Ford to recall Fusion, Milan sedans because wheels could fall off due to bolt problem

Washington Post ^ | 12/09/11

[Libloather]

DETROIT

[driftdiver]

Technically the problem was metallurgy which is a fairly complex subject. Tough for some people to understand.

[Seizethecarp]

The Fusion, Milan, and MKZ are built on a Mazda platform and assembled in Mexico. Are these red-blooded “American” cars?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Fusion_(Americas)

“The Fusion is manufactured at Ford’s Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, where the similar and now discontinued Mercury Milan and the Lincoln MKZ are also built.[4] All three cars utilize the CD3 platform, which is, in fact, Mazda’s current GG chassis as used for the Mazda6 (M/Y 2003–2008).”

[gogogodzilla]

Ya beat me to it!

:-P

[RayChuang88]

I love my new Honda Fit Sport AT except for one thing: you feel every bump on the road on poor-quality surfaces. But everything I love, especially the amazing amount of interior space for such a small car.

[gogogodzilla]

Yes, but do you check your dipstick on a regular basis? You don’t want your engine to seize up in a critical juncture, do you?

:-P

[gogogodzilla]

It’s your tires. The more tirewall between the rims and the tread, the more smooth the ride... but it’ll sacrifice some handling.

[Iron Munro]

Technically the problem was metallurgy which is a fairly complex subject. Tough for some people to understand.

Lug Nut making is a pretty well settled "technology" - right?

[SgtHooper]

But this is while they are parked!!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Ditto our 1996 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with 170k on the clock. The idler pulley failed once and that’s it! Just normal routine maintenance (oil, plugs, tires, alignment). The front bushings all need replacement now as the rubber has dried out. Simply astounding. Our ‘04 Expedition is almost as good, but has more nuisance problems.

[Nik Naym]

“Fix Or Repair Daily. “

AHEM.....

First On Race Day

[Nik Naym]

“Yes, but do you check your dipstick on a regular basis? You don’t want your engine to seize up in a critical juncture, do you?”

Never forget - it is necessary to wipe off your dipstick before use. It really doesn’t help to do this after you are done with it.

[Las Vegas Dave]

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/05/ford-fusion-production-coming-to-flat-rock-mi-plant/

Posted Oct 5th 2011
WardsAuto.com is reporting that Ford's next-generation Fusion will be built at the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock, MI, 25 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. The news comes out of the tentative labor agreement with the UAW that was announced today. Ford has said it will add 12,000 hourly manufacturing jobs in the U.S. by 2015, including some jobs that are returning to the U.S. from Mexico, China, and Japan.

AutoAlliance is a joint-venture plant owned with Mazda, where Ford builds the Mustang alongside the Mazda6. The current Fusion is assembled at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Mexico, though it shares a platform with the Mazda sedan. The move to Flat Rock all but insures that the forthcoming Fusion will continue to maintain that close connection. Speculation has the new Fusion dropping at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show

[driftdiver]

What are lug nuts made of?

[Las Vegas Dave]

Detroit Auto Show at COBO Hall.

Public show days: Jan. 14-22 2012

http://www.freep.com/article/20111206/BUSINESS03/112060343/Lots-big-reveals-planned-2012-Detroit-auto-show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BTW: Mustang fans can tour Shelby-American factory and museum FREE in Las Vegas.

http://www.shelbyautos.com/Tours.asp

6755 Speedway Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89115
Tel: 702.942.REAL (7325)

Tour Information Tours are conducted only at 10:30am. Monday through Saturday.
These tours are free and require NO reservation or registration.
The Shelby Museum and Gift Shop is open Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 10am - 2pm PST. Please arrive at Shelby by 10:15am if you plan to go on the tour.

[Las Vegas Dave]

SHELBY MUSEUM LIVE CAM

http://cam1.teamshelby.com/museum3.asp

[Iron Munro]

What are lug nuts made of?

Ha ha!

Traditionally made of steel.

I have no idea what Ford is using.

[driftdiver]

Probably the same thing every other manufacturer is using.

[RayChuang88]

Must be the 185/55R16 tires standard on my car.

Anyway, the handling is great, though. I can take corners on my Fit at speeds I wouldn't dare try with my older Civic, thanks to the very low center of gravity of my new car.