Talk me down!

[chitown]

[EDIT: I'M MOVING THIS TO A MORE APPROPRIATE CATEGORY...MODS FEEL FREE TO REMOVE]

 

I am scheduled to pick up a 2010 Fusion SEL V-6 tomorrow. However, since making the deal at the end of last week, I discovered a lot of internet posts surrounding transmission issues on the models carrying the I-4s or 3.0 V-6s. This somehow escaped my obsessive research.

 

How big a problem is this? I hear people say they took their car in either with issues or at the behest of a TSB, only to have the "downshift" issue persist. How much of it is people being paranoid and freaking out too quickly over an adaptive transmission that is breaking in? I agree, an automatic should be very hesitant to downshift until you actually press the gas. My concern is a powertrain that will wear faster and EPA estimates that would technically be invalid (if they changed the shift behavior).

 

Like the subject line says, talk me down here. I love these cars. I hate how bloated and cheesy Accords have become (don't get me started on what the Camry turned into). If you showed me these two cars several years ago, and took the badges off, I'd have guessed that the Fusion was the 2010 Accord (and the Accord was some sort of GM monstrosity).

 

But the idea of something so major being screwed up in a new car as a transmission scares the bejesus out of me. Help! Tell me I'm overreacting.

Edited July 26, 2010 by chitown

[Moosehead]

One solution is to get the Sport or Hybrid. Has a different transmission that isn't part of the TSB

 

Other than that, keep in mind the incredibly low percentage of buyers who find these forums. People with problems tend to seek them out. If someone's first and only posts are about problems, they may just be the unlucky minority, or--- well I wouldn't put it past competitors to have people spreading doubt. It happens in any industry.

If you are serious about walking away, maybe this is ammo to get the dealer to throw in a free extended warranty.

 

 

Edit: oops just re-read and noticed you have already signed and everything. Backing out could be tricky and pricey. Still, remeber its under warranty

Edited July 26, 2010 by Moosehead

[hondaconvert]

[EDIT: I'M MOVING THIS TO A MORE APPROPRIATE CATEGORY...MODS FEEL FREE TO REMOVE]

 

I am scheduled to pick up a 2010 Fusion SEL V-6 tomorrow. However, since making the deal at the end of last week, I discovered a lot of internet posts surrounding transmission issues on the models carrying the I-4s or 3.0 V-6s. This somehow escaped my obsessive research.

 

How big a problem is this? I hear people say they took their car in either with issues or at the behest of a TSB, only to have the "downshift" issue persist. How much of it is people being paranoid and freaking out too quickly over an adaptive transmission that is breaking in? I agree, an automatic should be very hesitant to downshift until you actually press the gas. My concern is a powertrain that will wear faster and EPA estimates that would technically be invalid (if they changed the shift behavior).

 

Like the subject line says, talk me down here. I love these cars. I hate how bloated and cheesy Accords have become (don't get me started on what the Camry turned into). If you showed me these two cars several years ago, and took the badges off, I'd have guessed that the Fusion was the 2010 Accord (and the Accord was some sort of GM monstrosity).

 

But the idea of something so major being screwed up in a new car as a transmission scares the bejesus out of me. Help! Tell me I'm overreacting.

 

I have the 2010 SEL V6 AWD. I took it in for the TSB transmission fix and was pleasantly surprised. It took about 1/2 hour, and I seem to be getting about 2MPG more than I did before the fix. If you are getting a brand new '10, it was probably built after the date of the transmissions that require the tweek. I wouldn't let this keep me away from a great car. This from a hardcore Honda driver of 35 years. You won't regret your choice.

[chitown]

Thanks fellas. I definitely understand how internet forums tend to amplify the apparent seriousness of product issues. I'm just an incredibly detail oriented person (which is how I ended up picking a Fusion in the first place).

 

Anyways assuming all goes well in financing/transfer and all that, it'll be a sterling gray SEL 3.0...I'm a fairly young guy so I had to go with a slightly mean color scheme. :happy feet: Liked the Sport too but the wife preferred the SEL interior and I think she'll feel more comfortable driving it than she would with the 3.5. I did test drive the Sport...very European-like suspension setup. I'll bet you could absolutely abuse that thing in the twisties.

 

Both trims caused me to have the proverbial "THIS is a Ford?!" reaction, at least privately. I'm excited.

[hondaconvert]

Thanks fellas. I definitely understand how internet forums tend to amplify the apparent seriousness of product issues. I'm just an incredibly detail oriented person (which is how I ended up picking a Fusion in the first place).

 

Anyways assuming all goes well in financing/transfer and all that, it'll be a sterling gray SEL 3.0...I'm a fairly young guy so I had to go with a slightly mean color scheme. Liked the Sport too but the wife preferred the SEL interior and I think she'll feel more comfortable driving it than she would with the 3.5. I did test drive the Sport...very European-like suspension setup. I'll bet you could absolutely abuse that thing in the twisties.

 

Both trims caused me to have the proverbial "THIS is a Ford?!" reaction, at least privately. I'm excited.

 

I'm detail oriented too - shopped, test drove, and compared for six months before I ordered the Fusion. As I said in previous post, you won't be disappointed. Good luck.

 

P.S.: You can "rag" the SEL too, but it's so beautiful that you might not want to.

[MechanicMarc]

OK. This is coming from a Ford Tech, certified in trans repair. Out of the several dozen cars I have reprogrammed, only one has failed the "brake-torque" test that follows a reprogram. It is now being fixed under the TSB. Not an easy removal, but that's not the point of this post.

 

If the car you are buying was built BEFORE the TSB was released, it would be included in the TSB and, because of the nature of the TSB, would not be allowed to leave the Dealer's lot as a sold car until the reprogram was done. If the reprogram is completed before 7,000 miles, no further action is needed. If it is beyond the7K mark, then a test drive and brake-torque test would be done to confirm the trans is OK or not. If it fails, then the trans comes out, rebuilt with the correct parts, and reinstaled.

 

If the car was built after the TSB was put out, like my wife's new SE, then the PCM is at the latest callibration, and would not be under the TSB. So have no fear. buy your new car. And enjoy it!

[roblax13]

I would have to agree with Moosehead. Generally, there are 2 types of people that come to these forums: The diehard cultlike fans and the people looking for solutions to problems. You rarely have any average joe fusion drivers who have no complaints about their cars come on here and most fusion owners would fall into this category. Also, I am sure you will find that if you go to an Accord or a Camry forum, you will find that there are a lot of people complaining about something.

 

Also, I've seen statistics that show that Ford is one of the best when it comes to defects per 100 vehicles. I think they even beat out Honda.

[chitown]

Fantastic input. Thanks everyone! I feel much better.

[ausherpharmd]

Mine is an I-4 and I haven't have any problems at all. My mileage is averaging up around 30, which is a great surprise to me since I've never owned a car that got more than 23. I love this car.

[chitown]

1500 miles and no issues so far. Averaging 25mpg mixed (3.0 V6).