YearToAvoid

2011 Ford Fusion Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 286 brake complaints for the 2011 Ford Fusion, 10% of all complaints that year, with 14 crashes and 1 fire reported. Median mileage at failure is 90,500 miles. No related brake recalls are listed for this year.

Brakes complaints
286
10% of 2,786
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
90,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal going to the floor or failing to slow the car, increasing stopping distance and causing rear-end or frontal collisions.
  • Several complaints describe brakes failing while traveling at moderate speeds (around 40-50 mph) and the car continuing forward into another vehicle or fixed object.
  • Some owners report grinding and thumping noises, followed by pad, rotor, and caliper replacement, with technicians unable to bleed the brake lines properly afterward.
  • A few reports describe the ABS or traction control warning lights illuminating just before brake response was lost, sometimes paired with steering lockup.
  • One complaint describes smoke and a burning smell from a wheel accompanying sudden brake failure and ABS shutdown.

When 2011 Ford Fusion brake complaints were filed

First complaint May 27, 2011, latest Apr 11, 2026.

2011 Ford Fusion brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter162011 Q22014 Q12016 Q12018 Q12020 Q12022 Q12024 Q12026 Q2
286 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q3 (16).

Brakes recalls for the 2011 Ford Fusion

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Fusion model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010694 (14%)
  2. 2011286 (10%)
  3. 2012198 (8%)
  4. 201391 (5%)
  5. 2014150 (11%)
  6. 2015135 (14%)
  7. 2016162 (10%)
  8. 2017110 (10%)
  9. 20187 (2%)
  10. 20196 (2%)
  11. 202011 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Ford Fusion?
NHTSA lists 286 brake-related complaints for the 2011 Ford Fusion, making up 10% of the 2,786 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2011 Ford Fusion brakes?
No related brake recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2011 Ford Fusion.
At what mileage do 2011 Ford Fusion brake problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for brake complaints on this model year is 90,500 miles.
Are 2011 Ford Fusion brake problems linked to crashes?
NHTSA data ties 14 crashes and 1 fire to brake complaints for the 2011 Ford Fusion, with 5 injuries reported across the complaint set.
Is the 2011 Ford Fusion worse for brake complaints than other years?
The 2011 model's 10% brake complaint share is lower than the 2010 model's 14% but higher than the 2013 model's 5%, based on NHTSA data across Fusion model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.