Vehicles / Ford / Fusion / 2012

2012 Ford FusionUNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION

2,516 federal complaints (3,060 component records) · 5 recall campaigns on file · 4 federal investigations · 49 service bulletins · 4 Canadian recalls
See all 15 model years of the Ford Fusion →
Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
AWD
EPA economy
17 city / 24 hwy
Federal complaints
2,516
Recall campaigns
5
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Steering
1,481
Air bags
406
Electrical system
164
Power train
158
Other
120
Engine & cooling
116
Brakes
114
Body & structure
100
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 75 complaints01 years old: 148 complaints2 years old: 230 complaints3 years old: 208 complaints4 years old: 183 complaints5 years old: 357 complaints56 years old: 300 complaints7 years old: 242 complaints8 years old: 150 complaints9 years old: 138 complaints10 years old: 147 complaints1011 years old: 137 complaints12 years old: 98 complaints13 years old: 73 complaints14 years old: 27 complaints15 years old: 0 complaints1516 years old: 0 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 0 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 2,513 of 2,516 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 129 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 213 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 274 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 290 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 246 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 183 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 136 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 105 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 70 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 31 complaints200,000+ miles: 27 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 1,704 of 2,516 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

The last of the three consecutive Fusions in the top twenty-five, and the last year of the generation, still carrying the steering and throttle clusters that defined it.

Steering

1,481 complaint records2 fire reports46 crash reports
One frequently described issue: Electric power steering cuts out

The electric power-assist steering fault runs through this model year as it did through 2010 and 2011: assist that drops without warning at low speed. A federal recall campaign covered it; confirm the repair by VIN before buying the part.

"I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET,AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, LOST CONTROL HIT THE CURB.THANK GOD I DIDN'T HIT SOMEONE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts named in the editorial file
Steering Rack and Pinion
Buy it now on eBay
Named by the editorial note above, not by the federal record. Opens a live eBay search for this vehicle; confirm fitment.
Electric Power Steering Motor
Buy it now on eBay
Named by the editorial note above, not by the federal record. Opens a live eBay search for this vehicle; confirm fitment.

Air bags

406 complaint records36 crash reports
"I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE POWER STEERING FAILED I HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. THE IT BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND I SMACKED MY HEAD..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse air bags parts in the directory →

Electrical system

164 complaint records4 fire reports8 crash reports
"The electric power steering went out and the wheel will not turn. There is a similar recall in other cars with the same issues..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
EA21002
opened Sep 2021
OPENAir BagsDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L.
EA17004
opened Nov 2017
closed Feb 2024SteeringPower Steering Failure
On September 28, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE16-011) to investigate claims of power steering assist loss on model year (MY) 2010 Ford Fusion vehicles.
PE14030
opened Oct 2014
closed Sep 2015SteeringElectric power steering failure - led to recall 15V340000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints of the loss of power steering while driving.
PE13003
opened Feb 2013
closed Feb 2014EngineElectronic Throttle Body Malfunction
On February 21, 2013, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 to investigate allegations of electronic throttle body (ETB) failures resulting in sudden reduction of engine power in model year (MY) 2009-2013 Ford...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
19V001000DO NOT DRIVEAir BagsFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto...Normally free
17V024000DO NOT DRIVEAir BagsFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana,...Normally free
21V158000Air BagsFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles.Normally free
21V081000Air BagsFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles.Normally free
15V340000SteeringFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex,...Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2021077
2021-02-19
Airbag8,811Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the driver-front and/or passenger-front airbag inflator replaced after a collision or theft. An obsolete airbag may have been installed.
2021029
2021-01-27
Airbag274,737Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver-front airbag.
2019005
2019-01-08
Airbag300,898Issue: On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag.
2015224
2015-05-27
Steering25,195On certain vehicles, a fault in the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system could result in an immediate loss of power steering assist without warning to the driver.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 54601
Feb 2026
Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code.
SSM 53040
Oct 2024
Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
SSM 52476
Apr 2024
EquipmentAll accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery.
SSM 52243
Feb 2024
Engine And Engine CoolingWhen performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium ATF, MERCON® V has replaced all versions of Motorcraft® Premium ATF and can be used going forward. Mixing Motorcraft® Premium ATF and MERCON® V in the same transmission is acceptable.
22B05 S1
Jul 2023
Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion and MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT • Updated Ranger Technical Information to...
Show 44 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 51666
May 2023
SteeringSome 2010-2012 Fusion/Milan and 2011-2012 MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.5L or 3.0L engine and electronic power assist steering (EPAS), a remanufactured replacement steering gear (MU2Z-3V504-ARM) is available which is significantly less expensive than a new replacement gear.
TSB 23-2098
Apr 2023
Hybrid Propulsion SystemSome 2010-2012 Fusion hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), 2010-2011 Milan HEV and 2011-2012 MKZ HEV vehicles may experience reduced electric vehicle operation and increased gasoline engine operation around 10 years of vehicle age and beyond.
22B05
Mar 2022
Air BagsCertain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2005-2006 GT, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion & MKZ/Zephyr, 2006-2011 Milan, and 2007-2010 Edge & MKX Vehicles Driver & Passenger Airbag Module Quality Control Inspection: Ford Motor Company has determined that some vehicles claimed by dealers as...
SSM 50258
Nov 2021
CommunicationVarious 2012-2015 vehicles equipped with a 3G modem may experience a lack of 3G modem performance. This may be due to the 3G cellular service functionality being decommissioned starting August 2021 and through March 2022.
SSM 48130
Aug 2019
VisibilitySome 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent.
SSM 48123
Aug 2019
Electrical SystemFor Ford and Lincoln vehicles that require positive or negative battery terminal replacement, it is not necessary to replace the complete battery cable harness (14300 and 14301) for this concern.
SSM 47976
May 2019
Power TrainOn vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be greased with Motorcraft Multi-Purpose Grease Spray XL-5-A even if grease was not applied from the factory.
SSM 47201
Mar 2018
EquipmentReplacing the original equipment SYNC/Navigation system with either an aftermarket SYNC/Navigation kit or modifying original SYNC/Navigation parts to provide additional features is not recommended nor supported on any Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicle.
SSM 47080
Feb 2018
Equipment2010-2018 various vehicles equipped with SYNC or SYNC 3 may not function when attempting to find or use the Spotify app via AppLink. As of an update released on 1/15/2018 Spotify will no longer be supporting their AppLink integration.
SSM 47009
Jan 2018
EquipmentThe Accessory (Wireless) Keyless Entry Keypad can only be used with vehicles that are factory built with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE).
SSM 46332
Jan 2017
EquipmentREPLACING THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT SYNC/NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH EITHER AN AFTERMARKET SYNC/NAVIGATION KIT OR MODIFYING ORIGINAL SYNC/NAVIGATION PARTS TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FEATURES IS NOT RECOMMENDED NOR SUPPORTED ON ANY FORD, MERCURY OR LINCOLN VEHICLE.
SSM 46295
Jan 2017
EngineTO HELP DIFFERENTIATE ENGINE OIL LEAKS FROM OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES, A NEW WHITE-COLORED FLUORESCENT ENGINE OIL DYE IS AVAILABLE. WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM), SECTION 303-00 HAS BEEN REVISED TO REFERENCE THE NEW WHITE-COLORED DYE.
SSM 46210
Nov 2016
SteeringSOME 2010-2016 EPAS EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT STEERING RELATED NOISES. THE WORKSHOP MANUAL (WSM) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN UPDATED IN SECTION 211-02. WHEN DIAGNOSING AND REPAIRING EPAS STEERING NOISES USE THE UPDATED PROCEDURES.
SSM 46132
Oct 2016
Service BrakesSOME 2008-2017 FORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SYNC MAY GENERATE A VHR THAT IDENTIFIES A CONCERN WITH THE BRAKES AND SUSPENSION CATEGORY INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED DUE TO A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP BEING ILLUMINATED.
TSB 16-0143
Oct 2016
EquipmentSOME 2010-2012 FUSION HYBRID, MILAN HYBRID AND MKZ HYBRID VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0030 AND/OR P0130. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.
16B38
Oct 2016
EngineCERTAIN 2011-2012 MODEL YEAR FUSION VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L OR 3.0L ENGINES - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE REPROGRAMMING AND CANISTER PURGE VALVE INSPECTION
SSM 46102
Sep 2016
Seat BeltsSome vehicles may have a concern where the safety belt retractor webbing does not extract from the stowed position or exhibits excessive pressure on the occupant during use. This may be due to a normal condition which happens when the seatbelt retracts at a high rate of speed.
SSM 46085
Sep 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingThe Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns.
16-0066
Apr 2016
Electrical SystemSome 2012-2016 vehicles equipped with a touchscreen navigation system and the language set to Arabic may exhibit a blank screen.
TSB160066
Apr 2016
EquipmentTouchscreen navigation system - arabic language - blank screen
16-0043
Mar 2016
Power Train6F35 TRANSMISSION - FLUID LEAK AT LEFT SIDE HALFSHAFT SEAL BUILT ON OR BEFORE 10/14/2013 ISSUE Some 2009-2014 Escape, 2009-2011 Mariner, 2010-2014 Fusion, 2010-2011 Milan, 2012-2014 Edge/Explorer, and 2013-2014 Taurus/MKT/MKZ vehicles built on or before 10/14/2013 and equipped...
TSB-15-0121
Aug 2015
Electrical SystemSUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
44863
Jul 2015
VisibilityFORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN. *TA
15-0079
May 2015
Power TrainFORD 2009-2014 ESCAPE, 2010-2014 FUSION, 2012-2014 EDGE, EXPLORER, 2013-2014 TAURUS: LINCOLN 2013-2014 MKT,MKZ: MERCURY 2009- 2011 MARINER, 2010-2011 MILAN.
ASI-45147
May 2015
Electrical SystemLINCOLN/FORD: SOME VEHICLES WILL EXPERIENCE, IN HOT EXTREME AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, A STOP SAFELY NOW OR A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED IN PRESENT OF BATTERY ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BECM) DTC P0A7E AND BECM NEEDS REPLACED, AND REPROGRAM.
CSP-14N02
Aug 2014
Power TrainFORD/LINCOLN: THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE LOSS OF ABS SPEED SIGNAL RELATED COMMUNICATION THAT DISABLE OBDII SYSTEM MONITORS FOR PCM REPROGRAMMING. MODEL 2011-14 F-SUPER DUTY, ESCAPE, TAURUS, FUSION, MKT, MKZ. *PE
ASI-44649
Jul 2014
EquipmentFORD: A JOB AID WAS DEVELOPED AND NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE PTU INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL FLUID LEAKAGE FOR ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES. *PE
CSP-13B17
Jun 2014
EquipmentFORD: THE THROTTLE BODY INTERNAL MOTOR CONTACTS MAY BE CONTAMINATED, RESULTING IN AN ELECTRICAL, INTERMITTENT, CONNECTIVITY, CAUSING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) OR WRENCH LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED. MODEL 2009-2012 FUSION, MILAN, ESCAPE, MARINER. *PE UPDATED 11/18/14. *PE
CSP-13B16
May 2014
Electrical SystemLINCOLN/FORD: IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM), THAT ALLOWS ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) AND OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR (OSS) SIGNAL FAULTS, A SOFTWARE ERROR HAS OCCUR AND DISABLED ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) MONITORS WITH NO ILLUMINATION OF MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL).
TSB-14-0056
Mar 2014
Power TrainMERCURY/FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, THERE IS A FLUID LEAKAGE, COMING FROM LEFT HAND (LH) HALFSHAFT SEAL OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND A SERVICE KIT IS AVAILABLE NOW, FOR REPAIR. MODEL 2009-2012 ESCAPE, MARINER, FUSION, MILAN. *PE
CSP-13N03
Mar 2014
Electrical SystemFORD: THROTTLE BODY WILL DEVELOP CONTAMINATION ON INTERNAL MOTOR CONTACTS RESULTING IN AN INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTIVITY AND MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) OR WRENCH LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2009-2013 FUSION, MILAN, ESCAPE, MARINER. *PE UPDATED 5/7/14. *PE
ASI-32332
Nov 2013
Power TrainFORD: DUE TO AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF RPM OR LACK OF ACCELERATION, IN SOME VEHICLES, WITH ILLUMINATED WRENCH LIGHT, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P2111, P2112 MAY OR MAY NOT BE STORED IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). MODELS 2009-12 ESCAPE, MARINER, FUSION, MILAN. *PE
SB-44300
Nov 2013
Power TrainFORD: ON THE LEFT HAND HALF SHAFT SEAL, THERE IS A FLUID LEAK FROM THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF WEAR ON CASE BUSHING. MODEL 2009-2012 ESCAPE, 2009-2011 MARINER, 2010-2012 FUSION, 2010-2011 MILAN. *PE
TSB160043
Oct 2013
Power Train6F35 Transmission - Fluid leak at left side halfshaft seal - built on or before 10/14/2013
TSB-13-6-27
Jun 2013
Electrical SystemFORD: THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC), ON SOME VEHICLES, FAILS TO OPERATE AT START UP AND NEEDS REPAIRING. MODEL 2012-2013 FOCUS. *PE
TSB-13-6-17
Jun 2013
Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD:LINCOLN: ON SOME VEHICLES, THERE ARE VARIOUS RELATED CONCERNS ABOUT THE SYNC FEATURES, SUCH AS SYNC FEATURES INOPERATIVE, LACK OF OR SLOW RESPONSE TO PHONE AND VOICE BUTTON OPERATION.
AS1-32241
May 2013
Equipment Adaptive/MobilityFORD: ON VARIOUS VEHICLES WITH MY TOUCH,AFTER ANY APIM PROGRAMMING, REPLACEMENT OR DISCONNECT FROM FRONT DISPLAY INTERFACE MODULE (FDIM), TOUCHSCREEN CALIBRATION MUST BE PERFORMED. MODEL YEARS 2011-2013. NO MODELS LISTED. *PE
SB-32167-70
Apr 2013
EngineFORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE AN ILLUMINATED MIL OR SAFETY STOP NOW MESSAGE, OR A NO START CONDITION OR POSSIBLE MISFIRE OR ROUGHNESS AT IDLING THROUGH 2000RPM OR A LACK OF ACCELERATION.
ASI-22285
Mar 2012
EngineFORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN: SOME VEHICLES EXHIBIT A COLD WEATHER PHENOMENON WHERE FLUID HAS EXPELLED OUT OF VENT ON REAR DRIVE UNITS (RDU) AND FLUID, ON OCCASION, WOULD BURP OUT. *PE
12-2-18
Feb 2012
Power TrainFORD: AWF21 AISIN 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION BUILT ON OR BETWEEN 8/22/2011 AND 12/05/2011 -UNIQUE TCM PART- SERVICE INFORMATION. *JS
TSB-12-1-18
Jan 2012
Electrical SystemFORD/MERCURY/LINCOLN: SOME MODEL YEAR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MESSAGE WITH A RED TRIANGLE ON AND STOP SAFELY NOW, AND/OR HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE, NO START CONDITION. *PE
ASI-22173
Jan 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFORD: THE VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING VCT) SOLENOID MOVEMENT MAY BE TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED DUE TO DEBRIS IN ENGINE OIL THAT IS CAUSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS). *PE
TSB-11-11-10
Nov 2011
Exterior LightingMERCURY/LINCOLN/FORD: THE RED BRAKE LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE WITH NO CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL. *PE
TSB-11-11-3
Nov 2011
Electrical SystemLINCOLN/FORD: STEERING SYSTEM SENSES, HALF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS/REARWARD IS EXPERIENCING A HIGHER FRICTION CONDITION AND CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STABILITY/TRACTION TO ILLUMINATE. MODEL 2011-2012 FUSION, MKZ. *PE

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Drive one straight highway stretch and one slow parking lot.Wander or a shimmy over bumps at speed, and heavy or dropped assist at low speed, are the two faces of this vehicle's steering cluster. A clunk on turn-in points at the linkage.
  2. Watch the airbag warning light through a full key cycle.It should light on start and go out within seconds. A light that stays on, or never lights at all, means the system needs attention. Run the VIN for inflator recalls specifically.
  3. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 5 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Do not drive it home until the do-not-drive recall is confirmed repaired.At least one campaign on this vehicle carries a federal do-not-drive advisory. Confirm the repair with the dealer, by VIN, before taking delivery.
  6. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Ford Fusion →