Fusion is aimed at the heart of the family car market long dominated by the Japanese Three – Toyota, Nissan and Honda – all of whom historically provide a lower overall cost of ownership and higher quality. Multiple Fusion recalls are not helpful.
Ford Motor Company is recalling 465,000 2013 model-year vehicles because of fuel leaks. These include Ford’s most popular vehicles – the Ford Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Fusion, Interceptor Utility, Interceptor Sedan, and Lincoln MKS, MKT and MKZ. The latest Ford safety defect has customers smelling fuel or spotting a fuel leak on the ground. There have been no reports of fires or any accidents or injuries thus far attributed to the latest quality gaff that has seen multiple recalls from Ford on its best-selling Fusion model.
In a statement provided at AutoInformed’s request, a Ford spokesperson said that it first became aware of the fuel leaks because of warranty data – more than 600 consumer complaints – but declined to name the supplier – which is Denso – of the defective module in the fuel tank. Unlike more proactive companies, Ford Motor does not publicize its recalls; a practice that critics maintain inhibits the quick resolution of safety issues.
Ford said there are a limited number of parts available for repair of the leaking vehicles. Other owners will eventually receive a letter when parts are available so they can contact their dealer to schedule a service appointment for the warranty repair.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
