2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid complaints

DRIVING INTO WORK IN THE MORNING ON A 3 LANE BUSY ROAD, THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" ALERT CAME ON AND THE CAR STALLED. IT CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE ROAD WITH CARS RUSHING AROUND ME TO BE ON THEIR WAY. I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND, WITH THE HELP OF SOME GOOD SAMARITANS, PUSH IT TO SAFETY ACROSS 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC INTO A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT. THE CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS HELD FOR 7 DAYS AND THEY TOLD ME IT "JUST STARTED WORKING OVER THE WEEKEND AND WE DON'T KNOW WHY IT FAILED BECAUSE THERE WEREN'T ANY ERROR CODES TO READ". HERE IS THE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP: "TOWED IN WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND STOP SAFELY LIGHT CAME ON ALSO CAUSED BY NO CRANK, NO START. SELF TEST, 20 DTC S. CLEARED DTC S. STARTED OK AFTER DTC S CLEARED. ROAD TESTED & RETESTED, DTC S DID NOT RETURN. NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN MORE." I HAVE PLAYED PHONE TAG WITH THE FORD CUSTOMER REP FOR WEEKS NOW AND I HAVE GROWN IRRITATED. I DO NOT HAVE ANY TRUST IN THIS CAR TO RELIABLY KEEP MYSELF, MY WIFE AND NEWBORN CHILD SAFE. WE FEEL HELPLESS AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY CONCERN OR REASSURANCE SHOWN ON FORD'S BEHALF AND WE'RE STUCK IN A CAR THAT WE OWE MORE THAN ITS WORTH. THE MONEY WOULD FEEL MORE WELL SPENT HAD THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EFFORT SHOWN BY FORD TO MAKE IT RIGHT AND REBUILD OUR TRUST IN THEIR PRODUCT. HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE ON OUR OWN TO JUST DEAL WITH THIS MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS IT C

CAR SURGES WHILE TURNING AS IF IT HIT A PATCH OF ICE, REGARDLESS OF SPEED, BUT ONLY WHEN REGENERATIVE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. HAPPENS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND IS CONSISTENTLY REPRODUCED, MORE NOTICEABLE WITH HIGHER SPEEDS. REGENERATIVE BRAKING IS ALSO INCONSISTENT, AT TIMES IT WILL NOT PROPERLY SLOW THE CAR DOWN. AS MORE PRESSURE IS APPLIED, THE CAR IS NOT SLOWING AS EXPECTED, AND HAS GONE INTO INTERSECTIONS AS THE TRANSITION FROM REGEN BRAKING TO HYDRAULICS DOES NOT OCCUR QUICK ENOUGH, AND FEELS LIKE BRAKES ARE FADING. DEALER AND FORD HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID NO TROUBLE CODES, NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AS IT IS NEVER KNOWN IF THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN USING THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES OR NOT UNTIL THEY ARE APPLIED. I DO NOT FEEL FORD IS TAKING THIS SERIOUS ENOUGH, AND REFUSES TO SPEND TIME TO DIAGNOSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY SLOW SPEED THE STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED AND THE DRIVER HAD NO ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT TWO OUT OF THREE BOLTS IN THE STEERING GEAR MOTOR ASSEMBLY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,981.

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AT HOME AND AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND STARTED TO TURN THE WHEEL, I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STEER. IT WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED. WHEN I TRIED TO FORCE THE WHEEL I HEARD A MASSIVE GRINDING SOUND BUT THE CAR STILL WOULDN'T STEER. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY FLAT-BEDDED THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN RESPONSIVELY. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE STEERING WOULD BREAK LIKE THIS. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AS AN ACCIDENT SURELY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE BROKEN STEERING RACK HAS BEEN ON ORDER FOR A MONTH NOW. I'M GETTING THE RUN-AROUND FROM THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE. I'M EXTRA CONCERNED BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES THE EXACT SAME CAR. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED AND ONCE ITS "FIXED" HOW CAN I BE ASSURED IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. AS OF TODAY, I STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP. PLEASE NOTE THAT WHEN YOU CHECK MY VIN # IT IS REGISTERED IN MY COMPANY'S NAME AUTOMATIC MUSIC & VENDING. *TR

OPENED PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO REMOVE BELONGINGS FROM VEHICLE AND WHEN CLOSING DOOR IT BOUNCED BACK OPEN. ON INVESTIGATION THE LATCH WILL NOT STAY LOCKED IN PLACE SO DOOR CAN NOT BE PROPERLY CLOSED. *TR

MICHELIN ENERGY SAVER A/S (V-RATED) THERE IS SOMETHING TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS TIRE. IN NEARLY 30 YEARS OF DRIVING VARIOUS VEHICLES, BUT IN THE SAME GENERAL VICINITY, I MUST SAY THESE ARE THE ABSOLUTE WORSE TIRES EVER!!!! MY HUSBAND AND 3 TOW TRUCK DRIVERS CONCUR. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I'VE HAD 3 COMPLETELY SHREDDED TIRES IN 15 MONTHS. I'VE BEEN VERY METICULOUS ABOUT TIRE PRESSURES AS WELL, SO THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM. I THINK THESE ARE JUST VERY CHEAP AND HAZARDOUS TIRES. WARNING!!! *TR

THE DESIGN OF THESE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IS A CONCERN TO ME. IN MODERATE RAINS, AT MODERATE SPEEDS (45-50 MPH) VISIBILITY IS POOR DUE TO THE WAY THE WIPERS MOVE FROM OUTSIDE TO INSIDE, LEAVING A LARGE PORTION OF THE WINDSHIELD "UNWIPED" FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. HOWEVER, TODAY AT FREEWAY SPEED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN DOWNPOUR. MY WIFE HAD THE WIPERS ON HIGH, AND THERE WAS NEARLY ZERO CLEAR VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE WIPERS WERE WIPING. SHE WAS FORTUNATE THAT AN ACCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES TO NOTICE THIS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V597000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STOP SAFE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,400. UPDATED 10/07/14*LJ THE DEALER CONCLUDED THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR FAILED. UPDATED 10/21/14

THE CARS WARNING LIGHTS FOR HILL STOP ASSIST, SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE AIR BAGS ALL CAME ON INDICATING THAT THESE SAFETY FEATURES WE'RE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS THE RCM OR RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE THAT FAILED. THE CAR WAS IN NO ACCIDENTS, AND WAS DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS PART IS BACKORDERED FOR WEEKS BUT FORD WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LONER VEHICLE, SO WE FACED WITH DRIVING A CAR THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT AS SAFE AS PURCHASED, AND THE MANDATED SAFETY FEATURES ARE NOT WORKING. THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING T MANY FUSION 2013 HYBRID OWNERS AS SEEN ON THE FORD FORUMS, AND IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL, AND PEOPLE SHOULD GET A LONER CAR WHILE WAITING FOR THESE TO GET FIXED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH THE CARS BESIDE US BEGAN HONKING AND FLASHING LIGHTS AT US. WE BEGAN TO SLOW FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUR FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND WE PULLED LEFT INTO THE TURN LANE TO STOP. WE THEN TURNED ON THE FLASHERS AND TURNED OFF THE CAR AND EXITED TO THE MEDIAN. WE CALLED 911 AND LUCKILY, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION WITH FIRE AND POLICE ARRIVING AT THAT ACCIDENT. UPON SEEING OUR SITUATION, THE ORANGE CITY, FL FIRE MARSHALL CAME ACROSS THE STREET TO HELP US AND SENT THE FIRE TRUCK TO US. THEY POPPED THE HOOD AND TRUNK AND TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, THEY PULLED THE HYBRID BATTERY LINE. THE INCIDENT # IS [XXX]. OUR CAR WAS TOWED OFF AND TOTALED BY USAA. THEY HAVE THE CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE DRIVING, MY "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT, "LOW OIL PRESSURE" WARNING LIGHT, AND THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING CAME UP ON MY DASH. I LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BREAKS, AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT. I STRUGGLED TO STOP THE CAR, BUT EVENTUALLY IT STOPPED MOVING. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT BACK ON, RECEIVING NO FURTHER ERRORS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER IN AN "ERROR STATE". *TR

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY, AND ODOMETER WAS AT 3400 MILES ;VEHICLE HAD NO POWER WHILE CLIMBING. DURING THE CLIMB, VEHICLE COULD NOT MAINTAIN 35 MPH. AFTER GETTING TO TOP OF HILL, VEHICLE DROVE FINE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. EVERY CLIMB AFTER THAT POINT, VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE, AND ENGINE RPM'S WOULD REV TO MAXIMUM. TOOK VEHICLE TO 3 DEALERSHIPS, AND NEVER TEST DROVE OR DIAGNOSED. THE RESPONSE FROM EACH DEALERSHIP WAS THIS WAS NORMAL FOR A HYBRID. AT 18000 MILES HEARD A LOUD WHINING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A 4TH DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND BOTH CV AXLES WERE DAMAGED AROUND THE BOOT. DEALERSHIP COVERED THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY, BUT FORCED ME TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CV AXLES, CLAIMING THE BOOTS TORE FROM ROAD DEBRIS. SINCE THEN I HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, AND THEY STATED THAT DEBRIS COULD NOT HAVE TORE THE INNER BOOT OF THE CV AXLE WITH THE LARGE FAIRING UNDER THE CAR. UNLESS THERE IS A HOLE IN THE FAIRING. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY, AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A MANAGER WHO CLAIMS TO BE A METALLURGIST, AND SAID THE FAILURE WAS MY FAULT WITHOUT INSPECTING THE VEHICLE OR AXLES. WHEN I CONTACTED THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BEING IN THE SERVICE DEPT 15 TIMES IN LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, ALL I RECEIVED WAS A SORRY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY BOLT NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,005. UPDATED 07/1/2014 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OVER HEAD PASSENGER SIDE HANDLE BROKE AFTER USING IT FOR SUPPORT TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE HANDLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,626 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

I WAS TRAVELING 55 MILES PER HOUR IN THE HYBRID MODE, WHEN I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN VERY SUDDENLY FOR MUCH SLOWER TRAFFIC. APPLYING MY BRAKES FIRMLY, THEY LOCKED UP, CAUSING MY CAR TO SWERVE BETWEEN THREE LANES WHILE THE BACKEND FISH TAILED BACK AND FORTH. I COULD HEAR THE TIRES SKIDDING ON THE PAVEMENT AND MY STEERING WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE AFTERNOON TRAFFIC, WITHOUT WARNING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. A WARNING CHIME SOUNDED AND A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER; THE VEHICLE EFFECTIVELY STALLED. AFTER PULLING ONTO THE SHOULDER, THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE TRIP CONTINUED WITHOUT INCIDENT. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS RANDOMLY STALLED, WITHOUT WARNING SIX ADDITIONAL TIMES IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AFTER THE LAST STALL AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE ON THREE OCCASIONS OVER THE COURSE OF 4 MONTHS FOR A TOTAL OF 29 DAYS. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE IN FOR SERVICE, THE DEALER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHILE BEING ROAD TESTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED BACK. THE DEALER HAS UPDATED VARIOUS SOFTWARE MODULES AND REPLACED A GATEWAY MODULE, HIGH VOLTAGE CABLE AND BATTERY CONTROLLER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LESS THAN 11 MONTHS OLD WITH 6850 MILES. THIS HAS BEEN A SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT SAFETY ISSUE. FORD HAS DECLINED A REQUESTED VEHICLE EXCHANGE. AS A RESULT, THIS POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK ON THE ROAD WITH AN OWNER THAT NO LONGER HAS ANY CONFIDENCE IN IT AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT RECOIL AT THE THOUGHT OF BEING DRIVEN IN IT. *TR

I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT TWO BLOCKS FROM A PARKING LOT AND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. AFTER THE LIGHT CHANGED, I STARTED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND ALL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS (INCLUDING MOTOR DRIVE) SHUTDOWN HALFWAY ACROSS. MY IPOD 4S WAS CONNECTED TO THE MYFORD TOUCH SYSTEM VIA USB CABLE, AND IT SHOWED THE APPLE LOGO, SUGGESTING THAT IT HAD BEEN ISSUED A REBOOT COMMAND. HAD TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION TO CONTINUE. *TR

2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DASHBOARD LIGHT ISSUES THAT CAUSES VEHICLE NOT TO START. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE, FOR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS, REGARDING THE ISSUE.

AFTER LEAVING WORK AND DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES, THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE. IT WAS SUNNY OUTSIDE AND WARM. THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS NOT IN USE. WHILE DRIVING IN EV MODE, THE CAR DROPPED ITS SPEED FROM 25 MPG TO 2MPH. I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND HAD TO DRIVE 2 BLOCKS UNTIL I COULD PULL OVER. THE CAR DISPLAY FLASHED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CAR DISPLAY AND ALL INTERIOR LIGHTED WENT DARK. THE CAR DID NOT SWITCH TO THE GAS ENGINE AND THE GAS ENGINE DID NOT TURN ON. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND 50 ERROR CODES ON THE CAR. A FEW DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER, I WAS DRIVING IN EV MODE IN A PARKING LOT. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BUCKED AND SWITCHED INTO GAS ENGINE MODE. THE DISPLAY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TURNED YELLOW AND THE CAR TOOK ITSELF OUT OF EV MODE. *JS

"CHECK FUEL FILL PORT" LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I HIT "OK" AND THEN IT GOES OFF. HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH IT, SO I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. THEY SIMPLY RESET THE CODE, AND TOLD ME THAT GAS PUMP NOZZLES "ARE SOMETIMES DIRTY" AND CAN TRIP THE SENSOR. ONE WEEK LATER, THE LIGHT IS ON AGAIN AND I WILL TAKE IT INTO THE SHOP THIS WEEK. WORRY THERE COULD BE A GAS LEAK, AS AFTER I FILL THE TANK COMPLETELY, THE GAUGE SINKS TO 3/4 OF A TANK IN ABOUT 5 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS FROM OTHER DRIVERS WOULD APPEAR THROUGH THE REAR-VIEW WINDSHIELD, THE LIGHTS WOULD APPEAR DISTORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. *TR

TRAVELING SOUTH AT ABOUT 8:30PM ON A DARK RAINY NIGHT MY WIFE COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD ADEQUATELY AND STRUCK A LANE DIVIDER BLOWING OUT BOTH FRONT AND REAR LEFT SIDE TIRES, DAMAGING THE FRONT RIM. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT INJURED AS THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. AAA HAD TO HAUL THE VEHICLE HOME ON A FLATBED TOW TRUCK. DAMAGE INCLUDING TWO TIRES AND A WHEEL EXCEEDED $1000. THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE INADEQUATE AND NEED TO BE IMPROVED. I DON'T SEE HOW THE LIGHTS PASSED NTSB ILLUMINATION STANDARDS. THE LIGHTS ON MY 1928 MODEL A WERE BETTER. I NOW DRIVE IN THE CITY WITH BOTH THE FOG LIGHTS AND LOW BEAMS TURNED ON TO GET ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION. THE LIGHTS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND IMPROVED. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON CA-2 NEAR SAN FERNANDO ROAD, THE STEERING STARTED TO FEEL WOBBLY. ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER, THE COMPUTER SCREEN IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAYED AN ALERT SAYING TO SERVICE THE STEERING SOON; ABOUT 2 SECONDS AFTER THAT, IT SAID "STEERING LOSS - STOP SAFELY" ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE WARNING SOUND. THE CURVATURE OF THE ROAD WAS SUCH THAT GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD PUT THE CAR ON THE ROAD SHOULDER WITH ENOUGH TIME TO STOP, SO I CANNOT SAY WHETHER THE STEERING WOULD HAVE WORKED IF I HAD APPLIED EXTREMELY HIGH FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER, AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL'S MOVEMENT HAD NO EFFECT ON THE WHEELS, AND THE MECHANIC AT THE FORD DEALER (TO WHICH THE CAR WAS TOWED) SAID THAT THEY WERE ENTIRELY UNABLE TO STEER THE CAR. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY, I AND OTHER PEOPLE COULD EASILY HAVE DIED IF I HAD BEEN ON A WINDING ROAD, HAD NEEDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER, OR IF THE DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE FREEWAY HAD NOT NOTICED THE HAZARD FLASHERS AND MOVED OUT OF THE WAY. ADVANTAGE FORD LINCOLN IN DUARTE REPAIRED THE STEERING BY REPLACING THE ENTIRE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM, AND WE SUBSEQUENTLY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SELLING DEALER FOR A REFUND. THE REPAIRING DEALER ASSURED US THAT THE FAULTY PART WAS BEING SENT TO FORD FOR ANALYSIS. *TR

AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP IT WAS ALL TOO APPARENT THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS, EVEN AFTER THE SAFETY HEADLIGHT RECALL (12C27/NHTSA 12V-553), OFFER INADEQUATE, SUB STANDARD, HAZARDOUS INFERIOR ILLUMINATION BOTH FORWARD AND TO BOTH SIDES! COMPARED TO OUR TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 2008 AND VOLVO S70 WAGON 2003 THE 2013 FUSION HYBRID LOW BEAM ILLUMINATION IS SHORT DISTANCED AND DIM, <50% OF EXPERIENCED IN THOSE VEHICLES! THAT PUTS THE DRIVER AT SERIOUS RISK! I CALLED FORD MOTOR'S 800 LINE A FEW WEEKS AGO. THEY COURTEOUSLY PUT ME THROUGH TO THE HEAD MECHANIC AT MUZI FORD. I SPOKE TO 2 HEAD FORD DEALER MECHANICS: MUZI FORD, NEEDHAM AND FRAMINGHAM FORD, FRAMINGHAM AND THEY CONFIRM THAT I HAVE NO HEADLIGHT OPTION. *TR

APPROXIMATELY AFTER 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE ELECTRIC MOTOR GOT STUCK AT ABOUT HALF ITS POWER (ACCORDING TO THE DISPLAY ON THE DASHBOARD). THE FRONT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON (THIS HAD HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE DURING THE PAST TWO WEEKS), THE "HILL ASSIST OFF" LIGHT TURNED ON, AND A LARGE WARNING MESSAGE CAME UP ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE HAD VERY LITTLE POWER, I MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT. PARKED AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, WAITED A MINUTE AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT WORKED NORMAL FOR THE REST OF THE DRIVE (5 MORE MILES). THE NEXT MORNING, THE FRONT AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME UP AGAIN AFTER 4 OR 5 MILES OF DRIVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. *TR