Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Ford fusion. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH when the vehicle suddenly lost power and would not accelerate. The vehicle was transported to the dealer where the electronic throttle body was replaced. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 43,000. ...updated 01-30-14 *bf updated 01/30/14
2010 Ford Fusion cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Ford Fusion have filed 494 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 53,000 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 →
Failure mileage
Complaints
494
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Fusion | 13 |
| 2007 Fusion | 18 |
| 2008 Fusion | 20 |
| 2009 Fusion | 20 |
| 2010 Fusion (this page) | 494 |
| 2011 Fusion | 158 |
| 2012 Fusion | 52 |
| 2013 Fusion | 28 |
| 2014 Fusion | 14 |
19crashes
1fire
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 494 cruise control complaints filed for the 2010 Ford Fusion, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 14 model years of Ford Fusion we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 494.
Owners have filed 494 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Fusion's electronic throttle body fails unexpectedly, cutting engine power and leaving drivers coasting helplessly. When it happens, the engine keeps running but won't respond to the pedal—RPMs flatline, the wrench light comes on, and the car slows to a crawl or stops outright. Restarting clears the problem temporarily.
Owners report failures between 30,000 and 65,000 miles, though some occurred at 1,300 miles. The failures are unpredictable—happening at traffic lights, merging onto highways, or mid-intersection—placing drivers in genuine danger of rear-end collision. Diagnostic codes P2111 and P2112 flag throttle-body malfunction. Dealerships consistently cite back-orders lasting weeks to months for the replacement part.
Repair costs run $350–$700 for parts and labor. Many owners' warranties expired just before failure. Ford issued an extended warranty campaign (10 years/150,000 miles) for the part, but owners report it did not cover their specific vehicles. Some dealers claimed the part qualified as an emissions component covered under 8 years/80,000 miles, yet Ford's internal database allegedly restricted that coverage to hybrids only, contradicting printed owner's manuals.
One owner documented the issue with video; others confirmed Ford had replaced over 27,000 Fusion throttle bodies under warranty and created a specific test procedure. Despite widespread complaints and a known problem, no recall was issued during the period covered by these narratives.
Same Ford Fusion cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Body Failure
The throttle body's electronic control system fails, cutting power delivery and preventing engine acceleration. The vehicle typically continues running at idle or rough idle but becomes completely unresponsive to pedal input. The problem is intermittent and unpredictable—it may occur without warning at any speed or driving condition. Restarting the engine temporarily resolves the issue until the next failure.
When: Commonly occurs between 30,000 and 65,000 miles; some reports as low as 1,300–1,800 miles; failures have occurred well into the vehicle's service life. No clear pattern tied to age alone.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of acceleration response despite pressing the gas pedal; Vehicle slows dramatically or comes to near-stop despite engine remaining on; Wrench warning light (powertrain malfunction) illuminates; Rough, jerky idle; engine shaking or vibrating; Check engine light often comes on; Problem resolves temporarily after turning the car off and restarting; Vehicle may stall or nearly stall at traffic lights or stop signs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacement of the electronic throttle body assembly. Owners report parts on national back-order for weeks to months. Repair costs typically $350–$700 (parts and labor); some owners replaced the part themselves for ~$170–$324. One owner purchased a replacement for $172 after the dealership quoted $700. Parts shortages were severe enough that multiple owners noted months-long waits (3–6+ weeks).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued a 'Customer Service Campaign' extending the throttle-body warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles for some model years, but owners report the program did not cover their vehicles. Ford created a specific throttle-body test procedure at dealerships. A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) exists. Some owners report Ford claims the part is emissions-related and should be covered under the 8-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty, but dealerships inconsistently applied this, especially for non-hybrid models. One owner's manual (2010) listed the throttle body as a covered emissions component, yet Ford's internal database reportedly limited coverage to hybrids only.
Unintended Acceleration (Rare)
In rare instances, the electronic control system fails in the opposite direction—the engine accelerates unexpectedly without driver input or with minimal input. This can occur when cruise control is active or when the vehicle is at rest. The vehicle may be difficult to control with the brake pedal.
When: Reported at very low mileage (75 miles); also reported in cruise-control scenarios at highway speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver pressing the accelerator; RPMs increase rapidly and vehicle vibrates; Brake pedal becomes ineffective or requires excessive force; Engine makes loud noise; Cruise control may activate unintentionally or malfunction
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Two early reports (at 75 and ~1,800 miles) describe the vehicle accelerating out of control, hitting a fence and tree. One report involved a customer activating cruise control and later experiencing unintended acceleration. No repair details provided in these narratives.
Floor Mat Entrapment (Related, Not Defect)
A factory all-weather floor mat becomes wedged under the accelerator pedal, physically preventing the pedal from returning and holding it in the depressed position. This is not a throttle-body defect but rather an entrapment hazard with removable floor mats. The pedal stays stuck for several seconds until the driver adjusts foot position or lifts their heel.
When: Occurred during normal driving after the mat had been removed and later reinstalled, likely by a service center or car-wash attendant.
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stays depressed after driver releases it; Vehicle continues accelerating unintentionally for 3–30+ seconds; Pedal returns to normal only after driver lifts heel or mat is repositioned
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: The owner removed the factory all-weather floor mat from the trunk and confirmed the issue was mat entrapment, not an electronic failure. No repair cost incurred.
Unrelated Brake System Failure (Confusion with Cruise Control Component)
One complaint (#24) reported brake pedal travel to the floor and loss of braking pressure, with an ABS light. While titled 'cruise-control' by NHTSA, the described symptoms (brake failure, ABS light) are not related to cruise control or throttle body; this appears to be a separate brake-system issue included in error.
When: Five separate occasions over five months; ABS light accompanied each event.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels near the floor; Sudden loss of brake pressure; Severe reduction in braking power; ABS light illuminates; Near-collisions avoided only by swerving
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; owner awaited dealership appointment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner noted that their VIN was excluded from recall 19S54, though the symptoms matched that recall.
Synthesized from 494 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2010 Ford Fusion?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2010 Ford Fusion?
It's a meaningful issue. 494 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 460 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 40,000 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 53,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 67,000. 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Ford/Fusion.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.