Recurring whining, rattling, and grinding noise coming from under the engine/transmission area of my 2017 Ford Fusion Energi (HF35 hybrid transmission). The noise is present in all gear ranges, including Neutral while the vehicle is moving, but not in Park. No warning lights or trouble codes. The transmission has already been replaced once for this same issue, and the noise has come back. This matches the known HF35 differential and transfer shaft bearing failure pattern (Ford TSB 22-2396, SSM 50744). I am on disability (SSDI) and this vehicle is my primary means of transportation.
Ford Fusion whining noise problems
31 of the 22,468 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion describe whining or grinding noise, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 98,500
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20202
- 20191
- 20171
- 20164
- 20152
- 20144
- 20134
- 20122
- 20113
- 20104
- 20083
- 20071
Often reported together
Power steering loss 5Check engine light 3Grinding brakes 3Transmission failure 2Stalling 2Loss of power 2Harsh shifting 2Fuel pump 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P1450 1P0733 1
What owners say
My steering gear motor attachment bolts have fractured due to severe corrosion, which is the exact defect described in Safety Recall 19S26. This physical failure was confirmed by a Ford dealership technician on 1/11/2024. The technician documented the fractured bolts and recommended a full steering gear replacement. Despite this, Ford is denying the recall repair because this specific VIN was not included on the original mailing list. The vehicle is now undrivable due to a total loss of power steering assist. Before it failed completely, the car was making whining and grinding noises during low-speed turns. This failure occurred in Illinois, which is a high-corrosion 'Salt Belt' state specifically covered by the 19S26 bulletin. By denying this safety repair, Ford is forcing an unsafe vehicle to remain on the road or operate with manual steering, which is a major crash risk. The failure was physically confirmed and documented by a Ford dealer. I want to note that while the previous recall 18S08 for the steering wheel bolt was performed, that was an unrelated interior part and did not prevent this exterior motor bolt failure. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate why a vehicle with a confirmed 19S26 failure in a covered state is being denied the mandated safety remedy.
Transmission started whining from the pump and then immediately lost power/acceleration. Electronic diagnosis found code P0733 for incorrect gear ratio for 3rd gear. Dealership recommends torque converter replacement and transmission overhaul. Fine metal debris found in transmission fluid sample. Estimate $5,500 and occurred at 110,000 miles on odometer.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and attempting to pull into a store parking lot, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted to park or neutral, the sound ceased. The contact stated that the sound returned while shifted into drive or reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer in where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a loud whining sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine flex plate had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 64,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while her son was driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled with a whining sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then towed to another independent mechanic for a second opinion and remained with the mechanic. A dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train), which was linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a whining sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel. The contact stated that the message "Service Power Steering" was displayed, and the steering wheel suddenly could not be turned in either direction. The vehicle was towed to the local service center who was unable to determine the cause of the failure and vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 187,000.
most known issue with the fusions and escapes is cars make whining noise then randomly wont drive know a couple people experiencing this issue
As I was driving my kids home from school, my car suddenly started to make a loud whining noise every time I accelerated. Eventually, the car stopped accelerating altogether despite me pushing on the gas pedal. To my surprise and my children's fright, the car suddenly jerked forward, nearly causing a collision with the car in front of us. In order to reassure my children and assess the situation, I pulled over to the side of the road. Although I didn't find any visible damage under the hood, the loud whining noise persisted even after restarting the car and attempting to accelerate. This problem definitely sound like a transmission problem.
Related recalls
Power train: manual transmission
- 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/rod
- 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 shift
- 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 shift
- 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 transmission
- 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 converter
- 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)
- 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 transmission
- 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 whining noise
Which Ford Fusion years have whining or grinding noise problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (4 complaints), 2013 (4 complaints) and 2014 (4 complaints).
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