Test Run a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

[bengalitiger7]

Does anyone know how to inspect a used 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid at 112K miles? What should I check in the engine? What things should I look for?

[borland]

With the CVT transmission on these cars, the engine spends most of its running life at less than 2,000 rpm; so the engine should last over 500,000 miles with normal maintenance. The high voltage batteries seem to be trouble free for over 200K mile. Look for obvious leaks.

 

These cars are very inexpensive buy and run, but the high cost repairs on the hybrid can offset any savings. If you buy from a dealer, repairs may be covered by a warranty.

 

If you're buying from private party, take a look at the owner's manual to see the maintenance schedule. Ford makes these available free online in PDF. Then compare the owner's maintenance records with what's recommended. Settle with the private party seller a price subject to a buyer paid for pre-purchase inspection by a Ford Dealer (no other maintenance shops will have expertise in Ford Hybrids). Arrange with the Ford dealer a price to pay for the pre-purchase inspection and meet the seller at the dealer to have the inspection performed.

 

Also get a VIN report to see if any accidents were recorded and if any milage discrepancies.

Edited February 21, 2016 by borland

[lolder]

Check the VIN # with the dealer to see if these have been done:

1) TSB 10-15-5 Corrects random resets to the default instrument panel display. There are four select-able displays, "Empower" being the most informative

2) "Customer Satisfaction" 10 B 13 Software update to prevent nuisance but startling computer brake failure. When this happened, lights and chimes came on and you had to push over one inch further DOWN on the pedal to resume braking. The sensation was that all braking had been lost.

3) TSB 10-17-11 A software update to the PCM.

 

The original brake pads should still have serviceable thickness to them. There were a few cases of premature wear on the rear pads, cause unknown. If the car was driven conservatively the pads could last another 50K miles. Driver inside door handle failures are a chronic failure problem on all Fusions up to 2013. If the sight gauge in the 12 vdc battery doesn't show green or the original battery is still installed, treat it to a new battery. Bad 12 vdc batteries cause all kinds of strange problems.

There should be no vibrations except a barely noticeable one when decelerating through 45 mph when the ICE stops. It is a very smooth, quiet, mature reliable car with luxury gadgets. Make sure it has all the manuals and read them thoroughly. It is a better car than the 2013+ Fusion hybrids.

[lolder]

Also, in the Owners Guide, there is a maintenance schedule that itemizes things to be doe at 10,000 mile oil change intervals. At 100,000 miles, it is recommended,in addition to routine items, that the spark plugs and both engine and motor/electronics cooling fluids be replaced. It's not a big deal and the spark plugs might last much longer than that.

[mwr]

It is a better car than the 2013+ Fusion hybrids.

Why do you say that?

[lolder]

It has had far less problems than the 2013+.

[mwr]

It has had far less problems than the 2013+.

My 2015 FFH with 20K miles has had no problems at all.

[lolder]

Most cars don't have problems. Some 2013+ models had mold in the HVAC due to a faultily designed duct that required the removal of the instrument panel to repair. There have been transmission case oil leaks and premature transmission failures. There have been numerous other smaller problems. The 2013+ was a completely new car and had teething problems and they also lied about the mpg. It was rated at 47/47/47 and after about a year they lowered the claim and paid the owners many hundreds of dollars each for the "mistake". How Ford ever avoided a huge EPA fine such as applied to other manufacturers for false mpg we'll never know.

[Texasota]

It has had far less problems than the 2013+.

I think that statement is likely true if you are talking only about the 2013 model year. Maybe it might be true of the 2014 model year. But your statement is to large of a brush stroke if you are including the 2015 and 2016 model years. They have had very few problems and have had good reliability ratings from Consumer Reports.

[lolder]

Agreed.