MisterG

Hello, For part number BA5T-14D212-AB which is the SYNC Communication module on my 2011 FFH, I need to replace the original OEM module due to the Bluetooth being flaky. I've called around to various dealers and the quotes for labor are all over the place. I've been told as little as 1 hour to program and 1 hour to install, or as many as 2 hrs to program, and 2 hours to install. Obviously, we're talking about a big difference in Labor Cost to install the part (which I've found a source for on Ebay), so I'm just wondering if there's any mechanics out there who have ever installed one and know for certain how long it actually takes to replace and install the module? It sounds like its almost a free-for-all on things like this. Thanks in advance!

Hello, I am a current 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid owner, but am looking into possibly upgrading to something a little bit newer, though I have low mileage on my 2011. I know generally speaking that from a mechanical perspective, the FFH and MKZ Hybrid are virtually identical, although I don't have information to confirm that. Does anyone have any input on whether there are differences on the engines for one vs the other? I am wondering if possibly the Lincoln may have some extra features to make the engine quieter possibly? I do know that Lincolns are generally more luxurious and generally more well-equipped than the FFH, however, I know there are some FFH that are pretty loaded. I've generally heard that both the Lincoln and Ford hybrids are pretty comparable when it comes to performance and durability as well as well as both not having many mechanical issues. However, I don't know if anyone has any evidence that one is worse than the other? The reason I ask these questions is that a local Nissan dealer has a 2017 MKZ Hybrid with low miles for sale, and I'm tempted to pull the trigger. Any information shared will be appreciated!

Thank you - I will mention this to the mechanic this weekend. I'm assuming its something that's relatively easy to check?

Hi, the heat in my car is sort of strange. First of all, it does work, but it takes a good 10-15 mins to get to the temp I set on the thermostat. What I've noticed in particular about the heat, that I am posting here for, is the temperature of the heat in comparison with other vehicles. In my wife's 2021 Toyota, if you put the thermostat above 70, you will soon be roasting. However, in my Ford, that is not the case. If I want to feel toasty warm on a cold winter day, I need to set the temperature at 80 to feel any significant degree of warmth. After about 20-25 mis, i can eventually turn it down some. So, in a nutshell, the heat does work, but it doesn't work particularly well in comparison with another vehicle. I suspect it is NOT the thermostat, though I have limited repair knowledge. The blowers work fine, so that is not the issue. The A/C was fixed/repaired last year, and that is fine. So, I'm not really sure where the issue might be. I'm taking it to my mechanic this weekend, but wanted to get some ideas before I go there, to better understand what I'm up against.

Hello, I have an 11 with 80k that has a weird issue. The car is normally fine and drives fine and acts fine. However, anytime I go on the highway for a longer trip, inevitably the check engine light comes on and stays on until I shut off the engine. When I re-start the car, the check engine light does not come back on. I've stopped at Auto Zone a few times to have them check the error codes and none of them are particularly conclusive. One of the ones that is puzzling is the error code that states "trouble communicating with ECM". The problem itself sounds electrical in nature. The last time I went to the dealer they stated that the coolant pump was beginning to fail, and thus they replaced it. However, even after doing so, the same problem persists. Was wondering if anyone else experienced a similar issue with a sporadic check engine light that seems to reset itself with every start. I don't drive the highway that often, but whatever the issue is, it does not appear to be serious enough to cause any operational failures or symptoms other than the check engine light coming on. I'm more concerned about the long term implications of the error, as to whether it will eventually get worse. It does seem to be brought on when its warmer, and after the car has been running for 30-45 minutes. Most of my trips are shorter in nature, so its not very predictable.

Thank you! I'll have the dealer check it out, I'm hoping that's the case!

Forgot to mention I also recently had a spark-plug replacment!

Hello, My Ford Fusion Hybrid is a bit of a mystery with regards to mileage. I have just over 80k on the original engine, and the vehicle has recently had numerous things done to it, none of which have resolved the issue 1) Replace 12-Volt Battery 2) Fuel Injection/Throttle Body Cleaning 3) Regular Oil Changes I try to use Top Tier gasoline whenever possible and have a pretty good record with that. However, my fuel economy overall is just over 33MPG, and I primarily drive City Miles. On the highway, I average between 35-37 MPG, which is about what it should be, but in the City, I'm lucky if I can break 35MPG. The car is rated for 41MPG in the city, so, at 33, even if I could get a 15% bump, I'd be happy. Besides the things I've done, is there any cheap, obvious solution that would possibly help? At one time, the car had fault codes about "difficulty communicating with ECM/TCM module", but the car seems to function/operate just fine. I've heard thru the grapevine that the non-hybrid Fusions from 2010-2011 had predictable, regular issues with their ECMs, but not so much with the hybrid. I've got an appointment scheduled with my local Ford dealer next month to check it out, but am not sure they will find anything obvious.

You may want to try something as disconnecting your battery for about 1 minute and then re-connecting. I had some weird issues with my SYNC and same system as yours that were resolved when the battery was disconnected and then reconnected 1 min later.

1) Hello I have a Ford Fusion Hybird 2011 and have a unique problem that seems to be a bit of a mystery. 2) Phone says its connected and can dial a number, but once the number is dialed by SYNC, i cannot hear a thing. 3) Sync says its connected. Turned Bluetooth on/off on both the phone and SYNC. Rebooted Phone. Re-paired the phone. SYNC Master Reset. SYN Module Reset. SYNC Factory Reset. SYNC Key Cycle (several times). 4) Bluetooth Audio NEVER works at the moment though it worked fine last week (as did the phone). It worked fine for almost 2 weeks. 5) Over the weekend, received an alert "Bluetooth Disconnected". Have not been able to re-establish since that time. 6) Have Sony Premium Audio with Navigation and according to Ford's website, I have 4 mini-software updates available for my current software version (point releases) 7) Am hesitant, due to lack of experience, to disconnect the battery, which I've never done before, but I read on google that some folks have gotten success with that. 8) Sync Voice Commands work for everything except BlueTooth Audio. It simply never hears me say "Play". 9) At this point, I'd be just happy if I got the phone to work properly. I have a USB adapter to play my music. 10) Am scheduled to visit the dealer later this week as a last resort. 11) Would like to resolve this before visiting dealership altogether.

Thanks for the interesting info. I used to drive a CMAX a few years ago, and didn't mind it, though as you said, it did not feel as peppy as my Ford Fusion. I'll have to take a Ford Escape Hybrid for a spin to see what I think. I'm not wild about the front end of the Escape, but like the looks of the rest of the vehicle. I wish the front end had a more masculine look, like the Fusion does. Supposedly in other parts of the world, there's a Fusion SUV in the works, which may even replace the Edge, which is supposedly in its last year. However, if I don't like the way the Escape Hybrid drives, I may have to consider other hybrids to do the job.

Hello, I've owned a Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium for about 18 months now, and I was wondering if any of you out there have taken a new Ford Escape Hybrid for a spin to see how it compares to the Fusion Hybrid. From what I've read, here are some of the key notes of interest regarding the similarity in how they drive: 1. Very similar engine to the Fusion Hybrid, though just a bit more powerful. I'm not sure if anyone knows the technical data on if they made any other changes to the engine when they brought back the Escape Hybrid and used the Fusion Hybrid engine? 2. Supposedly unlike many other SUVs, supposedly the Escape Hybrid with similarly equipped engine very much drives and rides like a car. If that's your thing then great, but I suppose if you're looking for something more rugged or SUV-like, then perhaps the Escape Hybrid is not for you. For my taste, seeing as how I like the Ford Fusion hybrid powertrain, I would welcome the similarity on the Ford Escape hybrid, since I'm considering SUVs that ride most like a car, as opposed to an SUV. 3. I was once told by a dealer that small increases in Horsepower in any engine are generally speaking not very detectable. With the Ford Fusion Hybrid at 188hp, and the Ford Escape Hybrid at 200hp, would anyone notice a difference in acceleration in overall power? It might be debate-able. 4. Lastly, I was wondering for anyone that has driven a Ford Escape hybrid, how it's manners compare driving on the highway. My biggest complaint about the Ford Fusion Hybrid is that at highway speeds it is difficult to pass someone quickly, even in normal mode (vs Eco). I was wondering if the Escape Hybrid with its slightly revised powertrain has the same issue or not? I'm primarily asking this question on this forum due to the similarities between the Fusion Hybrid and Escape hybrid that I've noticed in reading reviews on the Escape Hybrid. I'm considering taking the plunge from my Fusion Hybrid to the Escape Hybrid sometime over the next year.

Thanks to all for the reply! It does seem odd that the dealer did this, but will be setting all of them the same!

Have you checked your PSI in your tires? Many members have posted that is a huge factor as well. I live in a wintry area, so my mileage drops in the winter months, but shoots right back up in the spring, summer, and fall. Also, as others have indicated, the tires themselves can impact the mileage, but if you are using the OEM tire, then you should be getting better mileage. It seems for me that the tipping point on the mileage is around 75mph. Going over that seems to drag the economy down.

Hello, Newbie to the group here, sorry if someone posted this before. I recently took my 2017 Fusion Hybrid into a Ford dealer for service, and when I got the car back the tire pressure had been adjusted. The rears were set to be 2-3 lbs lower than the front. In everyone's experience is this a good practice? I for one have always assumed for best fuel economy that all tires should be set to the same PSI. I'm not so much looking for advice on what PSI to inflate my tires to (there are several posts about that), but I was more curious about the practice of making the rears less than the fronts. What have you all seen and what do you feel is the best way to go from a front vs back perspective? I can obviously change the PSI myself, but did not know if there was some benefit to the driving experience or to the MPG by deflating the rear tires in such a manner. Any feedback would be welcome....