2018 Ford Fusion: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Transmission · MN

Got home and vehicle would not go into park. I can get it to drive but its only low range. Upon having it inspected, it was discovered the shift cable bushing at the transmission lever was missing.

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Engine · 148,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was running rough, jerking, and shaking. The transmission and coolant temperature warning lights were illuminated. The message "Engine Overheating - Reduced Power" was displayed, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was coolant intrusion in the engine, a blown head gasket, and a cracked engine block. 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 148,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2025 · Transmission · NC

While maneuvering in parking lot car would not shift from Reverse to Drive after backing out of parking place, error on dash stated shift module failure. Tow truck driver manually engaged shifter to drive, too car to Freeman Ford. Upon inspection shifter grommet at transmission had worn not allowing car to change gears, $4 in parts, $300 in labor to fix. Fortunately the car was just blocking a post office parking lot, if this had been a maneuver in an intersection it could have caused an accident. There was no indication this failure was going to occur.

Filed May 15, 2024 · MI

Went to store and placed vehicle in park Whe returned vehicle would not shift into gear Shift fault warning on dash see owners manual Had to have vehicle towed to dealer for repairs Informed bushing had failed

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle and attempting to move the gear shifter, the gear shifter remained stuck in park (P). The contact stated that he disconnected the battery for 10-15 minutes, and the computer was reset. The contact stated that the vehicle then operated as needed. The contact stated that the failure recurred on another occasion, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was repaired; however, the failure recurred 30 minutes later after parking the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the gear shift module (GSM) needed to be replaced. The GSM was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the transmission gear shifter assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Transmission · GA

On 11/17, I received a shift system failure alert. The car would not go into park and I could not start the vehicle. We contacted the dealer to have the car towed. The dealer indicated there was a current recall for the same issue however this car was not included. There is a known issue with other ford fusions. As a result I am having to pay out of pocket for the fix. The recall should be expanded to include 2017-2018

Filed Oct 18, 2023 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the vehicle was hesitating while driving uphill. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and jerked while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the gear shifter dial became firm and made it difficult to shift the vehicle out of park(P). An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact there was no recall associated with the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, it was discovered that the rotary knob transmission selector had become stuck in park, and the vehicle could not be driven. Additionally, on several occasions after switching the transmission selector knob to park and turning the vehicle off, the selector had erroneously shifted from park and the vehicle could not be immediately restarted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Apr 21, 2023 · Transmission · TX

Car stopped in the middle of parking lot while i was trying to park in moving traffic. I was almost hit by another car. Transmission gear was stuck, gear didn't shift, gear moved by itself to park. Car wouldnt move. Transmission hesitates and jerks while driving

Filed Dec 10, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · MO

Upon entering off ramp to highway , upon acceleration car shudders and goes into limp mode, can't accelerate and forced to try and pull over to stop vehicle and re-start. Very dangerous as it is random, can't re-create and has happened at highway speeds, very unsafe. Took it to dealer, Ford could not recreate and said there were no codes present and subsequently found nothing wrong.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · CO

Gear dial stuck in park mode. Gear dial I will not move. When the problem first started then turning the car on and off and trying over and over I was able to get it into gear. This last time that didn't work. Attempted to get the car in neutral using the neutral override method but it failed. Car had to be wenched onto the toeing truck while stuck in gear. Problem began occurring at 40,000 miles. The battery in the car died from leaving the lights on and this seemed to 'reset' the problem and no issues for 6 weeks. Orange wrench warning sign appeared again and now the car is stuck in park and have to tow it to a ford dealer. I also noticed that when this problem occurred the blue anti theft light constantly flashes. After the battery drained and the problem reset then I accidentally hit the lock button twice and this is when the blue lighy started flashing again and I was unable to get the vehicle out of park mode. When I first purchased the vehicle at 40,000 miles I was driving the interstate and the blue anti theft light began flashing and the car alarm sounded while I was at a 75 MPH speed. I had to stop the car, turn it off, hit the unlock button on my key fob to get the. Alarm to stop sounding. I believe the two issues may be related as they happen at the same time. The orange wrench only appears when the car will not go in gear. When the car has easily gone in dear the orange wrench is not present. Again, I am unable to engage the neutral override by using the key in the override slot. The lights will flash on the dial but the car will not go into neutral, it remains stuck. I have tried many times and had others try it as well so I know it's not user error. Car alarm goes off while driving on the interstate.