Worst feature that needs fixing (except MFT)?

[peterk9]

Terrain Management Fault .......... Has occured 1/2 Doz times already. Would seem to me that everyone would have this occur ...... Or am I just the lucky one here!

Hi there 'Lucky'. Haven't really seen many posts on TMS problems. I think perhaps 1 or 2.

 

[spitfisher]

What's with the lawsuit thing. Hope I don't get sued for posting this. OK, let me see if I got this correct. Because the manufacturer decided to place the fuse box in the engine compartment it is a lawsuit waiting to happen. I suppose, just like the customer who used a Sears lawnmower to trim a hedge, became injured and sued stating the operating instructions did not say to not trim hedges.

saab for years, actually decades had their fuse box and relay switches under the hood, in it's own aquarium like box. I would have guessed if any lawsuits were to pop up they would have already. my guess is the engineering behind it shortens the physical connection between battery and engine. that or one stop shopping for the mechanic fixing the car.


I agree on the small cubby box where the USB ports are located. if they bothered to put a power port in there the least they could have done was to allow for a cord to come out, so the the lid could be closed. the hole could have been made in the back, or a removable rubber plug.

 

[rmp301]

Hi there 'Lucky'. Haven't really seen many posts on TMS problems. I think perhaps 1 or 2.

Saw a 2012 Ex yesterday ...... Guy just got it a week ago ......... Loves it except for .............. "The Terrain Management Fault"! Well thats TWO of us !

 

[rodolan]

I don't drive it much it's my wife's but when I do I wish the dead pedal was located more to the left, it's not comfortable during a long drive.

 

[jrmexplorer]

No it is not. I even has the dealer look at the other EXs on the lot to find me one. NONE!!!!

Well, then I must have a magic fuse box, because mine has one - same as JDraper's!

 

[jrmexplorer]

Terrain Management Fault .......... Has occured 1/2 Doz times already. Would seem to me that everyone would have this occur ...... Or am I just the lucky one here!

I experienced this problem twice. Same circumstances both times. Stopped on an icy road turning left onto a highway. Gun it to hit an opening and as I'm accelerating on the highway it pops up. Along witht he TMS fault it says that my collision warning system is disabled. The error codes clear after awhile. I have a dealer appointment for that and to have my rear climat control looked at on Monday (it doesn't blow ANY air through any of the rear vents - not when turned on through MFT, nor when controlled via the back controls).

Note that I have the error codes saved even though they have cleared because I ran a vehicle health report while they were still showing and they are listed on it. Just gotta show that to the dealer and I shouldn't hear any B.S. about not being able to reproduce the problem.

I also have been treated to the A-pillar buz for the first time. Fun stuff.

I would have posted earlier, but I've been busy and quite frankly just a little bit disappointed. Not the end of the world though if they can fix it. 9k miles. Stuff happens, yada yada, but it does kinda take the shine off the car in my mind anyway - at least temporarily.

 

[Flying68]

My one complaint about the interior fuse panel (not the under hood fuse and relay box) is that it is located in an almost unreachable location, yet is listed in the roadside emergencies section of the vehicle. The least that they could have done was add a removable panel directly inline with the fuse panel. But thank god for the fuse puller tool included, because there is no way I could have gotten fuse 29 pulled in 20° weather without it.

Does anyone know how to remove the trim panel that covers that area? I removed the two obvious screws, but it appeared to still be held by a blind screw.

 

[charliez]

Sorry about the potential fatality and lawsuit thing ... it does seem too much gloom and doom LOL

OK, so it isn't an off road vehicle, I shoulda boughta Jeep : with a real chassis, lift kit and huge tires

The points are still valid, I've seen numerous comments about the fuse box here. Pulling fuse 29 is a regular suggestion by Ford reps for rebooting the MFT when unresponsive. If you like unscrewing the panel, or reaching out underneath frequently, be happy

I know for sure my plastic gas can purchased from ACE hardware can't be inserted into the fuel port. Maybe the solution is to find a gas can that can fit into the fuel port? Yeah, that must be it, either don't lose/break the plastic funnel or what's a few bucks to buy a fitting gas can.

 

[rmp301]

I experienced this problem twice. Same circumstances both times. Stopped on an icy road turning left onto a highway. Gun it to hit an opening and as I'm accelerating on the highway it pops up. Along witht he TMS fault it says that my collision warning system is disabled. The error codes clear after awhile. I have a dealer appointment for that and to have my rear climat control looked at on Monday (it doesn't blow ANY air through any of the rear vents - not when turned on through MFT, nor when controlled via the back controls).

Note that I have the error codes saved even though they have cleared because I ran a vehicle health report while they were still showing and they are listed on it. Just gotta show that to the dealer and I shouldn't hear any B.S. about not being able to reproduce the problem.

I also have been treated to the A-pillar buz for the first time. Fun stuff.

I would have posted earlier, but I've been busy and quite frankly just a little bit disappointed. Not the end of the world though if they can fix it. 9k miles. Stuff happens, yada yada, but it does kinda take the shine off the car in my mind anyway - at least temporarily.

#3! I brought it in with the fault light on and they were still stumped. They cleared it but had no explaination for why. The manual does address this and says to recycle the key, so they do know of it. Mainly faults when it rains and sits overnight, then pops up when I start it.

 

[jrmexplorer]

#3! I brought it in with the fault light on and they were still stumped. They cleared it but had no explaination for why. The manual does address this and says to recycle the key, so they do know of it. Mainly faults when it rains and sits overnight, then pops up when I start it.

Not to derail this thread, but do a search on this forum and you'll find that apparantely some have had a rusty sensor in the steering which was replaced. See if your dealer can check it out. Sounds like it might be the culprit if you experience it after it rains and sits overnight.

 

[rmp301]

Not to derail this thread, but do a search on this forum and you'll find that apparantely some have had a rusty sensor in the steering which was replaced. See if your dealer can check it out. Sounds like it might be the culprit if you experience it after it rains and sits overnight.

Believe it or not, I showed them the thread and they said THEY had looked it up also ............ Not that. I agree with you though ........... I'm staying on top of it and will pester them about it. Txs

 

[briwayjones]

Was coming home from shopping with wife and family members. Started raining hard. Sounded like a kettle drum in the Bahamas. I thought WTF kind of metal did they use on the roof of this thing.

I just noticed looking at my sister's new Escape the other day that Ford is using a lot thinner sheet metal on their vehicles than even several years ago.

 

[111keith]

Cooling system
wind noises
ac system

 

[Spengracin]

Hvae not experienced the TM fault, I brought the Ex to Infineon raceway after I purchased (had to break it in ), i drove the track with TM on and again off. Got to say i was impressed with Ford on aspects of the cornering management, TM. Have to say it responded more positive with it disabled to a point.

 

[jeff59rt1]

I hate the brake pedal arm, my foot hits the arm and not the pedal unless I have the seat jacked up drives me crazier than that screen in the dash....

 

[rodolan]

I hate the brake pedal arm, my foot hits the arm and not the pedal unless I have the seat jacked up drives me crazier than that screen in the dash....

Ditto!!!!!

 

[peterk9]

Ditto!!!!!

Do you have the power adjustable pedals? I initially found that when going to the brake pedal I would hit the bottom of the dash. Moving the assembly down a little cured that problem.

 

[1995E]

1) Hate the fusebox location. Our old 95 had the fusebox at the left of the dash. Easy access right when you open the drivers door. That location was really convenient.

2) The trim piece on the bottom of the front bumper. I hate hitting the curb with that thing. Ford should have put an electric motor or something to pull the trim piece up whenever a driver needed more clearance. Something like how they close the front air inlets of the Focus with some kind of motor.

3) Glovebox is a bit small.

4) The spare wheel is inside the car. It was so much cleaner and easier to just wind the wheel down and put it in. Especially when you get a flat with a bunch of groceries in the back.

5) 3rd row needs more legroom. That's all that's needed to improve there.

6) Transmission completely sucks with its shift points.

Positives:

1) The lack of the cap for the fuel makes it so much easier to fill up. No annoying cap to forget about. Especially when there's a situation where I left the cap of my friend's Expedition on the bumper and drove off.

2) The bigger brake discs and brakes on this car brings it to a stop like it's nothing.

3) Engine's quick response. Revs from 1 to 6K RPM in like nothing.

4) All the cupholders to hold all those drinks.

Still a pretty good vehicle despite some flaws.

 

[peterk9]

1) Hate the fusebox location. Our old 95 had the fusebox at the left of the dash. Easy access right when you open the drivers door. That location was really convenient.

2) The trim piece on the bottom of the front bumper. I hate hitting the curb with that thing. Ford should have put an electric motor or something to pull the trim piece up whenever a driver needed more clearance. Something like how they close the front air inlets of the Focus with some kind of motor.

3) Glovebox is a bit small.

4) The spare wheel is inside the car. It was so much cleaner and easier to just wind the wheel down and put it in. Especially when you get a flat with a bunch of groceries in the back.

5) 3rd row needs more legroom. That's all that's needed to improve there.

6) Transmission completely sucks with its shift points.

Still a pretty good vehicle despite some flaws.

As for the negatives, I agree with 1, 2, 3. I don't use the 3rd row. I was actually able to fit my umbrella, unextended of course, in the glove box of my previous Highlander. Also have you tried opening the flip up lid in the console that allows access to the USB ports in cooler weather? It is 38 degrees in the garage and that lid will not pop open. Need two hands or pressure on the back of the lid to open it. Once the interior warms up it works again.
As for the transmission shift points, as you may know, the vehicle is equipped with an Adaptive Learning Strategy program. This program, over time, will adapt the shift points to your driving style. If for some reason the battery has been disconnected since you've had the vehicle, the learning process begins over.
I agree that this is a very good vehicle and I enjoy driving it more every time I get in.
Happy New Year 1995E.

Peter

 

[1995E]

Happy New Year 1995E.

Peter

Thanks for the tip on the transmission. I usually disconnect the battery due to MFT issues. I'll just try and pull fuse 29 if I'm not lazy.

And Happy New Years to you too peterk9.