Is the 2011 Ford Fusion reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Ford Fusion is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Fusion?

The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Fusion have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

2011 Ford Fusion

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2011 Ford Fusion
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints: 2,787
Recalls: 9
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Steering

Complaints per year

2011: 2,787 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2006	730
2007	1,064
2008	1,353
2009	1,022
2010	5,129
2011	2,787
2012	2,515
2013	1,789
2014	1,329
2015	991
2016	1,623
2017	1,112
2018	441
2019	315
2020	182

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Steering

52% · 1,439 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system and rack and pinion.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

Show complaint excerpts

My power steer went out while driving which caused me to run off road without injury but had one flat tire. Vehicle required towing. Manual steering is to hard to make vehicle drivable. Light on indicating "Service power steering".

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-26

Service trac off power steering off recall number 15 s 18 my VIN number was not included in this recall even though this is the problem I am currently having was involved in a car accident because of it on the 25TH of October…

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-09

Unknown

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-09

Also filed under Electrical system

Air bags

12% · 332 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and inflator module.

CRASHINJURY

Engine

10% · 276 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

10% · 268 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

9% · 257 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended high-speed acceleration and struck a parked vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-05

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

My car was stopped at a stoplight with a vehicle in front of me. I shifted into neutral as I needed to take my foot off the brake. The car was on level ground so it would not roll forward or backward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-03

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while sitting in drive with the brakes depressed, the vehicle rapidly accelerated without warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-11

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

▮
2011Complaint volume 2,787 complaints filed for this model year.
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2012-01-18Wheels11V574000 Ford is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury milan vehicles equipped with 17 inch steel wheels and built from April 1, 2009, through April 30, 2009, and from December 1…

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear brake disc surface for flatness and replace the discs as necessary. Additionally, the wheel lug nuts will be replaced on all four wheels.…

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2012-12-12Engineering analysisClosed 2014-06-12 Floor mat interference with accelerator
I
2013-02-21Preliminary evaluationClosed 2014-02-28 Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
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2014-07-26Equipment14E028000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007,...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2014-10-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-09-10 Electric power steering failure
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2015-07-21Steering15V340000 Ford 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, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT...

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-01-15Fuel system, gasoline15V793000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 21, 2008, to March 4, 2011, and 2010-2011 Mercury Milan vehicles manufactured July 23, 2008, to December 10, 2010.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle powertrain control modules and inspect the vehicle for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) for this issue and perform a leak test on the Canister Purge Valve (CPV).

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2017-11-20Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-09 Power Steering Failure
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2018-02-02Air bags16V384000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-02-13Air bags19V001000 Ford 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 Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the...

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019.

Check if this car was fixed →
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2021-03-17Air bags21V081000 Ford 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2021-03-17Air bags21E013000 Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair.

Remedy: Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2021-04-09Air bags21V158000 Ford 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.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge.

Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Ford Fusion — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Steering: 1,439 reports on file for this year.
Air bags: 332 reports on file for this year.
Engine: 276 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 11V574000 · Wheels
Recall 14E028000 · Equipment
Recall 15V340000 · Steering
Recall 15V793000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 16V384000 · Air bags
Recall 19V001000 · Air bags
Recall 21V081000 · Air bags
Recall 21E013000 · Air bags
Recall 21V158000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Ford Fusion reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Ford Fusion is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Ford Fusion?: The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 52% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Fusion have?: 9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.