Ford says it will fix software in Fusion and Milan hybrids
By Andrew C., 30 Aug, 2010. 0 Comments
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Ford calls this update a customer satisfaction program. Each of the 17,600 owners of Fusion and Milan hybrids will be notified by mail. In a statement, Ford said that it has received complaints about drivers getting a different brake feel when the hybrid's unique regenerative brakes switch to conventional hydraulic braking. Ford explained that while customers may perceive the condition as loss of brakes, the cars actually maintain full braking capability.
This announcement was made on the same day that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration officially opened an investigation of the 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid to check if 37,000 of those vehicles suffer momentary loss of braking capabilities. To fix the problem, Toyota dealers will reprogram the car's software at no charge to the customer. The Fusion Hybrid's regenerative braking system is able to reclaim kinetic energy by having electric motors use braking force to regenerate electricity. Ford said that the 2010 Fusion Hybrid would return to the battery 94% of energy that would have been lost to heat and friction.
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