2009 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 1,022 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 65 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 40 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 10, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Campaign 21V158000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalFeb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Campaign 21V081000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleDec 18, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.
If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid and install a new brake fluid reservoir cap. In addition, the HCU will be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition, replacing the HCU as necessary. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S54.
Campaign 19V904000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 11, 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2013 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2009 Ford Edge, Fusion, Mustang and Ranger, Lincoln MKX and Zephyr/MKZ, and Mercury Milan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Campaign 18V046000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 10, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Campaign 17V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedMay 31, 2016
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Ford Ranger vehicles, 2006-2011 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles and 2005-2008 Ford Mustang vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Any vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" is not included in the safety recall. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Ford mailed interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available on July 15, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Campaign 16V384000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentMay 29, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain all weather driver side accessory floor mats sold for use in model year 2006-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, and 2007-2011 Lincoln MKZ vehicles manufactured November 9, 2007, through October 31, 2010. The affected floor mats may move and possibly interfere with the accelerator pedal.
The floor mat could shift such that it could interfere with the accelerator pedal, preventing its return to an idle position, which could result in unintended vehicle speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement mats, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Ford's customer service at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S07. NOTE: Vehicles built after October 31, 2010, while potentially equipped with the same floor mats, are equipped with a Brake Over Accelerator (BOA) feature that prevents simultaneous accelerator and brake application, allowing the vehicle to be safely stopped by pressing firmly and steadily on the brake pedal.
Campaign 14E028000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
37 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Nov 15, 2014
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE13003 (ENGINE) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000. MF
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 17, 2014
ON 8/10/2014, AFTER PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, WE NOTICED A REDUCTION IN ACCELERATION ON OUR 2009 FORD FUSION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AUTOZONE, THE CODES P2112 AND P2104 SHOWED UP INDICATING A DEFECT WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. UPON RESEARCHING THE INTERNET WE FOUND THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE13003 WHICH INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON 2009-2013 FUSIONS AND THAT FORD WOULD COVER THE REPAIR WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. WE TOOK THE CAR TO SOUTHWAY FORD IN SAN ANTONIO ON MONDAY, 8/11/2014. ON FRIDAY, 8/15/2014, THE FORD SERVICE ADVISOR INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM TRULY WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SOUTHWAY FORD AND TO THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT AT FORD. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS PART, WHICH CAUSES A POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING SAFETY HAZARD BUT FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 28, 2014
WHILE MERGING ONTO A FREEWAY MY CAR EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. IT WAS A BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 WEEKS TO GET ONE IN. MEANWHILE IT BEING MY ONLY CAR I ASKED AND WAS DENIED A LOANER VEHICLE FROM FORD MOTOR CO. AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SAFE TO DRIVE AS LONG AS I DID NOT LET IT GOO TOO LONG WITHOUT THE REPAIR. I CALLED BACK 4 WEEKS LATER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 4-8 WEEKS AS THERE WERE "NO" PARTS TO BE FOUND ANYWHERE. THIS WORRIED ME GREATLY AS THEY EVEN SAID PROBLEMS COULD ARISE IF DRIVEN TOO LONG WITHOUT BEING FIXED. SO I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TREATED LIKE CRAP BY THEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE WILLING TO HELP BUT "NOT" WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. SO I CALLED A LOCAL NEWS STATION WHO PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH THEIR EXECUTIVE OFFICES WHERE I GOT THE SAME RESPONSE. NO LOANER VEHICLE AND NO COMPENSTAION FOR THE EXTRA GAS I HAD TO BUY AS IT SUCKED IT DOWN. WHENEVER SOMEONE FROM FORD'S CALLS ME I AM LUCKY TO GET A SENTENCE IN BEFORE THEY HUNG UP ON ME! THANKFULLY TO MY CONTACTING A LOCAL NEWS STATION THEY MADE ENOUGH HEADWAY WITH FORD THAT MY PART "FINALLY" ARRIVED TODAY ON 07/28/14 BUT I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT FORD WOULD PUT ME IN THE SITUATION WHERE MYSELF AND MY FAMILY COULD BE IN DANGER BY DRIVING AN AUTOMOBILE THAT IS NOT SAFE. DRIVING WITH BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IS NOT SAFE AND COULD CAUSE ALL SORTS OF OTHER ISSUES AND THE FACT THAT FORD'S ENCOURAGED ME TO DO SO IS FRIGHTENING. THIS FOR ONE ALONG WITH THE GM ISSUES HAS ME SERIOUSLY THINKING OF BUYING A FOREIGN AUTOMOBILE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. IT WAS WRONG WHAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY DID TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AND I HOPE THAT THIS COMPLAINT WILL PREVENT THEM FROM DOING THIS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE! *JS
Engine, Jun 10, 2014
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 70 MPH WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT TURNS ON THE DANS AND THE ENGINE JUST QUIT. VERY SCARY SO I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND COASTED TO THE MEDIAN . I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THE THEFT LOCK LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN CRANK THE MOTOR. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP IT STARTED RIGHT UP AT THE SHOP AND THERE WERE NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER SAYA POD DATA ERROR. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Engine, Mar 5, 2014
ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED, CAR SEEMED TO CHUG OR LURCH OR ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THAT HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIME, WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE COLD WEATHER. THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THEN WHEN I SHUT THE CAR OFF IT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON FOR A FEW DAYS. THE MECHANIC SAID THERE WERE NO REPORTS THAT HE COULD PULL FROM THE COMPUTER. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 7, 2014
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY 2009 FORD FUSION SHUT OFF ON ME TWICE. ONE TIME AT A RED LIGHT. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 1, 2014
SLOWED DOWN TO TURN IN A PARKING LOT AND CAR JUST STALLED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TOOL LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RSN AND GOT CODE 2104 & 2112 MEANING THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 30, 2013
FOR THE PAST MONTH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS APPEARED AND STAYED ON FOR A BRIEF TIME. NOW IT STAYS ON . I HAVE HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND THE RESULTS WERE P2112, P0721 AND P2104. THERE APPEAR TO BE A BAD APP SENSOR, THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM-FORCED IDLE, STUCK CLOSED AND FAILED ECM. IF THIS IS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL, PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND MY LIVELY-HOOD DEPENDS ON IT. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 10, 2012
WHEN DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED, THE IDLE OF THE CAR QUICKLY DROPS AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN YOUR SPEED. YOU IMMEDIATELY ARE FORCED TO STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND LET IT SIT TO RESET IT'S SELF WHERE EVER ON THE ROAD YOU ARE. THIS HAS HAPPEN RANDOMLY LAST FEW WEEKS. JUST A FEW DAYS AGO IT GOT INCREASINGLY WORSE. WAS ENTERING HIGHWAY OFF AN EXIT TRYING TO MERGE. WAS UNABLE TO GET THE SPEED BECAUSE THE IDLE DROPPED. LUCKILY HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO SHOULDER TO SIT AND WAIT. HAD IT BEEN FEW SECONDS LONGER WOULD OF MERGED WITH HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND THEN CAR WOULD OF CAME TO A QUICK HALT. THE DIAGNOSIS TO THIS PROBLEM THE THROTTLE BODY WENT BAD. *TR
Engine, Jun 1, 2012
I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK A TAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE THAT I HAD HEARD EARLIER THAT DAY. I MADE IT ABOUT 5 MILES FROM HOME, AND THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING OTHER THAN THE SOUND THAT HAD JUST OCCURRED THAT MORNING. NOW I HAD MADE IT ABOUT 90K AFTER THE NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED (NOW AT 139000), AND AGAIN THE ENGINE HAS BLOWN. THIS TIME IT WAS A LITTLE WORSE, THE CAR HAD A SUDDEN INCREASE OF POWER, AND THEN ALL THE SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, AND A CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE FOLLOWED BY SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND THE REAR OF THE CAR. WHEN I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAW A PIECE OF THE ENGINE FALL OUT AND THEN ALL OF THE OIL AS WELL. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF EVERY VEHICLE I OWN, THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT LOOKED LIKE I HADN'T CHANGED MY OIL EVER. IT WAS JUST A SLUDGE. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Tires, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2010, crash
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INSPECTIONS, COMPLIANCE, ON POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARDS, HEALTH HAZARDS, DEFECTS RECALLS AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS : PLEASE BEGIN YEAR - ROUND INSPECTIONS DURING ALL RACE EVENTS LISTED : MANY COLLISIONS AND OTHER RACE RAGE, ROAD KILL OCCURRENCES HAVE TO BE STOPPED. COCA COLA 600 PONOCO 500 LIFELOCK 400 TOYOTA SAVEMART 350 LENOX INDUSTRIAL TOOLS 301 COKE ZERO 400 LIFELOCK.COM 400 BRICKYARD 400 INDIANAPOLIS 500 PENNSYLVANIA 500 HELLUVA GOOD SOUR CREAM DIPS AT THE GLEN CARFAX 400 SHARPIE 500 LABOR DAY CLASSIC 500 CHEVY ROCK AND ROLL 400 DAYTONA 500 SYLVANIA 300 DOVER 400 PRICE CHOPPER 400 PEPSI 400 BANK OF AMERICA 500 TUMS FAST RELIEF 500 AMP ENERGY 500 AAA TEXAS 500 FORD 400 CHECKER AUTO PARTS 500 FORD CITY 500 PLEASE INCLUDE THESE NASCAR EVENTS AND ALL OTHER NASCAR EVENTS FOR INSPECTIONS, COMPLIANCE AND ALL OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS, DEATHS, ETC. PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE ALL INDY TYPE RACE EVENTS WITH THIS REQUEST. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2009, fire
1. ENGINE THREW A ROD RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE JULY 10, 2009: WHILE TRAVELING THE I805 S IN SAN DIEGO, CA, THE VEHICLE ENGINE EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED, THERE WERE NO NOISES, NOTHING TO INDICATE WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. I WAS HEADING TO WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 1PM, WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 65MPH, WHEN I BEGAN TO NEAR MY FREEWAY INTERCHANGE. IT'S AN AREA WHERE TWO FREEWAYS MEET AND MERGING TRAFFIC IS MOVING MUCH SLOWER. CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY BEGAN TO SLOW FROM 65MPH. MERGING TRAFFIC WAS TRYING TO MOVE RIGHT TO LEFT AND I WAS TRYING TO MOVE LEFT TO RIGHT; ONCE I SAW MY OPENING, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SPEED UP. INSTANTLY THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE JOLTED. MY FIRST REACTION WAS THAT I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED OR HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO 'BUCK' AND THREW ITSELF INTO THE LANE TO IT'S RIGHT. SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR HVAC SYSTEM PULLED SMOKE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING THIS TIME. I MANAGED TO BRAKE AND MOVE TO THE SHOULDER, DURING THIS TIME THERE WERE BURSTS OF POWER AND THEN DECELERATION. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FINALLY UNDER CONTROL, MY NEXT THOUGHT MOVED TO THE FIRE DANGER IT POSED TO THE SURROUNDING FREEWAY EMBANKMENT AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS ABOVE. I ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COAST DOWN THE HOME AVE EXIT RAMP AND PARKED IT IN THE CENTER OF HOME AVE. I LITERALLY LEAPT FROM THE VEHICLE AND RAN TO PULL MY SCHOOL AND WORK MATERIAL FROM THE TRUNK. I ATTEMPTED TO CALL 911 6 TIMES BEFORE GIVING UP AND CALLING MY WORK MANAGER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THROUGH TO 911 DISPATCHERS THAT EVENTUALLY SENT A FIRETRUCK. 2. FAILURE HAPPENED ONCE 3. FORD REPLACED ENTIRE ENGINE ASSEMBLY AND MISCELLANEOUS DAMAGED COMPONENTS. *TR