Fury63 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Hi all. I'm new here and wasn't sure where to put this post so here it is. I have a new '13 Fusion Titanium with about 4500 miles on it. I was wondering if anyone else has an issue with the fuel gauge. I see the specs show 16.5 gallon tank capacity. However at 1/8 tank, it will only take ~12 gallons even with attempts to top off. Also I note that it moves noticeably off full within a mile or two from the gas station. It just isn't right. I've never run out of gas and don't intend to. I understand there is probably 3-4 gallons left but being winter I don't feel like testing it. My dealer says it's excess capacity and the gauge is working normally. I say I've never seen a gauge with almost 25% excess capacity in my life. And I'm old! Because of this issue, I find myself stopping more frequently than I have to for fill ups. And that's a pain coming from a six cylinder vehicle that had an 18 gallon tank with almost comparable mileage (don't get me started). Any other experiences? Suggestions on how to contact Ford about this? I appreciate the feedback. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionDiffusion Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 (edited) There are several other posts with this same problem posted elsewhere on the forum. It is not normal as your dealer says. I suggest you contact Ford customer service directly and make a complant. In one case they sent an engineer out to look at the tank. Here's one: http://www.fordfusionforum.com/topic/8957-2013-fusion-fuel-tank-filling-issues/ Edited December 21, 2012 by FusionDiffusion 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fury63 Posted December 25, 2012 Author Share Posted December 25, 2012 Thanks!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisdh79 Posted December 30, 2012 Share Posted December 30, 2012 I'm having the same issue with my 1.6. I've never had a car that didn't fill up all the way and show differently on the gauge. Way to go ford. :-/ 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
osuffan Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) Update on my Fusion 1.6L...All recall repair(s) have been completed. I believed I had the same issue with fuel tank capacity that has been mentioned. Then again maybe not. Talked to three different service managers and got three different answers to the question...How much is left in the tank when I get to 0 DTE? Answers were.....2 to 3 gallons......1 gallon....None (When you get to 50 miles DTE you are on your reserve. If you get to 0 you will run out of gas very quickly.) I was also told that if I allowed the care to run out of gas it may harm the engine and void the warranty. HUH? Anyway did an experiment. Had 23 DTE. Filled up gas tank. Pump shut off at 12.52. I then topped off and ran it up to 14.17. When I got in the car the DTE read 403. Assuming a 16.5 gallon tank, that calculates out to 24.4 mpg. That is probably about right. So, if I was able to put a little over 14 gallons in the tank with topping off and all that, and I had 23 DTE before I filled up; at 0 DTE you probably have about 2 1/2 gallons in reserve. Edited January 3, 2013 by osuffan 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionDiffusion Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 How much is left in the tank when I get to 0 DTE? Answers were.....2 to 3 gallons......1 gallon....None (When you get to 50 miles DTE you are on your reserve. If you get to 0 you will run out of gas very quickly.) I was also told that if I allowed the care to run out of gas it may harm the engine and void the warranty. HUH? Anyway did an experiment. Had 23 DTE. Filled up gas tank. Pump shut off at 12.52. I then topped off and ran it up to 14.17. When I got in the car the DTE read 403. Assuming a 16.5 gallon tank, that calculates out to 24.4 mpg. That is probably about right. So, if I was able to put a little over 14 gallons in the tank with topping off and all that, and I had 23 DTE before I filled up; at 0 DTE you probably have about 2 1/2 gallons in reserve. The amount of gas left in the tank when the display reads 0 miles DTE is designed to be about 10% of the tank's capacity, or about 1.65 gallons. You cannot use all of that so the engine would probably stop running once you got down to about 1 gallon left (maybe 20 miles past 0 DTE). Running completely out of gas would put a strain on the fuel pump, since it is cooled by gas flowing through it and around it. It also concentrates the sediments in the bottom of the tank which can clog the fuel filters. However, you have a brand new car so I doubt you would have hardly any sediments. Running out of gas would not cause any engine damage besides possibly a clogged injector from sediment getting past a filter. So it's not quite as serious as they made it sound. As for warranty, I'm not sure about the exact ruling there, but I'm sure they probably wouldn't care if you filled up the tank and didn't tell them what happened. In your experiment you were able to get 14 gallons into the 16.5 gallon tank. The math works out so I think you were able to get the tank completely full. But you were able to get 1.65 gallons (10% more) fuel in after the pump shut off. That number could be a little smaller, but I guess otherwise your tank is working properly. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyz123 Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 Same problem here. At or below 10 miles to empty I've only been able to add at most 12.5 gallons. This makes me kinda mental, I was kinda fired up to see a 16.5 gal tank in a 4 cyl. I did not see this issue in my 2010 SE (2.5 manual). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Fink Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I have the same problem. I let it get down to 4 miles to empty, put in 13.4 gallons. I mentioned it to the service manager, told him about all the posts on the forum, he just looked at me with a puzzled look on his face! I too had a 2011 fusion and I could put way more gas in it, and have a lot further to go on the tank. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore Maniac Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I purchased a 2013 Ford Fusion Titanium FWD on 12/22/13 as a xmas present for the wife. She has approx 1k miles on it and is working on her 4th fill up. Each time she has filled up with approx 0-30 miles to empty on the display. Total gallons to fill around 12-12.5 gallons. Will not take 15 gals like it should on a 16.5 gal tank. The car has been back to the dealer once already for the issue. No luck as of yet for a fix. Remember Ford has 3 tries to fix a problem. Lemon Law kicks in following the third try if no remedy is found. This is a safety issue. If the car runs out of gas for this issue and someone gets injured look out!!!! They definitely are aware of the issue.....and better go ahead and replace all of the defective gas tanks with the bad internals. Gas mileage so far has been mediocre at best. 21mpg avg. Scheduling a second trip back to the dealer next week. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore Maniac Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 (edited) x Edited January 18, 2013 by Offshore Maniac 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Oh good grief it's not a safety issue. The fuel gauge and miles to empty are still ok. You're not any more likely to run out of gas. It's pretty much confirmed that it's a tank issue and a new tank will fix it. Hopefully they will issue a TSB if they haven't already. No reason to lemon law it unless you just want to get rid of it anyway. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarhead727 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 I put 14.8 gallons in mine when the yellow light came on. It seems to be a 17.5 gallon tank on mine?!?! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore Maniac Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 @Kirby....When your service manager tells you to bring it back on empty so they can check the vehicle out and said vehicle runs out of gas going over an incline bridge then yes it is a safety issue!! Go spend $$$$30k plus on a vehicle with poor quality control & tell me you wouldn't be pissed! Lemon Laws are there to protect the consumer and is a tool for us to use so companies do not drag their feet. They have 3 tries to fix any repair... No fix then consumer is compensated for buying a defective vehicle. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Offshore Maniac Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 @ Kirby...No TSB's as of today. They say they're not aware of the problem. I agree with you on the fuel tank. New fuel tank, problem solved. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 I'm quite aware of what lemon law means and why it exists. I didn't know they told you to bring it back on empty and it ran out of fuel on the way. Now that you know not to run it that low it's not a safety issue, just an incovenience. I'm sure they will get you a new tank and that will solve the problem. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBJ2012 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Hi all. I'm new here and wasn't sure where to put this post so here it is. I have a new '13 Fusion Titanium with about 4500 miles on it. I was wondering if anyone else has an issue with the fuel gauge. I see the specs show 16.5 gallon tank capacity. However at 1/8 tank, it will only take ~12 gallons even with attempts to top off. Also I note that it moves noticeably off full within a mile or two from the gas station. It just isn't right. I've never run out of gas and don't intend to. I understand there is probably 3-4 gallons left but being winter I don't feel like testing it. My dealer says it's excess capacity and the gauge is working normally. I say I've never seen a gauge with almost 25% excess capacity in my life. And I'm old! Because of this issue, I find myself stopping more frequently than I have to for fill ups. And that's a pain coming from a six cylinder vehicle that had an 18 gallon tank with almost comparable mileage (don't get me started). Any other experiences? Suggestions on how to contact Ford about this? I appreciate the feedback. Hey I have a 2013 Fusion SE 2.5 and I am having the same issue. I can fill up and drive a few miles and the gas gauge begins to move off of E. also my gas mileage sucks. I'm only getting 18.5 and I do city and highway driving. I really like the car but this has issue is a problem. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolhandluuk Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 (edited) I am having the same issue in my 2013 Fusion Hybrid SE. After driving for about 10 days after getting it I showed that I was on 1/4 tank. I pulled into the gas station to fill up and the tank would only hold 7 gallons. I am supposed to have a 13.5 gallon tank. Then not 10 minutes after I leave the gas station I saw that i was already moving off of empty and after driving 40 miles I found I was down to 3/4 tank. This thing is suppossed to get 47mpg and I am averaging close to 35mpg. Any other Hybrid owners having the issue? Edited January 21, 2013 by coolhandluuk 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyz123 Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 I'm not sure if the regular SE model has this?? My Titanium has an "enhanced trip computer". I've done a little test. At your next fill up, reset your enhanced trip meter. This meter has a gauge that allows you to monitor the exact amount of gas that goes through the injectors. With my last tank of gas I was able to put 16.2 gallons of gas through the car. At fill up the car took exactly that amount, 16.2 gallons. The problem does not exist within the tank capacity, it exists in either the gauge calibration or the sending unit within the tank. With my last tank full, my gauge went from yellow to red, and basically buried the electronic needle to the bottom of the fuel readout. Soooo, with that being said, when your car is between 10 - 30 miles DTE (distance to empty) you have around 3 or so gallons of gas left in your car. I was able to get another 75 miles out of the car (after it hit 0 DTE). Calibration issue, not tank capacity issue. The dealer will not have a fix for this problem, yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drober30 Posted April 17, 2013 Share Posted April 17, 2013 Has anybody had their fuel gauge calibration fixed yet? I do not like filling up and having the gauge come off Full so fast. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommyz123 Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Just had mine into the dealer recently (2 days ago). They don't recognize a problem with the capacity. Is there a fix coming - perhaps. Nothing now though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheOutlawTorn Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 I'm having a similar problem with my Gauge. I'll fill up my car and about 15-20 miles later it goes down halfway between "Full" and 3/4 full. It's driving me nuts. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titanium_2013 Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 There are several recalls that have to do with FUEL on the Ford Fusion.. Go see your service adviser and get updated on it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suprahul Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 I've noticed the same thing on my Fusion as well! After filling up, the gauge would quickly drop to quarter tank empty after only about 25-30 miles of driving! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerry Posted July 1, 2013 Share Posted July 1, 2013 (edited) I'm not sure if the regular SE model has this?? My Titanium has an "enhanced trip computer". I've done a little test. At your next fill up, reset your enhanced trip meter. This meter has a gauge that allows you to monitor the exact amount of gas that goes through the injectors. With my last tank of gas I was able to put 16.2 gallons of gas through the car. At fill up the car took exactly that amount, 16.2 gallons. The problem does not exist within the tank capacity, it exists in either the gauge calibration or the sending unit within the tank. With my last tank full, my gauge went from yellow to red, and basically buried the electronic needle to the bottom of the fuel readout. Soooo, with that being said, when your car is between 10 - 30 miles DTE (distance to empty) you have around 3 or so gallons of gas left in your car. I was able to get another 75 miles out of the car (after it hit 0 DTE). Calibration issue, not tank capacity issue. The dealer will not have a fix for this problem, yet. I've been doing the same thing with my AWD. I was starting to wonder if the specs were wrong and do I really have a 17.5 gallon tank : ) The fuel used is very accurate on the display, but I have been running it down to 0 DTE and still have at least 3 gallons left in the tank. I would think this could be fixed with a software update? Edited July 1, 2013 by gerry 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 It's a tank defect. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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