2017 Ford Fusion: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · SC

The automatic transmission failed at approximately 59,000 miles. The vehicle was delivered to an authorized Ford dealership on 09/04/2025 for warranty repair. The transmission was replaced. The vehicle remained at that dealership approximately eight months and was returned to me on or about 05/01/2026. After return, a grinding and clunking noise was present when accelerating, turning, braking and going over bumps. A power steering line failed within days of return and emitted smoke from the front of the vehicle while driving. A "Shift System Fault" message began appearing when shifting into reverse and continues to appear intermittently. The same dealership performed three further repair visits. Their repair orders document multiple loose bolts holding the transmission mount to the transmission, an improperly installed exhaust, and a loose right hand CV shaft nut. On 08/14/2026 I took the vehicle to a second, unaffiliated authorized Ford dealership for an independent inspection. On a lift they found all four subframe bolts loose, the right front subframe bolt not fully seated and cross threaded so that it could not be tightened further, and the four smaller rear subframe bolts missing entirely. They also documented that no one-time-use fasteners had been billed on the original transmission repair. They tightened the loose bolts, replaced the cross threaded bolt, installed the four missing bolts, and confirmed by road test that the noise was eliminated. The subframe carries the engine, transmission and front suspension. The vehicle was driven approximately 1,700 miles over roughly three months, including highway driving, in this condition before the loose and missing fasteners were found. Repair orders from both dealerships are available for inspection.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Orange wrench light came on dash with see manual ( symbol represents powertrain malfunction). Car lost power and started jerky shifting between second and third gear. We limped the car home and parked until we could get an appointment at the dealership for service. Took it to dealership. They found the powertrain maintenance light wasn't on and no current or historical codes present. Dealership road tested vehicle and verified delayed harsh shifting between 2-3 gears with no codes present. Dealership states most likely has an internal failure starting in the forward, direct or intermediate clutch. Transmission would have to be torn down to diagnose cause. They recommend replacing the transmission as being more cost effective. Transmission has approximately 145000 miles (engine was replaced under 36000 miles due to head gasket failure- replace under warranty as manufuring defect found at a scheduled oil change) so odometer only shows 117000 miles. This car was purchased new and we purchased the extended warranty and service package. It has been consistently serviced on schedule by the dealership.

Filed Dec 12, 2024 · Engine · 47,500 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH, made an abnormal clunking sound, with an engine misfire while shuddering significantly. The contact stated that the failure persisted while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion in the engine block. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under Ford Campaign Number: 21N12, because the campaign had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,500.

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Transmission · TN

I was pulling out of tractor supply and it felt like I hit a hole . There was a hard clunk . I tried to go but all that happened is car would rev. I looked down and seen car was now in park it had jumped gears There was nothing in the road that I could have hit .since then car has been hard shifting and yesterday on my way to work car would not accelerate so I pulled over and now the car won’t even start .

Filed Aug 2, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 60,790 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced rough shifting from first to second gear. Additionally, the engine was misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to two other independent mechanics, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced as well as the engine due to coolant intrusion into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,790.

Filed Oct 5, 2023 · Engine · PA

Vehicle was being driven. Heard clunk noise. Vehicle no longer went into drive. Could not shift or anying. Had to have vehicle towed to repair shop. Ford could not review vehicle at time and was 30+ days out. Vehicle was then brought to another mechanic where they disassembled vehicle and found that the torque converter studs were no longer in place and created an issue where metal shards are in the transmission causing the transmission needing to be rebuilt along with shards being located in cooling system. Ford was contacted and advised to put a claim in with the federal safety agency as this is a known issue for this vehicle year make and model however is not listed for this specific vin. There were no warning lights while driving the vehicle to indicate any issue. Vehicle currently not driveable. Our safety was put a risk as we were driving on the road during heavy traffic and caused a mess on the road and could have potential caused an action as vehicle was in drive when it stopped working.

Filed Sep 28, 2021 · NC

I was in my neighborhood heading to the store at the top the street I heard something like a clunky noise sounded like something fell out the bottom then it stopped immediately after no light or anything on to make me think of any issue with my car it started leaking like something broke kind of a burning smell then it wouldn’t move it would come on shift gears but not move at all it’s now been at Ford since last week they are trying to find the problem I guess seems to me like it’s part of the recall with torque converter they left me a voicemail saying it was a lot of metal and maybe the engine not sure

Filed Dec 4, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · PA · fire

The owner/myself driving vehicle home my 2017 ford fusion se 1.5l on the interstate when white smoke billowed out from the exhaust leading to a seized engine on a high traffic density highway. The car started to sputter, clunk and the check engine light kept flashing as I pulled off the side of the road. This car had issues before the failure of the engine with cylinders misfiring, spark plugs being fouled at low mileage and engine losing coolant. Per my vehicles breakdown I brought it to a local mechanic who worked for ford and stated my engine locked up and needs to be replaced, after bringing my car to another shop for a second diagnosis, it was the same answer after a full look at it. I tried calling ford in michigan they gave me the run around, my dealer fred beans of ford gave me the run around saying I have to cover this repair due to it being out of my warranty. I did the program 19b37 recall from ford which reset the computer system for antifreeze and coolant entering the engine. Clearly, that issue that ford tried to patch up didn't work. My mechanic & ford determined that a new engine was needed and have found bulletins stating this is due to a manufacturing defect known by ford as ford had released the bulletins. This defect leads to engine failure and is nothing caused by the driver but solely due to the fact that when certain engines were manufactured they were manufactured incorrectly. Ford is unwilling to pay for engine replacement even though they have admitted this is fault during the manufacturing processes if the engine is to stall or seize during driving this could lead to serious injury, accident, and even death. Ford is not recalling this engine at this time. Please - recall this issue. 1.5 & 2.0 engines are very problematic. The cost for my repair is $4,800.00 that I don't have.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Transmission · 24,500 miles · IA

Update to complaint 11229418 posted 7/4/19 car stayed in shop for a week. Replaced input shaft, fluid pump, filter, valve body, solenoid body, torque converter, and any associated gaskets and hardware car is going back to the shop tomorrow due to it shifting harder than before. Safety park feature no longer works either. Can hear hard shifting when changing from park, revere, and drive. Reverse is the worst and car shakes with each gear selection. Moves hard as if I hit something when placing into park.

Filed Aug 13, 2018 · Transmission · 4,000 miles · AP

Received the vehicle with approx 64 miles on it in aug 17. At 70 miles, I was stopped at a stop sign, went to pull through and the engine made a funny sound and then the car lost power. When I attempted to accelerate, the engine reved high before there was movement of the vehicle. Shut the car off and turned it back on and the orange wrench light was illuminated. Car had no power and had to limp it to a parking lot. Car was taken to a dealer and I was informed they replaced the sensor. Now a year later (13 aug 18) with approx 4k miles on the vehicle, I have the same problem. Orange wrench light and no power. This time the vehicle was going up a hill at 10 MPH and the engine "clunked", lost power. Waiting on a tow to the dealer for "repair". Thankfully the car is under warranty however, this should not have happened to a vehicle with 70 miles and again at 4k miles. I hope ford takes notice of this problem. I'm glad these events happened in city conditions and not while I was on the highway.

Filed Dec 30, 2017 · Transmission · 10,815 miles · PA

Car shut off while stopped at a red light with no warning and then when I went to resume driving the car said it was in accessory mode. I started to roll back as I took my foot off the brake. I was able to turn off the car and restart it. I pulled over for a little while and stopped and restarted the vehicle several times before feeling safe to proceed. There were several other cars behind me when this occurred and I am thankful I did not roll back into one of them. I took it to the dealership and they were unable to tell me what caused this problem. They said there were unaware of any issues like this. I however had an issue with the transmission as well that was causing a harsh shift that I was taking the car in for repairs for. There is only 10821 miles on this vehicle and it is still under warranty. The dealership had my vehicle for 2 weeks and has replaced the clutches, seals, and bushing according to the report we received. I do not feel as though a new car should have transmission issues this soon. I am concerned if others would find the same issues with the new fusion sport.