Certain 2014-2016 Model Year Fusion Vehicles Equipped With 1.5L Engine - Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Fusion powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Ford Fusion have filed 140 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 81,252 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
140
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Fusion | 232 |
| 2012 Fusion | 131 |
| 2013 Fusion | 287 |
| 2014 Fusion | 233 |
| 2015 Fusion (this page) | 140 |
| 2016 Fusion | 297 |
| 2017 Fusion | 296 |
| 2018 Fusion | 97 |
| 2019 Fusion | 72 |
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 140 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Ford Fusion, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 140 powertrain 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.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2020 Fusion, MKZ and 2013-2018 C-Max vehicles equipped with an HF35 transmission may exhibit a thumping/rubbing or grinding noise coming from the transmission. The noise may be present in all gear ranges including neutral when the vehicle is moving but will not be present when the vehicle is stationary or in park.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2018 Fusion/MKZ vehicles equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost engine may exhibit a rattle noise from the transmission bellhousing area. This may be more noticeable at idle. This may be due to a flexplate crack around the mounting area. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the flexplate, transmission fluid pump, and torque converter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2020 Fusion/MKZ, 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Corsair, 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with HF35/HF45 hybrid transmissions can now be disassembled to repair and clean any contamination that may have been the result of a differential or transfer shaft bearing failure and the transmission can be overhauled/rebuilt. Service tools and service parts are now available. Refer to the Workshop Manual, Section 307-01.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Ford Fusion powertrain shows a cluster of failure patterns across shifter, transmission, and engine systems. The most common complaint involves the transmission shifter cable bushing degrading or detaching, leaving the vehicle unable to shift properly or stuck in the wrong gear. Owners report the shifter indicating park while the car rolls forward or backward, sometimes causing injury or collision. Ford issued recalls (18S20, 19S16, 22V413000) for this issue, but many 2015 Fusion VINs are excluded from coverage despite identical symptoms—owners are told to contact NHTSA rather than Ford for help.
Transmission failures appear next, ranging from inability to shift, rough shifting, jerking, or complete loss of power requiring full replacement at costs extending 4–6 weeks. Some owners report transmission shudder or contaminants in fluid; parts often on back order when repairs are attempted. One owner experienced a second transmission failure 15 months after the recall repair was completed.
Engine problems include coolant intrusion into cylinders, causing white smoke, rough idle, and eventual head cracking. Owners describe rapid coolant loss and sketchy diagnostics where dealers cannot pinpoint whether it's spark plugs, coolant, or cylinder damage. Cam position sensors fail stranded owners on roadways; one failed again 1,708 miles after replacement.
A few owners report abrupt engine stall while driving at highway speeds with "transmission not in park" warnings appearing despite the vehicle being in drive. Stalls occur with no check engine light or stored codes, making diagnosis impossible.
Owners also describe hard transmission shifts, electrical gremlins following service, and in hybrid (Energi) models, eCVT assembly failures requiring rebuilds. Warranty denial is common—many owners find repair costs out of pocket once the 60k-mile basic coverage expires, even when dealers acknowledge design defects.
Same Ford Fusion powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Shifter Cable Bushing Degradation/Detachment
The transmission shifter cable bushing degrades, breaks, or becomes detached from the transmission selector lever, causing the shifter to become non-functional or to indicate one gear while the vehicle operates in another. The vehicle may roll when parked or fail to shift into the intended gear.
When: Various mileage; reported at 60k, 89k, 90k, 107k, 120k, 146k, 147k, 206k+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter stuck or does not move smoothly; Shifter indicates park but vehicle rolls or moves forward; Shifter indicates one gear (e.g., park) but instrument panel shows another (e.g., drive or neutral); Inability to shift into or out of park; Vehicle shifts into opposite gear from what was selected; Gear shifter stuck in reverse, neutral, or drive; No warning lights or messages despite failure
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 18V471, NHTSA 19V362000, NHTSA 22V413000
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter cable bushing replacement required; part replacement cost cited as ~$100–$841 out of pocket; dealers delayed due to parts unavailability; some owners paid for recall repair after parts on back order 3+ months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 18S20 (2018), 19S16 (2019), 22V413000 (2022) issued for shifter cable bushing failure; however, many 2015 Fusion VINs excluded from recalls despite experiencing identical symptoms; Ford advised some owners to contact NHTSA rather than offering coverage; some recalls incomplete due to parts backorders lasting months; one owner experienced bushing failure 15 months after recall repair
Transmission Loss of Park Function / Unintended Rollaway
The transmission fails to secure the vehicle in park, causing the vehicle to roll or move unexpectedly when parked. The shifter may indicate park while the transmission remains in drive or neutral, creating a dangerous loss of vehicle control.
When: Reported throughout vehicle life; incidents at parking lots, driveways, on inclines; mileage ranging 62k–242k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward or forward despite shifter in park position; Vehicle continues to move under engine power even with shifter in park; Shifter appears to be in park but dash shows drive, neutral, or no gear indication; Vehicle moves when parked on incline; Open door knocked occupant or other person when vehicle rolled; Key removable from ignition without vehicle in park; Parking brake required to stop unintended movement
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 18V471, NHTSA 19V362000, NHTSA 22V413000
Repairs/costs cited: Shifter cable bushing replacement; in some cases, transmission linkage chain replacement required; one owner reported $16k total car loss due to engine/transmission damage secondary to shifter failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Same recalls as bushing failure (18S20, 19S16, 22V413000); many VINs excluded from coverage; some owners told VIN ineligible for recall; Ford refused to pay for repair in at least one case, demanding customer pay $841; limited dealer assistance with parts availability
Transmission Failure / Loss of Power
The transmission loses power or fails to engage gears, causing loss of vehicle propulsion. Symptoms include loud humming noise, jerking, hesitation, inability to shift, or complete transmission shutdown requiring replacement.
When: Various mileage; incidents at 80k–140k miles; one case at 100k+ miles; failures occur during acceleration, driving, or shifting
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loses power while accelerating or driving; Transmission fails to shift or respond to gear selection; Loud humming, grinding, clunking, or thumping sounds; Vehicle jerks or hesitates before or during shifts; Transmission slippage or loss of engagement; Rough or erratic shifting; Inability to go faster than 5–20 mph after failure; Check engine light or transmission warning message displayed; sometimes no warning
Codes mentioned: P0340, NHTSA 22V413000
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required, taking 4–6 weeks; one case cited contaminants in transmission fluid; in one case, rebuilt transmission performed instead of replacement; repair cost estimated at several thousand dollars; some covered under extended warranty, others out of pocket or over warranty period
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some cases covered under warranty; one case initially covered but parts on back order; NHTSA Campaign 22V413000 issued for transmission failures; many owners' VINs excluded from recall coverage; some directed to contact NHTSA; in some cases, no recall or assistance programs available
Engine Misfire / Cracked Cylinder Head
Engine misfires and eventually develops a cracked cylinder head or coolant intrusion into a cylinder, causing rough running, stalling, and eventual engine failure. Coolant loss and low coolant levels precede cylinder damage.
When: Starting around 61k miles (vehicle purchased Nov 2014); symptoms began 11/4/21
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire (rough running); Vehicle stalls and requires sitting before restarting; Low coolant level; Cracked cylinder head with coolant intrusion; No check engine light or overheat warning until advanced damage; Rough idle after repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Short block replacement required; cost $5,000 out of pocket; owner declined repair and noted related design issue across 2013–2015 models; dealer filed complaint with Ford Customer Relationship Center but stated no programs in place for assistance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued for 2013–2014 Ford Fusion and other 2013–2015 vehicles for lack of coolant circulation causing cylinder head cracks; recalls included free coolant level sensor installation; 2015 model owner told no coverage programs available despite design flaw acknowledgment
Coolant Intrusion into Engine / Burning Coolant
The engine draws coolant into the combustion chamber, burning it and causing white smoke from exhaust, rough idle, overheating warnings, and eventual engine destruction. Coolant levels drop despite regular top-offs.
When: Reported at 65k miles; one case at 68k miles
Symptoms owners cite: White/billow of smoke from exhaust; Burning smell; Strong gasoline smell in vehicle; Intense jerking while driving; Engine overheating warning on dash; Rough idle; Coolant reservoir rapidly depletes despite refilling; Coolant and oil mixing; Engine light flashing and constant illumination; No check engine light initially (in one case)
Codes mentioned: P1299
Repairs/costs cited: One case: cause went from spark plugs to coolants to cylinders without definitive diagnosis; over 60 days without vehicle due to parts on back order; vehicle still showing acceleration issues after repair; another case: manufacturer deemed it a design defect but warranty expired at 60k miles—no coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case involved Ford Motor Company (Elena Ford's office) after weeks of dealer delays; cause never clearly communicated to owner; warranty denial at 65k miles despite manufacturer defect acknowledgment
Cam Position Sensor Failure
The cam position sensor fails, causing the vehicle to be stranded on the roadside with a check engine light (code P0340). Sensor replacement does not permanently resolve the issue; a second failure occurs shortly after.
When: First failure at unknown mileage on highway; second failure 1,708 miles later
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stranded on roadside; Check engine light with code P0340; Cannot be duplicated during dealer test drive
Codes mentioned: P0340
Repairs/costs cited: Cam position sensor replaced both times; second diagnostic charged $190 despite recurring code; parts available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No explicit response; dealer unable to duplicate issue on second failure despite stored code; customer concern about safety dismissed based on inability to replicate during test drive
Spark Plug Issue / Ignition Misfire
Engine misfire or spark plug failure leading to rough operation, check engine light, and exhaust smoke. Diagnosis and cause determination unclear across multiple dealership visits.
When: Discovered after routine service 10/10/2019; vehicle at 62k miles; recurring check engine light 11/18/2019
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light not illuminated immediately after service, then came on as constantly lit; Engine light then flashing; Intense white smoke from exhaust; Strong gas presence in vehicle; Engine jerking while driving on highway; Acceleration issues after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership estimated repair cost $200–$6,000; parts on back order over 60 days; vehicle received 1/21/2020; cause changed from spark plugs to coolants to cylinders without clear resolution; owner not given specific cause; persistent acceleration issues remained after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford Motor Company (Elena Ford's office) became involved after weeks of dealer ignoring owner; recall or coverage program never specified; owner noted 31 out of 91 NHTSA engine complaints with similar symptoms
Engine Stall / Loss of Power While Driving
Engine abruptly shuts down while driving or coming to a stop at any speed, including highway speeds, creating a safety hazard. Instrument panel displays 'transmission not in park' error despite vehicle being in drive or at stop.
When: Multiple occasions; one on expressway over 60 mph; one on 6/22/2015 at stop; another on hot days (no specific mileage or date in all cases)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down abruptly while driving or stopping; Instrument panel displays 'transmission not in park' warning; No check engine light or warning prior to stall; Happens on hot days in at least one case; Stalling followed by inability to restart for variable time periods; Cluster goes dark and engine shuts off
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in reported cases; one owner replaced fuel flow sensor without resolving issue; another replaced key ignition switch and immobilizer ring; no definitive repair found
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to identify problem; Ford stated transmission issue unrelated to stall; no TSB or recall identified; one case noted many similar complaints on Ford Fusion and Escape vehicles with no solution
Transmission Shifting Difficulty / Hard Shifts
Transmission hesitates, jerks, or shifts roughly when changing gears, particularly during park-to-drive transitions, downshifts with braking, or gear-to-gear transitions while driving. Some shifts happen unexpectedly or erratically.
When: Reported throughout vehicle ownership; one instance after recall repair (23E03) on 6/14/2023
Symptoms owners cite: Rough shifting from park to reverse or drive; Difficulty shifting from first to second, second to third gear; Hard downshifts when braking; Jerking during acceleration; Vehicle performs erratic shifts after recall repair; Transmission hesitation before shifting into intended gear; Transmission shifts independently (e.g., park to neutral); Vehicle slowed to 5 mph and unable to maintain speed
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle required shift from park and back into reverse multiple times to engage; another case required 'terrible' shifting confirmed by dealer after PCM reprogramming recall; no clear repair identified in most cases; one case involved solenoid body replacement but failure recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls specifically for shift quality; one case involved PCM reprogramming (23E03) which caused the problem; Ford Corporate refused to take responsibility in certified pre-owned case; another owner told transmission warranty issue could not be fixed without new transmission
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) / Electrical Issues
PCM or related electrical failures causing battery drain, inability to start, loss of power, wrench light illumination, and sensor communication failures. PCM reprogramming recall (23E03) caused transmission shifting problems in at least one case.
When: Various dates; one case 10/7/2019 after routine service; another after PCM reprogramming recall 6/14/2023
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement performed in one case; charging port and cable replaced in another; one vehicle spent 64+ days in dealership awaiting electrical components from Europe; PCM reprogramming (recall 23E03) caused transmission issues requiring further diagnosis
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership personnel dismissed engine light as seasonal software activation in one case; recall 23E03 (PCM reprogramming) executed but caused unintended side effect; no immediate resolution offered for extended service delays
Transmission Hybrid/eCVT Assembly Failure (Energi Models)
The hybrid eCVT transmission assembly fails, causing loss of power, overheating, and complete powertrain shutdown. Affects 2015 Ford Fusion Energi (hybrid) models; some vehicles require second transmission replacement within 5 years.
When: One case reported at 80,350 miles on Energi model; previous transmission replaced at unknown prior date; another case at ~100k miles
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitch noise; Burning smell; Motor overtemp warning; Loss of power; 'Pull over safely' warning message; Loud humming sound while releasing accelerator; Hesitation and jerking at 45–60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Second transmission failure on same vehicle; Ford performed rebuild instead of full replacement second time (part HM5Z-7000-ARM); eCVT covered under 8-year/100k-mile hybrid electrical warranty; first transmission replacement undisclosed at time of used car purchase
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hybrid electrical system (including eCVT) covered under 8-year/100k-mile extended warranty; TSBs noted: 20-2219 and 19-2391; warranty coverage applied but vehicle experienced second failure despite replacement
Synthesized from 140 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Ford fusion hybrid. When the contact depressed the brake pedal to shift from park into drive to start the ignition, she was unable to shift gears and "parking gauge engaged" appeared. The contact also heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to suntrup Ford kirkwood (located at 10340 manchester rd, kirkwood, mo 63122, (888) 856-2335), but…
The vehicle was stuck in drive while the gear shifter was freely moving and not engaging to put the vehicle in to any gear.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Ford Fusion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 140 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 101 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 60,600 and 116,000 miles, with the median around 81,252. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,600; a quarter make it past 116,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2015/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.