2020 Ford Fusion: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · FL

A failed transmission cooling line caused the transmission fluid to leak. At no point did the vehicle display a check engine light, transmission warning, or any other indication that there was a problem. According to the Ford dealership, the transmission fluid had been leaking for some time. Because the transmission pan is wrapped in a fabric-like insulating material, the leaking fluid was absorbed rather than dripping onto the ground, making the leak virtually impossible for an owner to detect during normal use. The dealership also advised that this condition could have created a potential fire hazard within the engine compartment. The vehicle has only approximately 40,000 miles, making this type of catastrophic transmission failure especially concerning for a relatively low-mileage vehicle. The first and only symptom occurred when I started the vehicle one day. It hesitated, struggled to shift out of first gear, and drove abnormally. I immediately drove it to the Ford dealership, where it was diagnosed with a complete transmission failure. The vehicle is currently at the dealership, and I have been presented with an estimated repair cost of approximately $12,000. My primary concern is that there was absolutely no warning before this major failure. No warning lights, no diagnostic alerts, and no indication that a significant transmission fluid leak or internal transmission damage was occurring. A safety-critical failure of this magnitude should provide drivers with some form of warning before resulting in complete transmission failure.

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Suspension · OH

At approximately 99,900 miles, my 2020 Ford Fusion began experiencing serious transmission issues, including rough shifting, hesitation, jerking, and difficulty accelerating, especially at low speeds or while merging onto highways. These symptoms created an unsafe driving situation, particularly in traffic and intersections. I took the vehicle to multiple repair shops to have the issue diagnosed. This process caused my mileage to go slightly over the 100,000-mile recall coverage limit for transmission repair assistance, but I have full documentation showing that the transmission problem clearly began while the vehicle was still under the limit. I later discovered that Ford had issued a recall or Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) related to known transmission issues on this model. The CSP is 22N12, however, I never received any notice from Ford by mail, phone, or email about this recall or warranty extension. I was unaware it existed until after my car began to fail. Despite being under the recall threshold when the issue began, and having proof, Ford has so far refused to fully cover the cost of the repair, only offering partial assistance due to the slight overage in mileage. This is a serious safety defect. My vehicle hesitates or fails to shift properly at critical times, putting myself and others at risk of collision. I was not informed of the recall, and now I'm being financially penalized for Ford’s delay and lack of notification. I cannot afford this out-of-pocket expense, and I believe it is unfair and unreasonable to place this burden on consumers, especially when safety is involved. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency review this matter and urge Ford to take full financial responsibility for the recall repair. This defect is not due to misuse or wear-and-tear, but is acknowledged by Ford as a manufacturer issue I have an open case with Ford Corporate in which they have failed to get back to me about the issue. Case number ([XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (

Filed May 13, 2025 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was driving rough. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with a whining sound coming from the transmission. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local mechanic was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2025 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · AR

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with an abnormally loud vibration coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that either the flywheel or the flex plate was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 22N12 as the possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 25,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the fuel door would randomly disconnect from the vehicle. While idling at a stop light, the vehicle shut off. The contact stated that while restarting the vehicle the vehicle jerked and hesitated while shifting gear before accelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure because there was no warning light illuminated. The fuel door had been replaced; however, the vehicle still experienced the failure with the START/STOP function. The contact stated that the failure became a persistent failure. The contact stated that approximately 6 to 8 months after the first failure, while driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact used the App to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer rebuilt the transmission, clutch, and axle; however, the failure persisted after the repairs. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer 22 times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2024 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was diagnosed with an internal engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Transmission · 16,270 miles · AZ · crash

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was in park(P) on an inclined driveway, the vehicle rolled forward without warning and crashed into a home. No injuries and damages were reported; the contact was able to resume normal driving operation after the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for a diagnostic; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 16,270.