Consumer Reports advises of free brake system software fix for 2010!

[Davis Adams]

Check the link! It links to consumer reports blog.

 

http://bit.ly/9XPnfl

[Peaker010]

FORD CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM

 

Ford is proactively announcing a customer satisfaction program to update the software of the regenerative brake system of some 2010-model Ford Fusion Hybrids and Mercury Milan Hybrids.

 

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 4, 2010 – Today, we are announcing a customer satisfaction program to update the software of the regenerative brake system of some 2010-model Ford Fusion Hybrids and Mercury Milan Hybrids.

 

We have received reports that some drivers have experienced a different brake feel when the hybrid’s unique regenerative brakes switch to conventional hydraulic braking. While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes.

 

To be clear, the Fusion and Milan Hybrids’ brake system maintains full conventional brakes and full ABS function even as the customer sees visual indicators and hears a chime. The software threshold to transition from regenerative brakes to conventional brakes can cause the system to transition to conventional brakes unnecessarily.

 

The software upgrade will reduce unnecessary occurrences of the vehicle switching from regenerative braking to conventional hydraulic brakes.

 

Customers with affected vehicles will receive a notice in the mail. We are asking owners of affected vehicles to have vehicle software reprogrammed at dealers at no charge.

 

There have been no injuries related to this condition.

[lolder]

I wonder if this is the solution to the brake problem rather than the harness rewiring of the earlier TSB?

[rfruth]

Wonder why Ford did this in the middle of Toyota's nightmare, are they (FOMOCO) trying to solve an ongoing issue or do they know there is blood in the water & the sharks are circling so why not push out an update and hope for some good PR ?

Edited February 5, 2010 by rfruth

[junehhan]

It might be because the social parasites(trial lawyers) are getting ready to have a feeding frenzy at the expense of Toyota. My understanding is that this issue was discovered and publicized by Consumer Reports of all publications. My guess is that Ford wants to simply nip this at the bud, and just get it taken care of before the media decide to blow yet another issue out of proportion. Ford has already stated that this is a software issue, and at no point are you without brakes. I have not had this issue at all, and I probably will not go to the dealer to get this new calibration unless I have to go for something else in the future(such as my free oil changes).

[Howie411]

If they do a free carwash after all this snow I'd take mine in too. :)

[c5jet]

From the Consumer Reports blog:

Ford estimates that approximately 18,000 2010-model Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids could be vulnerable to the electronic brake-software glitch but only a tiny fraction will ever exhibit it. Ford explained, "The software threshold to transition from regenerative brakes to conventional brakes can cause the system to transition to conventional brakes unnecessarily."

 

Okay, I'm not a probability and statistics expert, but I did take classes in college. What do you think the chances are that included in the "tiny fraction" of people that Ford thinks might experience this problem would be a major publication like Consumer Reports? Either Ford just got really unlucky, or more than a "tiny fraction" of people are going to see this problem. I'm guessing that Ford really believes the latter and that's why they are proactively fixing the problem. Of course it could also be that they are really spooked by the spanking that Toyota is taking...

Edited February 5, 2010 by c5jet

[cchaos]

It's not something you want to hear, but it doesn't sound that serious either. Until a fix can be had, just be aware that the brakes will still work if the situation ever arises; you may just have to press down harder. I've had my FFH since last April and have never had any issue with the brakes. Glad to see Ford is being proactive and promptly issuing a fix, rather than waiting years to admit that a problem exists.

 

[edit - haha akirby, well I did type that at 2am :). Fixed. ].

Edited February 5, 2010 by cchaos

[akirby]

just be aware that the breaks will still work if the situation ever arises; you may just have to press down harder. I've had my FFH since last April and have never had any issue with the breaks.

 

That's good, but what about the brakes?

[Grey]

Another case of exaggerating the headline to get people to read the article-----

 

"While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes"

 

If the regenerative braking does not engage, press harder on the brake pedal - it just feels different. Your regular brakes still operate.

[Oman]

This has been a tough driving Winter here in Minnesota. We have had ice, snow, warm, sleet, ice, snow, rinse, repeat. I traded in a giant 4WD Expedition for the FFH. I had been worrying about Winter but I have been very pleasantly surprised. The traction control is very good considering the complexities of the mixed drive train. The braking has also been better than I expected. The slush and water performance is great especially considering the low RR tires. I think Ford has done a great job and I'm happy to see them doing some tuning where they feel it is needed.

 

Jon

 

 

Another case of exaggerating the headline to get people to read the article-----

 

"While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes"

 

If the regenerative braking does not engage, press harder on the brake pedal - it just feels different. Your regular brakes still operate.

[jamgolf]

I have put on about 19000 miles on my FFH and I have not experienced any sensation of loss of braking in this time. I have taken cross country trips and done a bunch of local driving.

 

If anything I think the regenerative braking adds to the braking capability and I am confident that that car will stop even before the point where I would anticipate another car to stop.

 

I think I will skip this software update - as I believe "if ain't broke dont fix it".

 

For those who have experienced this, I applaud Ford to offer a solution.

 

Cheers!

[smr2112]

Magic date is on or before Oct 17, 2009. Can anybody confirm they have experienced this issue?

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0497845

[rfruth]

question, is it true the less a vehicle weighs the more likely you are to experience this or am I all wet ? (no problem here)

[Rodeo]

Ford does this amid the Toyota meltdown in hopes the Ford problems pale in comparison to Toyotas (which it does) and doesnt tarninsh the FFH as badly as it might or could. One thing about Toyota, you can bet the ranch that Toyota will be a high quality car to buy once again in the near future. One photo of the CEO of Toyota "bowing" was enough to convince me of that. 2011 Toyotas will be top quality. Car Companies are all the same though and they live in denial until the economics of a repair or recall make it the right route to pursue financially. Whatever hurts them less is what they do, regardless of injury to the buyers / owners / drivers. Thats one thing the Japanese have learned well from the American Car Companys.

Edited February 5, 2010 by Rodeo

[RWFFH10]

I have put on about 19000 miles on my FFH and I have not experienced any sensation of loss of braking in this time. I have taken cross country trips and done a bunch of local driving.

 

If anything I think the regenerative braking adds to the braking capability and I am confident that that car will stop even before the point where I would anticipate another car to stop.

 

I think I will skip this software update - as I believe "if ain't broke dont fix it".

 

For those who have experienced this, I applaud Ford to offer a solution.

 

Cheers!

 

I called my dealer this morning and they weren't aware of the issue right away but called me back after about 10 minutes and said the software update is available. My car is in the shop today for this fix. Just because you haven't experienced this issue in the past is no guarantee that you won't at some time in the future. Many of these glitches are not reproducible during a test drive and only occur when the stars align. Note that Consumer Reports strongly recommends getting this fix.

[junehhan]

I have to say that this was fast! My dealer just called me this morning at 8:25am to notify me of the software update to address this issue with the brakes. I told him that i'll come in at some point, but likely not until I come in for my free oil change. At no time are you ever without brakes, and i'll just make sure i'm ready to slam the brakes in case this ever happens to me.

[skluck]

I have to say that this was fast! My dealer just called me this morning at 8:25am to notify me of the software update to address this issue with the brakes. I told him that i'll come in at some point, but likely not until I come in for my free oil change. At no time are you ever without brakes, and i'll just make sure i'm ready to slam the brakes in case this ever happens to me.

Wow that's impressive. Sounds like you have a pretty good dealer. I'll probably wait until the summer. Maybe they can do other updates to the system while I'm there.

[ctrcbob]

I called my dealer this morning and they weren't aware of the issue right away but called me back after about 10 minutes and said the software update is available. My car is in the shop today for this fix. Just because you haven't experienced this issue in the past is no guarantee that you won't at some time in the future. Many of these glitches are not reproducible during a test drive and only occur when the stars align. Note that Consumer Reports strongly recommends getting this fix.

 

Spoke with the long time Service Writer at my local dealer, and mentioned this problem to him. His answer was "This is the first I've heard of this". :finger: How many times has anyone taken their car in with a problem, and had the Service Department tell them the same thing? Another thing they love to say is "Sorry Mr. Xxxxxx, but we have not been able to duplicate the problem".

How many times have Toyota Dealers (gas pedals and Prius brakes) and Ford Dealers (FFH brakes) heard that? :censored:

Just because they "have not been able to duplicate the problem" does not make it any safer.

Edited February 5, 2010 by ctrcbob

[Grey]

From what I have read, the loss of regenerative braking assist happened to one of the Ford engineers as he was putting the vehicle through serious braking and handling situations. I understand that one or two owners may have experienced this rare phenomenom but the vehicle still had full braking function and everything was back to normal after a restart.

 

But ----that doesn't make headlines or stir up a panic response - so the media creates "disaster" headlines to get us to read the fine details - even Consumer Reports.

 

So Ford - here is a lesson for you -----No good deed will go unpunished!

[RWFFH10]

Spoke with the long time Service Writer at my local dealer, and mentioned this problem to him. His answer was "This is the first I've heard of this". :finger: How many times has anyone taken their car in with a problem, and had the Service Department tell them the same thing? Another thing they love to say is "Sorry Mr. Xxxxxx, but we have not been able to duplicate the problem".

How many times have Toyota Dealers (gas pedals and Prius brakes) and Ford Dealers (FFH brakes) heard that? :censored:

Just because they "have not been able to duplicate the problem" does not make it any safer.

 

Ford just announced this yesterday afternoon so it's not too surprising they weren't familiar with it. They told me the fix on my Fusion was smooth and didn't take long at all. The instrument cluster reset along with long term fuel economy which I was expecting to happen. Kudos to Ford for their excellent handling of this issue. As noted in the Consumer Reports article this is campaign 10B13.

[mxmx]

Honestly I can't tell from "feel" which brakes are in use at any given time, but just over the last couple of days I did notice instances where I was braking but not seeing the indication that the battery was charging. Is this the issue they're talking about? I've just had my 6 month maintenance and everything has been fine. However, I have had brake squeaking almost since the beginning.

[DaveM]

Honestly I can't tell from "feel" which brakes are in use at any given time, but just over the last couple of days I did notice instances where I was braking but not seeing the indication that the battery was charging. Is this the issue they're talking about? I've just had my 6 month maintenance and everything has been fine. However, I have had brake squeaking almost since the beginning.

Mine does that when it is very cold out and the car hasn't warmed up. But once I driven a few miles the indication of battery charging while braking reappears. I hope this is normal.

[Zacher]

Mine does that when it is very cold out and the car hasn't warmed up. But once I driven a few miles the indication of battery charging while braking reappears. I hope this is normal.

 

DaveM.. I've experienced the exact same thing. When it's cold out (in Canada it's always cold in winter :D) , the regen braking just doesn't kick in for the first block or so of driving. When I apply the brakes it feels like straight friction pads. I never thought twice about it, but it always startles me, and no alarms have come on because of it.

 

Too add, nothing on www.myford.ca for a recall or customer satisfaction. I purchased my car in April and received in August.

[smr2112]

Anybody have the actual PDF for TSB 09-22-11 ?