Ford Fusion shudder problems

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · LA

I am the original single owner of a 2019, paid-off, gas Fusion with less than 54,000 miles, a spotless maintenance record, and no accident history. The vehicle suffered a sudden, instantaneous total loss of motive power. The loss of electric power steering assist and loss of power brake assist while driving through a live intersection with no warning lights or prior engine shuddering nearly caused a severe, life-threatening, or even fatal collision. The vehicle was removed from the intersection by physically pushing it with the assistance of other passing motorists and local police. I immediately called and requested towing services through the manufacturer. Services arrived 2 hours later. They started the car with no issue and drove it onto the tow truck. No engine lights or warning lights were present; the vehicle did not stutter or shake, and the vehicle had a 1/4 tank of gasoline. The vehicle was delivered directly to the Dealership. After it stalled and once it was removed from the intersection, no attempt was made to restart the vehicle until the towing service arrived. The dealership has had the vehicle for 2 weeks and claims they cannot diagnose the cause; there are no active diagnostic codes, and they have not been able to replicate the failure regarding this potentially fatal electrical shutdown. It is completely unacceptable and dangerously irresponsible for a dealership to hold a vehicle for 2 weeks, then suggest "picking it up, add some gas" simply because they haven't found any issues and "it should be fine." I cannot, in good conscience and out of protection of myself, my family, and other motorists, continue operating a vehicle that exhibits life-threatening intermittent failures.

Filed Jul 4, 2026 · Engine · PA

On April 25, 2024, my car broke down as I was driving. There were no warning lights leading up to it, and then all of a sudden, the check engine light started flashing, my temperature gauge spiked, and I was forced to pull over as the car barely responded to the gas pedal. When I got out, there was smoke coming out from under the hood, and just moving the car to get it towed better made the engine shudder and screech. At that time, the mechanic replaced the water pump, which appeared to solve that issue. But after that, between April and November 2024, my check engine light came on no less than 5 times. Each time, I took my car to the mechanic and they identified and fixed the code to the best of their abilities, but a few weeks later, the light would be back on again. They said the car might have an internal coolant leak and needed a new spark plug and ignition coil. Even after they replaced the spark plug and the ignition coil, I would also occasionally hear screeching sounds as I drove, or-- the longer this went on-- the car would shudder any time the engine was running. Finally, my mechanic told me that the internal coolant leak was something only the dealership could fix, so I took it to Ford, who evaluated the car and found an internal leak in cylinder 2. The only way to fix it would be to replace the entire engine, which I could not afford. The car has been sitting undriven ever since. If I'd been on the highway or driving at a faster speed when the engine suddenly cut out, I could've been in an accident. The only warning for the cylinder issue was the continuous check engine light and the shuddering of the engine, and the same issue was confirmed by an independent mechanic (AutoExpress in Doylestown and the Ford Dealership). There are numerous results on a Google search regarding Ford EcoBoost engine coolant intrusion which is the exact issue I'm having but Ford has not recalled the 2016 Fusion nor offered any solution to this dangerous manufacturing defect

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Engine · ID

My 2019 Ford Fusion 2.0L EcoBoost (89,000 miles) experienced a sudden, severe engine malfunction due to a known manufacturing defect. The vehicle exhibited severe engine shuddering and a harsh cold-start misfire upon ignition. A diagnostic scan revealed trouble codes P0316 (Misfire on Startup), P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire), and P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire). A mechanic verified that these codes are the result of internal coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, exactly as documented in Ford Technical Service Bulletin TSB 19-2346. The structural design flaw in the engine block allows engine coolant to breach the cylinder head gasket area and pool inside the combustion chambers. This presents a critical safety hazard: the vehicle is at risk of sudden engine stalling while driving on public roads, a complete loss of motive power in traffic, and potential engine hydro-lock, which can cause catastrophic mechanical failure or an engine compartment fire. Ford is refusing to address this safety defect outside of warranty, leaving a hazardous vehicle on the road.

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon rolling to a stop, the vehicle started shuddering while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the message "Transmission Not in Park" was displayed. The gear shifter then unexpectedly shifted to several positions independently. The contact discovered a YouTube video that assisted with correcting the issue. The contact used a screwdriver to manually shift the gear shifter back to park(P). The contact was forced to maneuver the shifter back and forth until the gear shifter engaged and resumed normal operation. The contact stated while his wife was driving the vehicle on one occasion, the failure recurred, and the driver was forced to tow the vehicle to a local dealer. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train) and associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Engine · 100,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shuddering violently, hesitated, and failed to accelerate to approximately 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact related the failure to the Customer Satisfaction Program: 21N12. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with coolant intrusion into the cylinders. The dealer informed the contact that the engine small block needed to be replaced, but a full engine replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a complaint. The manufacturer advised the contact that a future report would be issued. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · WA

When turned on airconditioner car shuddered engine light came on started blowing white smoke alot and blow buy engine oil in crank case

Filed Aug 4, 2025 · Wheels · GA

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the front driver's side wheel lug nuts fractured, causing the wheel to detach and the vehicle to shudder. The contact decelerated to 15 MPH, and the vehicle stopped. The driver and the two children that were occupying the vehicle had not sustained any injuries. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V574000 (Wheels). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. Additionally, the contact was informed that the recall covered steel rims however, the vehicle was equipped with aluminum rims. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who contacted the local dealer to confirm the recall details. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Engine · 136,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal slushing sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, the vehicle shuddered violently, the engine overheated, and the vehicle stalled. The check engine and powertrain warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The dealer determined 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 136,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 216,700 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH on the interstate, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over and restarted the vehicle. The message "Transmission Not in Park" was displayed. The contact stated that while veering to the left lane, the vehicle started to shudder. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacture was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 216,700.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Engine · 91,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was coolant leaking into the cylinder. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact called the local dealer for parts; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.