2010-2012 Fusion Hybrid Rear Parking Assist Speaker Replacement How To

[randy_the_diver]

2010-2012 Fusion Hybrid rear parking assist speaker replacement.

If, like me,  you are experiencing the "Cross traffic system error" message it could be the sensors in the rear bumper but it is most likely that the small speaker buried in the rear package shelf panel under the rear window has gone bad.  The on-board computers check to see if the three sensors in the bumper are working and also check to see if the warning speaker is working. If the speaker is bad the computer displays the error message on the dash.  After extensive research I found that accessing this speaker is a nightmare on 2010-2012 Fusion hybrids because of the high-voltage battery behind the rear seat and requires removing the rear seat bottom, rear seat backrest, rear seat belts and even the left and right side rear seat bolsters just to be able to slide out the carpet covered rear package shelf.  Removing the rear seat back rests involves going into the trunk and finding two practically invisible rear seat release levers.  After extensive deliberation aided by cold malt-based adult beverages, I decided there has to be a better way.  This was the approach I used and it worked great for me.

1.  Order a new parking aid system speaker, part # 3F2Z-15K864-BA, under $20 on-line.

2.  Remove left rear passenger headrest.  Push in on adjusting button on the leftmost headrest shaft trim ring and lift head rest to top position.  Use a bent paper clip inserted in the pin hole release  on right most head rest shaft trim ring to press firmly in and release the locking latch.  Remove paper clip and while pressing in on the adjusting button on the leftmost headrest shaft, lift headrest out and put it out of the way.

3.  Use a flat tip screwdriver along the front and both sides of the left speaker grill to pry up the grill and remove it.

4.  Use a box cutter to cut a flap in the rear package shelf.  Start at the front outside edge of the speaker hole and cut through the carpet and the underlying fiberboard backing.  The fiberboard backing is perforated and cuts pretty easily.  Cut straight toward the outside of the car body four inches.  Make a second four inch long cut four inches behind the first cut.  Use your finger to lift up the resulting flap you just made.  You can now access the parking aid system speaker - mine lifted right out .

5.  Unplug the old speaker, plug in the new speaker and position it in place.  Apply adhesive (I used Automotive Goop) along the edges  of the two four inch cuts you made in the fiberboard backing and fold the flap back into place.  Do not apply adhesive on the inside edge of the flap where the speaker grill mounts.

6.  Wait for adhesive to fully cure.  Once cured, use a plastic bristle toothbrush and lightly scrub it back and forth along the two cuts made in the carpet and fiberboard backing to blend the carpet fibers back together.

7.  Re-install speaker grill and headrest.

8.  The error messages will disappear when you restart the car.

[ChasC]

Thank you for this.  I am driving a 2012 Fusion and the rear parking assist is out.  I've seen how the job is done by Ford on YouTube, and as you say it's a huge undertaking.  The guidance you've given is detailed and very help and will save me over $1000.  Thanks once again. 

[xns916]

On 2/25/2022 at 11:58 AM, randy_the_diver said:

2010-2012 Fusion Hybrid rear parking assist speaker replacement.

If, like me,  you are experiencing the "Cross traffic system error" message it could be the sensors in the rear bumper but it is most likely that the small speaker buried in the rear package shelf panel under the rear window has gone bad.  The on-board computers check to see if the three sensors in the bumper are working and also check to see if the warning speaker is working. If the speaker is bad the computer displays the error message on the dash.  After extensive research I found that accessing this speaker is a nightmare on 2010-2012 Fusion hybrids because of the high-voltage battery behind the rear seat and requires removing the rear seat bottom, rear seat backrest, rear seat belts and even the left and right side rear seat bolsters just to be able to slide out the carpet covered rear package shelf.  Removing the rear seat back rests involves going into the trunk and finding two practically invisible rear seat release levers.  After extensive deliberation aided by cold malt-based adult beverages, I decided there has to be a better way.  This was the approach I used and it worked great for me.

1.  Order a new parking aid system speaker, part # 3F2Z-15K864-BA, under $20 on-line.

2.  Remove left rear passenger headrest.  Push in on adjusting button on the leftmost headrest shaft trim ring and lift head rest to top position.  Use a bent paper clip inserted in the pin hole release  on right most head rest shaft trim ring to press firmly in and release the locking latch.  Remove paper clip and while pressing in on the adjusting button on the leftmost headrest shaft, lift headrest out and put it out of the way.

3.  Use a flat tip screwdriver along the front and both sides of the left speaker grill to pry up the grill and remove it.

4.  Use a box cutter to cut a flap in the rear package shelf.  Start at the front outside edge of the speaker hole and cut through the carpet and the underlying fiberboard backing.  The fiberboard backing is perforated and cuts pretty easily.  Cut straight toward the outside of the car body four inches.  Make a second four inch long cut four inches behind the first cut.  Use your finger to lift up the resulting flap you just made.  You can now access the parking aid system speaker - mine lifted right out .

5.  Unplug the old speaker, plug in the new speaker and position it in place.  Apply adhesive (I used Automotive Goop) along the edges  of the two four inch cuts you made in the fiberboard backing and fold the flap back into place.  Do not apply adhesive on the inside edge of the flap where the speaker grill mounts.

6.  Wait for adhesive to fully cure.  Once cured, use a plastic bristle toothbrush and lightly scrub it back and forth along the two cuts made in the carpet and fiberboard backing to blend the carpet fibers back together.

7.  Re-install speaker grill and headrest.

8.  The error messages will disappear when you restart the car.

Is there any way you could post a video?