What DON'T you like about your Fusion?

[tsetse51]

My experience is varied-- the sensors in my '09 Vibe were accurate within 4 psi but when my '10 Fusion had a slow leak, the pressure dropped from 33 to about 20 before the light came on. In both cases it was hard to see any physical change.

 

When the message appeared for our '10 Fusion about low air pressure, a check with a good gauge showed actual inflation at about 22 PSI. (All four were pretty even). That amounts to 29 per cent lower than the recommended 31 PSI. Too little, too late.

 

With 17-inch wheels, the tire sidewall is too short and stiff to give a good visual indication of underinflation, until it's WAY too late.

Edited December 30, 2010 by tsetse51

[akirby]

When the message appeared for our '10 Fusion about low air pressure, a check with a good gauge showed actual inflation at about 22 PSI. (All four were pretty even). That amounts to 29 per cent lower than the recommended 31 PSI. Too little, too late.

 

With 17-inch wheels, the tire sidewall is too short and stiff to give a good visual indication of underinflation, until it's WAY too late.

 

Why is 22 "too little, too late"? Besides, it's only a last resort. It isn't a substitute for regularly checking your air pressure. I've driven safely on 22 psi a few times. It's not good for the tire but it shouldn't be dangerous if the tire is in good shape.

[2011se25]

The rear window is smallish and with the 2 rear seat headrests sticking up sometimes it obstructs the view. I'll probably get used to it.

I forgot that one. I got a spoiler (no charge) because the dealer couldn't find one without, and it further restricts the window. Too bad I didn't get a free reverse assist. I've driven a lot of high back cars and the Fusion's the worst for rearward visibility.

 

I absolutely hate how hard it is to shut the trunk. I often have my hands full with whatever I've just taken out of the trunk and I have to set it down to be able to shut the trunk -- and I'm not a small guy either.

 

I notice it's hard to close too. Maybe why the assist handle is there :P When I drive the Sebring I always end up slamming the trunk because I'm used to the fusion. My front passenger seat also requires a lot of effort to move.

 

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 hate how the Average MPG gauge seems to continuously overreport 8%.

 

My experience is varied-- the sensors in my '09 Vibe were accurate within 4 psi but when my '10 Fusion had a sloiw leak, the pressure dropped from 33 to about 20 before the light came on. In both cases it was hars to see any physical change.

My Sebring's TPMS came on at 4PSI under. No experience with the fusion's TPMS other than retraining the sensors. Is one of the factory dimensions recommended pressure lower than the others? Maybe the system's warning pressure is configured one size fits all? One of our other cars (no TPMS) have pretty low profile factory tires too that always look "low" and once when filling gas I looked down and the tire it looked exceptionally bad. Measured it and it was nearly flat! It had been driven over 100km in that state, no damage to the tire. I filled it up and continued on. Of course it wasn't heavily loaded either. I don't think TPMS is a bad thing, but sensor cost, PITA of retraining sensors detracts from it.

[Donald60]

I also find the trunk heavy to close........seems to me like the windshield wipers are not as fast as they should be .......headrests on front seats are uncomfortable ..... but most annoying is the problems I have had with the Transmission! other than that I luv my Fusion !!

[timwil56]

I have the 8-way power driver's seat and there are too many positions to choose from. I have to make so many choices to fill the six disk CD changer. My friends always want me to drive because they say my car is so comfortable to ride in and has so much room. After 19 months I'm tired of people commenting how good my car looks. Other than that I love my Fusion.

[2011SELSteelBlue]

It seems like a car of this size should have more headroom. I am 6'2", which is maybe a little above average but not unusually tall. I am ok in the driver's seat, which has power adjustment to lower the seat down far enough. But the passenger side power seat does not have the same range of adjustments, so I am brushing my head on the passenger side. I knew this when I bought the car, and it's not such a big deal since I am usually driving. But still...

 

The rain sensing wipers are too sensitive and wipe too often in mist, even on the lowest setting.

 

Position of the turn signal/dimmer switch is too high. I know, this is a really nit-pickey one, but this time of year I am almost always driving in the dark, and much of my driving is in deer country. I switch to high beams whenever possible to look for deer, even if briefly due to an oncoming car around the next corner or over the next hill. It is probably fine if you are a 2-hands on the wheel at 10-and-2 o'clock driver, but from many years of driving a manual I am more of a 1-hand on the wheel at 8 o'clock guy. So, it is a long reach up to the dimmer which is positioned at 10 o'clock. Most cars have the turn signal/dimmer more or less straight out at 9 o'clock, which is an easy reach from either hand position.

[tsetse51]

Why is 22 "too little, too late"? Besides, it's only a last resort. It isn't a substitute for regularly checking your air pressure. I've driven safely on 22 psi a few times. It's not good for the tire but it shouldn't be dangerous if the tire is in good shape.

 

Too little, too late, because the tire pressure went away much more quickly than it should have. No worries about it being very dangerous, but I expect better from Michelin, having used no other brand since the early '70s. Do the valve stems themselves leak off quickly? If so, someone needs to look into component quality.

 

I agree the TPMS is no substitute for checking manually, but if an automatic system is mandated and implemented for all vehicles, it should be more dependable and accurate. Signaling at a 4-5 PSI pressure change would be much more reasonable than at double that amount.

Edited January 8, 2011 by tsetse51

[Rancherlee@hotmail.com]

Too little, too late, because the tire pressure went away much more quickly than it should have. No worries about it being very dangerous, but I expect better from Michelin, having used no other brand since the early '70s. Do the valve stems themselves leak off quickly? If so, someone needs to look into component quality.

 

I agree the TPMS is no substitute for checking manually, but if an automatic system is mandated and implemented for all vehicles, it should be more dependable and accurate. Signaling at a 4-5 PSI pressure change would be much more reasonable than at double that amount.

 

Yep, another GREAT government Idea, LET's help lazy people out and warn them when they have a tire low! I wonder how many people that use to OCCASIONALLY check there tire pressure don't check it AT ALL now because they have the wonderful TPMS on there car?

 

Also, I find the rear view lacking also but I'm use to driving a service vehicle for work that has a rear view mirror but the service body totally blocks the view. ALSO the rear view is distorted in my fusion, everything looks taller or skinner than it should be.

[2011se25]

I have the 8-way power driver's seat and there are too many positions to choose from. I have to make so many choices to fill the six disk CD changer. My friends always want me to drive because they say my car is so comfortable to ride in and has so much room. After 19 months I'm tired of people commenting how good my car looks. Other than that I love my Fusion.

 

You joke, but on more than one occasion:

 

"Hey guys we should take my car"

"That's okay, Ted already said he'd drive"

"There's 5 of us. Ted drive a Mazda 3, I drive a large mid-size sedan"

"He already agreed to"

[tsetse51]

.......... ALSO the rear view is distorted in my fusion, everything looks taller or skinner than it should be.

 

U.S. mfr's have been using what I'd call "funhouse glass" for 20 years or more, especially for rear windows. Used to be, if you had glass made by a reputable company like LOF, it was clear and un-distorted. Now, it might as well all come from some sweatshop in China or elsewhere in the far east. Lower standards and higher prices.

[xmech2k]

It's the rear-view mirror, not the window that's doing the distorting, and I think it's on purpose.

[mitfusionboy]

The non-folding side view mirrors and the difficulty seeing out the rear window are my biggest complaints. My gas mileage in Boston is around 15 mpg which blows. SYNC sometimes dials the wrong number also. Other than that I'm liking my 2010 sport very much.

[Flying Dutchman]

My window fogs up very easily, which means I almost have to have the defroster on always, whether its warm or cool or in between. Trunk is hard to close, too. Minor issues, I've dealt with worse..

[akirby]

My window fogs up very easily, which means I almost have to have the defroster on always, whether its warm or cool or in between. Trunk is hard to close, too. Minor issues, I've dealt with worse..

Do you leave the hvac on recirculate? That will cause moisture to be trapped inside and will cause the windows to fog more easily.

[Larryh86GT]

I forgot that one. I got a spoiler (no charge) because the dealer couldn't find one without, and it further restricts the window. Too bad I didn't get a free reverse assist. I've driven a lot of high back cars and the Fusion's the worst for rearward visibility.

 

 

 

When I was at the dealer picking out which Fusion to buy I did like the looks of the spoiler but thought to myself - It's a 4 door car with a 4 cyl engine - what does it need a spoiler for? Now I am really glad I didn't get one with it.

Edited January 20, 2011 by Larryh86GT

[2011SELSteelBlue]

When I was at the dealer picking out which Fusion to buy I did like the looks of the spoiler but thought to myself - It's a 4 door car with a 4 cyl engine - what does it need a spoiler for? Now I am really glad I didn't get one with it.

My wife was uncomfortable backing up on our test drives, even with no spoiler, so we got the backup camera. The backup camera is a must-have for safety, especially for shorter drivers. This discussion brings to mind a news program I saw about backing accidents. An entire class of third-graders was stacked in behind a Chevy Suburban, completely invisible from the driver's view, giving a stunning demonstration of just how big the blind spots can be.

[Sigmaman]

Don't like the fact that the AC/Heating unit needs to be on in order to get fresh air. In all my previous cars if the unit is off you still get fresh air coming in as you drive as long as the recirculation is off. The windshield does fog up faster than what I'm use to. Auto headlights should be standard in all models. These are all minor complaints but I am still very happy with the car so far.

[Larryh86GT]

Position of the turn signal/dimmer switch is too high.

 

 

I agree with this. It's not where my hand goes to use it. I think they put up high so you could see it though the opening of the steering wheel though.

[knifeboots]

My biggest gripe is that the satnav uses Navteq maps, which has woefully outdated POI information (and yes, I have the most recent version of the maps for my car - this is purely a Navteq issue). I just updated the maps on the Pioneer AVIC-Z2 I had in my old Fusion this past summer, and the POIs were completely current. Sure, the Navteq maps have all the right roads in the right places, but when it doesn't have POI information for businesses that have been in the same place for over 5 years, that's a problem. If TeleAtlas (Pioneer's map supplier) could stay updated, why can't Navteq?

 

I did get an account on Navteq's site, and from that account I am able to submit updated information for POIs in my area to their database. The problem is, I shouldn't have to.

 

That really is my one and only gripe up to this point. I loved my '06 Fusion, and I really love my '11 FFH. I was just expecting more from the navigation.

[xmech2k]

Auto headlights should be standard in all models.

 

Don't take this too hard Sigmaman, (It's not personal attack, I just see these here and there, but usually don't bother commenting.) but it bugs me when people make an opinion statement like it's a fact. I don't think everyone wants auto headlights. I know I don't.

[jtb3]

All the Fusions should come with wheel flairs or at least splash guards. I had to add splash guards to keep road tar and dirt off the door panels.

[xmech2k]

bugbugbugbug....

[Sigmaman]

Don't take this too hard Sigmaman, (It's not personal attack, I just see these here and there, but usually don't bother commenting.) but it bugs me when people make an opinion statement like it's a fact. I don't think everyone wants auto headlights. I know I don't.

 

No, not all xmech2k. I appreciate your opinion. Not sure what you mean by me stating an opinion like it's fact tho. The thing is the auto headlight feature in a vehicle is optional. You don't have to use it if you don't want to. Vehicles without this feature usually have 3 settings: OFF, Parking Lights On, and Headlights On. All this feature does is add a 4th setting usually called AUTO. You can still switch from OFF to Headlights On just like you do now. For people who like this feature can switch to AUTO and leave it there. So it's a win-win situation for both preferences if it was standard.

[con_fusion]

Closing the trunk is a gripe as others have said. My 2010 didn't have the pull handle. That came in a later job.

 

I've gotten used to reaching up and putting my hand on the license plate to close the trunk.

 

Keep my finger prints off the paint... :D

[Dclifford110910]

That stupid middle back head rest.... Why won't it come off?!?

 

Like others-the trunk is hard to shut.

 

I appreciate that they conserved trunk space by putting the battery under the back seat but now I can't fold my seats down...

 

The auto windshield wipers turn on to much, when I have tiny drips on my windshield then it just blurs my vision.

 

I think the roofline is short. I'm average it only annoys me when I'm putting my son in or out of his convertible car seat, it's rear facing in the center so I almost always whack his head by getting him out.

 

I wish the auto start remote was on my key fob and not a separate remote ( it came from the factory like that )

 

And lastly....

 

Though it would annoy some and maybe even me eventually I wish BLIS had an audible sound when someone is coming in your blind spot, not just the orange light. It makes it when your backing out...but I think it should be a feature you can turn on or off. Up or down in volume. Etc.