2011 Ford Fusion Steering Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 1,434 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 1,434 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion, 51% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 89,250 miles. The words owners use most often: “power steering assist” (29% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Power steering assist: mentioned in 417 of 1,434 complaints (29%)
  • Difficult turn: mentioned in 90 of 1,434 complaints (6%)
  • Wheel became: mentioned in 87 of 1,434 complaints (6%)
  • Service advancetrac: mentioned in 75 of 1,434 complaints (5%)

How much does it cost to fix?

Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the 2011 Ford Fusion at $2,500, and half of them between $2,100 and $2,800.

Based on 137 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.

At what mileage do steering problems happen?

Based on 1,134 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles26 · 2%
10k–25k miles34 · 3%
25k–50k miles136 · 12%
50k–75k miles240 · 21%
75k–100k miles219 · 19%
100k–150k miles292 · 26%
150k+ miles187 · 16%

How serious are the reports?

Of 1,434 complaints, 42 mention a crash, 17 an injury.

Ford Fusion steering complaints by model year

Peak: 2010, with 1,662 complaints
2006: 122006122007: 21212008: 112008112009: 16162010: 1,66220101,6622011: 1,4341,4342012: 1,47320121,4732013: 3893892014: 32620143262015: 1631632016: 17620161762017: 52522018: 192018192019: 772020: 12202012

n = 5,773 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearSteering complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2020 Fusion127%81,000
2019 Fusion72%—
2018 Fusion194%53,000
2017 Fusion525%36,545
2016 Fusion17611%73,720
2015 Fusion16316%64,950
2014 Fusion32625%73,000
2013 Fusion38922%74,045
2012 Fusion1,47359%83,243
2011 Fusion1,43451%89,250
2010 Fusion1,66232%101,054
2009 Fusion162%65,000
2008 Fusion111%81,000
2007 Fusion212%92,000
2006 Fusion122%73,063

When owners reported it

Peak: 2014, with 205 complaints
2011: 6201162012: 21212013: 642013642014: 2052052015: 18520151852016: 83832017: 10120171012018: 1231232019: 15520191552020: 1031032021: 932021932022: 89892023: 752023752024: 57572025: 452025452026: 2929

n = 1,434 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (1)

Steering:electric power assist systemJun 2, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V340000 · 393,623 vehicles

Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.

Risk: If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

My mom’s 2011 Ford Fusion SEL experienced a loss of electric power steering assistance. I cannot determine the exact moment the failure occurred. When I started the vehicle and attempted to drive away, I noticed that the steering wheel was extremely stiff. The dashboard displayed a “Power…

Received Oct 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770975

The contact owns a 2011 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving 35 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle almost crashed into the neighbor's lawn because the steering wheel had seized. The contact's daughter stated that the steering wheel was firm and required extra effort…

Received Oct 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770222

I am filing an official complaint against Grieco Ford of Fort Lauderdale regarding Safety Recall 15S18 (NHTSA Campaign 15V340) for my 2011 Ford Fusion. The official recall status is 'Recall Incomplete'. The dealership refused to perform the mandatory safety repair, claiming that the vehicle's…

Received Oct 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11770151

Frequently asked questions

Do all 2011 Ford Fusions have steering problems?

No. NHTSA has 1,434 owner complaints about steering for the 2011 Ford Fusion (51% of the 2,792 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Ford Fusion steering?

Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

At what mileage do steering problems start?

The median reported mileage is 89,250 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.

How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion?

Owners report a typical cost of $2,500 (half paid between $2,100 and $2,800), from 137 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about steering problems on the 2011 Ford Fusion?

The most frequent phrase is “power steering assist”, in 417 of 1,434 complaints, followed by “difficult turn” (90).

Other 2011 Ford Fusion problems

See all 2011 Ford Fusion problems or steering problems across all Fusion years.