We are having issues with the 2.0 ecoboost engine overheating and going into limp mode and i had it looked at and was told it has the defective engine that FORD knows about and should fix because we can’t afford to buy a new engine and it’s not my fault that the engine is defective
2016 Ford Fusion: stuck in gear or won't shift
41 of the 1,662 complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion describe stuck in gear or won't shift.
- owner complaints
- 41
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 91,000
- recalls
- 4
Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year
What owners say
I was driving on the expressway. My car Went into limp mode it didn’t stall completely out, but I was not able to accelerate any eventually the wheel became tight. every light came on.. I made it safely off the expressway. My car would not start the ODB port is not reading. I’ve taken it to several mechanics all of them say that it’s my PCM. They said my PCM needs to be reprogrammed. There’s currently an active recall from my exact car but when I search my vin It tells me I have no active recalls.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that his wife informed him that upon starting the vehicle and attempting to shift to drive(D), the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the shifter cable bushing was missing. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V362000 (Power Train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable bushing had rotted away. The dealer recommended the shifter cable bushing be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was concerned that the repair was temporary because the dealer repaired the vehicle with the same part. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,068.
I was sitting at a red light and thought I felt my car very lightly shift out of gear. The light changed, I took my foot off of the break and pressed on gas car revved slightly but didn’t move. I placed it in park went back through the gears to drive pressed on the gas and the vehicle went into limp mode was able to pull over to the side of the road. Vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic who advised I need a new transmission. There were no warning indicators no messages NOTHING!
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the shifted into LIMP Mode, with the engine coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
So multiple times in this past year I have been driving my car as normal and when I approach an intersection, decreased my speed, then proceed to accelerate in order to move forward or turn ... while pressing the accelerator its like i have no power.. it goes into a limp mode. There is nothing that triggers this is behavior. It has occurred multiple times. It has occurred as I have came off the interstate and sat at intersection and also while in city limits. It has happened a handful of times and its not producing any engine light indicators when this is happening. I typically turn off car and then have to turn it back on for it to work again. This is extremely scary for myself and dangerous. I'm concerned about the safety of myself , my family, and other drivers on the road. Failing to accelerate properly at intersection could cause a collision. I've almost been rearended / caused traffic concern & delays attempting to maneuver my car safely off the to the side of road. I've seen multiple comments online about the same issue I took it to Ford Garage and they didn't know what it was and say it may be throttle body but their not sure. They were just guessing. I was also told they would try to see if it was covered under warranty but they weren't sure but I never heard back. They told me I could call but I was waiting on them to call. I also spoke to advance auto who said it may be Throttle body and/or acceleration pedal sensor. I am financing this car and honestly it has less than 60,000 miles and shouldn't be having these issues.
Vehicle does not go in gear when shifter is put in the corresponding gear indicator. Though I am able to move the shifter handle through all the drive modes, (P, R, N, D, S), it’s Currently stuck in park and will not get in gear to Drive, neutral or reverse. I’m unable to move the vehicle. There is no indication or warnings of malfunction. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by anyone to assess, as I am unable to drive the vehicle. Pending towing to the near Ford dealership for diagnostics. The vehicle drove just fine the morning of the incident.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH with cruise control activated, the cruise control system inadvertently deactivated and the vehicle lost motive power before going into LIMP Mode. The check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who inconclusively diagnosed a possible failure with the torque converter or front transmission pump. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission flex plate was fractured. The contact stated that the transmission flex plate had fractured before and had been replaced eight months prior to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,300.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective shifter cable bushing. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V362000 (Power Train) and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, the contact stated that the vehicle would lunge forward while in park(P). Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
I received a letter that there was a recall on my car but that the vehicle was still drivable, so I continued to drive my car as normal. My daughter drove to her friend house where she simply put the car in park, not even turning off the engine, and 5 minutes later when she attempted to put the car in drive the car would not shift. There were no indicators on the dash that indicated what the problem was. This happened at 10:05pm. The car was parked in the middle of a circle in a housing complex. Around 12:03, after not being able to get a tow from anywhere else, we decided to start the online process of dispatching a tow through the Ford website. There were no tow trucks available at the time so my daughter decided to sit with the car until a tow truck was available to insure the car wouldn’t roll off and hit another vehicle. Around 2:27am my daughter woke up to people breaking into cars in the circle. (A police report will be later provided.) THANKFULLY she seen them before they seen her and was able to scare them off without getting hurt. Around 4:31am she received a call from Ford stating that a tow service will be provided due to the recall and that FORD will reimburse for the tow service. (This call was stated as being recorded so there should be evidence on FORD in of this) The original ETA was giving at 5:17am for 180-210 minutes. A tow truck did not come until 10:07. Leaving my daughter stranded in a clear unsafe situation for about 12 hours. It was NEVER suggested by the Ford representative or the website that i will have to get my car towed to the Dealership. After speaking to someone at the Dealership and the Customer Service Relation department i was told not only was it our fault for not getting the vehicle told to the Dealership but i will not be reimbursed for the previous tow (like i was told) but i will have to pay to get another tow to the Dealership. I was also told that they will not be able to provide me with a loan car until OCTOBER!
My car won’t shift into gear. It’s stuck in neutral
Was in reverse to enter a parking spot, shifted down to drive (lever moved to D) but car stayed in Reverse. I could freely move the lever from Drive to Reverse but the transmission would not shift out of reverse. I moved car to parking spot, moved lever to park (car never shifted out of reverse), put the emergency brake on, then shut the car off. The car will no longer start now because the transmission is stuck in Reverse (lever is in park). Significant safety issue...I could have unknowingly reversed into anything or anyone at first when I "shifted" to Drive remaining in reverse. Upon inspection the bushing/cap did fall off of the shifting cable, which was recalled on thousands of Fords same model and year. Consumer had to pay for a cap and seal to replace the one that was missing.
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 won't shift
Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2016 Ford Fusion?
41 of 1,662 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford Fusion (2%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. 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 44Screen 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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