Thread Number: 76341  /  Tag: Other Home Products or Autos
2012 Ford Fusion SEL
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Post# 1001767   7/28/2018 at 21:16 (2,069 days old) by stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
4 cylinder auto, very low miles (35k), beautiful color (imo), good price.

I am wary of Fords in general, but they seem to have improved in the last decade or two.
This car is supposed to be in perfect condition, I have yet to see it in person. Reviews online for the model seem favorable, though a little negative on the tranny, and “numerous” recalls.

Should I jump on it?


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Post# 1001768 , Reply# 1   7/28/2018 at 21:39 (2,069 days old) by wayupnorth (On a lake between Bangor and Bar Harbor, Maine)        

wayupnorth's profile picture
After the way Ford corporate treated me on a new vehicle with major problems, even though it was bought new at my great uncles dealership, I will NEVER own another Ford after what I went thru with a too bad, so sad constant replies, even though my family drove Fords or walked. Ford can pound sand now. I will never buy another. Since '85 I went to GM and never turned back.

Post# 1001775 , Reply# 2   7/28/2018 at 22:21 (2,069 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        

iowabear's profile picture

Not a car guy here.  Usually buy used Corollas from private parties.  With the roads in Iowa being what they are (snow, ice, salt, sand, potholes, tar, deer, various dead animals) I've never seen the sense in buying anything too nice.

 

Anyway, our local library has the CR ratings on line, and 2012 Fusion has an overall reliability rating of 4/5.

 

Of the various rated subsystems, only these got a less than a 4 rating.

Climate System 3
Suspension 3
Brakes 3

 

Again, not sure what the value of the CR rating are.  My boring Corollas have an overall 5/5 reliability rating back to 2003, except for 2009 which was a redesign year and has a 4/5.


Post# 1001777 , Reply# 3   7/28/2018 at 22:30 (2,069 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

I'm of the mindset that most cars today really aren't all that different, esp American ones, but I'm no expert.

It is a great color though and SEL is a pretty high level I think? I drive an older car (2001 GM) and it's done well. But it's nearly a base model and I've pretty much decided if I'm getting a used car it's going to be well equipped at least. Which can lead to issues though, since there's more to go wrong. But I don't ever plan on buying a brand new car, regardless if I can afford it or not.

I'm a bit of a penny pincher here, I'd like something newer but at the same time want to see how many years I can get out of what I have now.

If it's been kept up it should probably be fine. Sometimes though low miles means it spent a lot of time sitting which sometimes is bad thing once you start driving it more. My car was already 9 years old when I bought it and had just over 20,000 miles and I didn't have any issues out of the ordinary at all.


Post# 1001806 , Reply# 4   7/29/2018 at 07:27 (2,069 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Low miles is good.

However, that generation has some issues. The door locks/latches can fall apart.
Window lifts, possibly fail.
Ford, and other makers have discontinued most of their dual clutch automatics due to problems, engine stalling caused by them, etc.
With the current generation Fusion, the door locks have no pull up buttons, are all electric. only a red led light on top of the door.
As it is being discontinued for now, I expect they will be sought after cars.
Even the pre 2013's aren't bad cars. Mechanically reliable.
A neighbor has a 2010 since new and doesn't hate it.
If or when Ford brings back a mid size sedan, it will likely be the Chinese version of the Taurus, which is essentially a tweaked Fusion, built on the same CD4 platform. The larger CD5 Taurus is history. I may have the nomenclature confused. It may be CD3, and CD4.
As most of us support family in their occupation's when it is practical, we will lease Fords as long as family is employed by Ford.
No car, company, or person is perfect. If we ever incur a service or quality issue, internal corporate people will be on it. Our family lineage is long with Ford. A departed uncle was a quality control person, and used to tell off his bosses all the time when they were producing junk.
Having many choices in the market is good. Choices are freedoms by all means and ways. It also provides competition which can be incentive to produce a better product. So buy or lease what you like. You can always change, at least in the non personifiction area's. Wait, nope, it's also possible today to change that. Do what ever works best for the individual.
If you get a lemon, and or poor service satisfaction, I think that should be grounds for eliminating the lease disposal fee if toy decide not to lease another product from that manufacturer. It may already be part of the lemon law.
Buy what you prefer.


Post# 1001826 , Reply# 5   7/29/2018 at 17:39 (2,069 days old) by Dustin92 (Jackson, MI)        

Proceed with caution... I've never known anyone that has owned a Ford and not had problems. Some minor, others major. Here in Michigan, Fords are the first to rust out, that should say something for the quality. I own a Toyota (Prius) and absolutely love it. Most trouble free and reliable car I've ever owned, and that's with 220,000+ miles.

Post# 1001884 , Reply# 6   7/30/2018 at 09:11 (2,068 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Not throwing caution

to the wind, Aisin makes the Prius drive systems, and also those Fusion automatic transaxles pre 2013.
I don't know why the Aisin 5 or 6 speeds were prone to some failures.
Japanese products have not always been perfect either.
Ford was using some Jatco 3 speed rear drive automatics in the late 70's which were also prone to premature failure.
Later Fusions, etc. have the co designed Ford/GM six speeds. The gear ratios are a bit different. 5th. and 6th. are both over driven, where as the Ford/GM units are 1:1 ratio in 5th., and only 6th. overdrive. 2018 vehicles get an updated 8 speed. There are only 4 actual planetary gear sets. Sequential Sprag clutch actuation doing the rest of the shifting. I expect they will seem less busy, which is one critique of the current 6 speed upon aggressive varying speed driving.


Post# 1001922 , Reply# 7   7/30/2018 at 18:10 (2,067 days old) by Yogitunes (New Jersey)        

yogitunes's profile picture
make good choices when it comes to purchasing anything, and that goes with knowing who and what to ask, paying close attention to the "who" ....

in any case, your honest opinion comes from the person who works and sees them the most...plus knows all the ins and out....the MECHANIC!


CR is a waste of breathe......1985....I bought a Chrysler Laser XT Turbo coupe.....CR claimed it to be the worst car ever, and especially bad reviews in all the info that was displayed on the dash, not to mention it TALKED!

and yet, this same publication swears by TODAYS cars that talk and give feedback to the driver....well, which is it?, you can't have both.....all it boiled down to is they don't know what the heck their talking about...and you know where their head is at....

I am a AMC/Mopar/Jeep person.....but I have owned Fords, Mustangs--LX, GT and Turbo...and of course the Taurus SHO....which never gave me a bit of trouble...


when Taurus's were first introduced, yes, there were transmission issues.....but that's common for anything built today as a proto-type....common sense tells you not to buy the first ones off the assembly line, give them a few years to work out any bugs, THEN you buy one....

again, like I said...I don't hold a grudge that every single Ford Taurus ever built in history is going to have transmission issues!....

one thing I noticed of people with Fords, the higher end models seemed to have less issues than BOL versions of the same vehicle....

my niece has a Fusion Platinum…...that is one nice vehicle...looks as good as it drives.....

my nephew has the Ford Focus RS Eco-Boost 6speed......that is a powerhouse of vehicle....

if I was in the market for a sports car....I might consider one of these....


Post# 1001941 , Reply# 8   7/30/2018 at 19:17 (2,067 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

Well, I have to say I got very good use out of my '95 Ford Explorer - it made it to 400,000 miles. It still ran, but had developed steering problems. I see a LOT of older Ford F-150 trucks on the road. Have seen several late 70's models in just the last couple weeks.

Post# 1001950 , Reply# 9   7/30/2018 at 20:55 (2,067 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
I went off the idea.
It’s a very decent car, but why not spend a little more and get something you really want?
Gonna hold on to our cash until something really lights my fire.


Post# 1002011 , Reply# 10   7/31/2018 at 10:21 (2,067 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

Avoid that generation Fusion with the 6F35 transmission like the plague. Vacerator is partially incorrect, the 2010-12 Fusion 2.5 I4 and 3.0 V6 got the 6F35 transmission. The only version to keep the same Aisin that the 06-09 generation 3.0 V6 model had was the 10-12 Fusion Sport with the 3.5 liter V6. I would only ever consider the 10-12 Fusion Sport due to that, the 6F35 in that generation Fusion was awful in almost every way imaginable.

Post# 1002013 , Reply# 11   7/31/2018 at 11:29 (2,067 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Early 6F35 transaxles

had inferior clutch wave plates. Updated wave plates and kits were available from 2011. Most failures were in Edge vehicles, and other V6 applications. The 4 cylinder is less demanding, and that car above has very low miles.
Strictly Bojack has decided to forgo anyhow.
Rust is not an issue so much out west, and if it was driven light on the gas pedal, it would be a good car for someone on a tighter budget.
Maybe drive it a couple years, then sell it. It may remain reliable for someone who doesn't drive a lot also.
As I said earlier, a neighbor has a 2010 with only 70,000 miles on it, and no mechanical issues.


Post# 1002014 , Reply# 12   7/31/2018 at 11:33 (2,067 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Oh, and Honda Odyssee

of the last generation also had clutch problems. So pick your poisons.

Post# 1002017 , Reply# 13   7/31/2018 at 12:25 (2,067 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
If cars had zero defects or recalls,

what would all the technicians do who spent money on their schooling? Not only would the schools be unemployed, so would the technicians.
Everything is quantativley figured into costs. Engineering, production, retailing, servicing.


Post# 1002026 , Reply# 14   7/31/2018 at 13:51 (2,067 days old) by jkbff (Happy Rock, ND)        

jkbff's profile picture
I guess my family has always had fords in one form or another.

I've had a few friends that have been very happy with their fusions, but not happy at all with the dealerships.

I can't say I've heard much negative about the fusions in general.

My lincoln, the only thing I really despise is the panorama sunroof it has. I have had quite a few issues with it, but I am going to say that my issues are dealer caused, not factory caused.

I've got an old ford pickup that won't die as well.


Post# 1002030 , Reply# 15   7/31/2018 at 15:59 (2,067 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
We had a Focus

ozzie908's profile picture
And believe me theres a reason its called Ford.....

F fix
O or
R repair
D daily

A good reason we won't have another one. Ok so thats just my opinion and am sure others have had far better experiences than myself.


Post# 1002038 , Reply# 16   7/31/2018 at 16:32 (2,067 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

dadoes's profile picture
 
Trouble thus far with my 2014 Fusion Hybrid is a failed "camshaft sensor" (in warranty).  And a couple recalls (seatbelt tensioner, steering wheel bolt).


Post# 1002045 , Reply# 17   7/31/2018 at 16:51 (2,067 days old) by LordKenmore (The Laundry Room)        
And believe me theres a reason its called Ford.....

lordkenmore's profile picture

Another crack I once heard that I liked was:

 

FORD=Found On Road, Dead.

 

LOL


Post# 1002049 , Reply# 18   7/31/2018 at 17:13 (2,067 days old) by ozzie908 (Lincoln UK)        
@ LordKenmore

ozzie908's profile picture
I like that :)

Post# 1002052 , Reply# 19   7/31/2018 at 17:50 (2,067 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
No vehicle needs

to be repaired daily today. None are that bad anymore.
There are always sayings about car makes.
Mr Nissan, (Americans telling) we've finished designing your new post war car.
Reply; "Dat sun"?
Why is Dodge on the front of a truck, and Ram on the side?
F O R D; f'n old rebuilt Dodge.
The initial GM version of the 6F35 transaxle suffered from the same defective clutch wave plates.
Toyota had cars accelerating out of control and killing drivers and passengers.
They are all I Robot. User beware.
No throttle cables, electronic, electric steering in place of a pump and gear or rack and pinion hydraulic unit.
You guys want carpets and brooms to fly.
Duck and run, 'cause this dunk tank is dry. Zee snap!


Post# 1002053 , Reply# 20   7/31/2018 at 17:54 (2,067 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
oh, son in laws

Equinox passenger front seat belt was jammed when he took delivery. Part on order.
Front door upper sill molding is loose. (at the belt line) you can push it down, and it pops back up. He'll have it 2 years, then it goes back.


Post# 1002064 , Reply# 21   7/31/2018 at 19:16 (2,066 days old) by IowaBear (Cedar Rapids, IA)        
Favorite Unofficial Acronym

iowabear's profile picture

Hard to beat FIAT = Fix It Again Tony.


Post# 1002097 , Reply# 22   8/1/2018 at 01:36 (2,066 days old) by tolivac (greenville nc)        

Ford---"Found On Road Dead"

Post# 1002107 , Reply# 23   8/1/2018 at 07:15 (2,066 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Dead------Personification

A machine is never alive to begin with. They are made by humans who have faults though.
I have seen almost every make of vehicle broke down along a road some where, some time.
I owned both a 1989 Taurus, and a '95. Yes I had to fix them a few times, but I could depend on both.
Our son neither designs nor builds Ford cars or trucks, but is part of a team which is developing better ways to make them.


Post# 1002114 , Reply# 24   8/1/2018 at 07:58 (2,066 days old) by mieleforever (SOUTH AFRICA)        
Ford Kuga

Not wanting to add further misery to the Ford post, but here in South Africa Ford has created a very bad reputation in the last few years, and I know it's way different model than the original poster, I am just saying the way Ford handled themselves and their paying customers were atrocious.

The Ford Kugas, that were manufactured in the last few years, spontaneously combusted. As far as I know one guy actually burned to death when apparently the car caught fire and he could not escape the car as the car's locking mechanism also failed.

Ford vehemently denied any wrong doing or fault on their side, but the fires just continued, a lot of insurance companies also stated that Ford cars are becoming a liability for the insurance companies, there are 52 cases and counting, of Ford Kugas that spontaneously combusted.

I think Ford has lost a lot of the glamour it once adorned.

But a lot of the big companies these days has lost their luster.

Regards


CLICK HERE TO GO TO mieleforever's LINK


Post# 1002122 , Reply# 25   8/1/2018 at 08:47 (2,066 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Yes Aldo,

our son drives one as well. A 2018 model Escape as it is named here. He commutes about 25 miles each way daily to Dearborn in it.
Ford has had other fire problems since the Pinto in the 70's. There was even a class action federal law suit.
Next was the E series full size van fires in the 90's. Then the full size Panther platform Crown Victoria/Police interceptor, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car rear end collision fires. The watts link on the rear suspension punctured the fuel tank, as it was mounted between the rear axle and boot wall. At least one police officer burned inside his cruiser because the body buckled from the collision seizing the doors shut, and he could not exit the car in time.
Each time Ford shares plumeted in the stock market, but recovered upon settlement of the law suits.
I think each 2013 Kuga may at least be at risk of fire, given the hot climate in South Africa. So they need to be repaired with materials the can withstand the heat, or bought back from their owners and replaced, or compensation paid so they can be. Ford is insured I'm certain. No doubt current model year and earlier ones have already had design changes.


Post# 1002126 , Reply# 26   8/1/2018 at 09:55 (2,066 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)        

askolover's profile picture

I'm generally a GM guy but I like this acronym below:

Cracked

Head

Every

Valve

Rattles

Oil

Leak

Every

Time

 

But seriously,  We swore off Cadillacs and went back to Lincolns a few years ago and haven't regretted it so far.  Although our new Lincoln is in the shop right now for a radio issue...it turns the volume up by itself even though the automatic level adjustment is turned off.  Still under warranty so it will be fixed...could just need reprogramming.  The Mexico-built Fusions, Milans, and MKZ's have had pretty good reliability around here.  I'd love to have an AWD one for my commuter, or a new AWD Buick. 


Post# 1002141 , Reply# 27   8/1/2018 at 12:06 (2,066 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Good one Greg!

Older Chevy cast iron small blocks were notorious for rear main oil seal leaks, tapping lifters, and some bad cams on early 305's.
The THM 200 was junk. It fried clutch packs in 28,000 miles when mounted behind a small V8. Mime did twice at that exactly. Not even an I.V. central line or an E.P. catheter with Dexron feeding it could help it shift. A 350 turbo trans was the fix.
The Buick Enclave is nice, but pricey, even used. So is a LaCrosse. Good resale value.
I also like the Caddy XT5. We could have gone for an MKX, but our Edge is nice too.
Not even a Titanium trim level, just an SEL but still has a 10 way pwr. driver seat, 6 way pwr. passenger seat, reclining rear seats, w/auto flip down, no leather, heated or cooled, but dual zone auto climate, and 6 speaker blue tooth audio. No Sync 3, no big deal. No remote start, we don't need it from the garage. No eco boost, but a plenty of go 3.5 V6.
So far liking it. It's a lease.


Post# 1002193 , Reply# 28   8/1/2018 at 18:42 (2,065 days old) by CircleW (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

The only car my family ever had catch fire was a '73 Buick Electra 225 Limited, and this was in June of '80. It was originally my mom's car, but she had a new Pontiac by this time, so it was now dad's.

We'd been having some issues with the electrical system, such as the headlights getting dim when driving, and the battery being dead for no reason. It had been to the shop several times, and my dad had told the service dept. to order a new wiring harness if it acted up again.

My parents went out of town to my sister's college graduation, and my vehicle had a flat, so I drove the Buick to work and back. I had no issues with it, but not long after parking it in the driveway, it caught fire. It was heavily damaged, including the interior, so the insurance totaled it. A shame for it to end that way as it was in nice shape up to then.


Post# 1002219 , Reply# 29   8/1/2018 at 23:17 (2,065 days old) by GusHerb (Chicago/NWI)        

The Edge has the 6F50 transmission, those weren’t so prone to failures like the earlier 6F35. And the 6F35 definitely had issues through 2012 model year Fusions, didn’t matter whether 4 cyl or V6 even though it seems logical that more power would put more strain on the trans. The issue was valve body failures which lead to the clutch packs burning up due to slippage, kinda like the Aisin in the 06 models suffered but was fixed early on.
They didn’t properly address issues in the 6F35 despite updated parts being installed. Not sure what they did for the 2013 MY to address it finally.


Post# 1002232 , Reply# 30   8/2/2018 at 05:38 (2,065 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
'73 Buick fire;

I bet I know what caused it. My ex had a '78 Pontiac Phoenix that also did that. The headlight dimmer switch on the floor shorted out. All the wiring under the dash burned up, and had we not cut the battery cable pronto, it would have totally burned up.

Post# 1002285 , Reply# 31   8/2/2018 at 12:45 (2,065 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)        

stricklybojack's profile picture
.
No there’s one helluva chariot!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO Stricklybojack's LINK


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Post# 1002315 , Reply# 32   8/2/2018 at 17:17 (2,065 days old) by Circlew (NE Cincinnati OH area)        

That looks like something from outer space!

Post# 1002372 , Reply# 33   8/3/2018 at 01:34 (2,064 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

maytag85's profile picture
Ford=

F Fast
O On
R Race
D Day



Post# 1002378 , Reply# 34   8/3/2018 at 05:28 (2,064 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Yes Sean,

win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Old NASCAR saying.

Post# 1002537 , Reply# 35   8/4/2018 at 14:28 (2,063 days old) by Dustin92 (Jackson, MI)        

Ford spelled backwards= Driver Returns On Foot!

Post# 1002562 , Reply# 36   8/4/2018 at 19:11 (2,062 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Never have returned on

foot in a Ford. AMC though.
What did Pontiac mean? Poor old _ Thinks Its a Cadillac.


Post# 1002618 , Reply# 37   8/5/2018 at 16:22 (2,062 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Maybe it was the heat today;

Took a lesiurely drive this afternoon. Saw these broken down vehicles: Toyota Tundra, VW Passat, Exacalibur (yes, I know Ford), and one semi tractor.
This was within a 20 mile stretch of highway.



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