Ford has spent years trying to land on the perfect design for a hybrid car. For nearly a decade, one of the main models Ford tried to perfect was the Ford Fusion Energi. It was an offshoot of the Ford Fusion Hybrid that included a plug-in hybrid engine. These cars were produced between 2012 and 2020 and have since been discontinued.
It’s never great news about a car’s performance when a manufacturer chooses to stop producing it entirely, especially in a field that’s as popular as hybrid and electric vehicles. Unfortunately, that holds true for the Fusion Energi. The model was plagued with problems from its release, and there have been dozens of technical service bulletins and a serious recall released for different model years.
Still, the Fusion Energi did have its proponents. In fact, it was one of the most popular hybrid models for several years. In 2019, for example, the Ford Fusion was the second-most popular hybrid model in the US, above even the Toyota Prius.
This means that there are tens of thousands of Fusions out there that may be putting drivers at risk. Even though the Fusion has been retired, Ford is still responsible for making sure you’re not stuck with a car that’s dangerous due to its own manufacturing errors. If you own an Energi and it has a severe manufacturing defect, you may be able to pursue a lemon claim.
Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys are prepared to help you fight Ford to live up to its warranty promises. Our Southern California law firm is dedicated to helping drivers like you pursue lemon claims and receive the compensation or repairs necessary for your car’s manufacturing flaws. Call us at 866-761-2317 to speak with a lemon law attorney at our Ventura office today.
History of Ford Energi Problems and Recalls
So, what problems should you worry about with your Ford hybrid? That depends on the year and model. Each year since the original 2012 release has had unique issues.
For example, the 2016 year model frequently suffered from rodent problems. Yes, you read that right: 2016 Energis had soy-coated wiring that attracted mice, rats, and other rodents that would chew on the wires and destroy the electrical system.
More recent issues include:
2017 Fusion Energi Problems
The 2017 year model has not been subject to any recalls. However, Ford has released 90 individual technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the model. A TSB is an official communication from a manufacturer to its mechanics, explaining a common flaw related to or caused by the manufacturing process and how to fix it. TSBs issued for the 2017 model include:
- Noisy brakes
- Rattling transmissions
- Smoking coolant
- Rolling idles
- Battery drains
- Missing key authorization programs
None of these issues are considered actively dangerous by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), so they have not required a recall. However, these problems can be distracting, annoying, and damage the value or performance of your car.
2018 Fusion Energi Problems
The 2018 Fusion has received 76 individual TSBs in the past few years. These TSBs include all of the issues mentioned above, as well as:
- Cracked transmission bellhousing flex plates
- Failing remote functions
- Failing long block engine assemblies
- Refusing to start
- Refusing to charge
These issues make it difficult to trust the car’s automatic electrical systems, which is a problem in a plug-in hybrid vehicle. They also make the car less functional for daily tasks since the failure to charge leaves the car entirely reliant on gas, defeating the purpose of a hybrid engine.
2019 and 2020 Fusion Problems
The 2019 Fusion has been recalled for a severe electrical flaw. According to the recall, these cars put drivers and passengers at risk of significant electrical shocks. The vehicle’s hybrid propulsion system heavily relies on electricity for standard usage, with significant voltage running through many parts of the vehicle. The recall states that affected cars “may not adequately protect against direct and indirect contact of high voltage sources during normal operation.”
The 2019 and 2020 models also have a wide range of TSBs issued. There are more than 94 TSBs filed for each year’s model. The issues include those TSBs listed above, as well as:
- Turbocharger oil leaks
- Failing control panels
- Faulty underbody shields
- Software glitches
- Faulty Bluetooth connections
They can cause severe operational problems and develop into significant issues down the road. Getting these manufacturing defects repaired early is critical to prevent them from becoming a severe performance problem.
Signs Your Ford Fusion Energi Is a Lemon
A faulty Ford Fusion can easily cross the border to become a lemon. If your vehicle has been recalled or received repairs recommended in a TSB, you may have grounds to file a lemon law claim. Under California warranty law, cars are considered lemons if the manufacturer can’t permanently repair a manufacturing defect after a reasonable number of attempts.
A “reasonable number” of attempts is typically limited to two for recalls since these issues are considered dangerous or deadly. For TSB repairs, Ford has four opportunities under California lemon laws to make the repair stick.
If your Fusion has been in the shop more than that, it may be a lemon. California requires manufacturers to repair, replace, or refund consumers for lemons, and a failure to repair makes you eligible for refunds or replacements. You can find out more about whether your vehicle may qualify by taking our quiz.
Talk to the Ford Lemon Law Experts at Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys
There’s no reason you should be forced to accept that your Fusion is simply a faulty car. If you’ve been fighting against manufacturing defects, you may have grounds to file a lemon law claim against Ford. You can call Johnson & Buxton – The Lemon Law Guys at 866-761-2317 or send us an email to discuss your situation. We are prepared to help clients throughout California from our Ventura law office fight for the warranty compensation they need for their defective vehicles.
