2010 Fusion Sport FM sound quality fluctuation w/12 speaker system

[coupe68gt390]

This is my first post on the forum since owning my second Fusion, a 2010 Sport with Moon and Tune as the only option. With the dizzying array of audio possibilities the system offers I haven't listened to the radio very much. However, I noticed that while listening to FM stereo on a local station the sound goes from muffled bass with no treble to a great full sound, constantly fading in and out even while sitting still. Has anyone else experienced this issue? It is quite annoying.

 

Love my Sport otherwise!! Loved my '06 SE I-4 5spd as well!

[oldschool1962]

We have a 2010 FFH with the 502A package and just had the radio replaced. The reason wasn't because of what you mention but I can say that I did notice that after a while. Just thought it was from how they transmit and possible atmospheric influences. Our issue was that I loaded about 300 CD's worth of songs into the Media Jukebox feature and about 3 weeks ago the songs would skip or pause (for a second) when going over bumps. It was never in the same spot but would happen to all the songs. The size of the bump or pothole didn't matter nor did it do it consistantly. Some bumps you would have thought it would go crazy and it didn't while others were nothing more than the lane reflectors and it went nutz.

 

As I said they did replace the radio unfortunately the wrong one was sent. Mine has the altitude listed on the Info screen and the new radio doesn't. From what I gathered it's a difference in the production dates as the newer dates have the Altitude.

 

The one thing I did notice too was that the radio will skip out now in FM as well as Sat.

 

I haven't rre downloaded any of my cd's because the radio has to be replaced again.

 

I remember that the tech and writers asked if the radio skipped duing FM or Sat as well. I have to ask why would this matter? I haven't had a radio that skipped like this since...........actually I don't remember when It may have been that radio in the '66 Mustang but that was an old analog with the mechanical preset buttons that had to be pulled out, turned and pressed back in to set your 6 stations. :confused:

 

I figured with the Sony and Sync systems and their respective cost.......shouldn't all the music be clear and precise without issues in this car? :doh:

[brand1399]

This is my first post on the forum since owning my second Fusion, a 2010 Sport with Moon and Tune as the only option. With the dizzying array of audio possibilities the system offers I haven't listened to the radio very much. However, I noticed that while listening to FM stereo on a local station the sound goes from muffled bass with no treble to a great full sound, constantly fading in and out even while sitting still. Has anyone else experienced this issue? It is quite annoying.

 

Love my Sport otherwise!! Loved my '06 SE I-4 5spd as well!

 

 

I have the same issue.. What is your email address so we can talk more directly?

[Farns514]

I have the same issue.. What is your email address so we can talk more directly?

I too have also noticed that, it bugs the heck out of me. When i bring my vehicle in next i am definitely going to ask them

[brand1399]

I too have also noticed that, it bugs the heck out of me. When i bring my vehicle in next i am definitely going to ask them

 

 

Let us know what he says.

[87agman]

I just purchased a 2010 Ford Fusion with the12 speaker Sony radio, and I also noticed a small fluctuation in sound quality while listening to the radio. The sound will go from crisp, clear sound to a more muffled sound, acting as though the stereo signal was being lost or something. The stereo light stays solid, though -- it doesn't flicker or anything. For me, the change is subtle -- I didn't know if I was imagining the problem or not, but my son confirmed that he can hear the change in tone as well.

 

Did the folks that have had this issue have any luck at the dealership?

[brand1399]

I just purchased a 2010 Ford Fusion with the12 speaker Sony radio, and I also noticed a small fluctuation in sound quality while listening to the radio. The sound will go from crisp, clear sound to a more muffled sound, acting as though the stereo signal was being lost or something. The stereo light stays solid, though -- it doesn't flicker or anything. For me, the change is subtle -- I didn't know if I was imagining the problem or not, but my son confirmed that he can hear the change in tone as well.

 

Did the folks that have had this issue have any luck at the dealership?

 

 

As far as I know, none of us have had any luck. I told my dealership about it, they even heard it, but didn't seem to care to fix it. I even called Ford about it and they said they have never heard about that issue. If we all work together, maybe we can do something.

 

It seems like all of us have the 12 speaker sony system.. is this correct?

[Rodeo]

I haven't noticed that yet, but then again I haven't driven my car much at all since bringing it home less then a week ago. I can say though without a doubt that the 12 speaker Sony 390 watt system is a true disappointment. Nothing special about the sound, nor power either. I think my Ford Escape has a better system (audiophile) with better bass for sure. I sure hope I don't find there are other problems too....

[brand1399]

I haven't noticed that yet, but then again I haven't driven my car much at all since bringing it home less then a week ago. I can say though without a doubt that the 12 speaker Sony 390 watt system is a true disappointment. Nothing special about the sound, nor power either. I think my Ford Escape has a better system (audiophile) with better bass for sure. I sure hope I don't find there are other problems too....

 

Let us know if you hear it as well. I'm just about 100% sure you will..

[Rodeo]

Let us know if you hear it as well. I'm just about 100% sure you will..

Are you guys sure it's not the "Automatic Volume Control" that kicking in and messing with your heads? Try lowering the AVC (or whatever it's called by Ford) and see what happens. Heck, I even have that on my Harley and it works like a charm while riding.

[brand1399]

Are you guys sure it's not the "Automatic Volume Control" that kicking in and messing with your heads? Try lowering the AVC (or whatever it's called by Ford) and see what happens. Heck, I even have that on my Harley and it works like a charm while riding.

 

 

Postive... well, atleast with me. I've even turned that off... when I found out it wasent that, i turned it back on cause it's a great feature.

[24kmach]

I have the Moon and Tune package also in my Fusion Sport. No problems with the radio and love the sounds it puts out.

[Rodeo]

Just did a 1000 mile business trip and didn't notice any fluctuations. I listened to Sirius most of the time and occasionally to my ipod via the USB connection and sync. Something like the fluctuation you described would drive me nuts, especially in a new car and really especially in a new car I paid good money to upgrade the stereo in, (which is definitely over-hyped as far as overall quality and power too.) I think they're doing away with the Sony system for 2011 according to the 2011 order guide.

Edited May 20, 2010 by Rodeo

[TomV]

It appears the radio is compensating for signal strength. See this post for more details.

 

http://www.fordforums.com/f480/2010-escape-am-fm-radio-sound-quality-issue-168459/

[golfafire]

I am having the same exact issue. Please advise if anyone gets a dealer fix for this....

[mrkyle3]

This is my first post on the forum since owning my second Fusion, a 2010 Sport with Moon and Tune as the only option. With the dizzying array of audio possibilities the system offers I haven't listened to the radio very much. However, I noticed that while listening to FM stereo on a local station the sound goes from muffled bass with no treble to a great full sound, constantly fading in and out even while sitting still. Has anyone else experienced this issue? It is quite annoying.

 

Love my Sport otherwise!! Loved my '06 SE I-4 5spd as well!

 

I have this exact same problem with my brand new 2010 sport. I also have the 12 speaker sony system. I have yet to try using an mp3 player and haven't really used sirius enough to judge that.

 

As for the post a few above me, how do you show the signal strength on the radio display? What buttons do i need to press?

[unowho007]

Have same issue while listening to fm radio.

[coupe68gt390]

Anyone have any luck with figuring this out? I haven't had the dealer look at mine, but it is definitely still doing it and now that the overpriced, crappy tin can sounding Sirius subscription is up I am listening to it more and it drives me nuts! Thank goodness the bluetooth works awesome on my Droid X or I'd be bitching up a storm to Ford!

Edited August 16, 2010 by coupe68gt390

[Waldo]

There's a new TSB out (came out on July 6th) that addresses this issue. Sounds like they replace the radio unit, but the new units have some kind of software fix that previous replacement radios wouldn't have had.

[jamco44]

I have a 2010 FFH with Sony 12 speaker audio....This has to be one of the greatest disappointments in the vehicle. The sound is under powered, seems like it has a midrange audio only. When the auto sound control is set to on the sound quality sounds better when your up to speed, greater frequency and fuller sound still not great but when you idle or slow you go back into a can. If you turn it off your back to sounding like your in a can. I have the nav unit as well but my plan is to go to a high quality auto sound shop and rip the whole mess out and somehow still use the nav head unit if possible. Anyway if anyone knows about something officially wrong with this 12 speaker sony, like Ford is replacing, it would be helpful otherwise that thing has to go.

[Brian Krebs]

I have a 2010 FFH with Sony 12 speaker audio....This has to be one of the greatest disappointments in the vehicle. The sound is under powered, seems like it has a midrange audio only. When the auto sound control is set to on the sound quality sounds better when your up to speed, greater frequency and fuller sound still not great but when you idle or slow you go back into a can. If you turn it off your back to sounding like your in a can. I have the nav unit as well but my plan is to go to a high quality auto sound shop and rip the whole mess out and somehow still use the nav head unit if possible. Anyway if anyone knows about something officially wrong with this 12 speaker sony, like Ford is replacing, it would be helpful otherwise that thing has to go.

 

Don't know if anything's "officially" wrong, but like most factory car stereos, you're not going to get great quality. I agree that it's underpowered, I can crank mine up, USB, radio or satellite and it just never seems like it gets that loud. Is this a byproduct of "We don't want to get sued for damaging your hearing", I don't know. I'm not a great fan of Sony, but you would think with 12 speakers, you could get some substantial volume and hey, even dynamic range, but the fact that all you're given for sound control is bass, treble, balance, fade and speed compensation(I won't even mention stereo vs surround because all it does is make it even quieter) is weak at best. With a 12 speaker sound system, they should at least give you some kind of multi-channel equalizer to tailor the sound to those of us that aren't tone deaf.

[btrky]

There's a new TSB out (came out on July 6th) that addresses this issue. Sounds like they replace the radio unit, but the new units have some kind of software fix that previous replacement radios wouldn't have had.

 

Do you know the TSB number?

[bliss515]

I have the Same Problem !!!! any new news? I took mine to the dealership TWICE and they replaced some Fm module......well it didnt work either time, so its going to be going back again !

[djdcz1]

Any updates? I have a 2011 fusion sport w/ the 12 speaker sony system and having the same FM sound fluctuation.

[djdcz1]

Weird thing has happened to me three times.

 

I'll be listening to some FM and the sound will fluctuate, ending up sounding really low (bass/treble)

 

So I decided to put on some MP3's and it still didn't sound correct.

 

I decided to check the sound settings and found every setting went to mid range. Except fade it was maxed out to the front.

 

I changed the bass/treble back to where I wanted them and the fade to mid range.

 

A few days later the same thing happened. Bass/treble went to mid range and fade was maxed out to the front.

 

Anyone else experience this?