2020 Ford Fusion Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
VIN: [XXX] Issue Category: Powertrain / Flex Plate / Transmission Failure Dealerships Involved: Freeway Ford – Bloomington, MN J.C. Lewis Ford – Savannah, GA Summary: I am requesting reimbursement from Ford Motor Company for repeated flex plate repairs and a resulting transmission failure on my 2020 Ford Fusion. The vehicle has had five flex plate replacements — three at Freeway Ford in Bloomington, MN, and two at J.C. Lewis Ford in Savannah, GA. Despite all repairs being performed by Ford dealerships, the issue persisted, and the transmission ultimately failed. I was required to pay for a new transmission out of pocket, even though the repeated flex plate failures clearly caused the damage. Ford has a Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP 22N12) addressing flex plate issues on this model, but I received no reimbursement or coverage. I contacted Ford via email to [email protected] with documentation but received no response. I have copies of all invoices, repair orders, and service notes from both dealerships to support my claim. I am requesting full reimbursement of all related costs under goodwill or warranty consideration, as this is a known manufacturer-related defect that led to a major drivetrain failure. Total $3,103.93 Requested Resolution: Reimbursement for all flex plate repair costs and the transmission replacement due to defective parts covered under CSP 22N12. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This makes the third time the transmission had to be redone and I have only 95.000 miles on it the first time was about 2months after I purchased the car brand new in December 2020 and each time the transmission gets repaired it cost more and more and they tell me that it need other stuff with it that needs to be replaced nothing in the dash showed failure to any thing
The flexplate in my 2020 Ford Fusion SE (1.5L EcoBoost engine) failed at just over 53,000 miles. The car began making loud knocking and rattling noises while driving, and it vibrated heavily at idle and during acceleration. This posed a serious safety concern, as we feared the car could stall or break down while on the road with our toddler in the backseat. We took it to an independent, certified repair shop where they diagnosed a broken transmission flexplate, which required immediate replacement. The repair cost nearly $3,000, and the shop confirmed it was not caused by driver error or normal wear-and-tear. The failure was premature and mechanical in nature. The mechanic informed us that this specific engine and flexplate design have been recalled before in other Ford models using the same 1.5L EcoBoost engine and parts. They suggested we contact Ford, as this appeared to be a known defect that should be covered under goodwill or extended warranty. We followed their advice and reached out to Ford directly, but Ford refused to offer any assistance — even though they are aware of these ongoing flexplate failures across similar vehicles. After researching, I discovered Ford has had multiple flexplate and powertrain-related recalls in other 1.5L and 1.6L EcoBoost engines in previous model years. I also found many online complaints from other Ford owners experiencing the same flexplate failures, often at similar mileage. Yet, this issue has not been acknowledged or recalled for the 2020 Ford Fusion SE. This is clearly a design or manufacturing flaw that should be investigated by the NHTSA. Flexplate failure puts lives at risk and results in major repair bills for consumers. Please investigate this ongoing issue before someone is seriously hurt.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and attempting to pull into a store parking lot, there was an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that when the gear shifter was shifted to park or neutral, the sound ceased. The contact stated that the sound returned while shifted into drive or reverse. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer in where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was driving rough. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while accelerating with a whining sound coming from the transmission. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local mechanic was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with an abnormally loud vibration coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that either the flywheel or the flex plate was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced Customer Satisfaction Program: 22N12 as the possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while reversing from the residence, the vehicle suddenly stopped and shifted into park. The contact shifted to reverse, but the gear shifter independently shifted back to park. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift to the intended gear. The transmission shifter and the see the owner’s manual messages were displayed. There was a WRENCH symbol displayed. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 79,127.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the flywheel was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.
My flex plate is cracked making the car unsafe to drive there are recalls on other years and vehicles with the same engine and power train and same flex plate as mine but my vin# says no recall I find it interesting that they can justify not replacing a known faulty part. The campaign 22N12 covers other 2020 ford fusions
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the sound was more evident while the vehicle was idling. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a fractured flex plate. The contact was informed that the flex plate needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the crankshaft flex plate. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 22N12. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 71,000.
On Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at around 5AM I was sitting in the Starbucks parking lot outside of the Detroit Metro (DTW) airport when this issue began. I had just started my car and could feel it was sluggish and was making a significant amount of noise, which was present in park and neutral, but not so much while in gear, unless I was stopped at a stop sign or stationary. After getting home, and each day after when I started the vehicle to go to work, I could hear that the noise was progressively getting worse. So, I determined that it was not a fluke and took my car into a Ford dealership to have the oil changed and a full inspection done. They explained to me that the water pump had failed and was leaking, very slowly, but externally through the "weep hole". They were going to charge me $1,300 to repair. So, I called a local shop that I know is reputable and they confirmed the water pump leak but determined that the noise I was hearing was not the water pump, but actually a cracked flexplate. The noise originated near the starter, and the shop ran a camera through the inspection hole confirming this. After I found that the flexplate was cracked, I did not continue to drive it, but scheduled a repair to begin on Thursday, October 24th at the reputable shop I mentioned above. To complete the repair, they needed to drop the cradle, remove the transmission and support the engine. This in total cost me $1,729.60. The flexplate has not been inspected by the mfg., police, insurance, etc., as there was no need. I did not have an extended warranty and though my car is only 4 years old, it was beyond the warranty in miles. No lights appeared on the dash, and there were no error codes present. The flexplate cracking could have resulted in catastrophic failure of the engine or transmission, and I could have very well lost control of my vehicle. If I was driving on the highway during a failure, my safety as well as others would have been put in serious danger.
On [XXX] I backed my 2020 Ford Fusion out of my driveway. I stopped and tried to shift from reverse to drive and the transmission locked up in Park, the engine died and the parking brake was engaged. I was sitting across the street with no way to move the car. I had the car towed to a Ford dealer and they replaced the transmission cable bushing and cover. These parts are the same as those used in Fords recall 22S43. Ford continued to use inferior parts on cars built after the dates mentioned in the recall. This is a safety issue as it could happen at any time. Thanks [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The flexplate was cracking and rusted which caused starting and acceleration problems. Yes, it's available per request. It's currently with the transmission shop that fixed my vehicle. There was a rattling noise found in neutral and park by the transmission shop I took it to. My safety was put at risk because my ability to control my car's power was affected. I was at risk of a loss of power to the wheels which could have caused a major accident, especially because most of my driving happens on the interstate at speeds of 65-7 mph. The issue has been confirmed by an independent service center. Yes, they inspected by the techs at the transmission shop. There were no warning lamps or messages before the failure. The symptoms were a rattling noise and reduced power. This issue is well documented online and is known to happen in the 60-90k mile range which I can confirm based on my personal experience and others. References: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the gear was shifted, and the vehicle reverted to park. The vehicle was restarted approximately five to ten times on all but one occasion, and the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable bushing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,200.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a rattling sound coming from the transmission bell housing area, and the flex plate was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was related to Ford Campaign Number: 22N12. The manufacturer assisted the contact in scheduling an appointment with the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,755.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine compartment and the battery had failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission flex plate had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,864.
Rattling and lost of power
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking, and the vehicle lost motive power. In addition, the contact heard an abnormal rattling sound, and the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was advised to flush the transmission fluid. The contact stated that after flushing the transmission fluid, the failure ceased but later returned. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that after researching the failure, the contact discovered TSB: 22N12. The contact informed the dealer of TSB: 22N12 and the contact was informed that the repair was not eligible to be covered under TSB: 22N12. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
The vehicle has 87390 miles and the shifter grommet broke just like recall 19s16. 2020 fustion with a 1.5l engine.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a failed flex plate and torque converter. The contact was informed that the flex plate and the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Fusion is surging while shifting or lack of. Some of them being more violent than others, sometimes pulling the steering wheel to the left or right. When coming to a stop in city driving when the fusion doesn’t shift the fusion stalls. The initial shift is also very rough into any gear (drive, reverse, and/or back to neutral.
Car has the same 6f35 transmission issues as previous years and nothing is being done about it my car has 63k on it with a dead transmission because of the flexplate issue from previous years
Tapping / knocking coming from the driver side of the engine bay . Slow engagement now knocking while parked and in gear ...was told it was the transmission which is a known issue for this car now my car won't move ... Wondering why this year model and setup has not been recalled
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while exiting a parking lot, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted; however, no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 75,002. The VIN was not available.
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The 2020 Ford Fusion has 33 Power Train complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.