Quality of the engine hood

[liv4spd]

I just bought a 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid. When I first opened the engine hood, I was shocked by the poor quality of the hood. I understand Ford is trying to lower its weight, but the hood feels paper thin. I'm sure a lot of the highway noise is from the hood alone.

[md13ffhguy]

What highway noise? This car is quiet. And a hood is not really a structural component, so better for it to be light, really. I'd say that's not really a quality issue - it's just thinner than you're used to. Congrats on the new car.

[acdii]

The hood is made from Aluminum. It is designed to reduce weight, and aluminum is in some ways more durable than steel, it resists dents more, is lighter, and more flexible.

[liv4spd]

Thanks!

 

So you guys don't feel the loud wind noise inside the cabin, when you are driving at highway speed?

 

I have a 2014 Mustang. The hood is also made of aluminum, but feels very sturdy. I guess it is at least 2-fold thicker and 3-fold stronger than the hood of the Fusion.

 

 

What highway noise? This car is quiet. And a hood is not really a structural component, so better for it to be light, really. I'd say that's not really a quality issue - it's just thinner than you're used to. Congrats on the new car.

[corncobs]

Thanks!

 

So you guys don't feel the loud wind noise inside the cabin, when you are driving at highway speed?

 

I have a 2014 Mustang. The hood is also made of aluminum, but feels very sturdy. I guess it is at least 2-fold thicker and 3-fold stronger than the hood of the Fusion.

 

 

The car is very quite at highway speeds that's why it's so enjoyable on long trips.

 

A few things come to mind if you hear wind noise in the FFH.

 

1. There is a plastic trim piece between the little triangle window and the main driver/passenger window. It's possible that this piece isn't sitting correctly creating wind disturbance = noise. (We have seen a few of those)

 

2. Maybe your noise canceling system isn't working right. In this case I believe it would be less of a wind noise issue than a engine noise problem.

Edited March 22, 2015 by corncobs

[hybridbear]

I've always thought the hood was very sturdy. It is heavy and closes with a loud thunk.

[SteveB_TX]

 

 

I've always thought the hood was very sturdy. It is heavy and closes with a loud thunk.

 

The Z hood closes with a muffled "whump". :)

[TonyHzNV]

I've always thought the hood was very sturdy. It is heavy and closes with a loud thunk.

Sounds like you need some hood struts to keep it from thunking!! :love_shower:

[TonyHzNV]

The Z hood closes with a muffled "whump". :)

Steve, you sure that's not a "thwhump"? :)

[SteveB_TX]

Steve, you sure that's not a "thwhump"? :)

 

Ya know Tony you are correct. I just went out and did a "thwhump" test. ;)

[acdii]

mine closes with a snick

[Iwejun]

Had service done on my HYTI today, it was going to take long so I took a rental for the day. They gave me a Nissan Altima w/ 26k on it, and after driving it home I can truly say I made the right decision buying the Fusion. That car was loud with engine and transmission noise, the torque steer and over boosted steering made for a bad situation and the seats and I know I was in a rental, but they weren't going to last for the life of the car. I could already feel the bottom beginning to sag some and the wear on the cloth interior was really showing. So be happy, we have one of the quieter cars out there even thought I do read about squeaks cropping up in some owners cars at least when I shut the rear door it feels solid and not hollow.

[Cobra348]

Sounds like you need some hood struts to keep it from thunking!! :love_shower:

Yup - the struts allow the hood to "thwawunk" into place. Compared to my Fiesta which is really quiet for a little car, the Fusion is silent. A die-hard GM fam friend rode in Nytwing the other day and was totally impressed. She'd not heard a car that quiet.

 

Oh, you could hear a bit of the electric stuff on and off, but it's impressive.

[acdii]

You would think a truck would be noisy inside, and the F150 is just as, if not more quiet inside than the Fusion. Unless I have a window down, I cannot hear the engine start, and the only time I hear it is when I get on it to pass someone, or take off with gusto, otherwise all I hear are tires thwacking the tar strips. After 45K miles in the Fusion, knowing how quiet it is except for the ICE on acceleration, this has totally impressed me.

 

BTE how did this thread get so far off topic?

[heywardjr]

Wow. I read this with dis-belief. I think the hood is very well designed and wonderful. OMG. Did you buy the car new? This is the quietest car I've ever owned in 40 years. It's wonderfully designed and I compared it to Honda and Chevy. Absolutely no comparison to any of the others in terms of design, features, beauty, and quietness! I suggest taking it back to the dealer and see what is wrong. This is not normal and your hood should not be as you describe.

 

BTW....I just installed 3rd party hood struts to eliminate the need for that single pole to hold up the hood. The struts work great and so easy to install. Saw an ad on one of the advertisers of this website. It is a wonderful and cheap addition.