There are 50 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2012 Ford Fusionin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
On [XXX] ,I was driving in my car heading home with my [XXX] son in the backseat when my steering wheel just locked up on me and didn't want to turn and it was just stiff. I turn off my car immediately and waited about ten minutes to turn on. The car started up and the steering wheel became un loosen but this situation is off and on and it's scary . It's the third time now it happened. Next im experience a airbag warning symbol on my dashboard today [XXX] and that's even scarier driving in the car with a toddler because it's not safety. I don't know how to remove it off my dashboard and don't know how to fix the problem either. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that after coming to a stop, the vehicle stalled. The transmission warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the battery had failed and there was battery acid on the shifter cable and connector. The dealer replaced the battery, the shifter cable, the connector, the rear parking light bulb, and the purge valve. The dealer also completed the recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V158000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 92,343.
2012 Ford Fusion is having issues similar to the Ford Focus recall, 18S32, that pertains to the canister purge valve and powertrain issue. Current fusion has a 2.5L motor in it. Have replaced the canister purge valve 3 times in a 2-year span and is currenting giving codes (as well as engine light being on) of another failure. Do believe it is affecting the powertrain as well, as it is jerks under workload.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle rolled backward with no warning light illuminated The contact engaged the parking brake pedal, and the vehicle stopped. The contact also noticed that the transmission shifter cable had dislodged from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
When I started my vehicle to drive, a warning on my dashboard came on that said "Power Steering Assist Fault" and my steering wheel is now unable to turn in any direction.
The transmission seems to be slipping losing power and just plain failing if ford knew about this and stil put them out for years in different cars already had a recall on the transmission can we get this one recalled cause ain’t no way anyone should have to pay 2500 + to get a transmission replaced in a car with only 80000 miles on it .. and I’m still financing the car as well this just seems ridiculous they can get away with not fixing faulty parts they decided to go ahead and put in there and release the car anyway .. this lose in power has cause me to almost wreck or get hit a few times when I go to pull out and it wants to slug out into the intersection
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and jolted with the transmission shifting into gear. The contact stated that the jolt was more violent when the vehicle was first started and shifted into drive(D). The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated before moving forward and then jolted into gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park, the vehicle rolled backwards. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact activated the parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the shift cable needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contact. The failure mileage was 113,000.
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.
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING NO WARNING LAMP OR CODE
Did not put car into park and was able to turn key fully back and remove the key from the off position. Car started rolling on slight incline. No issues other than rain sensor wipers not always working, so maybe an issue in column. Have not taken to dealership or mechanic yet.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. While driving at an undetermined speed, the transmission was slipping and failed to shift into the proper gear. The vehicle intermittently lost motive power. The contact called the local dealer who informed him about the diagnostic test and also about parts not being available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Car was impacted by previous recall related to the power steering electrical systems and power steering assist fault light. Ford needs to pay for these issues, so many people with this vehicle have had this issue and ford is refusing to pay for it.
I called Ford at Sam Galloway in Fort Myers and I told them that I have at least 5 recalls but only one is important which is the passenger air bag. I was told that they have availability for September. I asked them, why wasn’t I informed of the recall? They couldn’t answer. I need to know where should I take my car. Thank you
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission fluid was black in color and the fluid level was low due to a leak. The mechanic drained the transmission fluid and added new transmission fluid, then sealed the driver's side front transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 68,882.
I currently am the owner of a 2012 Fusion Hybrid. My transmission is not shifting properly. I have had the PCM updated as an attempt to correct the issue. It will rev high, like a race car, and drives like a race car. It does not shift into higher driving gears as designed. My son, who is a student driver, isn't safe to drive it. I believe that this is an issue that Ford is aware of and the dealership is wanting $5000-$6000 to fix. There are no warning lights on, so the dealership gets almost $200.00 for a diagnostic. This is not fair to the consumer.
Drove car out of driveway, after driving approximately 150-200 feet the dashboard wrench icon ( powertrain problem ) illuminated and car went into limp mode. Read MIL codes, had codes P0715, Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction and P0717, Input/Turbine Speed Sensor No Signal. Traced wiring problem to connector in front of drivers side shock tower. This connector is the connector between the PCM and and the transmission. The connector was causing an open on the conductors, causing the lack of TSS signal. There were no symptoms or intermittent problems prior to this - it happened suddenly. Had been on an interstate hiway the day prior to this, am glad this ( going into limp mode ) did not happen while I was traveling at 65mph - could have caused accident.
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The contact stated that after reversing the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to shift into drive. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact called roadside assistance. The tow truck driver arrived and repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 114,396 MILEAGE DURING ROUTINE CITY STREET DRIVING.
Transmission shuddering, 1st to 2nd gear shifts shake the entire vehicle, especially when cold. Abbrupt downshift. Gear searching from 5th to 6th when highway driving.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026