53 replies to this topic

[Cobra348]

 

If you avoid buying something because once or twice in a million it doesn't work, seems like there would be nothing on the market to buy.

 

The BLIS in my wife's 2010 MKT works just fine, as it has in at least 30 other Ford vehicles I've driven with it.  Unfortunately as with everything mass produced, there are always some that won't work, but that small percentage is no reason to avoid buying something you might otherwise want.

My initial decision to avoid BLIS was because I was familiar with the standard mirror arrangement from owning a Fiesta.  Properly adjusted I can have virtually no blind spots so my thought was "why buy this when I can have success with the base setup?"   Since then I have toyed with getting it on the next car, and I can cope with it reporting hedges and the like ... but the possibility of the electronic fluff at the wrong time just doesn't sit well with me.  These cars are already techno-marvels ... why add more potential for pain?

[darrelld]

BLIS on my 2014 Fusion Titanium has not worked correctly since delivery. This week it returned from Five Star Ford of Plano for the 3rd time without a fix.

I filed a formal complaint with NHTSA regarding this safety issue. Non BLIS equipped Fusions come with a blind spot mirror and BLIS systems do not. Safety problem occurs when the BLIS systems do not work correctly and you have no manual means such as the blind spot mirror to fall back on.

 

I would encourage everyone with the malfunctioning BLIS to file a complaint with NHTSA here; https://www-odi.nhts...hicleComplaint/

 

 

Video I made clearly demonstrates the problem;

 

 

I sent my dealer a video on how to fix the problem;

 

 

My daughter has 2017 Volt arriving next week and I will compare how well Fords system works vs Chevy.

Edited by darrelld, 12 May 2016 - 01:18 PM.

[darrelld]

My initial decision to avoid BLIS was because I was familiar with the standard mirror arrangement from owning a Fiesta.  Properly adjusted I can have virtually no blind spots so my thought was "why buy this when I can have success with the base setup?"   Since then I have toyed with getting it on the next car, and I can cope with it reporting hedges and the like ... but the possibility of the electronic fluff at the wrong time just doesn't sit well with me.  These cars are already techno-marvels ... why add more potential for pain?

I have BLIS on my 2016 Subaru Outback and it works perfectly, I believe its a problem with Fords implementation that's the problem. When you think of Ford and advanced technology you think of Microsoft Sync.

Edited by darrelld, 12 May 2016 - 01:22 PM.

[thrasher086]

BLIS on my 2014 Fusion Titanium has not worked correctly since delivery. This week it returned from Five Star Ford of Plano for the 3rd time without a fix.

I filed a formal complaint with NHTSA regarding this safety issue. Non BLIS equipped Fusions come with a blind spot mirror and BLIS systems do not. Safety problem occurs when the BLIS systems do not work correctly and you have no manual means such as the blind spot mirror to fall back on.

 

I would encourage everyone with the malfunctioning BLIS to file a complaint with NHTSA here; https://www-odi.nhts...hicleComplaint/

 

 

Video I made clearly demonstrates the problem;

 

 

I sent my dealer a video on how to fix the problem;

 

 

My daughter has 2017 Volt arriving next week and I will compare how well Fords system works vs Chevy.

 

I have the same issue for the most part that you have in your video but on the driver side. The other video you posed shows a fault message when he starts the car. I wish mine did that since I could get it repaired with no issue. My car doesn't say anything is wrong even though the system messes up more than half the time. I had to shut it off since it's bad but I want this damn thing fixed.

[darrelld]

 

I have the same issue for the most part that you have in your video but on the driver side. The other video you posed shows a fault message when he starts the car. I wish mine did that since I could get it repaired with no issue. My car doesn't say anything is wrong even though the system messes up more than half the time. I had to shut it off since it's bad but I want this damn thing fixed.

 

I emailed Ford Customer service and this quote sums up their reply.

 

"Please note that Ford Motor Company’s engineering department will not allow, in most cases,  a repair to a vehicle unless one of the following occurs:  (a) the dealer is able to duplicate the concern or (b) there is a trouble code found in the vehicle’s computer system.   At this time, since the dealership has not been able to duplicate your concern, we would recommend that you test drive with either the technician, shop foreman or service manager of the dealership so that the concern with the vehicle can be duplicated for them.
Please advise how you would like to proceed."

Edited by darrelld, 13 May 2016 - 05:59 PM.

[lolder]

I have heard that certain RF devices can interfere with BLIS and CTA. A dirty lower rear fender can cause problems. There also have been true faults with the systems. My 2010 mirror coverage is complete and I seldom look at the BLIS. I use the CTA all the time and I don't know what I'd do without it as most of my parking is nose in between SUVs. It gives some false positive warnings. I love it.

[darrelld]

My NHTSA complaint is here;

 

http://www-odi.nhtsa...O0QVM126XKMRXBA

 

Ford is selling BLIS as a safety enhancement which is clearly doesn't not enhance in my case. Maybe this is more a case for the FTC for false advertising a product that doesn't work reliably.

[thrasher086]

 

I emailed Ford Customer service and this quote sums up their reply.

 

"Please note that Ford Motor Company’s engineering department will not allow, in most cases,  a repair to a vehicle unless one of the following occurs:  (a) the dealer is able to duplicate the concern or (b) there is a trouble code found in the vehicle’s computer system.   At this time, since the dealership has not been able to duplicate your concern, we would recommend that you test drive with either the technician, shop foreman or service manager of the dealership so that the concern with the vehicle can be duplicated for them.
Please advise how you would like to proceed."

 

I am actually able to duplicate the problem pretty easily and showed the dealer. They give me the speech how I need some sort of error or fault. Basically the car needs to say my sensor is bad. It's horrible that mechanics now cannot fix something unless the car tells them to even though they can see the issue. I was told to go to another dealer of a second opinion. It's a shame because this is the only issue as of now that I have with the car and this is my first Ford, will be my last if I can't get this fixed at some point. Right now I am just dealing with it by shutting it off.

 

Oh and it works almost 100% correctly when it's raining. Can anyone figure that puzzle out?

Edited by thrasher086, 16 May 2016 - 07:45 AM.

[darrelld]

 

I am actually able to duplicate the problem pretty easily and showed the dealer. They give me the speech how I need some sort of error or fault. Basically the car needs to say my sensor is bad. It's horrible that mechanics now cannot fix something unless the car tells them to even though they can see the issue. I was told to go to another dealer of a second opinion. It's a shame because this is the only issue as of now that I have with the car and this is my first Ford, will be my last if I can't get this fixed at some point. Right now I am just dealing with it by shutting it off.

 

Oh and it works almost 100% correctly when it's raining. Can anyone figure that puzzle out?

 

I performed some troubleshooting on my own and informed the dealer of my test methodology. The error detection system is probably built into the BLIS module and delivers any messages to the CAN bus so the central controller can display and capture any codes thrown by the module.

 

According to the owners manual any degradation in the sensors ability to detect objects within the radar sensing path should warn the driver. I taped a piece of tin foil directly over the sensor and drove through medium traffic to see if the sensor can detect signal degradation and notify the driver. As I suspected the BLIS sensor never detects any problems with its operation. This indicates 2 possible scenarios;

 

1. Ford had difficulty with the reliability of the BLIS error detection and disabled it in the controller.

2. The sensor on the right rear side is defective and not capable of detecting if it actually works or not and so no error code.

 

Scenario 1 is an issue for NHTSA similar to the VW case

Scenario 2 means they just need to replace the sensor

Edited by darrelld, 16 May 2016 - 08:40 AM.

[tr7driver]

I wonder if there would be a way to force the system to generate an error then take it to the dealer. Maybe disconnect a sensor for a drive through traffic, get the code, then plug it back in and take it to the dealer.

[thrasher086]

 

I performed some troubleshooting on my own and informed the dealer of my test methodology. The error detection system is probably built into the BLIS module and delivers any messages to the CAN bus so the central controller can display and capture any codes thrown by the module.

 

According to the owners manual any degradation in the sensors ability to detect objects within the radar sensing path should warn the driver. I taped a piece of tin foil directly over the sensor and drove through medium traffic to see if the sensor can detect signal degradation and notify the driver. As I suspected the BLIS sensor never detects any problems with its operation. This indicates 2 possible scenarios;

 

1. Ford had difficulty with the reliability of the BLIS error detection and disabled it in the controller.

2. The sensor on the right rear side is defective and not capable of detecting if it actually works or not and so no error code.

 

Scenario 1 is an issue for NHTSA similar to the VW case

Scenario 2 means they just need to replace the sensor

 

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. I honestly think it's scenario 2, if they replace the sensor, then it will be fine going forward. Due to no error or code, this will not happen easily.

 

 

I wonder if there would be a way to force the system to generate an error then take it to the dealer. Maybe disconnect a sensor for a drive through traffic, get the code, then plug it back in and take it to the dealer.

 

I was thinking of doing this also, darrelid did the tin foil which I was actuality going to try to do but it didn't work for him. Disconnecting a sensor is a bit more work but if I could get a code then I guess it will be worth it in the end.

[darrelld]

Dealer swapped my right rear BLIS module to see if that fixes the  problem. Will report back in a few days to let everyone know if this is now resolved.

 

They did inform me the module cost is $1100.00, good to get this completed under warranty.

Edited by darrelld, 17 May 2016 - 03:39 PM.

[thrasher086]

Dealer swapped my right rear BLIS module to see if that fixes the  problem. Will report back in a few days to let everyone know if this is now resolved.

 

They did inform me the module cost is $1100.00, good to get this completed under warranty.

 

Did yours have any error codes coming up for them to approve this or they finally caved in?

[darrelld]

 

Did yours have any error codes coming up for them to approve this or they finally caved in?

 

I never got any error, the dealer decided to swap my module with a car they had in stock to prove the problem to Ford. On my drive to and from work yesterday and today it has worked flawlessly. I am to report back to the dealership of a successful fix and they will take it from there.

 

Big thumbs up to Five Star Ford Plano for taking care of this.

[thrasher086]

 

I never got any error, the dealer decided to swap my module with a car they had in stock to prove the problem to Ford. On my drive to and from work yesterday and today it has worked flawlessly. I am to report back to the dealership of a successful fix and they will take it from there.

 

Big thumbs up to Five Star Ford Plano for taking care of this.

 

Yeah keep me updated because I am going insane with this whole issue and I just want the sensor replaced and hate getting backlash from the dealer I go to and Ford which they both gave the same answer. I understand that they don't want to be replacing parts that might not be bad but I brought it in too many times for the same issue which goes nowhere.

[tr7driver]

Can the sensors be swapped left to right?  That could confirm the issue.

[darrelld]

 

Yeah keep me updated because I am going insane with this whole issue and I just want the sensor replaced and hate getting backlash from the dealer I go to and Ford which they both gave the same answer. I understand that they don't want to be replacing parts that might not be bad but I brought it in too many times for the same issue which goes nowhere.

 

The only thing I could suggest is file directly with Ford Customer Service and file a complaint with NHTSA. Once your NHTSA complaint goes live in about a day you send them a copy of the complaint directly from the NHTSA web site. The BLIS sensor on the right side seems to have a factory defect and the only way Ford will address it is through NHTSA apparently. In my case the dealer took care of this but the primary problem seems to come from Ford Corporate red tape. NHTSA can cut through red tape like no one else and a defective blind spot sensor is definitely a safety issue.

[thrasher086]

 

The only thing I could suggest is file directly with Ford Customer Service and file a complaint with NHTSA. Once your NHTSA complaint goes live in about a day you send them a copy of the complaint directly from the NHTSA web site. The BLIS sensor on the right side seems to have a factory defect and the only way Ford will address it is through NHTSA apparently. In my case the dealer took care of this but the primary problem seems to come from Ford Corporate red tape. NHTSA can cut through red tape like no one else and a defective blind spot sensor is definitely a safety issue.

 

Mine is the driver side though. Passenger works great actually. Well I already talked to a Ford Rep so that is filed. I guess next is what you said and to file one with NHTSA.

 

Once NHTSA goes live, then who am I sending the complaint to though? Back to Ford? It seems anyone can file one so it is strange to me why Ford would respond differently. 

[darrelld]

 

Mine is the driver side though. Passenger works great actually. Well I already talked to a Ford Rep so that is filed. I guess next is what you said and to file one with NHTSA.

 

Once NHTSA goes live, then who am I sending the complaint to though? Back to Ford? It seems anyone can file one so it is strange to me why Ford would respond differently. 

 

NHTSA registers your VIN number with a specific safety complaint. The motivation from Ford is to handle silently rather than have the embarrassment and publicity of a NHTSA investigation and possible forced recall if it goes that far. Ford doesn't seem to have any motivation at this point to do anything.

 

The ongoing BLIS problem is why I ended up with a Subaru Outback instead of considering a Ford Edge.

Edited by darrelld, 18 May 2016 - 12:28 PM.

[thrasher086]

 

NHTSA registers your VIN number with a specific safety complaint. The motivation from Ford is to handle silently rather than have the embarrassment and publicity of a NHTSA investigation and possible forced recall if it goes that far. Ford doesn't seem to have any motivation at this point to do anything.

 

The ongoing BLIS problem is why I ended up with a Subaru Outback instead of considering a Ford Edge.

 

Yeah, your dealer did you a solid since they can't order a module unless they have some documented code (at least that is what I was told). I created the NHTSA complaint and i'll have to speak up on my next oil change even though I am tired of this. What ever happened to this site's designated Ford rep? Was always a nice touch to see people get helped out after they chimed in for their details.