Ford Announces Fusion, Milan Hybrid Brake Fix
February 04, 2010
In response to customer complaints about unusual brake feel, Ford has announced it will update software on the brakes of some 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrids and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrids.
"We have received reports that some drivers have experienced a different brake feel when the hybrid's unique regenerative brakes switch to conventional hydraulic braking," Ford's statement issued Thursday afternoon said. "While the vehicles maintain full braking capability, customers may initially perceive the condition as loss of brakes."
Ford's announcement comes as Toyota tries to figure out what to do about complaints regarding the Toyota Prius' brakes.
Ford said the cars maintain full conventional brakes and full antilock brake function even as the customer sees visual indicators and hears a chime. The software threshold to transition from regenerative brakes to conventional brakes can cause the system to transition to conventional brakes unnecessarily.
The software upgrade will reduce unnecessary occurrences of the vehicle switching from regenerative braking to conventional hydraulic brakes.
Customers with affected vehicles will receive a notice in the mail and the software will be reprogrammed by dealers at no charge.
Ford said there have been no injuries related to this condition.
Earlier Thursday, Toyota executives told reporters in Japan that they had found the antilock braking system interferes with the regenerative brakes on the Prius. The automaker said it's considering recalling the Prius, though they describe the problem as a "drivability issue," not a safety issue. The design flaws are on Prius models, which are only assembled in Japan, sold before late January; Toyota has corrected the defect on models sold since then.
Toyota acknowledged that Japan's transportation ministry had directed the automaker to look at consumer complaints on the latest generation of Prius, which went on sale last year. Company officials described the situation as the Prius responding "sluggishly" on bumpy or icy roads.
U.S. safety officials have received similar complaints, not only on the latest generation Prius but on earlier models as well. American consumers describe a surge forward or temporary loss of braking when the Prius travels over a pothole or uneven. -- Michelle Krebs, Senior Analyst and Editor at Large
Photo by Ford
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Posted by Michelle Krebs at 1:56 PM under Featured , Ford , Technology , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
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