repaired · 2023 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 Ford FusionProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 2,796 owner complaints about the 2011 Ford Fusion, most often about the steering. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-384 the manufacturer reports only 24% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 5, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 Ford Fusion has problems
2,796 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
1,436Steering46 crash/fire/injury
331Air bags19 crash/fire/injury
276Engine4 crash/fire/injury
268Power train4 crash/fire/injury
256Vehicle speed control13 crash/fire/injury
203Electrical system
176Fuel/propulsion system
169Service brakes
93Electronic stability control (ESC)
33321 other systems19 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 1436 | 46 |
| Air bags | 331 | 19 |
| Engine | 276 | 4 |
| Power train | 268 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 256 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 203 | 12 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 176 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 169 | 10 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 93 | 5 |
| 21 other systems | 333 | 19 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2011 Ford Fusion recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Air bags: frontal
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other…
repaired · 2020 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2016 Q2
Storage: auxillary tank
Risk. The pressure changes may cause the tank to crack and leak fuel.
repaired · 2016 Q4
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
no report yet
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Risk. WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE STUD FRACTURES COULD OCCUR AT THE WHEEL LOCATION, AND THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE VEHICLE VIBRATION AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 1,130 steering complaints. 58% were reported before 100,000 miles.
81under 30k miles655under 100k miles475100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
145 owners mentioned a cost$1,900median
Middle half: $1,600 – $2,000
Engine
16 owners mentioned a cost$500median
Middle half: $400 – $613
Fuel/propulsion system
13 owners mentioned a cost$500median
Middle half: $400 – $600
Service brakes
13 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $860 – $2,600
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other Fusion year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Fusion median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2011 Ford Fusion safety ratings
2011 Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (9.2% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2011 Ford Fusion, and the recalls they led to.
- Floor mat interference with acceleratorLed to recall 14E-028
- Power Steering FailureNo recall
- Electronic Throttle Body MalfunctionNo recall
- Electric power steering failureLed to recall 15V-340
In owners' words
What Fusion owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My mom’s 2011 Ford Fusion SEL experienced a loss of electric power steering assistance. I cannot determine the exact moment the failure occurred. When I started the vehicle and attempted to drive away, I noticed that the steering wheel was extremely stiff. The dashboard displayed a “Power Steering…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering assist, nearly causing the contact to lose steering control as the steering locked up, and an audible warning chime sounded. The contact safely maintained…
The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle almost crashed into the neighbor's lawn because the steering wheel had seized. The contact's daughter stated that the steering wheel was firm and required extra effort…
Own a 2011 Fusion?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.