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Ford Fusion won't shift problems

321 of the 22,468 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2010 model year.

owner complaints
321
worst model year
2010
typical repair cost reported
$700
typical mileage
74,000
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

Check engine light 39Stalling 25Loss of power 24Jerking 23Transmission failure 19Overheating 18Won't start 10Hesitation 9

Trouble codes mentioned

P2111 9P2112 5P1299 2P2119 1P2104 1P1450 1P0929 1P0717 1P0715 1P0302 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Engine · AR

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

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Brakes · 106,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle entered limp mode and failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission ran poorly, making it difficult to merge, and the contact expressed concern regarding a potential crash. Following the failure, the hill brake assist turned off. The brake pedal bumper and stop pad fractured, causing the vehicle to enter limp mode. The contact called the dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was required to determine the cause of the failure. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

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 Sep 8, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · FL · crash

Year/Make/Model: 2015 Ford Fusion Engine Type: 1.5L EcoBoost 4-Cylinder Description of Safety Flaw and Incident: My vehicle is experiencing severe overheating and internal engine fluid loss due to the widely documented Ford EcoBoost coolant intrusion defect. The vehicle routinely runs hot, losing coolant rapidly with no external signs of a visible hose or radiator leak as well as failure of the brake lighting stop bumper and purge valve connecting to the gasline after fueling. This issue causes the vehicle to rapidly overheat while in motion, forcing sudden loss of engine power (limp mode) during highway driving. Car not properly cranking after fueling and brake light continuously being on even when brakes not being pressed. This unexpected drop in speed creates an immediate crash hazard for myself and surrounding traffic. Coolant entering the combustion chamber also fouls the spark plugs, causing severe engine stalling, rough idling, and misfires. I've spent several dollars fixing these malfunctions that have continuously persist. Ford Motor Company has historically been aware of this structural defect involving coolant leaking across the cylinder bore walls, yet failed to issue a comprehensive safety recall for 2015 models. I am filing this complaint to urge the federal safety agency to open a formal defect investigation and mandate a safety recall, as this component failure leaves drivers stranded in hazardous traffic situations.

Filed Aug 18, 2026 · GA

I had a recall on my 2014 ford fusion se regarding powertrain control module software update. I took my vehicle in to Athens ford 6/8/26 to have this fixed then on Friday my car lost power while driving, would not go l, then when I cut it off & back on it was like it went in to failsafe or limp mode. I called Athens ford 5 times on Friday & got no answer, 3 on Monday with no answer then found the number of the lady I dealt with in June. If I paid to have it towed there they could run diagnostics on it she said bc the mobile technicians couldn’t come out and do it. So I log in to my ford account and it showed this recall on the recall I had done it June. I screenshot it and sent it to her and she said it didn’t show it I needed to contact customer care. They told me the same thing that it didn’t show it. So I done a screen recording today of me logging in to my ford account and this is what it showed. Sent that to her and all they can respond is contact customer care. So I’m reaching out with this proof of what it shows and that being exactly what my car done and ford refusing to help me. I ruptured my acl and had surgery and have drs appt and physical therapy twice a week and this is the “courtesy” I get from ford Joni Spikes 7067654293 I have the screen recording but I can’t attach it for some reason

Filed May 29, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · NJ

The vehicle goes into limp mode without warning no matter the speed. cylinder head temp sensor is not applicable on this 1.6 engine model. The coolant over temp light illuminates with or without the car running. coolant temperature sensor was replaced and indicates no faults to the obd. the coolant level and temperature is within spec.

Filed Mar 28, 2026 · MI

The car will not shift. The bushing or shift cable is broken.

Filed Mar 6, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · MO

Powertrain light came on and threw code p1450 and car went into limp mode. Car will stall at stops and lights and won't go over 40. Replaced the canister purge valve which turned light off but it immediately came back once trying to over 40 and went back into limp mode. Everything I have read and ai has said based on diagnostic information says it's the electronic throttle body which has a recall for this model and year of car but not this vin for some reason.

Filed Feb 7, 2026 · Brakes, Lights · NM

The vehicle slowed down on the highway and had to pull over and get off the freeway. Brake lights stayed o On. was able to drive the car at max n No more then 40 mph. A part had broken off in the brake pedal area. Not sure where. But had to unplug the brake switch so my battery would not die. With out the brake switch connected the car will not shift into gear or drive. .

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Engine · GA

My Ford Fusion has the 1.5L ecoboost engine. This engine has engineering issues that are known to Ford. My vehicle started producing white smoke from the exhaust and sluggish performance. At approximately 105,000 miles my vehicle went into limp mode due to a cracked head gasket. This was due to coolant intruding into the cylinders. Ford did a short block engine replacement and reprogrammed the PCM to try to fix the issue. At approximately 220,000 miles the vehicle started producing the same symptoms described earlier and the vehicle now requires a complete engine replacement. Ford refuses to fix this for me, even though it is well documented that this engine has engineering issues. These engines should last longer than 105,000 miles.

Related recalls

Power train: manual transmissionReported June 9, 2026 · 5,252 vehicles affected
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/rodReported June 10, 2022 · 2,925,968 vehicles affected
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 shiftReported May 13, 2019 · 259,182 vehicles affected
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 shiftReported July 16, 2018 · 504,182 vehicles affected
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

Power train: manual transmissionReported March 12, 2018 · 5,361 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. 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
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.

Recall number 18V169000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: torque converterReported July 6, 2017 · 6,026 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Lincoln MKZ and Ford Edge and Fusion vehicles. On vehicles with 2.0L gas engines and six-speed automatic transmissions, the torque converter weld studs may have been inadequately welded.
Risk
If the torque converter weld studs fail, the torque converter will not be connected to the engine flexplate and the vehicle will lose the ability to move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford or Lincoln will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converters, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S16.

Recall number 17V427000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported November 18, 2014 · 56,479 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to October 31, 2014, 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to October 31, 2014, and 2015 Ford Fusion Energi vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to October 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the key may be able to be removed even while the transmission is not in Park. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk
If the key can be removed despite that the transmission is not in Park, a driver may think the vehicle is safety parked, when it is not, increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway that could cause the vehicle to strike and injure the driver, other vehicle occupants, or bystanders.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C11.

Recall number 14V736000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported May 24, 2010 · 19 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 fusion, milan, and escape vehicles manufactured from february 27, through march 26, 2010. The park rod guide retention pin may not have been properly installed which fails to conform to the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention".
Risk
A vehicle parked without an engaged park pawl and without an applied parking brake may have unintended movement which may cause a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 28, 2010. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332 and for the hearing impaired call 1‑800‑232‑5952 (tdd). Representatives are available monday through friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Recall number 10V222000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Fusion won't shift

Which Ford Fusion years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2010 (57 complaints), 2017 (47 complaints) and 2016 (41 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix stuck in gear or won't shift on the Ford Fusion?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $700 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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