The contact owns a 2020 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's side low beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger's side low beam headlight assembly wiring harness was burnt, and there was light smoke coming from the wiring harness. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the low beam headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Ford Fusion headlights problems
94 of the 22,465 owner complaints about the Ford Fusion describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2013 model year.
- owner complaints
- 94
- worst model year
- 2013
- typical repair cost reported
- $680
- typical mileage
- 55,000
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 8Check engine light 7Wipers 6Power steering loss 5Warning lights 4Door locks 4ABS 4Fire or smoke 3
What owners say
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while placing her grandchild in the car seat in the rear of the vehicle, she became aware of mold inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side and the trunk had mold. The contact stated that water had leaked into the vehicle from the overhead light. The contact stated she was constantly sick and had ear infections. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was inspected; however, the contact was unsure of the results. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was a known issue; however, the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Low beam headlights are so dim I can only see maybe 5' in front of me.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, there was smoke and then flames coming from underneath the hood near the driver's side headlight. The contact pulled over and parked the vehicle at a friend's residence. The hood failed to open. The contact used a hose at her friend's residence to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries, and medical attention was not received. The police were contacted; however, no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to another friend's residence. The vehicle was not deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.
1). 3 days after purchasing the vehicle I wasn't sure but I could tell that something was wrong so I called my husband and told him while driving the car that something was wrong and he needs to notify the dealership. 2). 5 days after purchasing the vehicle I went into a grocery store. When I came out the car was on/running, all by itself. 3). Additional problems occurring on a daily basis with the vehicle which lets me know that it's electrical problems are as follows: A. The vehicle randomly turns on and off all by itself, this is very hazardous. B). The headlights also randomly do not work while driving the car, day or night, which is very hazardous for both me and my clientele, as I am a Lyft driver. C). The interior lighting on the console and dashboard become dim or do not turn on at all, day or night. D). While driving the vehicle it does not always accelerate properly, which is very hazardous in traffic. E). The Bluetooth system connects and disconnects itself randomly. F). The air and heating system randomly turn on and off without being touched. G). Charging my phone in the vehicle is also challenging as it does not always work. H). Bluetooth radio stereo system is continuously problematic, volume randomly increases and decreases and turns on and off by itself, even with the vehicle completely shut down. I). After locking the doors, everything inside the car does not completely turn off. Interior lighting sometimes turns off and on separately, and it can take up to 30 minutes for the dashboard lighting to go off. J). The instrument panel often makes some sort of sound/noise and the gear shifter dial will aluminate even though the car is off/completely shut down. K). While driving, front windshield defogger will randomly turns on, causing the windshield to fog up, distorting vision, which is very hazardous. L). Dashboard vents emit an extreme amount of heat even though both heater and air conditioner are completely off.
Headlights do not work. I have replaced the low beams bulbs 3 times since purchasing my car over three years ago and each time the lights only work for a brief period of time them seem to short out unexpectedly, for no reason whatsoever. The high beams have been replaced multiple times as well. I purchased the fluorescent bulbs for better night vision. The lights were bright for a short period them dimmed and are only as bright as they should be if they were on low beam. This is some sort of an electrical issue or something to do with a manufacturer’s defect. Since I purchased my vehicle almost 4 years ago, there has been an ongoing issue with the transmission or alternator. The car “jumps out of gear” when putting the vehicle into park or when shifting the vehicle into drive from park. There is also a constant loud “humming/vibration” sound that clicks on and off continuously once the car is initially crunk up. The passenger door is coming off due to the loosening of bolts I assume but I’m not certain. Nothing has happened to cause this issue. The power outlets in the vehicle get extremely hot at times and cause phone cords to heat up. This has caused my phone to be destroyed! The rear view camera is now blurry with lines going through it. This is only happening when the car is put into reverse and rear view camera is in use. The Bluetooth and media in the vehicle gets stuck on “Sync Line In” & at times will not change to any other setting. This seems to be an electronic issue as well. There have been MANY recalls on my vehicle and I have taken it to the Ford dealership for repair each time however, none of these issue have been resolved . I am a single mother who work’s full time and is a full time student. This is my only form of transportation. I should not have to worry rather or not my car is safe for my children and I.
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the low-beam headlamps failed to adequately illuminate the roadway. The contact activated the high-beam headlights to see the roadway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and Auto Zone Auto Parts, where the headlamp bulbs were replaced several times; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V553000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Although this vehicle is 10 years old it has only logged less than 17k miles (near new condition). A few months back it was noted that the backlighting on the console, steering wheel, interior door panels and overhead console were inoperative under non-daylight conditions. At night, it's driving blind from an instrumentation perspective. Controls cannot be located as they cannot be seen. This backlighting has a mind of its own. Upon entering the vehicle all the lighting in question lights up and then times out (?) Activating outside lighting (headlights) when you expect and need the backlighting, it just isn't there. Disconnecting the battery for 12 hours (reboot) did nothing to solve the problem. Personally, I believe the slap-happy lighting engineers went way overboard with warning and flashing lights on this vehicle. The lighting in question is there, not just when needed. Due to this over-engineering I refuse to pay shop labor prices to troubleshoot or replace parts on a premium vehicle. As this car has become the "Recall Queen" I feel it was placed on the market well before its time and as a consumer I'm now the guinea pig in the field. Never another Ford. NOTE: Uploaded file shows console section and backlighting is ON. Ignition is off and if car is started the backlighting eventually turns off. Activating the headlights the console and all other backlighting remains dead.
I was driving on the freeway yesterday, about 70mph driving conditions were good, it was sunny and warm, and traffic was flowing regularly, and I felt as thought something gave way or loosened up because the car and steering ability were not in synch. I was then approaching a congested area and needed to slow down but the brakes did not brake as fast as they should of and I almost smashed right into the car in front of me. There felt like a disconnection between the brakes, the steering, and the entire car. I have keep my care well maintained and do not miss my regular maintenance appointments. I just had it smogged, with a change of oil and 80k inspection. The tires were checked and everything was ok. There were no indicator lights or alerts however, I do have a light that will not shut off and i was told subject to a recall. It's the front fog lights? or running lights? its the front lights not head lights but the ones the side. That light doesn't impact my driving ability. This is a very unsafe and frightening experience and I would like it investigated before someone really gets hurt.
This is a general concern, not limited to only my car. Daytime running lights do not turn on the tail lamps. People believe if they have the DRL turned on, they’re safe, but they are difficult to see in rain/fog/tunnels etc. DRL should include tail lamps Also, automatic headlamps only come on when it gets dark enough out. It’s surprising how many tail lamps come on half way through the turnpike tunnel. Auto lamps should simply come on when you turn on the key. That’s a frustration of mine. Thank you for listening.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2013 Fusion vehicles, manufactured from February 3, 2012, through October 20, 2012, for failing to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment." The affected vehicles may not have had the low beam headlamp projector coating properly cured during its manufacturing process.
- Risk
- An improperly cured projector coating will become hazy through operation, over time, reducing the brightness of the low-beam lamp. This may decrease driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlamp assembly. The recall began on December 18, 2012. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 12V553000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Fusion headlights
Which Ford Fusion years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2013 (17 complaints), 2010 (15 complaints) and 2014 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Ford Fusion?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $680 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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