I believe this is what happened.
Transmission slipping despite car only being 2 years old. It has also had electrical issues. Must replace entire transmission
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford fusion. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the transmission slipped when shifted into second or third gear. In addition, the contact mentioned that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the technician informed the contact that the vehicle was operating as designed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,000.
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 slipping
Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
7 of 1,662 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion (0%) mention transmission slipping. 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 53Jerking 44Won'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 7Battery drain 5Knocking 5Fuel smell 5Sudden acceleration 5Warning lights 5
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