Uncomfortable Steering

[Tgederberg]

I have a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE. I've had the car 6 months and have 11,000 miles on it. I can't quite describe it, but this car is the most uncomfortable car (steering wise) I have ever driven (I've been driving for over 35 years and have had numerous cars).

 

I've noticed that it is difficult to drive one-handed, especially with one hand centered on top of the steering wheel - tt takes quite a bit of effort to turn (anyone else notice that). Also, there is a very slight shimmy in the steering? I haven't mentioned this to the dealer yet since I'm sure they will say I am imagining things. Could this be related to the electric steering on the car.

 

Thanks

[RLMeadors]

I've only had mine for about 3 weeks, about 1500 miles. I think it's the most comfortable, nicest steering car I've ever owned! Extremely smooth, responsive, and no shimmy at all. I'm extremely picky about those kinds of things... so maybe there is a mechanical problem with yours that needs to be addressed? I would suggest having your dealer's service department check it out.

[corncobs]

I've only had mine for about 3 weeks, about 1500 miles. I think it's the most comfortable, nicest steering car I've ever owned! Extremely smooth, responsive, and no shimmy at all. I'm extremely picky about those kinds of things... so maybe there is a mechanical problem with yours that needs to be addressed? I would suggest having your dealer's service department check it out.

+1 on this statement with about 25000 driving miles !

[GrySql]

I have a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid SE. I've had the car 6 months and have 11,000 miles on it. I can't quite describe it, but this car is the most uncomfortable car (steering wise) I have ever driven (I've been driving for over 35 years and have had numerous cars).

 

I've noticed that it is difficult to drive one-handed, especially with one hand centered on top of the steering wheel - tt takes quite a bit of effort to turn (anyone else notice that). Also, there is a very slight shimmy in the steering? I haven't mentioned this to the dealer yet since I'm sure they will say I am imagining things. Could this be related to the electric steering on the car.

We've had a lot of different observations and issues with these 2013/2014 FFH's but I think you are the first to say the steering requires effort and there is a shimmy felt in the steering wheel.

A trip to the Dealer may be the best bet to get that resolved, yours is not the typical experience we've heard here.

 

If you need help with your Dealer experience we have a Ford Rep on our Forum named Ashley that can assist you.

Edited July 4, 2014 by GrySql

[md13ffhguy]

I agree with the latter two. I suggest going to your dealer and test driving another one, to give yourself a reference point. The greater the difference, the easier time you'll have conveying your concerns to your service advisor.

[Sleddog]

Do you have the driver assist package? Maybe the shimmy and higher steering effort is the lane keeping system doing it job. Is the high effort something that happens all the time?

[BamaFFH]

What tire pressure are you running?

[Easy Rider]

All good comments, especially the one about lane guidance.

THAT takes some serious getting used to.......and is the only time I have noticed anything odd about the steering.

It is a "variable ratio" type of setup and will have more power assist at lower speeds.

[Tgederberg]

I am using the suggested tire pressure (35 psi) and do not have the lane guidance package.

[Easy Rider]

Well then we go back to:

Visit a dealer to have it checked out.....SOON.

While there, try to drive another one.

 

There is about an even chance that there is really something wrong or it is just you.

You won't know for sure unless you drive another one.

 

P.S. Have you actually checked the tire pressures lately ?

[Ryan Goodlett]

Could be signs that the steering has an issue. While driving, my car is just fine. However sometimes when I first start the car in the morning and pull out of my neighborhood to the red light waiting for it to turn, I can feel a slight pulsation in the wheel. Some might call it a shimmy. I would say I can feel the pulse of the PS steering pump. Never notice it anytime else. I don't have any issues with it being hard to turn either.

[Tgederberg]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will bring it to the dealer and see what they say. Hopefully they will let me test drive another.

[Gigi]

A shimmy is a problem. Tire out of round, bent wheel, bad tread, wheel out of balance, front end problem, steering system problem. If you're under warranty, the dealer has to fix it to your satisfaction.

 

I'm a one handed driver from way back. No steering problems here with either Fusion Hybrid or Fusion Energi.

[hybridbear]

It is a "variable ratio" type of setup and will have more power assist at lower speeds.

The current FFH does not have Ford's new variable ratio setup. They only announced that system recently.

[lolder]

My 2010 FFH has speed sensitive steering. What's the difference?

[hybridbear]

My 2010 FFH has speed sensitive steering. What's the difference?

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/8774-ford-to-launch-advanced-steering-technology-to-help-make-vehicles-easier-to-maneuver-more-fun-to-drive/

 

See this press release.

[Easy Rider]

OK, make that "variable assist" for the current system then.

 

It still FEELS like the ratio is changing, whether it really is or not.

 

I have no problem with the current setup.

Not sure I would want the actual ratio changing around.

Additionally, just something else that can go wrong.

[lolder]

My FFH steers better than any car I have ever owned. I hope the new system is as good.

[Waldo]

The electric steering in the Fusion actually has a shimmy cancellation feature, so if there's so much shimmy that the system can't mask it, then there must be a real problem, like a bad or out of balance tire.

 

There are two main components of steering feel - First is steering effort, how much effort it takes to move the wheel a certain amount. The second is steering response, how much the vehicle steers for any given amount of steering wheel angle. Variable assist affect the first component, variable ratio affects the second. They are very different things from a technical point of view, but sometimes distinguishing between the two while driving takes a lot of focus.

 

As for the one-hand-on-the-wheel, where's that hand going if the airbag goes off? Answer - you'll be punching yourself in the face at over 200mph.

Edited July 8, 2014 by Waldo

[corncobs]

As for the one-hand-on-the-wheel, where's that hand going if the airbag goes off? Answer - you'll be punching yourself in the face at over 200mph.

Not sure how you are driving one handed but I would not punch myself at 200mph.

You can only be punched if you are driving with the hand on the center of the wheel or am I missing something here?

[Ryan Goodlett]

Maybe I need to stop driving with one hand in my lap :shift: :) :) :)

[Waldo]

You can only be punched if you are driving with the hand on the center of the wheel or am I missing something here?

 

That's exactly how the OP described his driving. The hand must be connected to the body by the arm, so if one's hand is at the top of the wheel, the arm must be in front of the airbag.

[GrySql]

Maybe I need to stop driving with one hand in my lap :shift: :) :) :)

I get it... ;)

[Easy Rider]

It might not be a fist in the face.....maybe a forearm......but the assumption is that your one hand is holding the wheel at the TOP.

 

A poor assumption for my part, as my one hand is on the bottom, out of the way of the air bag completely.

[Waldo]

It might not be a fist in the face.....maybe a forearm......but the assumption is that your one hand is holding the wheel at the TOP.

 

A poor assumption for my part, as my one hand is on the bottom, out of the way of the air bag completely.

 

Whose making assumptions, the OP wrote it specifically right in the first post!!