The Lemon Index2011 Ford Fusion.
The 2011 Ford Fusion is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 861 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 298, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 19 to 38 mpg combined. The best Ford Fusion year is 2008.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 2,926 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Ford Fusion year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 110K miles on the car (2,180 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 60K–126K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 59K–133K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 36K–60K miles
Recalls 9
- airbags 2021
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- airbags 2021
These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute hu…
- airbags 2021
Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers.
Show all 9 recalls
- airbags 2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
The affected vehicles have fuel vapor canisters whose purge valves may not operate properly resulting in abnormal pressure changes in the fuel tank.
- steering 2015
The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
- equipment 2014
The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.
- wheels 2011
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, 2009, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 55 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Illuminated mil or safety stop now message, or a no
- Steering related noises
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPower steering failure2017–2024
- ClosedElectric power steering failure2014–2015
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2013–2014
- ClosedFloor mat interference with accelerator2012–2014
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Fusion 4 DR AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Ford Fusion 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Ford Fusion Hybrid 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Driving down the road, and the check power steering light came on, and service advancetrac also. Power steering then quit working completely.
2011 Ford Fusion owner · NHTSA complaint 10618078
More owner reports
Steering failure assist light came on first thing this morning at 6:30am. Was wondering if this has ever been a recalled part for the 2011 Ford Fusion.
NHTSA complaint 10669256
Driving to work 25 mph and suddenly my power steering went out, then the traction control system(tsc) lights went on.
NHTSA complaint 10625893
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Ford Fusion reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 298; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Fusion year by this measure since 2010 is 2018.
What are the most common 2011 Ford Fusion problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (36%), speed control (27%) and engine (26%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Ford Fusion have?
9 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Ford Fusion get?
19 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Ford Fusion safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fusion problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 2,180 complaints.
Does the 2011 Ford Fusion have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Ford Fusion cost in fuel a year?
About $1700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Ford Fusion have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Ford Fusion year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works