2012 Ford Fusion Exterior lighting Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11506702

Incident

Feb 7, 2023

Rear tail light side parking marker. All marker lights in working order is required to pass Delaware state inspection. The LED is hard wired within the housing unit and is not a replaceable bulb. I have to replace the housing assembly for 160.00 plus tax for a simple light. Car is 10 years old. I don't believe Ford expected it to fail for the life of the car. Part 13404. The side marker light is not on the parts diagram. I can replace the part but was hoping Ford would cover the bill, but I admit, i am venting frustration.

NHTSA ID

11476912

Incident

Jul 27, 2022

AFTER GOING TO SEVERAL SERVICE PLACES WITH MY BRAKES THEY ARE YET GIVING ISSUES HAVING TO PUMP THEM TO STOP. POWER STEERING SYSTEM ASSIST SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND DOOR LATCHES WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE LOCAL FORD PLACE SAID I NEED TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY BECAUSE THERE ARE RECALLS FOR MY ISSUES BUT NOT FOR MY VIN NUMBER AND I NEED TO GET THEM ADDED UNDER MY VIN SO THEY CAN FIX IT WITH NO CHARGE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325969

Incident

May 24, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

A WEEK AGO I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I HAD JUST HAD A BELT REPLACED AND THOUGHT FLUID LEAKED AND WAS BURNING OFF, CHECKED UNDER MY HOOD AND COULDN'T SMELL ANYTHING. A FEW DAYS LATER MY BOSS TOLD ME MY TAIL LIGHT WAS OUT. I HAD JUST CHANGED IT A MONTH OR SO AGO, BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT MY LIGHT, THE BULB WAS BLACK, THE BASE YOU PLUG IT INTO IS BURNT AND THE PLASTIC ON THE ASSEMBLY IS MELTING. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL YET? I SEE PLENTY OF PEOPLE ON HERE WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11268893

Incident

Oct 1, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL REPAIRED LAST WEEK. HAD NOT DRIVEN AT NIGHT UNTIL 2 DAYS AGO AND NOTICED MY LOW BEAM LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER WORKING. I HAVE CHECKED THE FUSES, LIGHT BULBS, AND EVEN REPLACED THE HEADLAMP SWITCH BUT NOTHING. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD IT REPAIRED STATED THE REPAIR WOULD NOT AFFECT MY LIGHTS. HAD THE CAR FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM UNTIL NOW. TOO COINCIDENTAL.

NHTSA ID

11234239

Incident

Jul 21, 2019

I OWN A 2012 FORD FUSION SE 6 CYLINDER THIS VEHICLE HAS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. MY PASSENGER SIDE RTAIL LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLOW AND THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED LAST WEEK WHEN I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING THIS TAIL LIGHT EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS AND IT HAS CAUSED MELTING AROUND THE LIGHT SOCKET AND THE BULB IS CLEARLY BURNT. AFTER GOOGLING THIS ISSUE I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2012 FORD FUSION AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED IMMEDIATELY OR I AM GOING TO THE PUBLIC. THIS CAN KILL SOMEONE AND START A FIRE ESPECIALLY IF THE BLAZE GETS OUT OF HAND AND CHILDREN ARE IN THE BACKSEAT STRAPPED IN. PLEASE EMAIL ME [XXX] REGARDING IF YOU ARE HAVING A SIMILAR CONCERN SO I CAN COMPILE THIS AND GO PUBLIC BECAUSE THEY HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AND NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE. THIS IS CLEARLY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND FORD AND THE NTHSA NEED TO STEP IT UP AND SAVE LIVES BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. HERE ARE LINKS TO SIMILAR ISSUES HTTP://WWW.FIXYA.COM/CARS/T16277316-2012_FORD_FUSION_REAR_TURN_SIGNAL_STILL HTTP://M.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/FUSION/2012/LIGHTS/EXTERIOR_LIGHTING.SHTML HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/FUSION/TAIL-LIGHT-SWITCH-PROBLEMS.PHP INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID

11220460

Incident

Jun 12, 2019

THIS PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AGO WITH BACK TURN SIGNALS, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, WILL GO OUT APPROXIMATELY EVER 6 MONTHS. WHEN ONE SIDE GOES OUT, I REPLACE , BUT THEN 2 WEEKS LATER THE OTHER SIDE GOES OUT. GOOD FOR 6 MONTHS THEN SAME THING. AS OF TODAY 1/15/2019 MY RIGHT SIDE JUST WENT OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER BUT THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG OR NO RECALLS THEY ARE AWARE OF AT THE TIME. NEVER MENTIONED ANY BURNING AS I HAVE SEEN IN OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VEHICLE ISSUE. NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ANYMORE. WILL CALL FORD DIRECTLY BUT DON'T FEEL IT WILL BE HELPFUL

NHTSA ID

11170173

Incident

Jan 14, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi

SERVICE MANAGER: [XXX] MY CAR VIN#[XXX]. BOTH HEADLIGHTS DON'T WORK & HAVEN'T SINCE FEBRUARY 2017. I HAD GROTE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE CENTER DO THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT I PURCHASED THE CAR ON 12/5/15. ONE HEAD LIGHT & ONE TAIL LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING. HEADLAMPS WERE REPLACED DONE ON 2/27/2017. THEY WORKED ON & OFF, STAYED OFF THEN ON 5/22/2017 RIGHT & LEFT HEADLIGHT BULB INOP WAS REPLACED. SO I'VE BEEN WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS SINCE THEN. I GOT IT FIXED AGAIN IN MAY 2018 ONLY TO AGAIN IN AUGUST 2018. THERE'S GOT TO A POWER SURGE OR FAULTY. THERE HAS TO BE RECALL SOMEWHERE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11123903

Incident

Dec 5, 2015

I WAS DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME YESTERDAY AND WHEN I TURNED MY RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHTS ON IT IS FLICKERING VERY FAST THAN NORMAL. I WAITED UNTIL I GOT HOME AND TRY TO SEE IF MY TAIL LIGHTS IS WORKING, COME TO FIND OUT IT IS ONLY FLICKERING FAST IN MY DASHBOARD BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS IN MY RIGHT SIDE IS DEAD. WE THEN REMOVE THE TAIL LIGHTS AND FOUND ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM. MY TAIL LIGHTS IS BURNED AROUND THE BASE AND THE OTHER BULB IS BLACK. ALSO, WHEN WE PULL THE BULB A LOT OF STUFF CAME OFF FROM THE BASE LIKE TINY BEADS??. BOTH TAIL LIGHTS IS BURNED DOWN ALTHOUGH THE OTHER LIGHT STILL WORKING. I NOW HAVE CONCERNED WHY THE BULB IS BURNING WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. I READ ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY OTHER CASES COME TO FIND OUT THERE AREN'T MANY. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO OWNS FORD VEHICLE TO CHECK YOUR LIGHTS OFTEN AND FILE A COMPLAINT LIKE I DID TODAY. WE DECIDED TO SWITCH EACH LIGHT TO SEE IF IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. WHEN I TURN MY SIGNAL ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS WORKING AND THE LEFT SIDE NOW IS NOT WORKING AND IN MY DASH BOARD LEFT SIDE IS FLICKERING REALLY FAST. I THINK ALL CONSUMER NEEDS TO KNOW REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND HOPING THAT THE DEALER WILL NOT CHARGE $56 DOLLARS JUST TO CHECK THE TAIL LIGHTS. THE BAD PART ABOUT MY SITUATION I LIVE ABOUT 25 MINUTES FROM MY JOB AND I PASS PLENTY OF TRAFFIC LIGHT ON MY WAY. I DID NOT REALIZED THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS IS NOT WORKING DURING THE TIME THAT I WAS DRIVING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE TURNING WITHOUT SIGNAL LIGHT ON IT MAY CAUSE THE OTHER VEHICLE TO HIT YOU IF THEY ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION. TO ALL FORD OWNER PLEASE CHECK YOUR LIGHTS OFTEN AND FILE A COMPLAINT TO HELP OUT OTHER CUSTOMER MADE AWARE ABOUT THE CONCERN BEFORE THEY BECOME BIG PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11119984

Incident

Aug 13, 2018

THIS CAR HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE GAUGES THAT ALSO PREVENTS THE AIR CONDITIONING AND RADIO WORKING PROPERLY PLUS CERTAIN EXTERNAL LIGHTS AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS AS WELL AS THE HIGH BEAM INDICATOR. THIS IS GOING ON ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND THE GAUGES WILL "BLACK OUT" AS WELL SO YOU CANT SEE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING OR OTHER FUNCTIONS. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. I DO HAVE SOME VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM I WILL ATTACH. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IF THE CAR IS SITTING OR IN MOTION. FOR SOME REASON I CANT POST THE VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF THE SAME ONES ON YOU TUBE.

NHTSA ID

10992031

Incident

Sep 1, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

TAILLIGHTS SOCKETS ARE DISCOLORED AND BURNT LOOKING. THE PLASTIC THAT HOLDS THE SOCKET IS MELTED.

NHTSA ID

10915422

Incident

Oct 8, 2016

Mileage

69,370 mi

MY RIGHT REAR TAILLIGHT HAS BURNED, CAUSING THE BULB TO MELT IN THE SOCKET, POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD I WOULD THINK. SOCKET & THE BULB HAVE BEEN REPLACED. BOTH THE FORD DEALERSHIP & RETAIL AUTO PARTS STORE, HAVE DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10897847

Incident

Aug 20, 2016

I AM FACING ELECTRICAL ISSUE IN MY CAR VERY FREQUENTLY. THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OCCURS TWO WAYS, 1) WHILE RUNNING 2) WHILE STARTING THE CAR WHILE RUNNING:- WHEN THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE COME WHILE CAR IS RUNNING THEN THE BELOW PROBLEM OCCURS, 1. TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE SET TO PARKING, IF SET TO PARKING THEN WE CANNOT MOVE TO NEUTRAL OR DRIVE. IT WILL BE STUCK AND TOW IS THE ONLY OPTION. 2. TURN LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. 3. HEAD LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK. 4. DOOR GLASS SLIDING WILL NOT WORK. 5. AC WILL NOT WORK 6. CAR DISPLAY WILL NOT WORK FOR CLOCK AM/FM 2) WHILE STARTING THE CAR:- IF THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHILE STARTING THE CAR THEN I WILL BE ABLE TO ONLY START THE CAR AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT WORK. WE CANNOT MOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM PARKING TO NEUTRAL OR DRIVE. TOWING THE VEHICLE IS THE ONLY OPTION. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, I GOT THIS ISSUE ONE TIME AT NIGHT AND I GOT THE TOUGH TIME IN TOWING THE CAR AND GETTING TO SERVICE CENTRE. AS THE SERVICE CENTRE IS ALWAYS BUSY THEY WONT GET THE TIME TO DIAGNOSIS IMMEDIATELY AND AT THE TIME OF THEY CHECK IT WORK PROPERLY. ANY WAY THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ISSUES WITH ME CAR. BUT WHEN I TAKE THE CAR BACK TO HOME THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE OFTEN OCCURS. NO ONE ASSURE OF THE SAFETY, AND I AM TRYING MY BEST TO DRIVE AT NIGHT AND HIGHWAYS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ID

10872517

Incident

May 27, 2016

Mileage

40,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO GEAR FROM FIRST TO SECOND, THEN SECOND TO THIRD OCCASIONALLY. I'VE HAD 3 BRAKE CALIPERS SEIZE AND 3 ROTORS REPLACED AS A RESULT. BRAKE WEAR IS BEYOND PATHETIC. REAR TURNING SIGNAL/BRAKE LIGHT BULB GOT SO HOT THAT IT MELTED MY ACTUAL TAILLIGHT. PAINT FLAKES OFF FENDERS FROM JUST WASHING WITH A BRAND NEW SPONGE.

NHTSA ID

10790514

Incident

Jul 9, 2014

Mileage

36,000 mi

I MOVED THE TURN INDICATOR LEVER UP TURN RIGHT AND THE QUICK BLINKER SOUND BEGAN. FROM PAST EXPERIENCE, I KNEW THAT A LIGHT BULB MAY BE BURNED OUT. THE BULB COULD NOT BE CHECKED ALONE BECAUSE IT WOULDNT COME OUT OF THE SOCKET; THE BLACKENED BLOWN BULB WAS FUSED TO THE SOCKET. I REPLACED THE ENTIRE SOCKET/BULB SET ($30.13 SOCKET AND $6 FOR A SET OF 2 BULBS). THE NEXT DAY, I MOVED THE TURN INDICATOR LEVER DOWN TO TURN LEFT AND THE QUICK BLINKER SOUND BEGAN AGAIN. AGAIN, THE BULB ALONE COULD NOT BE REMOVED. THE LEFT BLACKENED BLOWN BULB AND SOCKET ARE FUSED. I HAVE NEVER HAD A BULB FUSE INTO THE SOCKET BEFORE, LET ALONE HAVING IT HAPPEN TO TWO IN A SPAN OF 24 HRS. THE FUSES TO THE LIGHTS WERE NOT BURNED OUT - THERE WAS NO WARNING DISPLAYED TO ADVISE OF A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. WE SPOKE TO OUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE, SINCE THIS WAS PURCHASED BY US 3 MONTHS AGO AS A PREOWNED VEHICLE W/A 12MONTH WARRANTY. HE SAID HE WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES AND DIRECTED US TO THE SERVICE DEPT. OUR CALL WAS DIRECTED TO AN ANSWERING MACHINE. WE WILL FOLLOW THROUGH.

NHTSA ID

10773974

Incident

Sep 20, 2015

Mileage

46,000 mi

THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I CHANGED IT I NOTICED THE PLASTIC SOCKET WAS A LITTLE BURNT. THE NEXT WEEK THE LEFT TAIL LIGHT WENT OUT. WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE IT I NOTICED IT WAS FAR WORSE. IT TOOK EVERYTHING JUST TO GET THE BULB OUT. IT WAS BURNT. NOW THE NEW BULB WON'T STAY IN THE SOCKET.

NHTSA ID

10735441

Incident

Jul 12, 2015

Mileage

20,150 mi

LEFT LICENSE PLATE LIGHT SOCKET SCREW WOULD NOT TIGHTEN. WHEN CLOSING THE TRUCK, THE LAMP ASSEMBLY WOULD HANG DOWN A LITTLE ON LEFT SIDE. I TIGHTENED THE SCREW AND FOUND IT TO BE STRIPPED. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP. FORD REPLACED THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10648243

Incident

Apr 29, 2013

Mileage

16,903 mi

AS I WAS COMING FROM BIBLE STUDY THIS NIGHT; MY CAR TURNED OFF; I SAW A SCREW DRIVER SYMBOL APPEAR AND IT WENT DEAD. AFTER WAITING FOR AWHILE FOR MY HUSBAND, WE WERE ABLE TO CRANK IT AGAIN AND PROCEED HOME. TWO DAYS LATER; IT DID THE SAME THING. WE TOOK IT TO STOKES OF BEAUFORT, WHERE WE PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OUR YEAR. THEY ADVISED US TO TAKE IT TO OC WELCH; AND WAS TOLD THERE THAT THEY RECALLED FUSIONS, BUT NOT OUR VIN #, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THEY CHECKED IT AND SO NOTHING WRONG. WE WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TELL IT STOPS COMPLETELY. I DO HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY; BUT THEY DIDNT SEE THE NEED TO GO ANY FURTHER. DAYS LATER, AFTER COMING FROM THE LAUNDRY MAT, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN ON TOP OF A BRIDGE WITH MY TWO GRAND BABIES IN THE CAR, IT JUST STOPPED. WHAT AM I TO DO??? *TR

NHTSA ID

10641916

Incident

Aug 15, 2012

Mileage

69,701 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT. NIGHT HEADLIGHTS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OFF. I TOOK THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS WHO SAW CONDENSATION BEHIND HEADLIGHT COVER. THEY DIRECTED ME TO TAKE IT TO FORD. SEVERAL FORD MECHANICS TOLD ME THE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONDENSATION WIRING WAS MOST LIKELY DAMAGED CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO STOP WORKING. THEY TOLD ME THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS A DEFECT AND DIRECTED ME TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS. BECAUSE I AM 2000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SERVICE PLAN I PURCHASED DOES NOT COVER HEADLIGHTS, FORD WILL NOT LOOK FURTHER INTO THIS ISSUE. THE CAR ISN'T EVEN 2 YEARS OLD. SERIOUS SAFETY RISK. NOW I AM FORCED TO BORROW THE FUNDS TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640661

Incident

Sep 23, 2014

Mileage

38,000 mi

LEFT FOR WORK THIS MORNING AND FIRST TIME I USED MY RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THE SIGNAL MADE THAT FAST CLICKING SOUND INDICATING THE VEHICLE HAD A BULB THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. AFTER WORK I STOPPED BY AUTOZONE TO BUY A REPLACEMENT BULB. I REMOVED THE SOCKET FROM THE LENS, AND NOTICED THAT THE BULB IS MELTED INTO THE SOCKET. THE BULB CANNOT BE REMOVED FROM THE SOCKET. I THEN CHECKED THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULB, AND THAT BULB IS ALSO MELTED INTO THE SOCKET. I TOOK MY CAR TO ART HILL FORD DEALERSHIP (WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR), AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED ON MY WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN LOOK AT IT. I ASKED TO HAVE A TECHNICIAN PLEASE LOOK AT IT NOW BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLE SAFETY. THE SERVICE REP SAID THAT COULD NOT HAPPEN BECAUSE THE TECHNICIANS WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID $56 JUST TO LOOK. I WAS SHOCKED, DISAPPOINTED, AND WORRIED. I MADE THE APPT. I ONLY HAVE APPROX 38500 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10619460

Incident

Aug 6, 2014

Mileage

38,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE PARTIALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE HEADLIGHT WAS MANUFACTURED THAT WAY AND NO ADJUSTMENT COULD BE PERFORMED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR RETAINED WATER INSIDE WHEN IT RAINED OR SNOWED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A CLOG IN THE DRAIN WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEANED. AFTER THE DRAIN WAS CLEARED THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY AS SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE HEADLIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES. UPDATED EVOQ 12/19/12

NHTSA ID

10484767

Incident

Aug 13, 2012

Mileage

1,500 mi