2007 Ford Fusion Complaint Log

07 FORD FUSION REQUIRED TWO LEAKING STEMS TO BE REPLACED SINCE JAN 09. 4/6/09 TRAVELING ON I-4 OUTSIDE OF TAMPA AT 70 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT, NO POP OR ANYTHING, JUST NOTICED A CHANGE IN THE ROAD NOISE SO I TOUCHED THE BREAK AND IT GOT LOUDER. I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GOT SAFELY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHEN THE TREAD PART OF WHEEL CONTINUED TO ROLL/BOUNCE DOWN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. A ROAD RANGER STOPPED AND CHANGED MY TIRE FOR ME, ASKED WHERE I WAS GOING AND TOLD ME TO BUY A NEW TIRE. PURCHASED NEW TIRE FOR $278 FROM A FORD DEALER WHO TOLD ME TO CONTACT TIRE MANUFACTURER FOR WARRANTY. THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS PUNCTURES IN THE TREAD, IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL IF ANY DAMAGE TO THE SIDEWALL AS THERE WASN'T MUCH LEFT ON THE RIM AND COULDN'T TELL ON THE TREAD PART. I HAVE THE PIECES IN MY POSSESSION. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT AFTER 2 TIRES GOING FLAT AND STEMS HAVING TO BE REPLACED THE STEM (WHICH HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED) FAILED AND CAUSED THE FLAT TIRE. ON 4/10/09 DROVE TO WORK, CAME OUT FOR LUNCH LEFT REAR WAS FLAT AND ANOTHER STEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. I'M NOT SURE IF WHEN I PURCHASED THE NEW TIRE, THEY PUT ON A NEW STEM BUT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THEY ALL LOOK OK AS OF TODAY. UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD STEMS. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2007 FUSION AT END OF MARCH. SINCE THEN I HAVE NOTICED ON A DAILY BASIS THAT WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP AND TRY TO START THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY TOUCHY. I PEEL OUT ALMOST 75 PERCENT OF THE TIME. THE GAS PEDAL SHOULDN'T BE THAT HESITANT OR TOUCHY. I AM AFRAID TO CHANGE MY OWN OIL WHICH I HAVE DONE ALL MY LIFE. I AM AFRAID OF DRIVING RIGHT OFF THE RAMPS. I AM VERY AFRAID OF MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT STOP SIGNS. ESPECIALLY THIS NEXT YEAR FOR THE WINTER SEASON. I HAD A FEW INSTANCES AT THE END OF THE SNOW SEASON I COULDN'T EVEN GET GOING IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY BECAUSE OF THE OVER POWER. I WOULD JUST SPIN OUT WITH THE INSTANT OVER ACCELERATION. ALSO AT STOP SIGNS THAT WERE SNOW COVERED. (THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED.) ALSO THE ACCELERATION OF TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE THERE IS A MAJOR HESITATION TO SWITCHING FROM OVERDRIVE TO DRIVE AND BACK AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. WHEN SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE STOPPED; YET, WHEN SHE RELEASED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. SHE STATED THAT THIS WAS AN ON GOING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A DEVICE TO CAPTURE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY BUT SHE STATED THAT SHE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT FOR THE PAST YEAR WHENEVER SHE SHIFTED GEARS INTO PARK THE RPMS INCREASED UP TO 4,000-5,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,212 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,800.

ON 3/18/09, I HAD A TIRE FAIL ON MY 2007 FORD FUSION BECAUSE OF A RE-CALLED DILL # 414 VALVE STEM. I HAD TO REPLACE THE MICHELIN TIRE THAT HAD 10,487 MILES ON IT. I ALSO REPLACED THE OTHER THREE VALVE STEMS THAT WERE CRACKED (ALSO DILL #414). I AM SIX WEEKS AWAY FROM TRAVELING FROM MICHIGAN TO FLORIDA AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS OF 70 MPH. IF THIS TIRE HAD FAILED AT THOSE SPEEDS, I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. FORD MOTOR CO. (GORNO FORD DEALERSHIP IN WOODHAVEN, MI.) HAS NO INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I CALLED TECH INTERNATIONAL (CLAY JOHNSON AT 740-967-9015), HE SAID THAT FORD MOTOR CO. DEARBORN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FATAL INJURY. I HAVE THE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS IN MY CUSTODY. *TR

HARD SHIFTING EVERYWHERE AND ALL THE TIME..WAS LETTING FOOT OFF GAS DURING SHIFT TO LESSEN THE HARD BANGING SHIFT, BUT NOW THAT DOES NOT WORK .. NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE. SEE WEB SITE OF OTHERS WITH SAME ISSUE..IF FORD ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT...ITS JUST THAT AN ATTEMPT. I AM SICK OF THIS CAR..THIS IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE NOT THE ONLY ONE. PLEASE MAKE THEM FIX THIS!!! NORM FOLKS CAN'T PAY 3-4K TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION. -HTTPS://REPAIRPAL.COM/HARSH-OR-DALAYED-SHIFTING-OF-AUTOMATIC-TRANSMISSION-727

THE ENGINE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY REVVING/ACCELERATING AFTER THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK, ALTHOUGH NOTHING IS NEAR OR TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, ENGINE IDLE RETURNS TO NORMAL. THE ENGINE SPEED HAS INCREASED FROM UNDER 1000 RPM (NORMAL) TO 4000 RPM BEFORE I'VE SHUT THE CAR OFF (IT APPEARED THAT IT WOULD JUST KEEP INCREASING). PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED IN FEB. 2009 AND THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NO COMPUTER CODES AND COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR ROUGHLY ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, EACH TIME UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES (NO EASILY IDENTIFIABLE TRIGGER), UNTIL OCT. 2009, WHEN I REQUESTED THE DEALER REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS REPAIR SEEMED TO WORK, BUT THEN AGAIN, IN JAN. 2010, THE ENGINE REVVED ON ITS OWN AFTER THE CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL WORSEN AND POSSIBLY OCCUR WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. *TR

THE DEFROSTERS TAKE THE AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONLY. THIS PULLS IN EXHAUST GASES DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. SETTING THE CONTROL TO DEFROST AND FLOOR ONLY ALLOWS TEMPORARY RECIRCULATION OF INSIDE AIR, BUT THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY RESELECTS THE OUTSIDE AIR AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVES THAT ALLOW CONTINUOUSLY RECIRCULATION OF INSIDE AIR DO NOT PUT ANY WARM AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN DRIVING IS STOP AND CRAWL TRAFFIC IN THE WINTER, THE DRIVER MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN BREATHING EXHAUST GASES OR FOGGED WINDOWS. THIS IS AGGRAVATED BY THE UNSHIELDED VENT ON THE HOOD THAT DRAWS IN AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE SHAPE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DIRECTS THE EXHAUST GAS LADEN AIR UP OVER THE HOOD TO THE VENT. IN SUB ZERO WEATHER, THE EXHAUST GASES TEND TO REMAIN NEAR THE GROUND AND THE LARGE WINDSHIELD REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT HOT AIR TO REMAIN UNFROSTED AT THE TOP WHERE THE TALLER DRIVERS NEED TO SEE THROUGH. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, NOT A ONE DAY EVENT. *TR

THE 2007 FORD FUSION DEVELOPED ERRATIC ELECTRICAL POWER AND STARTING FAILURE. DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE BATTERY CABLES HAD ESSENTIALLY DISINTEGRATED FROM BATTERY POSTS ALONG CONSIDERABLE LENGTH OF THE CABLES, ALSO DESTROYING THE BATTERY WITH EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND SPLITTING THE PLASTIC CABLE SHEATHS. VEHICLE WAS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD BUT HAD 42,000 MI. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IMMEDIATELY FOUND 3 OTHER 2006-2007 FUSIONS WITH SAME OCCURRENCE, ALL JUST SLIGHTLY OVER THE 36,000MI WARRANTY AND NOT COVERED. FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A TSB, HAS NOT VOLUNTEERED TO COVER ANY OF THE $428 COST. THIS IS A CLEAR QUALITY CONTROL PRODUCT FAILURE, UNACCEPTABLE ON ANY 2-YR-OLD VEHICLE, AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE OR STRANDING SITUATION. *TR

THE DEFROSTERS TAKE THE AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONLY. THIS PULLS IN EXHAUST GASES DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. SETTING THE CONTROL TO DEFROST AND FLOOR ONLY ALLOWS TEMPORARY RECIRCULATION OF INSIDE AIR, BUT THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY RESELECTS THE OUTSIDE AIR AFTER A FEW MINUTES. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVES THAT ALLOW CONTINUOUSLY RECIRCULATION OF INSIDE AIR DO NOT PUT ANY WARM AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN DRIVING IS STOP AND CRAWL TRAFFIC IN THE WINTER, THE DRIVER MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN BREATHING EXHAUST GASES OR FOGGED WINDOWS. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, NOT A ONE DAY EVENT. THIS IS AGGRAVATED BY THE UNSHIELDED VENT ON THE HOOD THAT DRAWS IN AIR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE SHAPE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH DIRECTS THE EXHAUST GAS LADEN AIR UP OVER THE HOOD TO THE VENT. IN SUB ZERO WEATHER, THE EXHAUST GASES TEND TO REMAIN NEAR THE GROUND AND THE LARGE WINDSHIELD REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT HOT AIR TO REMAIN UNFROSTED AT THE TOP WHERE THE TALLER DRIVERS NEED TO SEE THROUGH. *TR

THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND TO THE COMMANDS OF THE DRIVER IN A TIMELY FASHION AND THE RESPONSE IS UNPREDICTABLE. WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN FROM A FOUR LANE UNDIVIDED CITY STREET, A PEDESTRIAN CROSSED IN FRONT OF ME IN A CROSSWALK. AFTER THE PEDESTRIAN HAD CROSSED, I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN BUT THE PEDESTRIAN DID NOT STOP. INSTEAD, HE MADE A SUDDEN TURN TO HIS RIGHT AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE CROSSWALK WITHOUT LOOKING. I STOPPED PART WAY ACROSS THE INSIDE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE PEDESTRIAN STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CROSSWALK, LOOKED AT ME AND WAVED WHILE ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHED. HE THEN PROCEEDED THE REST OF THE WAY ACROSS THE CROSSWALK. IN ORDER TO AVOID A HEAD ON COLLISION FROM A CAR THAT TURNED LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING INSIDE LANE AND RACED TOWARD ME, I GAVE THE ACCELERATOR A QUICK NUDGE PART WAY DOWN. THE VEHICLE REDLINED THE ENGINE AND BURNED RUBBER. THE SAME INPUT FROM THE DRIVER TWO DAYS BEFORE WHEN IT WAS COLD WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SLUGGISH RESPONSE. I RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPIN THE TIRES ON THE DRY PAVEMENT, PROPELLING THE CAR FORWARD TOWARD THE PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS ABOUT ONE STEP FROM THE SIDEWALK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET. I BARELY MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE PEDESTRIAN AND FINISH THE TURN WITH MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IN GENERAL, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SLOW DOWN FOR QUITE SOME TIME WHEN I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. THE ONLY WAY TO SLOW DOWN IN A TIMELY MANNER IS WITH THE BRAKES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AS THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING HARD, CAUSING AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. LATER, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE AIRBAG BECAUSE IT HAD A SAVAGE TITLE. THE CAR WAS IN A WRECK IN PENNSYLVANIA. IT HAD DRIVER'S SIDE DAMAGE AND WAS REPAIRED. I AM TOLD THAT WHEN THERE IS AN ACCIDENT IN PENNSYLVANIA, THEY ALWAYS PUT SALVAGE ON THE TITLE. DOES FORD NEED TO REPLACE?

2007 FORD FUSION 4 CYLINDER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN WINTER WEATHER. I HAVE DRIVEN OTHER MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS ON SNOW AND ICE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THIS CAR IS TERRIBLE. I LOST CONTROL ONCE TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH AND DID $2000 FRONT END DAMAGE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT WENT SLIGHTLY LEFT AND THE REAR WENT TO THE RIGHT AS I SPUN AROUND, HIT A MAILBOX POST AND BARELY MISSED A TELEPHONE POLE. OTHERWISE I LIKE THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE NOISY 4 CYLINDER ENGINE (OVER 60 MPH). *TR

I HAVE AN INCIDENT TO REPORT RELATED TO PE08060. AFTER GETTING MY TIRES ROTATED I HAD A FLAT THE NEXT DAY. THE CAUSE WAS A BAD VALVE STEM. SINCE I HAD READ A NEWS ARTICLE ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM I HAD ALL 4 REPLACED. 2 OF THE STEMS HAVE CRACKING SIMILAR TO THAT DESCRIBED IN THE ARTICLE. THE PART IS TR414. *TR

WE HAVE A 2007 FORD FUSION. SINCE JANUARY 1ST WE HAVE HAD 4 TIRE FAILURES, OR SO WE THOUGHT. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE FAULTY CHINESE VALVE STEMS. EACH TIME. IT WAS AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR. FIRST THREE REPLACED AT FORD DEALERS, WHO MADE NO COMMENT ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION. THE FOURTH AT A TIRE STORE WHO'S MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO ME WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON. OUR PROBLEMS BEGAN ON JAN. 1ST AND CONTINUED UNTIL MAY 23RD,APPROX. ONE EVERY 6 WEEKS! *TR

ON MY WAY TO WORK, MY TIRE LOST AIR RAPIDLY. WHEN I MADE IT TO THE TIRE SHOP THEY SAID ALL OF THE VALVE STEMS WERE WORN AND THE FLAT TIRE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER SINCE IT'S A 2007 FUSION AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ASKED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE REMAINING VALVE STEMS AND PUT AN OEM TIRE ON IT. I KEPT 3 OF THE WORN VALVE STEMS AND THEY MATCH AN INVESTIGATION THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY WITH SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION / TOPSEAL. THE CODE ON THE VALVES IN QUESTION ARE TR414. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO COMPLAIN AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL IT'S DECIDED WHETHER THERE WOULD BE A RECALL OR NOT BUT THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE 1 TIRE AND REMAINING VALVES WAS $300. I ALSO QUESTIONED FORD CORP ON WHAT COMMUNICATION THEY HAD WITH THE DEALERS TO SPOT THESE DEFECTIVE VALVE STEMS AND THEY COULDN'T COMMENT. MY CONCERN WAS THAT MY CAR HAS BEEN THERE FOR INSPECTIONS, OIL CHANGES, AND TIRE ROTATIONS AND NOTHING WAS EVER SAID TO ME. *TR

2007 FORD FUSION ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE SHUTS OFF. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES. FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *JB

THE VEHICLE RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR IS UNPREDICTABLE AND ALWAYS DELAYED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL INTERPRET A SMALL QUICK DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR THE SAME AS FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR. THERE IS ALWAYS A DELAY OF TWO TO THREE SECONDS BEFORE IT RESPONDS AT ALL. THE SAME ACTION CAN RESULT IN WIDELY VARYING RESPONSES OF THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, APPARENTLY DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR AND ENGINE. THE ACCELERATOR IS VERY TOUCHY AND SEEMS TO USE ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THE MOVEMENT. THAT COUPLED WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONSTANTLY SHIFTING TO SET THE ENGINE SPEED AT NEAR IDLE IN ALL BUT FREEWAY DRIVING MAKES MANUALLY CONTROLLING THE SPEED WITHIN 5 MILES PER HOUR WHEN NEAR A SHIFT POINT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE CONSTANT SHIFTING AND REFUSAL TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO MANUALLY CONTROL THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE ACCURATELY ON HILLY ROADS. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM, NOT A ONE DAY EVENT. *TR

ON 11-12-08 I PARKED MY 20007 FORD FUSION IN THE GARAGE AT 7:00 PM . ON THE MORNING OF 11-13 08 AT 6;00 AM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. I CHANGED THE TIRE AND TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY FOUND THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED SAME. I FEEL THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED AS THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED. WHEN I INQUIRED IF THIS WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY, I WAS TOLD IT WASN'T. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.

TOTAL TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT FRONT TIRE CAUSING BLOWOUT @ HIGHWAY SPEED HAD TO DRIVE ON RIM TO GET TO SAFE AREA TO REPLACE DESTROYED TIRE WITH SPARE. *TR

I HAD A FLAT TIRE AND WHEN I GOT IT REPAIRED WAS TOLD IT WAS A VALVE STEM...MY CAR ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS TOLD THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED...2 DAYS LATER, ANOTHER FLAT TIRE ON A DIFFERENT TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK...I STOPPED AND GOT A CAN OF 'FIX-A-FLAT- AND WHEN PUTTING IT IN THE TIRE, NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING AT THE VALVE STEM...I HAD 8 MORE MILES TO DRIVE TO WORK...TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE DUE TO A SIDE WALL BUBBLE FROM DRIVING IT WITHOUT PROPER INFLATION. *TR

WAS DRIVING 2007 FUSION DOWN THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED CAR OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED CAR OFF. SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND RESTARTED VEHICLE. VEHICLE RESTARTED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS OR DUPLICATE IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARD UNTIL SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN THE EARLY STAGES, THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED. OVER TIME, THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND BEGAN TO OCCUR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED UNTIL THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO A SPORADIC FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER BUT AGAIN, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DECREASED TIRE INFLATION WHICH HAS ED TO THE REPLACEMENT OF TWO OF MY TIRES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. HE REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, HE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE OF THE REMAINING THREE TIRES AND FOUND IT TO BE LOW DUE TO CRACKED VALVE STEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VALVE STEM INFORMATION WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. UPDATED 11/6/08 *CN UPDATED 11/07/08. *JB

ON SATURDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 6TH 2008 I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 2007 FORD FUSION AND MY TIRE WENT FLAT. I CHANGED THE TIRE AND ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY I DROPPED IT OFF AT JIM TRUE FORD IN BROOKVILLE INDIANA WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE HAD GONE FLAT DUE TO A CRACKED VALVE STEM AND THAT THE TIRE AND VALVE STEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED . A NEW TIRE HAD TO BE ORDERED AND WAS REPLACED ON THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH 2008. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THE VALVE STEM AND TIRE WAS $229.37. *TR

TAKATA RECALL

SUDDEN DEFLATION AND SIDEWALL SEPARATION OF A TIRE SIDEWALL. VEHICLE E MODEL 2007 FORD FUSION SEL, 4CYL, TIRE MICHELIN PILOT SPORT MXM4 ALL SEASON 225/50VR17 93V 10500 MILES TOTAL ON VEHICLE AND TIRES. RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCES A SUDDEN DEFLATION WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET AT ROUGHLY 25-30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND THE TIRE REMOVED. THE OUTER SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE WAS FULLY SEPARATED AND THE SIDEWALL CORD STRUCTURE WAS SEPARATED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WHEEL RIM WAS UNDAMAGED ON THE OUTER AND INNER FACES. THE TIRES HAD BEEN CHECKED RECENTLY FOR PROPER INFLATION AND WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. AN INSPECTION OF THE TREAD AREA DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF PUNCTURE THAT WOULD FACILITATE RAPID DEFLATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED ON PAVED STREETS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AND THE STREETS IN THE AREAS OF USE ARE IN REASONABLY GOOD CONDITION. NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS APPARENT FROM THE TIRE FAILURE DUE TO THE LOW SPEED. NO OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE BESIDES THE LOSS OF THE TIRE. WEB SEARCH REVEALS OTHER OWNERS OF FORD FUSIONS WITH THIS SIZE TIRE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RAPID DEFLATION FAILURES AND TREAD SEPARATIONS. *TR

I NOTICED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE MAKING NOISE ON 8-25-08. I BROUGHT MY CAR INTO THE SHOP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND HAVE THE BRAKES LOOKED AT. I WAS TOLD MY REAR BRAKES WERE METAL TO METAL ON THE INSIDE PADS. I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I ONLY HAVE 25,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BUT COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WENT WRONG. I WAS THEN CHARGED $310 TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. MY FRONT BRAKES ARE ONLY WORN DOWN 10%. *TR

VALVES ON WHEELS DRY ROTTING AND CRACKING ON VEHICLE, 2007 FORD FUSION. TIRE REPAIR SHOPS ARE SAYING A RECALL IS OUT ON THESE VALVES BUT NO RESPONSE FROM FOMOCO. HAVE HAD 2 INCIDENTS OF FLAT TIRES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2007 FORD FUSION - CRACKS IN FRONT SUBFRAME EFFECTING STEERING YESTERDAY I WAS INFORMED BY A FORD DEALER, DON REID FORD IN MAITLAND FLORIDA, THAT THE LIKELY EXPLANATION FOR THE "NOTCHY" FEEL IN MY STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2007 FORD FUSION IS PROBABLY DUE TO CRACKS AT WELD SEAMS IN THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER FORD SERVICE TECH THAT THE ISSUE COULD ALSO BE A BAD STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION. THIS VEHICLE IS 1 1/2 YEARS OLD AND SO FAR THE DEALER IS THINKING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD BY THIS FORD TECH THAT THE WELD CRACKING PROBLEM IS A "KNOWN ISSUE" AT FORD AND HE AGREES 100% THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN FEEL LOOSENESS / CLUNKING IN MY STEERING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND TURNING. THIS IS NOT AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE SINCE, ON THE FORD FUSION, THE FRONT ALIGNMENT IS NOT ADJUSTABLE. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND AM BEING TOLD IT MAY COST OVER $1,000 TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I FIRST NOTICED THIS ISSUE A FEW WEEKS AGO ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST WHILE MAKING A 3 POINT TURN IN A TIGHT PARKING LOT. THE CONDITION IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

I OWN A 2007 FORD FUSION. PUTTING THIS SHORT I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON DRIVERS FRONT ON JULY 21, 2008 WENT TO GET IT FIXED THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IT WAS THE VALVE STEM, HAD TO MISS 3 HOURS OF WORK , I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT AT THE TIME . THEN ON AUGUST 23, 2008 ONLY ONE MONTH LATER I HAD JUST ENTERED THE FREEWAY HEARD MY TIRE BLOW ON THE BACK RIGHT LUCKILY HAD AN EXIT RIGHT THERE SLOWLY DROVE OFF THE FREEWAY FOUND MY TIRE BLOWN, WE WERE FORTUNATE I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL AND GET INTO A CRASH, HAD TO CALL AAA ROADSIDE SERVICE THE TECHNICIAN AGAIN SAYS IT WAS A CRACKED VALVE STEM, I'M LIKE WHAT AGAIN, NEXT DAY I HAD TO GO PURCHASE A BRAND NEW TIRE WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE MONEY FOR, THEN 2 DAYS LATER AUGUST 27, 2008 GETTING READY FOR WORK IN THE MORNING MY NEIGHBOR COMES TO MY DOOR TELLS ME MY DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT, I'M LIKE WHAT AGAIN, SURE ENOUGH IT WAS FLAT I HAD TO CALL AAA ROADSIDE SERVICE AGAIN, THIS TIME I LOOKED SURE ENOUGH THE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED AND THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THIS. I CALLED MY WORK AND TOLD THEM I'M GOING BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND SHOW THEM. I SHOWED ALL DOCUMENTATION OF ALL THE OTHER TIRE TROUBLES AND SHOWED THE TIRE THAT JUST WENT FLAT, IM SURE HE KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL, NEVER SAID A WORD HE SAID THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AND HE WAS GOING TO CHECK THE OTHER FRONT TIRE THAT HADN'T BEEN CHECKED. 2 HOURS LATER HE SAID NO CHARGE AND HE FIXED BOTH VALVE STEMS. SO I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT HOW TO GET MY MONEY BACK OR COMPENSATED FOR ALL THAT I WENT THROUGH AND THE MONEY I HAD TO SPEND TO BUY A NEW TIRE AND FIX FLATS , IT' LIKE I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THIS VALVE STEM RECALL TILL A FRIEND TOLD ME SHE HAD JUST SEEN A REPORT ON CONSUMER REPORTS WHICH LED ME TO YOU. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE HERE. WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENT SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR

A VALVE STEM ON MY 2007 FORD FUSION LEAKED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS DETERIORATING NEAR THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,543.

AS I APPROACHED A GREEN TRAFFIC, THE SUN WAS IN MY EYES, SO I MOVED THE SUN VISOR DOWN SO THE SUN WAS BLOCKED BUT I COULD STILL SEE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN I LET GO OF IT, IT WOULD NOT STAY UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD AND HUNG STRAIGHT DOWN, BLOCKING THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. IF IT HAD TURNED RED, I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOW IT. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAD HOLDING UP THE VISOR AND ONE HAND ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I TOLD THEM THAT THE VISOR HAS NEVER STAYED UP EXCEPT AGAINST THE CAR CEILING AND WE BOTH LOOKED AT A 2008 MODEL, WHICH WORKS FINE. HE SAID THAT THEY COULD ORDER A NEW VISOR, BUT THE REPLACEMENT WOULD BE IDENTICAL, SO IT WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD. I FEEL THAT IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH ONE HAND ON THE WHEEL AND THE OTHER HAND EITHER BLOCKING THE SUN OR HOLDING THE VISOR UP. *TR

I OWN 2007 FUSION SE THAT HAS A VIBRATION IN FRONT-END OF VEHICLE WHEN YOU ACCELERATE QUICKLY OR WET PAVEMENT AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL GRABS INTERMITTENTLY AND ON DRY PAVEMENT IT PULLS EXTREMELY TO THE RIGHT AND SOME TIMESONE CAN LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE IF YOU AREN'T EXPECTING THIS ACTION TO HAPPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT WAS AN ATTORNEY WHOSE CLIENT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, A TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND THREE TIMES, ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES, AND LANDED IN A DITCH ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 30,776. UPDATED 6/9/08 *CN THE ATTORNEY WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT.

2007 FORD FUSION AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH SHE WAS BROAD SIDED AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE ALSO STATES SHE WAS INJURED IN THIS ACCIDENT DUE THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. *KB

I HAVE A FORD FUSION 07 THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE IS THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS RUST SO BADLY WHEN I DON'T DRIVE FOR A WEEK OR TWO THE BRAKES SHUDDER BADLY WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE A OLD 95 BUICK THAT IS UNDER THE SAME CARPORT THAT CAN SET FOR A MONTH OR LONGER AND DOES NOT SHUDDER AFTER SITTING LONGER THAN THE FORD I AM RETIRED AND DO NOT DRIVE EITHER VEHICLE VERY MUCH. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, SHE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE TO HER STERNUM. THE VEHICLE ALSO SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN WHICH SHE WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,300. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE VEHICLE WAS A 2007 FORD FUSION. THE DRIVER WAS MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS OFF. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS REGARDING THE LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS $11,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6000.

TAKATA RECALL: I PURCHASED MY FORD FUSION IN 2007 AND I RECEIVED AWESOME COMMENTS; THIS WAS THE RATINGS FROM MY OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS, BRAGGING ABOUT MY CAR; AS BEING "TOP OF THE LINE VEHICLE" SOUNDED GREAT! WITHIN MY FIRST YEAR, ON A SATURDAY MY CAR WOULD NOT START, BEFORE GOING TO WORK, IT WAS CORROSION ON MY BATTERY POST. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, I CONTACTED HIXON FORD SERVICE DEPT. IN MONROE, LA; TOLD THEM OF MY EXPERIENCE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS. I WAS GIVEN A FREE BATTERY, WITHOUT ANYONE LOOKING INTO WHY THE CAR WOULDN'T START OR CORROSION ON THE BATTERY. I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN TREATED IN THAT MANNER THROUGHOUT THE TIME I HAVE MY CAR. SINCE THEN, SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE RUBBER AROUND THE DASH VENT, WHERE THE DEFROST AIR COMES OUT, LIFTED UP OUT OF PLACE. ONE DAY THE 6-CD CHANGER WOULD NOT RELEASE MY CDS'; BUT MONTHS LATER AFTER PRESSING THE BUTTON EVERYDAY, I PRESSED THE REJECT AND THEY ALL CAME OUT. ANOTHER EXPERIENCE WAS WHEN THE TWO FRONT DOOR LATCHES JUST POPPED OUT; AT A LATER TIME, THE TWO BACK LATCHES POPPED OUT. SINCE I COULD ONLY AFFORD TO GET THE DRIVER DOOR LATCH REPAIRED, I WOULD STILL LOCK MY CAR DOOR, BUT THEY DO NOT LOCK. ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN, BECAUSE OF THE BUMPY ROAD AND MY CAR FELT LIKE IT HYDROPLANED; I COULDN'T STOP (SCAAARRRYY!). AFTER EACH INCIDENT, I WOULD CALL HIXON FORD AND ASK FOR RECALL STATUS, CONCERNING MY INCIDENTS. THEY WOULD ALWAYS TELL ME, THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE MAIN OFFICE, I WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN REPORTED. I NEVER FELT THEY CARED WHAT HAPPENED TO ME, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LOOK INTO THE FIRST INCIDENT, BUT YEARS LATER, I RECEIVED AN APOLOGY; GIVE THEM ANOTHER CHANCE WITH MY NEXT PURCHASE AND THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING NOW. WELL, THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SURPRISED IF THEY DID.

FORD FUSION 2007: CENTER BRAKE LIGHT BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S REARWARD FIELD OF VISION. THE CAR ALREADY HAS A VERY HIGH TRUNK LID. PLACING THE BRAKE LIGHT JUST ABOVE THE TRUNK, IN THE REAR WINDOW, MANAGES TO BLOCK OUT ANY CAR DIRECTLY BEHIND - UPWARD TO 50 FEET BEHIND THE CAR. THE LIGHT SHOULD BE MOUNTED AT THE TOP OF THE REAR WINDOW OR AT THE TOP OF TRUNK, JUST ABOVE THE THE BUMPER AND INTEGRATED INTO THE TRUNK LID. *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 1 MPH IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INTERTWINED WITH HER FOOT AND SANDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2007, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,500.

I WANTED TO FILE MY COMPLAINT ON THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE 8/07 AND HAVE HAD A FEW MECHANICS CHECK THE BRAKES. IF I HIT MY BRAKES GOING OVER A BUMP THEY WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. MOST TIMES IT TAKES A COUPLE HOURS FOR THE BRAKES TO RETURN TO NORMAL. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS; WITH THE LAST ONE HITTING THE BRAKES AND NOT KNOWING A BUMP WAS THERE, I HAD TO SWERVE TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES HAS BEEN GOING ON CONTINUOUS . RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR TARKATA AIRBAGS STILL NOT HAD THEM REPAIRED

2007 FORD FUSION BOUGHT NEW DOES NOT FUNCTION WELL IT TAKES A WHILE TO CRANK. WINDOWS BEGAN TO MOLD, CAR SHAKES, VIBRATES , SWERVES OF ROAD WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, BRAKES DO NOT FUNCTION WELL CAR MAKES NOISES. TIRES DO NOT PERFORM WELL TIRES HAVE TROUBLE SLOWING DOWN. *JB

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, BRAKES ARE WORKING CORRECTLY WINDOWS ARE BEGINNING TO MOLD, CD HAS EATEN UP CD'S, TIRES DO NOT GRIP ROAD WELL. *TR

WHEN ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL ON A BRAND NEW 07 SEL AWD 3.0 FUSION THE GAS PEDAL HAD A DEAD RANGE OF ABOUT HALF WAY AND COULD NOT GET ACCELERATION. TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND THE DRIVETRAIN " CLUNKED " WHEN I PUT MY FOOT BACK ON THE PEDAL. THE WRENCH SYMBOL ILLUMINATED AND I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY DUE TO NO ACCELERATION. AFTER I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND CHECKED THE FUSES, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOR ANYTHING OBVIOUS I RE-STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. IMAGINE BEING IN TRAFFIC UNABLE TO MOVE. *JB

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD DURING HEAVY RAIN RESULTING IN A NEARLY COMPLETE LOSS OF VISIBILITY. WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON A FREEWAY AT NIGHT, IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO RAIN HEAVILY. I TURNED THE WIPERS ON TO THE HIGHEST SPEED AVAILABLE. I QUICKLY LOST VISIBILITY AND COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE THE EDGES OF THE ROAD WERE. I RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I APPLIED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY, AND THE TAILGATING TRACTOR-TRAILER VEHICLE (18 WHEELER) PASSED ME AND CONTINUED ON AT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. THE SPRAY FROM THE TRUCK MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE MORE THAN A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF ME. EVEN AFTER THE TRUCK WAS PASSED AND I HAD SLOWED TO THE MINIMUM SPEED OF 45MPH, I STILL COULD NOT FIND THE EDGES OF THE ROAD OR SEE THE LANE MARKINGS. NO SETTING OF THE HEADLIGHTS OR FOG LIGHTS HELPED. THE AMOUNT OF RAIN ON THE WINDSHIELD IS AGGRAVATED BY THE SHAPE OF THE CAR, WHICH DIRECTS THE RAIN FROM THE HOOD TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE LONG SLOPING WINDSHIELD GATHERS MORE RAIN THAN OLDER VEHICLES. *TR