NHTSA Complaint #11694318 — 2019 FORD FUSION

I am reporting a serious safety defect involving the transmission system of my Ford Fusion, specifically related to the valve body and torque converter. The malfunction of these components causes sudden, unpredictable surges or lunges in acceleration, even when the vehicle is being driven at steady speeds or when lightly applying the accelerator. The issue appears to stem from improper pressure regulation or fluid flow within the transmission valve body, which causes erratic shifting and delayed engagement. When this malfunction occurs, the torque converter can fail to properly manage torque transfer, resulting in sudden and forceful forward motion of the vehicle. While driving on a highway at approximately 65 mph, my vehicle suddenly lurched forward aggressively, as if it had downshifted or received a surge of power without any change in throttle input. This caused the car to rapidly accelerate momentarily, nearly causing me to lose control. The unexpected forward thrust startled me and forced me to take immediate corrective action to maintain my lane and prevent a collision with a nearby vehicle. In another instance, while slowing down to a stop, the car lunged forward again instead of decelerating smoothly, nearly causing me to roll into an intersection. This created a dangerous situation for myself, my passengers, and surrounding traffic. This defect creates a significant risk of collision due to the vehicle’s unpredictable acceleration behavior. The driver cannot reliably control speed or anticipate when the car may suddenly surge forward. The issue compromises both vehicle stability and driver reaction time, particularly at higher speeds or in traffic. If this problem were to occur in a congested area, at a stoplight, or near pedestrians, it could result in a serious crash, injury, or fatality. The failure of the valve body and torque converter in the Ford Fusion represents a critical mechanical defect that directly impacts safe operation of the vehicle.