What DON'T you like about your Fusion?

[mike_in_md]

Just bought a 2011 Fusion SEL with NAV and a 3.0L last month so there isn't much not to like

 

I saw good suggestions here that mirror my thoughts, and I have one original idea concerning the Nav system.

 

1. There is hardly any room in the door compartments for storage. It is unclear to me why this couldn't easily be expanded unless there are electronics eating up that space. Personally I'd move the electronics somewhere else because the door compartment is a great location for additional storage.

 

2. Hydraulic hood props are so much nicer in my opinion and shouldn't add much cost.

 

3. I would like to see the features that are disabled on the NAV system enabled. For example, activate the disabled features when there is someone sitting in the CO-PILOT seat. Since the CO PILOT seat knows when someone is sitting in it for air bag deployment and seat belt warning it should be easy to intergrate the feature. I see no reason why my wife can't search the movie listings while I'm driving.

Edited June 20, 2011 by mike_in_md

[cartmanea]

I actually don't mine the manual hood prop because the struts can go bad. My 2010 Fusion has already lost one trunk lid strut, and it smacked me in the back of the head yesterday because it didn't stay up as expected.

[R1979MV]

When shopping recently for Fusions.. and trying to hone in what color I wanted, I was standing at the dealership lot.. at the rear driver's side of one car (near the taillight) and was looking down the line of them... White Platinum Tricoat, Blue Flame Metallic, Red Candy Tinted, Ingot Silver Metallic, Sterling Grey Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic.... and the thing I cannot get over, is - in this day and age of higher technology and quality control assembly processes, is that in EVERY SINGLE color (with the exception of Tuxedo Black Metallic, maybe 2010's Atlantis Green Metallic) - is that both plastic front bumpers and the fuel door DO NOT MATCH the rest of the car body paint !!!! It is especially annoying that this is the case on the two "premium charge" colors (Red Candy Tinted and White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic) where you are paying an upcharge for those two colors - only to look like it just came from a repair shop with a color mis-match. I included 2 pics i quickly snapped of a new 2011 White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic Fusion on the lot last weekend - Note how 'yellow' the front and rear bumpers and fuel door look (aside from the dirt streaks on the rear) - I went with Tuxedo Black Metallic.. It's not an issue on that (I think due to the 'dust flakes' not being metallic - but ground glass dust in the paint formula)..

 

Any one else notice this?

[Donald60]

They did, you just didn't get one with it. I think it's standard on the SEL?

 

 

I have a 2010 SEL and they come on automatically ..

[Donald60]

When shopping recently for Fusions.. and trying to hone in what color I wanted, I was standing at the dealership lot.. at the rear driver's side of one car (near the taillight) and was looking down the line of them... White Platinum Tricoat, Blue Flame Metallic, Red Candy Tinted, Ingot Silver Metallic, Sterling Grey Metallic, Tuxedo Black Metallic.... and the thing I cannot get over, is - in this day and age of higher technology and quality control assembly processes, is that in EVERY SINGLE color (with the exception of Tuxedo Black Metallic, maybe 2010's Atlantis Green Metallic) - is that both plastic front bumpers and the fuel door DO NOT MATCH the rest of the car body paint !!!! It is especially annoying that this is the case on the two "premium charge" colors (Red Candy Tinted and White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic) where you are paying an upcharge for those two colors - only to look like it just came from a repair shop with a color mis-match. I included 2 pics i quickly snapped of a new 2011 White Platinum Tri-Coat Metallic Fusion on the lot last weekend - Note how 'yellow' the front and rear bumpers and fuel door look (aside from the dirt streaks on the rear) - I went with Tuxedo Black Metallic.. It's not an issue on that (I think due to the 'dust flakes' not being metallic - but ground glass dust in the paint formula)..

 

Any one else notice this?

 

mine is also a Tuxedo Black...Thank goodness!

[cartmanea]

You simply can't get the bumpers to match exactly with metallic colors. The metallic flakes lay down differently on metal and plastic due to static charges in the bumper plastic. The fuel door... Maybe they paint them separately and then install them.

[R1979MV]

You simply can't get the bumpers to match exactly with metallic colors. The metallic flakes lay down differently on metal and plastic due to static charges in the bumper plastic. The fuel door... Maybe they paint them separately and then install them.

 

Well, I have seen lots of other Ford products and other manufacturers with and without this problem (effect) ... and with the Fusion, it's not just metallic colors.. even the standard non-metallic "White Suede" has that same issue.. (although not as noticeable, due to the fact this color does not have the metal flakes to reflect and refract the light.

 

It's all part of the electrostatic paint spraying process at the factory. The metal bodies are (negatively) grounded ... and the paint is (positively) charged.

That ensures a magnetic-like adhesion of the paint to the body (and all of the 'nooks n crannies'). It would be awesome if the bumpers and fuel doors could have some sort of temporary metal molds (just so that the bumpers would go over them like a second skin... then paint the parts the same way... so the positively charged paint particles would then 'react' as if being applied to metal... so the metallic flakes would adhere and stand up in the same fashion as they would on a metal body.

 

But I would be willing to bet the Fusion's bumpers and fuel doors - are indeed painted separately, at a different plant even...then just on-hand to install at time of assembly.

 

A friend of mine works at an autobody shop.. he tells me every year, the EPA keeps cracking down more and more on auto paints and the chemicals used - and makes it more challenging to figure out what works and what doesn't. Practically all the automotive paints are now water-based and applied via HVLP spray guns/nozzles.

[cartmanea]

White suede is one of the tri-cote colors. Three different shades painted in layers to give a deeper look. They look awesome, but are incredibly difficult to duplicate, and since the bumpers aren't painted on the vehicle at the same time, a little variance is common. They could overcome this by painting them along with the vehicle they go on, at the same time, but maybe that would cost more, who knows.

[Fusionpursuit]

My only issues so far are

 

I do not want to mess up anything and keep my car looking new always

 

1. 2011/2012 did not come with Ford Mytouch and 2nd GEN Sync NAV screen system like the 2011 Edge/2012 Focus

2. 2012 Kona Blue was dropped (this was my color choice. but at least I saved on my secondary color which was silver on a leftover 2011)

3. Duratec 35 did not come with engine cover, so I am prepping the MKZ cover I got.

4. Machined Aluminum Pedal Covers were not included, so I ordered some.

5. No Ecoboost 3.5 (Darn it) or Duratec 37

 

The bumpers and moldings seem to look consistent to the paint on the frame. The metallic looks great to me.

[R1979MV]

White suede is one of the tri-cote colors. Three different shades painted in layers to give a deeper look. They look awesome, but are incredibly difficult to duplicate, and since the bumpers aren't painted on the vehicle at the same time, a little variance is common. They could overcome this by painting them along with the vehicle they go on, at the same time, but maybe that would cost more, who knows.

 

 

Hey Cartmanea, I think u may have gotten your Whites mixed up... (no laundry joke! haha)

The extra-cost $495 upcharge color on Fusion is White Platinum Tricoat - that is the triple-coated color that when i first saw it with my sunglasses on, the color looked almost as white as frost or snow! When i took them off, the color looked more 'yellow' - I laughed and said to the salesman that I thought it looked better with my sunglasses on.. He tried them on and agreed that it looked different (and better!!) haha...

 

The White Suede is the non-metallic white Ford brought out to look 'softer' looking (more like an eggshell white... as opposed to Ford's Vibrant White, Oxford White, etc.

Those two latter colors tended to have more blue in the paint formulas.

[biologytyler]

Windshield fogs up too easy.

No alloy wheels on SE.

Electrochromatic Mirror easily misses headlight glare.

Headroom

[barjon]

I don't like how the center IP air registers can only direct the airflow straight out or down, but not up. Hot air rises, so I like to have the a/c blowing upwards to cool the whole interior. This seems to be a trend in IP design with other models and manufacturers as well.

[mikennj]

Wish the manual trans was offered across all trim lines. I know EPA averages and stuff play into that decision, but it'd be nice to get a car with some options on it and be able to row gears.

[strongline]

Windshield fogs up too easy.

 

Thank you! I mentioned this but no one, until your post, echo my complain.

Edited July 30, 2011 by strongline

[marcalle]

I forgot to mention how on the non-hybrids, I hate how the instant MPG display is just a bar graph, so instead of knowing your instant MPG, you know it's lots or none...

 

I agree...would love to see an instant MPG instead of the bar graph.

[JoeyToronto]

After researching, searching and shopping around forever, In July 2011, I finally bought the Ford SEL V4, FWD (don't need V6 and AWD both are which gas guzzlers and if you got good tires AWD is not necessary) with Luxury Package and Moons and Tunes (in Canada, may be named differently in the US). The car options and in Tuxedo Black I wanted was difficult to locate in my area so they had to drive one 40 (approx 20 miles) km's away.

One of the biggest complaints I have which turned me off right when I saw it while renting the Fusion is the control stack. It's outdated. It's boring. And I don't care for the way the back of the car looks, I love the front of the car, looks very masculine.

 

But i love all the options this car comes with including the leather seats with white piping makes it look luxurious.

 

I am sure when the new Fusion comes out later next year all that will change. They should of also have available, which is not necessary, the side mirrors signals like how the new Focus now has.

So far, I have no other complaints. I was actually considering to wait for the model to come out but it's best not to since redesigned models have bugs, issues in the beginning.

[Jo7hs2]

While I like my new 2012 Fusion SE (I4) very much, I can still nitpick, in order of annoyance.

 

- The doorhandles. Inside they are too narrow and feel like the could snap. Outside they are too light and have an unsatifying engagement feel. Both sides make a cheap plastic thunk noise. Really a shape, because it is one of the only fit and finish issues on the car.

- On the non-Sync cars, the steering wheel audio controls have two buttons for volume, instead of a rocker. Annoying. Plus, the audio buttons are too small.

- The steering wheel has a sharp edge on the bottom spokes that digs into my fingers. I suspect it will wear down, but it is annoying.

- Although I love the 6F35 so far, it has some habits that annoy me. It actually reminds me a lot of the early AOD-E's, in that it is OCD about getting down into 1st at a stop, it shifts when it wants regardless of your pedal input, and it is "springy" on some shifts. Having driven AOD, AOD-E, AXOD, AX4S/N, and CD4E transmissions from Ford, and a few transmissions from GM and other OEMs, I'd say it is only somewhat annoying overall. Not as unpredictable as my AX4S, but less predictable than my all-pneumatic AOD in the past. What really annoys me is the aggressive up-shifting. Plus, I think 1st gear is a bit too aggressive, and the transmission seems to only stay in it to about when the car starts moving again. Otherwise, no clunks or flares so far.

- The radio does not handle transition from stereo to mono gracefully, with a strange clogged ears sound to the mono compared to most cars I've driven.

- Although I love the EPAS, especially due to the low input required for parking lot maneuvers, it doesn't snap back to center as fast as the pneumatic systems I've had in the past. There is also not quite enough static stability at higher speeds, although it certainly isn't numb, imo.

- The trunk doesn't pop all the way open. I know this is a trend, but I hate it.

 

But, I love way more than I hate.

[cartmanea]

I notice the stereo getting a muffled sound quite often, didn't think about it being because it switches from stereo to mono.

 

What I don't like is how all of Ford's vehicles have the stereo integrated to the dash bezel, making it more difficult to put in an aftermarket head unit. Why couldn't they have kept the stereo like the earlier years?

[Jo7hs2]

What I don't like is how all of Ford's vehicles have the stereo integrated to the dash bezel, making it more difficult to put in an aftermarket head unit. Why couldn't they have kept the stereo like the earlier years?

 

This seems to be a trend, not just Ford. Focus groups must have led them to believe people wanted this design, or didn't put in aftermarket units often enough.

 

My last car had a similar setup, and when some bulbs in the radio died it was a huge pain, because you had to replace the bulbs or live with it, unless you wanted to buy a replacement radio and pay a dealer to program it to your VIN. That car still had a typical holder, but the trim was cut in a fashion that would have required a very specifically shaped button pattern on the unit to have clearance on most edges.

 

That said, the only aftermarket radio I ever had was in my '93 T-Bird, after the original died on me, so I really don't mind *that* much.

[Jo7hs2]

I notice the stereo getting a muffled sound quite often, didn't think about it being because it switches from stereo to mono.

 

Yup, that's what causes the muffled noise. I'm sure you can mitigate it with different settings, in exchange for altered audio.

 

I forgot something, btw. That darned driver's side grip handle! I've already whacked my head on it while making an unexpected right-sided maneuver.

[JoeyToronto]

I'm at 1200kms (approx 760 miles) already and I've noticed the brakes are different then I first got it, and when at the stoplight the car throttles when I take my foot of the brake slightly.

[cartmanea]

This seems to be a trend, not just Ford. Focus groups must have led them to believe people wanted this design, or didn't put in aftermarket units often enough.

 

My last car had a similar setup, and when some bulbs in the radio died it was a huge pain, because you had to replace the bulbs or live with it, unless you wanted to buy a replacement radio and pay a dealer to program it to your VIN. That car still had a typical holder, but the trim was cut in a fashion that would have required a very specifically shaped button pattern on the unit to have clearance on most edges.

 

That said, the only aftermarket radio I ever had was in my '93 T-Bird, after the original died on me, so I really don't mind *that* much.

They do it so you have to upgrade to their more expensive stereo packages, which takes you to the higher trim levels, instead of planning to upgrade with aftermarket. I had a Pioneer DVD/Nav unit in my '03 F250 and loved it. I'd really like to put one in my Fusion, but the aftermarket bezels look like crap.

[Jo7hs2]

They do it so you have to upgrade to their more expensive stereo packages, which takes you to the higher trim levels...

 

Aha! I didn't even think of that!

[2011se25]

- The doorhandles. Inside they are too narrow and feel like the could snap.

They can! As far as I know the Gen 2 design isn't any different:

http://www.fordfusionforum.com/index.php?/topic/1424-interior-door-handle-broken/

 

I notice the stereo getting a muffled sound quite often, didn't think about it being because it switches from stereo to mono.

 

When my sirius trial ran out and as an emergency had to switch to terrestrial radio, and noticed this. There's even TSBs for some Ford radios on this issue(~2009-2010). As far as I know it's still unresolved. Some claim it's out of range stations, or due to the car moving. I can sit parked and change between local stations and it will come through muffled, then start clearing up.

 

It makes no sense. FM radio technology is pretty basic, and decades old. My previous 11 year old car had no trouble tuning to these stations. What changed?

[Jo7hs2]

I found another one yesterday... The rear window oscillation noise.

 

I've never encountered a four-windowed vehicle that didn't generate some sort of oscillation, exhibiting as a thrumming or whomping noise, with the rear windows open but the front windows closed while at speed. However, my Fusion has one heck of an oscillation, so now I understand why they went so far as to mention it in the manual! It would almost be comical if it wasn't so strong. My rear window was even vibrating around!

 

All because I'm still adjusting to the new safety window switches.