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Problems / Ford / Fusion / Harsh or Delayed Shifting of Automatic Transmission

Harsh or Delayed Shifting of Automatic Transmission on

Ford Fusion
Problem Description

The automatic transmission may develop shifting concerns. On lower mileage vehicles, upgrading the
software in the powertrain control module (PCM) and the transmission control module (TCM) may correct
the problem. As the mileage increases, internal transmission damage can occur. Repairs could involve
replacement of the valve body or a complete transmission rebuild. Whenever major transmission repairs
are made, it is important to be sure the PCM and the TCM have the latest software updates to help prevent
these issues from reoccurring.

1158 people reported this problem

282 comments

Ford Fusion Vehicles With This Problem

13 model years affected

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, view all

Average mileage: 80,850

(0–460,000)

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Viewing 1-20 of 282 comments

2012 Ford Fusion 44,000 mi, Visitor

I have just purchased a 2012 Ford Fusion S 2.5 litre pre-owned and have been experiencing erratic shifting in
my automatic transmission. Sometimes it shifts ok and sometimes it has a delayed shift almost as if it
slipped between gears. Now and then it gets harsh when shifting especially if I get stuck in traffic then try to
drive normally after that. What's up with this?

Report

2006 Ford Fusion 100,000 mi, Visitor

My car shifts really hard at times even after getting the transmission flushed. Also, it seems to change slowly
at times and when you first start it, it idles really high. If you try to put it into gear while it is idled high, the car
will jerk an dsound like the transmission is about to fall out.

Report

2006 Ford Fusion Visitor

my car suddenly, without warning , started reving really high rpmsand would NOT shift to a higher gear. this
has been my problem for a year. I would not take another ford, if they gave it to me. YES TTHIS SHOULD BE A
RECALL !!!! IT IS DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!

Report

2008 Ford Fusion 110,000 mi, 2008fusionfordowner

The drive train light came on Last Wednesday and the car had unusual shifting on minor grades. It was
immediately driven to a Ford dealership and got an appointment 3 weeks away. NOTHING was mentioned
about a possible software issue.
Too Late, the transmission is gone. Same problem as others have described in this forum. I have been a FORD
man for 20 + YEARS and this is the first major problem I have ever experienced.
My sister borrowed it to drive to California and now I have to get it back to Georgia.
After reading all the issues concerning the transmission, I am sure it will require replacement.
Was there a recall?

Report

2013 Ford Fusion 68,000 mi, Visitor

I firest started noticing my car shifting hard. This has been happening for about 3 weeks now. Last week while
stopped at a traffic light I pressed on the accelerator and my car would not move. I pressed further on the gas
pedal and still would not move. Felt as if my car was in neutral. I took my foot off the gas and then slowly
pressed it again and it started going. Yesterday while driving through a canyon my car's RPMs kept going
higher and not shifting gears. Got up to 5000 RPMs and would not shift for about 3 miles. I kept playing with
my gas and brakes until it shifted.

Report

2014 Ford Fusion 66,700 mi, Visitor

Engine light and wrench light came on along with a box saying see manual asap. We have a 2014 Ford Fusion.
The car wasn't driving any different at the time the lights came on but we had noticed a few times the car
randomly shifted hard. Anyway, took car straight to dealership and they diagnosed the problem as a torque
converter problem. They want $2000.00 to fix it. It has 66,700 miles and this....

Report

2007 Ford Fusion 90,000 mi, stuck in second

transmissoion has stopped shifting into high gear. It also will not shift from los gear(from acomplete
stop)into second gear without letting off the gas and then it will shift

Report

2011 Ford Fusion 80,000 mi, lolee71

when coming to a stop the transmission shifts down so hard it feels like you have hit something.

Report

2016 Ford Fusion 15,000 mi, Visitor

Problems with delayed shifting, engine revs, hard shifting; the transmission has been reprogramed or
upgraded the software in the PCM and TCM. Recently, the fourth time in the dealership the service
department attempted to reprogram, removed/cleaned up the valve body and changed out some solenoids.
First year of ownership so looks like arbitration for lemon law.

Report

2006 Ford Fusion 106,000 mi, rexoutdoors

Same problem as everyone, although I might add this in for more information for all of us. From what I am
told from a Ford dealership, the transmission (at least in my 2006 Fusion) is a MAZDA built transmission, not
a Ford. To the shock of 2 Ford dealerships I carried this problem to, BOTH of them cannot even get an
exploded view of the transmission, and no help from tech bulletins as to the problem! They both told me I will
have to carry the Ford Fusion to a Mazda dealership to have the transmission diagnosed!

Apparently, since Mazda and Ford are married in business together, Ford protects Mazda and does not allow
any technical documentation on the transmission to Ford dealers. Strange but apparently true!
I have yet to carry it to a Mazda dealership to be diagnosed but my problems are almost identical to everyone
else......Shifts hard between 3rd and 4th gears. Ours however, will NOT do this when it is cold. It is only after
the engine and transmission have warmed up and reached operating temperature.

Follow up-I carried my Fusion to a Mazda dealership as recommended by a Ford Dealer but not much
results...Yes, Mazda has this same transmission in their 2005 and later models as with the Ford Fusions that
is in the 2006 and later. The results of a $100 diagnosis from the Mazda dealership: Because of their test
equipment and software not being compatible to anything on the Ford Fusion, no tests could be performed on
the transmission for errors and problem flags. They recommended the exact same thing as repairpal has
posted in one regard. It is possible that changing out the gear valve might solve the problem if damage has
not already occurred, otherwise we are looking at a transmission rebuild. Since mine had recently had a
transmission fluid change after it started doing this, metal shavings or burnt transmission fluid were not there
to help solve the puzzle. Time to trade the vehicle or time to price a rebuild, that is what spending $200.00
(between a Ford and Mazda dealership) in seeking an answer yielded. Hope this helps others!

Report

2006 Ford Fusion 60,000 mi, Visitor

Transmission started to slip when driving up a hill or giving it some throttle on the highway.
Has beeen getting worse and have had it to dealership where I purchased it new and no help there, even said
they talked to regional service rep from Ford, NO HELP FROM HIM ... Wrote letter to Ford Motor Company and
they told me its out of warranty and they would not do anything! I told Ford it's a known problem and it should
be taken care of.
I made my dealership change my trans fluid even though they said it's not to be changed until 100,000 miles.
Do i have to be the one to tell them what i want done? Ford is not going to fix it and the dealership will
only offer to replace it for 4000 dollars because it can't be repaired, just replaced. I am dumping the car!

Report

2007 Ford Fusion 86,000 mi, Visitor

1/10/2014....While driving in Rapid City, SD, (December 23, 2013) the transmission would not shift (we
thought the car was knocked into neutral). So, took it to a transmission repair shop and had the transmission
rebuilt (had to leave the car there for two weeks and rent a car to get back to WI). Today, we just got the car
back, started driving on the highway and didn't even get 200 miles down the road and now it won't shift again,
so cannot drive the car over 65 miles per hour. Headed to Sioux Falls, SD to have same transmission chain
look at it. Will let you know of the results.

Report

2014 Ford Fusion 34,000 mi, Visitor

I have a 2014 Ford Fusion that has 34,000 miles and seems to have a transmission problem. It jerks at take
off . What can I do to fix it.

Report
2006 Ford Fusion 130,090 mi, Visitor
My car is having all the problems mentioned in previous comments. I took the car to a transmission shop to
have a rebuilt transmission installed to the tune of $3,000 with a 1year warranty. Needless to say, I am on my
4th time returning the car because it continues to have the same problems. I've replaced all tires, brakes,
pads, caliper because I was told this could be part of the issue. I finally took it to the Ford dealership and was
told because the parts used at time of manufacturing were so rare, it is recommend that the transmission not
be replaced. He stated that they could go ahead and attempt it but if it did not repair the car he would feel bad
about taking my money. I can't afford to put anymore money in it and I really need a car. At this very moment it
sits in my driveway because I'm scared too for the safety of me and my children to drive it.

Report

2007 Ford Fusion 43,611 mi, Visitor

My first Ford and probably my last one, the tranny blew out without warning, lost overdrive, and 3rd 4th gear
while on road trip and is an out of warranty repair and very expensive for a very low mileage car

Report

2015 Ford Fusion 20,000 mi, Visitor

I've taken my car in for harsh shifting and delayed shifting. Ford dealership never found a problem. Still does
it.

Report

2013 Ford Fusion 40,000 mi, jzenzayer

The transmission will delay- and abruptly shift from 2nd to 3rd. I bought the vehicle used, so I don't know
when it started. don't have s solution yet, as the techs do not want to try and fix it. I will use this page to follow
up with them

Report

2008 Ford Fusion 107,000 mi, amyraleigh

I have the same problem with my 2008 fusion - on the highway, staying in acceleration and scared me to
death. I had to turn the car off and pull over and restart. First and last Ford!

Report

2012 Ford Fusion 68,000 mi, Visitor

big bang when shift in drive or reverse

Report
2011 Ford Fusion 90,622 mi, Visitor

I am having very similar issues to everyone else. It will not shift into the next gear until I release my foot off of
the acceleration. If I attempt to just continue accelerating, the car revs and the RPMs increase until I release
the gas pedal. Also, after long periods of operation (long highway trips or stalled traffic), I also notice that
downshifting becomes laborious for the vehicle, as well. The car will jump gears, jerking forward violently with
an accompanying loud noise. I agree that this is very dangerous and if there were a need to stop to avoid
collision, that extra second that it takes to shift into gear could make all the difference. This problem has
worsened over time. I have also started to notice a fluttering-type rattle in the engine. I will be trading this car
in as soon as I am able to.

Report

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