2009 Ford Fusion cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2009 Ford Fusion have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 47,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Fusion | 13 |
| 2007 Fusion | 18 |
| 2008 Fusion | 20 |
| 2009 Fusion (this page) | 20 |
| 2010 Fusion | 494 |
| 2011 Fusion | 158 |
| 2012 Fusion | 52 |
| 2013 Fusion | 28 |
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2009 Fusion shows a pattern of accelerator and throttle failures across multiple failure modes. Owners describe the accelerator pedal sticking mechanically to the floor during normal driving and passing attempts, causing full-throttle acceleration despite brake pressure. Engine continues racing even after the vehicle stops; some owners manually pulled the pedal upward with a clicking sound to free it. Other owners rigged workarounds like nylon cords tied to the shift lever.
A second failure type involves the throttle body itself: Check Engine lights illuminate (codes P2112, P2104 observed), the vehicle hesitates or surges unpredictably, stalls with wrench warning indicators, and rough idle develops. Throttle body replacement is the fix, but Ford's own referenced warranty programs (13B17, 13B03, and NHTSA action PE13003) were denied at dealer level.
Low-speed unintended acceleration also occurs when brakes are applied—the vehicle surges forward at 10 mph in parking lots or 35 mph on regular roads. Some incidents resulted in crashes and injuries. One owner reported at least 12 acceleration surges over six months. Dealers initially blamed floor mats; owners disputed this. An ABS hydraulic valve recall (19V904) remains incomplete with no remedy available. Overall, dealers struggled to diagnose or reproduce these failures, and owners faced out-of-pocket repair costs despite Ford's published defect acknowledgment.
Same Ford Fusion cruise control reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Stuck Accelerator Pedal / Unintended Acceleration
Accelerator pedal becomes mechanically stuck at the floor or in full-throttle position, causing the vehicle to continue accelerating despite brake application. Engine continues to race even after vehicle stops. In some cases, owners report being able to manually pull the pedal upward with a clicking sound to release it.
When: 4,120 miles; 5,773 miles; 13,920 miles; 14,957 miles; 35,000 miles; 45,000 miles; 47,000 miles—most common during passing attempts or aggressive acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal locked to floor; Engine racing at full throttle despite brake pressure; Continued acceleration when brakes applied; Pedal physically stuck in upper position near dashboard; Engine running at high RPM even after vehicle stopped; Loud popping noise accompanying acceleration; Brake and exhaust smell when finally stopped
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers often unable to reproduce or locate defect. Some owners manually pulled pedal upward to free it. One owner's husband rigged a nylon cord from accelerator to shift control as a workaround.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Action PE13003 identified throttle body defect on 2009–2013 Fusions; Ford initially stated it would cover repairs but then denied coverage at dealership level.
Throttle Body Malfunction / Reduced Acceleration
Throttle body failure causes intermittent hesitation, rough idle, stalling, hard shifting, and reduction in acceleration. Check Engine light illuminates. Electronic throttle control cannot be properly diagnosed or repaired under warranty programs referenced by owners.
When: Around 14,957 miles; 2014 model year example
Symptoms owners cite: Reduction in acceleration after pulling from driveway; Check Engine light illumination; Vehicle stalls with wrench warning indicator; Rough idle and failure to speed up; Intermittent hesitation during driving; Vehicle surges forward randomly then returns to normal; All dashboard lights illuminate during failure event
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement required; cost varies. One owner paid out-of-pocket for redesigned throttle body installation. Some owners report $400–$800 range (implied by context of warranty denial disputes).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 13B17 and 13B03 referenced by owners but coverage allegedly denied at dealership level despite NHTSA identification of defect.
Abnormal Acceleration When Brakes Applied
Vehicle suddenly accelerates when driver applies brakes, particularly at low speeds or when entering parking spaces. Distinct from stuck pedal—brakes are engaged but vehicle surges forward. Some incidents result in crashes.
When: 10 mph to 65 mph; 32,000 miles and 35,000 miles documented
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration despite brake pedal pressure; Vehicle continues to accelerate when brakes applied; Occurs during low-speed maneuvers (parking, exiting driveway); Repeated incidents in same vehicle (at least 12 times over 6 months in one case); RPM surges from 3,200 to over 5,000 when braking or stopped
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in these complaints. One vehicle crashed into rail at 10 mph; driver sustained minor injuries.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attributed failures to floor mat interference; owners disputed this diagnosis. No manufacturer acknowledgment of brake-throttle interaction defect.
Pedal Lag and Unexpected Continuation of Acceleration
Delayed response when gas pedal pressed, followed by sudden forward leap and over-acceleration. Acceleration continues after pedal is released. Problem is intermittent and often resolves after tapping brake or releasing pedal.
When: Intermittent; one vehicle experienced 4 incidents over 1.5 months
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal does not respond initially when pressed; Vehicle suddenly leaps forward; Acceleration continues after pedal release; Momentary event that stops after brake and pedal manipulation; Most common during highway acceleration or passing
ABS Hydraulic Control Unit Valve Stuck Open (Recall 19V904)
Hydraulic valve in anti-lock braking system becomes stuck in open position, affecting brake function. Recall 19S54 / 19V904 issued but remedy not yet available as of complaint date. Brakes exhibit extended travel distance and reduced responsiveness.
When: Reported December 2019; recall incomplete for over 1 year
Symptoms owners cite: Extended brake pedal travel; Brakes do not act properly; Reduced braking effectiveness
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19S54 / NHTSA 19V904—remedy not yet available; recall status listed as incomplete.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2009 Ford Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 14,957 and 102,653 miles, with the median around 47,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,957; a quarter make it past 102,653. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.