When is a hybrid component not a hybrid component?

[rpreuss]

I recently had a surprise issue arise with my Fusion Hybrid Warranty. Or lack thereof.

 

While driving my 2010 Fusion Hybrid, the vehicle stalled and I got the dreaded red triangle "Stop Safely Now" warning. Unfortunately, I was already stopped at a light in the middle of a three lane highway. Long story short, the car would not start and I was flat bed towed to the dealer. Ironically, the odometer read 73333.2 miles.

 

After a day, I got a call from the service writer that the High Voltage Battery cable had to be replaced. I was then told that it was not covered by my extended warranty because that Ford ESP Premium Care bumper to bumper warranty excluded batteries and battery cables! I said that had to apply to the 12 V battery and its cables, not this one. Nope, it wasn't covered. A battery cable is a battery cable.

 

Also, there is the Factory Warranty, 8 years/100000 mile for "Hybrid Unique Components". Apparently, the orange High Voltage Battery Cable that goes from the HVB to the engine compartment is not considered by Ford to be a "UNIQUE HYBRID COMPONENT". (Show me one on a regular Fusion!) The cost for the cable is $1104.23!!! For part number 14300 B. And it comes up on their computer as not covered by the warranty because it is a battery cable.

 

In order to replace the cable, the right front seat, complete rear seat, half the carpet, interior trunk panels had to be removed. Also, the AC had to be recovered and recharged after removing the A/C lines to the evaporator for access to the cable. Ironically, the labor charge was only $200.00. Anyway, none of it was covered by the warranty.

 

Has anyone else had the high voltage cable fail and had to pay for it?

[lolder]

File a report here: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ with NHTSA as a vehicle safety issue. A stalled car in traffic is considered a safety issue. If this happens enough there might be a recall that might cover you retroactively. That's a long shot as I've not heard of this failure before.

Edited May 10, 2016 by lolder

[jeff_h]

Also, there is the Factory Warranty, 8 years/100000 mile for "Hybrid Unique Components". Apparently, the orange High Voltage Battery Cable that goes from the HVB to the engine compartment is not considered by Ford to be a "UNIQUE HYBRID COMPONENT". (Show me one on a regular Fusion!) The cost for the cable is $1104.23!!! For part number 14300 B. And it comes up on their computer as not covered by the warranty because it is a battery cable.

 

Sorry about your frustration, it sure is goofy the way they deem what is covered and what is not. We had a 2006 Escape Hybrid and only had one problem ever with it (over 5 years, it was a great vehicle), the CEL came on so I went to the dealer. The cause was that a fan for the HVB in back was going bad and needed replacement, but was not covered under my extended warranty or the 8/100 hybrid warranty. I said the exact thing that you did above, that "how could Ford say this is not related to the hybrid system when that's the only reason it exists back there?" but like your battery cable situation, maybe they reasoned that well there are fans elsewhere on the car so it's not covered. Pretty goofy and very frustrating...

[PJFW8]

Take them to court and no judge will disagree with you! The warranty may require mediation (haven't looked recently) but that is even easier. Don't be shy! "Unique hybrid component" has a plain meaning and this is unique to a hybrid system. I hear Ford also claims that the transmission is also not unique. Non-sense. I was a lawyer for 36 years and did the last 11 as a circuit court judge. This would be fun. You CAN do this yourself.

[lolder]

The hybrid transmission is covered as a hybrid component. The other hybrid components covered by warranty are specifically listed. If you would have ruled differently, it would have been overturned on appeal. Don't bother to sue Ford.

[rpreuss]

You are right. They give specific components that ARE covered:

 

"high-voltage battery, continuously variable

transmission and the DC/DC converter. In addition, the high-voltage battery

connector, fan assembly, thermister probe, hybrid battery pack sensor

module (HBPSM), and the battery energy control module (BECM) are

covered for the Fusion Hybrid"

I'm curious if a "high-voltage battery connector" isn't a cable? But to only include certain hybrid components is sneaky. And for jeff_h, what is a "fan assembly"?

 

So, my 2017 Fusion Energi is going on a 3 year lease that should include everything but battery cables. :lol:

[lolder]

The fan is a thermostatically controlled blower in the HVB used for cooling. They usually don't run much and are pretty quiet.

[md13ffhguy]

The fan is a thermostatically controlled blower in the HVB used for cooling. They usually don't run much and are pretty quiet.

I'm guessing he knows what a fan assembly is. I think his question was rhetorical, based on Jeff's statement that his fan was not covered.

[lolder]

In the early Escape hybrids, there was a secondary AC system that cooled the HVB and maybe that was the fan assembly not covered. In all later (2010+) Ford hybrids there is only an air circulation fan for the HVB which is covered.

Edited May 16, 2016 by lolder

[PJFW8]

The hybrid transmission is covered as a hybrid component. The other hybrid components covered by warranty are specifically listed. If you would have ruled differently, it would have been overturned on appeal. Don't bother to sue Ford.

Except that customers have had trouble having transmissions replaced under the hybrid as opposed to the drivetrain warranty.

[lolder]

There can always be problems with individual dealers and I consider some of them a criminal class. My 2010 FFH Warranty Guide, pg. 10 lists "continuously variable transmission" as being covered by the hybrid warranty. The hybrid transmission is one unit that includes all the gears and both motor/generators. Have any hybrid transmission replacements within the warranty period been denied on appeal to Ford?

[PJFW8]

Not sure, but I've had to escalate with customer services and Ford executive services a couple of times. Frustrating but ultimately successful. Since Ford began allowing customer service to use this and other forums things have greatly improved. My point is you sometimes need to push. The dealer is not always willing to go to bat for you especially with cars they prefer not to sell or service like the CMax and Fusion hybrid/Energi.