2014 Ford Fusion · symptom sheet
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard
- 32owner reports
- 88,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 9, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
230 of the 1,287 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 32 of those describe transmission shudder.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (3 reports) and the clutch (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
6 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Focus and 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall numbers 18V169 and 18V845. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Additionally, dealers will inspect Focus vehicles and replace the clutch assembly as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S43. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6,2026.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2013-2021 Transit Connect, and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. The bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Dealers will replace the under hood shift bushing and add a protective cap over the shift cable bushing, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 1, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available in 4th Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed October 27, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S43.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Fusion vehicles equipped with 2.5 liter engines. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 10, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S16. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. This recall is an expansion of 18V471.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Escape, and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions. The bushing that attaches the transmission shifter cable to the transmission may degrade over time and cause the bushing to detach from the transmission. The condition could allow the driver to move the shift lever to Park and remove the ignition key, while the transmission may not be in Park, with no warning message or audible chime.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S20. Note: Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with a 1.6L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission and 2015-2016 Ford Focus vehicles equipped with a 1.0L GTDI engine and 6-speed manual transmission. Also included are four 2017 Ford Focus vehicles that had clutch replacements with potentially affected parts. The clutch may fracture, resulting in damage to the transmission assembly and possibly a transmission fluid leak.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the Focus vehicles with software that detects and prevents prolonged clutch slip, and will replace the clutch, as necessary, free of charge. Owners of Fusion vehicles will have their clutch assembly replaced free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S07.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Fusion vehicles manufactured July 27, 2013, to October 31, 2014, 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to October 31, 2014, and 2015 Ford Fusion Energi vehicles manufactured July 14, 2014, to October 31, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the key may be able to be removed even while the transmission is not in Park. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on December 15, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14C11.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 53,000 and 126,000 miles, from the 23 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The transmission is idle high and hard and yes it is available for inspection My safety and the safety of other is the car jerks and it accelerate unvoluntary Yes it was confirmed by a certified mechanic No it have not been inspected my manufacturer or others No there is no warning lights or messages that prior to failure”
Filed Mar 26, 2025
“*Car shifts hard when transitioning into second gear. *The hard shift causes a bit of whip lash *No *No *No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. This has been ongoing issue for the last year. Other Ford Fusion owners have expressed the same issue with their vehicles. *A transmission flush was done at 140k miles”
Filed Aug 11, 2022 · 140,000 miles
“Transmission was previously slipping 200 miles prior, but I was on a road trip and unable to visit a mechanic for inspection. At a certain point, the engine temperature gauge began climbing to HOT and would only come down when the accelerator was released. Eventually, this remedy stopped working, and the car fully overheated.”
Filed Jun 17, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 32 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 203 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 125 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 117 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 96 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 81 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 79 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 42 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 40 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 38 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 31 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 27 reports