Ford Fusion sudden acceleration problems

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · SC · crash

Unintended acceleration event. Entered vehicle, put my foot on the brake, cranked it, held in that position while seatbelting. Engine had a VERY loud revving sound. Within seconds vehicle moving backwards on its own. Foot still on the brake, had not touched gas pedal, had not touched gear shifter, and was still sitting straight forward with my foot on the brake and confirmed gear shifter in park. The car quickly accelerated backwards faster and brake pedal had no effect on stopping or slowing vehicle. Went approx. 30’ across parking lot and only stopped because we hit truck parked behind us. Quickly turned off engine and removed keys. Shifter still shows Park. Careful driver. No history of accidents. I found there were several thousand reported events of unintended acceleration (Ford vehicles 2002 to 2010). Ford tried to explain many as driver error or floor mat touching the gas pedal. My mat was clipped down, as designed, with no all-weather mat on top of them, and my foot did not leave the brake pedal. AI says revving as described is "classic behavior of failing Electronic Throttle Body on 2010 Fords", "Surging without touching the pedal and known defect are extremely common". Says if "Worn or failing shifter linkage/bushings vibration form high revving could make it slip into Reverse". Ford has a 19S54 recall for AntiLock Brake Systems (not notified), where "A normally closed valve may be stuck open, which may result in extended brake pedal travel". Ford reports on similar vehicles "lunging" was due to deposits in the throttle body. Ford has installed brake override on vehicles after 2010 but that doesn't protect people driving older vehicles. Please look at combo of factors that could cause this. Disappointed to read Ford purged customer acceleration reports prior to hold 5 yrs and an expert they provided at trial was someone sheltered from all research Ford had on this issue so he pushed "driver error" as the case. Clearly not here.

Filed Oct 18, 2025 · Transmission · TX

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the transmission system of my Ford Fusion, specifically related to the valve body and torque converter. The malfunction of these components causes sudden, unpredictable surges or lunges in acceleration, even when the vehicle is being driven at steady speeds or when lightly applying the accelerator. The issue appears to stem from improper pressure regulation or fluid flow within the transmission valve body, which causes erratic shifting and delayed engagement. When this malfunction occurs, the torque converter can fail to properly manage torque transfer, resulting in sudden and forceful forward motion of the vehicle. While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, my vehicle suddenly lurched forward aggressively, as if it had downshifted or received a surge of power without any change in throttle input. This caused the car to rapidly accelerate momentarily, nearly causing me to lose control. The unexpected forward thrust startled me and forced me to take immediate corrective action to maintain my lane and prevent a collision with a nearby vehicle. In another instance, while slowing down to a stop, the car lunged forward again instead of decelerating smoothly, nearly causing me to roll into an intersection. This created a dangerous situation for myself, my passengers, and surrounding traffic. This defect creates a significant risk of collision due to the vehicle’s unpredictable acceleration behavior. The driver cannot reliably control speed or anticipate when the car may suddenly surge forward. The issue compromises both vehicle stability and driver reaction time, particularly at higher speeds or in traffic. If this problem were to occur in a congested area, at a stoplight, or near pedestrians, it could result in a serious crash, injury, or fatality. The failure of the valve body and torque converter in the Ford Fusion represents a critical mechanical defect that directly impacts safe operation of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 23, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 67,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. Additionally, the vehicle lunged forward but failed to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local Pep Boys, where the ignition coils #3 and #4 were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where ignition coil #4 was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The independent mechanic replaced spark plugs #1, #2 and #3. The number four spark plug was stuck and was not removed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000

Filed Jun 8, 2023 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · NH

The contact owns a 2010 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started losing motive power and decelerated. No warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where the transmission was rebuilt and replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lunged forward unintendedly and then went into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Apr 26, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · CA

The shifting was not working when making the selected gear and it was driving in an unintended direction when it was selected reversed. The car was driving forward when the operation selects was in reversed. The car was accelerated by itself when I was driving the car and the dashboard did not gave me any warning light that something in the car need attention.

Filed Apr 13, 2023 · Transmission · WA

Transmission issues continue to appear without warning. Car shutters at times and fails to shift properly at low speeds. When exiting the freeway and coming to a stop, car wants to surge forward, even with brakes firmly applied. I have had the wrench light come on briefly two times. Took the car into a local transmission shop and requested diagnostic scan for codes and trouble shoot. No codes were found for transmission or any other system on the car. As the car had 100K miles, shop recommended a Transmission fluid change, even though Ford does not recommend this until 150K miles. Shop noted that fluid color was still red in color and no foreign debris was found in the old fluid. There is no evidence of fluid leaks either. Transmission shop recomended that I contact Ford delearship to see if they can reprogram or update Transmission Control Module. Contacted local dealership and was told that they would charge a minimum of $242.50 to run another diagnostic scan, but that there were no guarantees that this would solve the problem. A simple Google search shows that there are many "known issues" with this Ford Transmission that is in my vehicle, but Ford has not issued any recalls to remedy the problem. I feel that I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with an unreliable vehicle that Ford "knows" has transmission problems but chooses to ignore their customers.

Filed Jan 11, 2023 · Engine · 83,507 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began to lose motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward and then lost motive power again. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact exited the highway and drove to a dealer at approximately 25 MPH. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that coolant had entered the engine block and that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the engine was not the original engine and was a replacement. The contact stated that he was the second owner of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,507.

Filed Sep 18, 2022 · Acceleration · FL

The car suddenly accelerated 3 times since it was purchased new in 2011. The 1st time I was parking and the car suddenly accelerated and hit a cement wall. The second time I was also entering a parking spot and the car suddenly accelerated and crashed into a tree. I took it to my dealer and they were unable to replicate the problem. this was in 2015. On 9/13/2022 I was about to make a right turn and suddenly the car accelerated at high speed and crossed over the road onto the golf course before I was able to slow it down. I immediately parked the car and haven't driven it since. I feel that it is unsafe to drive especially since the dealer was unable to identify the problem.

Filed Sep 9, 2022 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with a defective shifter cable bushing. The contact was then informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V362000 (Power Train) and the vehicle was repaired. Recently, the contact stated that the vehicle would lunge forward while in park(P). Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was informed that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.