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 ↗2019 Ford Fusion powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Ford Fusion have filed 72 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 80,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
72
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Fusion | 140 |
| 2016 Fusion | 298 |
| 2017 Fusion | 296 |
| 2018 Fusion | 98 |
| 2019 Fusion (this page) | 72 |
| 2020 Fusion | 63 |
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 72 powertrain complaints filed for the 2019 Ford Fusion, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 72 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.
Powertrain accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
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.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge, 2019-2020 Fusion and MKZ Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost Engine and 6F35 Transmission Rattle Noise at the Transmission Bellhousing Area Flexplate Cracks REASON FOR THIS SUPPLEMENT Aftermarket torque converters are no longer approved for this program, Ford part number DG9Z- 7902-H is readily available Customers will be mailed a second owner letter in June 2023 Added Attachment IV Mobile Repair Assessment Added Pick-up and Delivery information for Participating Dealers Updated Technical Instructions, Verbal Authorization needed prior to parts being ordered by SSSC
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 ↗Certain 2015-2018 Model Year Edge, 2019-2020 Fusion and MKZ Vehicles Equipped with a 2.0L EcoBoost Engine and 6F35 Transmission Rattle Noise at the Transmission Bellhousing Area â Flexplate Crack In some of the affected vehicles, a cracked flexplate may cause a rattling noise at start up and/or while driving the vehicle. The rattling noise may vary with vehicle operation and is most apparent with transmission in drive at idle speed. Some customers may also feel a powertrain vibration, encounter an inability to start the engine, or experience a loss of motive power while driving.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 Ford Fusion powertrain exhibits multiple systemic failures across transmission, engine, and control systems.
Transmission issues dominate complaints. Owners report cracked flexplates causing sudden loss of power, rattling, and failure to restart—some vehicles experience the same flexplate failure twice within 18 months. The 6F35 transmission shows rough shifting, delayed engagement, and stalling at traffic lights. Shifter cable bushings fail or degrade, locking the vehicle in an unintended gear or preventing any gear selection; recall 22V413000 covers 2013–2016 models but not 2019s despite identical symptoms. Torque converter failures cause shuddering, hesitation, and persistent misfiring even after replacement.
Engine and coolant problems follow. Owners describe coolant mysteriously disappearing without visible leaks, followed by white exhaust smoke, severe knocking, and head gasket failure—sometimes requiring engine replacement. One owner paid $3,000 for head gasket repairs, only to experience the same failure weeks later. Despite a recall notification in January 2020 and a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 22-2322), dealerships reportedly perform incomplete repairs, skip PCM updates, and fail to notify owners of recall eligibility.
Control system malfunctions create hazards. Some vehicles refuse to start, showing conflicting dashboard messages with the shifter locked and unable to turn. Others stall unpredictably at traffic lights despite having the Eco stop function disabled.
Owners frequently cite Customer Satisfaction Program 22N12 (flexplate) and recall 22V413000 (shifter bushing) but report dealerships deny coverage due to engine type mismatch, missing VIN records, or mileage thresholds—leaving owners with repair bills exceeding $3,000–$5,000.
Same Ford Fusion powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Flexplate cracking and failure
Flexplate cracks or breaks, causing sudden loss of drivetrain function, rattling noise, and inability to restart. Multiple owners report repeated failures of the same component within warranty periods or shortly after.
When: 52,000 to 133,000 miles; some failures occur within 12–18 months of prior repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling or clanking noise from engine compartment; Sudden loss of power at highway speed or during acceleration; Vehicle will not restart or starter whines; Check engine light and wrench symbol illuminated; Abnormal flapping noise while driving
Codes mentioned: GSAR 6375, Check engine light (unspecified), Wrench symbol warning
Repairs/costs cited: Flexplate replacement; some owners report subsequent failures required replacement of front fluid pump assembly and torque converter as well. Repair costs cited as $3,000+. Some replacements covered under warranty; others denied under Customer Satisfaction Program 22N12 due to engine mismatch or mileage limits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer Satisfaction Program 22N12 (Flex Plate Cracks); however, coverage denied for vehicles with non-matching engine types or exceeding mileage thresholds. Flexplate part revised (suffix D to E) between failures, suggesting design defect awareness.
Transmission shift system faults and shifter bushing failure
Transmission shifter cable bushing fails or degrades, causing loss of gear control, inability to shift, and erratic shifting behavior. Vehicle may shift unexpectedly or refuse to shift into intended gear.
When: 70,000 to 131,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Shift system fault warning message on dashboard; Shifter knob locked or unresponsive; Vehicle will not shift into Park or other gears; Vehicle shifts to unintended gear (e.g., Reverse instead of Drive); Wrench symbol and transmission warning light illuminated; Gear dial shows incorrect position compared to actual shift position
Codes mentioned: Shift System Fault / Service Required, Transmission shifter fault warning
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shifter bushing replacement (part # KV6Z7K340A cited); shifter cable bushing replaced; protective cap installed. Repairs performed at dealership; some at owner expense.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 22V413000 issued for 2013–2016 Fusions; owners report this issue extends to 2018–2020 models but recall does not cover those model years. No assistance provided for out-of-warranty vehicles.
Coolant intrusion into cylinders and head gasket failure
Coolant leaks into engine cylinders, causing head gasket failure, overheating, white exhaust smoke, and severe engine knocking. Owners report low coolant levels despite no visible external leaks, followed by catastrophic engine damage.
When: 7,000 to 90,000 miles; failures occur shortly after recall notification or during routine operation
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant level drops despite no visible external leak; White/blue exhaust smoke; Engine overheating; Engine shaking and bucking; Severe engine knocking; Car sputters and stalls after service; Check engine light illuminated; Steering vibrates
Codes mentioned: P0222 (chaffed wire, unrelated to root cause), Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement (cost ~$3,000 reported); engine block inspection; timing components and cylinder head repairs; full engine flush; engine replacement (short block or long block); cylinder head replacement. Multiple repair attempts by same owner in 1-year span.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued January 2020 advising coolant intrusion; TSB 22-2322 issued for 1.5L engines. Ford recommends PCM reprogramming and clearing codes, but owners report dealerships perform incomplete repairs and fail to follow Customer Satisfaction Program guidance. Some owners not notified of recall despite affected VIN.
Sudden unexpected acceleration or surging
Transmission valve body or torque converter malfunction causes sudden, unpredictable surges in acceleration without driver throttle input, creating immediate collision hazard.
When: During highway driving and stop-and-go traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled acceleration at steady speed; Aggressive forward lunge without throttle input; Delayed engagement or erratic shifting; Vehicle lunges forward during deceleration/stopping
Transmission loss of power and stalling
Transmission suddenly loses motive power or shifts into neutral unexpectedly during driving, causing dramatic deceleration. Vehicle may stall at traffic lights or during acceleration.
When: 55,000 to 110,000 miles; occurs at various speeds including highway and stop-and-go traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration response; Vehicle will not accelerate despite depressed pedal; Transmission shifts to neutral without driver input; Dramatic deceleration; Vehicle stalls at red lights; Humming sound from floorboard area; Check engine light and wrench symbol illuminated
Codes mentioned: Wrench symbol, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement (cost $5,000+ cited); some owners report dealerships cannot diagnose intermittent failures; multiple service visits required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 6F35 transmission defect widely reported; Ford does not issue recall. Ford avoids contact with owners despite multiple messages and emails.
6F35 transmission rough shifting and delayed engagement
6F35 transmission exhibits persistent rough shifts between gears, delayed or absent gear engagement, and hesitation during acceleration. Defect affects multiple vehicles in same household.
When: 55,000 to 110,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough or clunky shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear; Slow acceleration; Transmission will not go into gear; Backup camera stays on intermittently, creating driver confusion and safety hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report $5,000+ repair costs anticipated; service center reproduces issue but offers no resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford aware of widespread 6F35 transmission issue but refuses to issue recall; owners left without remedy.
Torque converter defects
Torque converter fails or malfunctions, causing engine misfiring, shuddering, hesitation, and repeated failures even after replacement.
When: 29,000 to 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuddering and misfire; Hesitation while accelerating; Humming sound from transmission; Vehicle unable to accelerate as designed despite revving
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replacement; vehicle remained in dealer possession 30+ days; misfiring reoccurred after repair; vehicle eventually not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner referred to NHTSA Hotline; no assistance provided by manufacturer.
Engine start/stop malfunction and electrical control failures
Vehicle fails to start or restart, showing conflicting dashboard messages, locked shifter, and brake stiffness. Start-stop system malfunctions. Shift system reports incorrect gear position.
When: Early ownership; 2019 model
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start or turn over despite start button showing green; Dashboard reports 'Full Accessory Mode Active' and 'Transmission Not in Park'; Gear dial locked in Park but dashboard shows Drive; Gear dial will not turn; Vehicle will roll backwards when brake released; Cannot turn vehicle off; Powertrain malfunction warning on app; Shift system fault message; Car stalls unexpectedly at red lights despite Eco mode disabled; Battery and engine warning come on before stalling
Codes mentioned: Powertrain Malfunction, Shift System Malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; issue self-resolved after 40–60 minutes. Battery replacement attempted but did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford cannot detect or replicate issue when brought to dealership.
PHEV battery cell degradation
Battery cells degrade in PHEV model, preventing normal charging and rendering vehicle unable to function as intended. Owners prohibited from charging by dealership without offering remedy.
When: Multiple service visits over nearly 2 years prior to recall announcement
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot charge vehicle; Battery degradation
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement remedy exists but not performed; owners told not to charge car purchased specifically for that capability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23S33 issued; remedy (battery replacement) posted then removed; 7+ months after recall with no corrective action taken.
Evaporative emissions system leak
Small evaporative emissions system leak (P0456) causes difficulty starting after refueling and difficulty accelerating. Dealership unable to locate source despite scanner diagnosis.
When: 76,919 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Difficulty starting car after refueling; requires 10+ minute wait; Multiple start attempts needed; hesitation at startup; Difficulty accelerating or slow acceleration; Vehicle may slow down on its own
Codes mentioned: P0456 (very small evaporative emissions system leak)
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership cannot identify problem; refuses diagnosis without charging diagnostic fee; second dealership also unable to find issue.
Synthesized from 72 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal humming sound under the floorboards. The contact stated that an unknown warning light and the “WRENCH” symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to exit the highway however, the…
Hello, The car has 55000 miles right now, It has shifting problem from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. I dropped it at the Ford Dealership (Koons Ford Woodbridge, Woodbridge, VA 22193). The Dealership informed me that the vehicle is not covered Under and warranty or Customer Satisfaction Program. The symptoms on my vehicle are same as of Bulletin 22N12, the manufacturing plant is also the same…
The contact's son-in-law owns a 2019 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while the driver was driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The driver was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a catastrophic transmission failure. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The…
T o whom it may concern, thank you for assisting me during this process. My car I purchased new and I would like to say a few month into owning my car ive had serval incidence where my car would completely shut off while I'm a red light for awhile due to traffics. My car has an eco button where I can turn it off and on so it doesn't 'shut down' when I come to a stop. The reason I'm so upset…
A wrench warning light came on, and a warning "SHIFT SYS FAULT Service Required" appeared on the dashboard. This warning appeared when I tried setting the dial to park in the car, and the "P" on the dial was blinking. I could not put the car back in park and had to apply the emergency brake to ensure the car stayed parked. Luckily I was back at home when this happened and was not out in public…
My car Transmission started to make a Rattling Noise while leaving a store. While on the highway, far left lane going 65mph, all of a sudden the car slowed rapidly with traffic all around me traveling 65+mph. I had to get over 3 lanes to exit the highway going 25. I was almost hit several times by vehicles going 65+. This could have caused a deadly accident. Luckily I made it to the exit without…
2019 Ford Fusion SE 1.5L. Not made aware of CSP on my car. Have dealer notes saying my car wasn’t listen in OASIS for notification. Although when I found the CSP online my car is an “affected vehicle”. I now have low coolant, white exhaust smoke and severe knocking from my engine. I had a first ever reported issue to the dealership in 05/2023 where my car stalled out and dash lights illuminated.…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Ford Fusion?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 72 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 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 56,660 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,660; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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/2019/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.