Lots of issues with my 13' 2.0L :-/

[jacobarch]

So I bought a 2013 2.0 Ecoboost Titanium about 4 months ago (12k miles). First, I have to say I love the car, from the styling to the power and the acceptable price for all the bells and whistles. However over the last couple of months I have noticed some concerning issues with the car.

 

Here are the list of issues, maybe you guys can help out with this and let me know if these are common issues or something I should be concerned about.

 

Fuel tank only fits 12.5 gallons (I know there's a recall on this)

 

Trunk opens randomly. I've researched this and made sure it's not me clicking the remote and I often just leave my keys in the car and use the keypad to unlock and lock. It seems it randomly pops open. No rhyme or reason. It sucks because I often keep expensive things in my trunk. laptop's, bags, ectect.

 

Trunk often doesn't stay in open position, if im on a slight slope (like in a driveway) the trunk wont stay open and it kind of shuts on my head, lol. It's more annoying than anything but something I can live with unless they recall it for this.

 

Thermostat occasionally misreads @ 32f randomly when i start the car, which in turn messes with my A/C. It often takes about 10 minutes to adjust to the normal outside temp. Or I have to restart my car for it to correct itself.

 

Sunroof inside cover often slides back by itself. It doesn't slide back really that far but is annoying because it's a brand new car and is something i would expect out of a car that has some wear and tear

 

Hard shift into 3rd gear. If driving normally the car seems to shift quiet hard into 3rd gear, or it seems to hesitate. It really seems quiet finicky tbh.

 

Loud rattle, sounds like it's coming from the back seat drivers side either by the grab handle of the headliner. I've tried to hold it up or put some pressure against it to see if that helps but to no avail.

 

Anyways, these the issues im having with my car. I'm not thinking lemon law because I like the car but for a new car with under 15k miles on it it seems to have quiet a few issues and if the quality issues just get worse as the car gets older I can only imagine it's going to be a big headache.

 

Cheers.

[JoeyToronto]

I've heard countless stories of quality control issues with the new Ford, you should of waited a couple of years, so that's a punishment for wanting to be the new kid on the block with the new car on the block which the styling will fade in a couple of years, like how the Sonata did for me 2 years later. The grille of the new Fusion is already doing that to me. IMO, they made it too big.

[redsony2]

So his punishment for buying a new car is a lot of problems? You are an idiot.

[PublicHair]

Wow that is a lot of crap lol sounds damn near like a lemon to me being a couple hefty electrical issues.

 

As for the rattle.. Try the rear view mirror. Mine vibrates/rattles when going over continuos bumps say lane markers, and it was actually my rear view. So tight it makes a bad rattle from plastic on plastic hotness. A quick re-adjustment solved the issue.

[mrjasenr]

Well, it sucks to have that many issues. As for a "Lemon Law", I believe you would need to have it in the shop for the the same exact repair 3 times before you can say "Lemon Law"

I thought read that awhile back. And Lemon Law only pertains to new vehicles, not used. I know you bought new, just stating what I know. Or think I know.LOL

[RandyH]

Sorry to hear about all the problems with your new Fusion, but your reports vinidated the thinking behind my buying decision. I could have waited a few months for a 2013 Fusion, but after a lot of research, I deliberately went with a 2012 Fusion SE with the 3.0L V6 instead.

 

These days, it seems buying the first of any completely new design is quite literally the "Bleeding Edge", whether it's a new car design or a new version of Microsoft Windows or the newest smartphone. I read lots of reports of the many major bugs that were worked out of the 1st generation Fusion design from when it was introduced in 2006. It took until the 2010 model year to get most worked out with the very last solved in the 2011 year; and I could see the progression. Everything on the 2012 was a mature proven design by then, and as long time high performance car nut and racer, was impressed with the V6 Fusion's quality, acceleration and handling. The only fly in the ointment was I couldn't get a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission, and had to settle for the 6 speed Select Shift Automatic.

 

I knew that the 2013 would be an whole new car with new designs for literally everything; and that the V6 engines were being dropped. I elected not be be a guinea pig for the new design. Plus I suspected that 1) the Turbocharged 4 cylinder would not match the 3.0L V6 performance, and 2) that it would cost thousands more. Looks like I've won the bet on both counts, plus having zero problems with ANYTHING in just over a year of ownership.

[akirby]

I went from a 06 3.0L to a '13 2.0L EB and the 2013 is much faster. It should be with almost 50 added lb/ft.

[2011se25]

Trunk opens randomly. I've researched this and made sure it's not me clicking the remote and I often just leave my keys in the car and use the keypad to unlock and lock. It seems it randomly pops open. No rhyme or reason. It sucks because I often keep expensive things in my trunk. laptop's, bags, ectect.

 

Trunk often doesn't stay in open position, if im on a slight slope (like in a driveway) the trunk wont stay open and it kind of shuts on my head, lol. It's more annoying than anything but something I can live with unless they recall it for this.

Hard shift into 3rd gear. If driving normally the car seems to shift quiet hard into 3rd gear, or it seems to hesitate. It really seems quiet finicky tbh.

For reasons I don't understand, a lot of new cars have reverted to older trunk hinge designs that impede trunk space (crushing your bread in some designs, or restricting access in others), automatically open to full open, and won't stay put on a hill. As compared to the scissor / gas cylinder arrangement in my 2011 which when popped will only move up a centimeter. Laptops and stuff won't be plainly obvious if I accidentally opened it, and would still be somewhat protected from the elements if it sat like that overnight.

 

AFAIK the 2.0L uses the 6F35 transmission which has been a steamy load of a transmission since the 2009 Escape, though it got somewhat under control by 2011, it is by no means a good transmission.

 

 

 

Sorry to hear about all the problems with your new Fusion, but your reports vinidated the thinking behind my buying decision. I could have waited a few months for a 2013 Fusion, but after a lot of research, I deliberately went with a 2012 Fusion SE with the 3.0L V6 instead.

 

These days, it seems buying the first of any completely new design is quite literally the "Bleeding Edge", whether it's a new car design or a new version of Microsoft Windows or the newest smartphone. I read lots of reports of the many major bugs that were worked out of the 1st generation Fusion design from when it was introduced in 2006. It took until the 2010 model year to get most worked out with the very last solved in the 2011 year; and I could see the progression. Everything on the 2012 was a mature proven design by then, and as long time high performance car nut and racer, was impressed with the V6 Fusion's quality, acceleration and handling. The only fly in the ointment was I couldn't get a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission, and had to settle for the 6 speed Select Shift Automatic.

 

I knew that the 2013 would be an whole new car with new designs for literally everything; and that the V6 engines were being dropped. I elected not be be a guinea pig for the new design. Plus I suspected that 1) the Turbocharged 4 cylinder would not match the 3.0L V6 performance, and 2) that it would cost thousands more. Looks like I've won the bet on both counts, plus having zero problems with ANYTHING in just over a year of ownership.

Don't know where you've been. First generation Fusion (2006-2009) has been pretty bullet-proof, especially in the 2008-2009 range (minor bugs would be worked out, and all safety features present) and had the bulletproof Aisin transmission. In 2010, gen 1.5 took a major hit with 6F35 transmission, 2011 and newer have gotten better in that respect, though they're still struggling with it. 2010 also introduced Electronic Power Steering that I've seen a few expensive failures on this forum. Though the 3.0L V6 engine would certainly be bulletproof in the 2012, proving itself since 1996.

 

I agree that the 2013 being the first year of a completely refactored car (except for the crappy transmission) would typically see first model year bugs, and common wisdom is to avoid first model year cars. I'm also not thrilled with EcoBoost at this point. Lots of early bugs to be worked out, especially when I hear stories like a co-worker's F150 Ecoboost that apparently has the common problem of absolutely appalling fuel economy, and under certain conditions, losing power when you step on it after pulling out into oncoming traffic. Then there's the 1.6 Ecoboost in the Fusion that has similar power and fuel economy as the simple and proven 2.5L, but has the risk of catching on fire, costs $1000 more, and is substantially more complex.

[akirby]

The 1.6L doesn't catch on fire anymore - that problem was corrected and only affected a few vehicles.

 

The trunk hinge is a design issue - getting rid of them changes the way the trunk opens and can change the design of the rear of the vehicle or limit the trunk opening.

It's not a simple A or B choice.

[Waldo]

The people that complained about the trunk not opening or closing easily with the scissor design outnumbered the people that complained about the intrusion of the goose neck hinges. Thus goose neck hinges are back.

[CurlyQui]

I was having the same issue with my trunk not staying open on an incline. I researched and found TSB-13-5-18. You probably have a spoiler, which is too heavy for the trunk on an incline. I took my car back to the dealer along with the TSB and my trunk now stays open on an incline.

Hope this helps!

[jessica3261]

I have had my 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium since March 2013. In October, it started hard shifting into 3rd gear. I took it to the dealer and they worked on it for a few days and reset some stuff but ultimately I was told that that is the way it is and there is nothing they can do about it. It is like that in two other Titaniums they had on the lot (one new and one used apparently). Ford will not allow them to replace the transmission unless no other similar car is doing the same thing. It is going back to the dealer this Friday to have them work on it again. I am not satisfied that "that is the way it is" and that I have to just deal with it. I would like them to fix it. And according to this forum, I shouldn't have gotten a first model year car but other than that 3rd gear issue, the car is amazing. I havent had any other issues with it. All of the issues described here I did not have except this hard shift into 3rd gear.

 

They actually gave me a 2012 Fusion to drive as a rental while they worked on my car last month. It had no pick-up like my car does. I felt like I was driving a car from the stone age. It had none of the special features that mine has. I love my adaptive cruise control, backup camera, parking sensors, blind spot sensors, and lane assist.

 

Does anyone else have the 3rd gear shifting problem? I want to know what the results were for others - or if you were just told to "deal with it".

[geost1]

They actually gave me a 2012 Fusion to drive as a rental while they worked on my car last month. It had no pick-up like my car does. I felt like I was driving a car from the stone age. It had none of the special features that mine has. I love my adaptive cruise control, backup camera, parking sensors, blind spot sensors, and lane assist.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong here but only the adaptive cruise control and lane assist are new features. The others were available in the 2010-2012 Fusions already. Also you were probably driving the 4cyl version, hence the lack of power. There are plenty of us that are quite happy with our "stone age" cars, especially us SPORT owners.

 

Sorry to hear you're having problems with your new car but that is the cost of buying in the first year of a total redesign. I'm sure Ford will eventually correct the shifting issue you guys are refering to. Just keep complaining about it and make sure they document your service records.

[durasel]

The 6F35 transmission that had problems in 2010-2012 is still in the 2013-2014 models.

 

I'll take my stone age fusion sports with the aisin transmission anytime.

[bbf2530]

I have had my 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium since March 2013. In October, it started hard shifting into 3rd gear. I took it to the dealer and they worked on it for a few days and reset some stuff but ultimately I was told that that is the way it is and there is nothing they can do about it. It is like that in two other Titaniums they had on the lot (one new and one used apparently). Ford will not allow them to replace the transmission unless no other similar car is doing the same thing. It is going back to the dealer this Friday to have them work on it again. I am not satisfied that "that is the way it is" and that I have to just deal with it. I would like them to fix it. And according to this forum, I shouldn't have gotten a first model year car but other than that 3rd gear issue, the car is amazing. I havent had any other issues with it. All of the issues described here I did not have except this hard shift into 3rd gear.

 

They actually gave me a 2012 Fusion to drive as a rental while they worked on my car last month. It had no pick-up like my car does. I felt like I was driving a car from the stone age. It had none of the special features that mine has. I love my adaptive cruise control, backup camera, parking sensors, blind spot sensors, and lane assist.

 

Does anyone else have the 3rd gear shifting problem? I want to know what the results were for others - or if you were just told to "deal with it".

 

Hi Jessica. The fact that other vehicles may exhibit the same problem does not make it normal or acceptable. Therefore, if your Dealer does not adequately address your concerns, then follow the instructions in your Warranty Guide and contact Ford Customer Relations and register a formal report.

 

Keep us updated and good luck.

[xxPunchyxx]

I got a late '13 model 2.0 EB with the Titanium package. It was built in late June.

 

I was reading this forum closely and noticed a couple of issues that concerned me before I bought the car. The big ones were the fuel tank issue that is mentioned very often, trim pieces falling off, noise in doors, trunk panel alignment, trunk closing on inclines, and the transmission shift issue.

 

I have 9,000 miles on my car now and have none of those issues. I use the paddle shifters frequently, so I am conscious of what gear I'm in, etc... This implies to me that perhaps Ford figured the issues out and corrected them on the line or with their suppliers before June. Or I'm lucky?

 

I noticed folks who were very aggressive with their fuel tank issues and brought the problem to the dealer repeatedly eventually seemed to get their problem resolved. I'd suggest the same with the transmission. If my car doesn't have the problem, maybe that is because there was an issue and Ford fixed it by the time mine was built. Or it is a very expensive fix and Ford doesn't want to pay for it if they don't have to?

 

I'd bring it up every time the car is serviced so that it is on the service record. Be pushy about it and they may eventually confess.

[jacobarch]

Thanks for all the responses guys.........

 

Some updates since my initial post.

 

 

Fuel tank: This has been taken care of. Apparently there were two recalls involving the fuel system. The gas tank, and the fuel pump which were fixed in two days.

update: Ironically as I was drafting this post my car starting making "a farting noise", so I pulled over and air was being pushed out of my gas tank at the gas cap area, thus making the farting noise. Took it into the dealer and I have common vacuum leak that will probably be recalled according to one of the techs. So be on the lookout for that.

 

Trunk Opening Randomly & outside temp misreading: They did a computer update and apparently this fixed the issue. They didn't exactly know what the issue was but took a shot in the dark and updated/reloaded the OS

 

Loud rattle and sunroof sliding back: The loud rattle was not fixed whatsoever. It actually got worse after about a week of driving and other area's of the headliner started rattling as well. When I took my car in for the vacuum leak I told them to just replace the whole damn thing instead of putting a band-aid on it. We'll see how that turns out.

 

Hard shift into 3rd gear: As another poster pointed out he took his car in for the same thing and they told him it's normal for these transmissions. I too think it's complete BS that they would consider such a hard shift from 2nd to 3rd to be normal. It didn't really bother me all that bad but after getting my rental car and feeling how transmissions normally shift I might raise a stink about it. However, i'll drive a couple other Titanium's first before making any accusations.

 

Even with all these issues I'm still mostly content with my car. When first buying this car I was also in the market for an Audi A3/A4 and Fords financing and options help me choose the Fusion over the Audi. And after hearing about all the maintenance issues with Audi's I'm glad I bought the ford. However, if these silly problems continue with my car I will make complaints to my dealership and ultimately Ford HR.

 

Jake

[wilkinda65]

I'm about to buy a 2014 Fusion Titanium in Sunset Metallic. Hopefully these issues are mostly if not all resolved on the Fusions. my wife has a 2013 Fusion SE with 1.6L Eco. Only issue to date was exterior door molding trim piece that came off.

 

My daughter has a 2010 Fusion SE and no issues.

 

We also have a 2013 F150 FX2 SuperCrew with 3.5L TT Ecoboost.

Edited March 5, 2014 by wilkinda65

[jeff711981]

Thanks for all the responses guys.........

 

Some updates since my initial post.

 

 

Fuel tank: This has been taken care of. Apparently there were two recalls involving the fuel system. The gas tank, and the fuel pump which were fixed in two days.

update: Ironically as I was drafting this post my car starting making "a farting noise", so I pulled over and air was being pushed out of my gas tank at the gas cap area, thus making the farting noise. Took it into the dealer and I have common vacuum leak that will probably be recalled according to one of the techs. So be on the lookout for that.

 

Trunk Opening Randomly & outside temp misreading: They did a computer update and apparently this fixed the issue. They didn't exactly know what the issue was but took a shot in the dark and updated/reloaded the OS

 

Loud rattle and sunroof sliding back: The loud rattle was not fixed whatsoever. It actually got worse after about a week of driving and other area's of the headliner started rattling as well. When I took my car in for the vacuum leak I told them to just replace the whole damn thing instead of putting a band-aid on it. We'll see how that turns out.

 

Hard shift into 3rd gear: As another poster pointed out he took his car in for the same thing and they told him it's normal for these transmissions. I too think it's complete BS that they would consider such a hard shift from 2nd to 3rd to be normal. It didn't really bother me all that bad but after getting my rental car and feeling how transmissions normally shift I might raise a stink about it. However, i'll drive a couple other Titanium's first before making any accusations.

 

Even with all these issues I'm still mostly content with my car. When first buying this car I was also in the market for an Audi A3/A4 and Fords financing and options help me choose the Fusion over the Audi. And after hearing about all the maintenance issues with Audi's I'm glad I bought the ford. However, if these silly problems continue with my car I will make complaints to my dealership and ultimately Ford HR.

 

Jake

 

I looked up recalls on the 2013 Fusion and didn't see anything that addressed fuel tank capacity. Do you know if it was actually a recall that addressed this, or just a TSB?

[drolds1]

 

I looked up recalls on the 2013 Fusion and didn't see anything that addressed fuel tank capacity. Do you know if it was actually a recall that addressed this, or just a TSB?

 

It's a TSB (13-6-3), not a recall. Recalls are for safety issues, which this is not.