Defective DVD Navigation System in Ford Fusion

try disconnecting battery for 5 minuits we have found that apple ipod
pluged into the usb port locks the system up
i work in a ford dealer in ottawa
tom

My navigation system went out at about 2 years 12thousand miles and I
was told by the ford people that to repair it will cost 1000 dallars
and I had to pay. They only warenty they nav system for 1 year 12000
miles. Seeing that I have to pay 2000 for the system and then 200 a
year extra for the nav CDs I will NEVER purchace another ford EVER and
ive been a ford owner since 1990. NEVER AGAIN! Chevy will get ALL my
business from now on.

OP here. I have done some additional research on the problem with my
SYNC navigation system.

When I called Sync support, when I went to the Ford dealer, and when I
spoke with the Customer Relationship Center, I was told that Ford was
not aware of any issues like the one I described with my system.

However, Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 09-7-9 dated April 2,
2009 describes EXACTLY the problem I am having with my unit and the
steps to fix it.

Further, it describes early symptoms of intermittent operation and
spontaneous muting. These problems were occurring with my system for
several months (well within the 36K mile limit.) I thought it might be
my iPod, since it would work again after a minute or two. My $1,800
stereo was the last thing I suspected.

So, Ford KNEW about this problem. Ford told me they did not know
about the problem. Ford refuses to stand behind its products when
they know they are defective.

mycarstats.com?

They keep track of common complaints that owners make about their cars
and somehow manage to find out about Service Reports that are sent to
dealerships alerting them when certain cars or components are
beginning to become problematic. It may be that this interface is
defective in other Fusions as well and Ford is aware of it?

I can see where you would need to have this fixed by them as it's not
a battery or a set of tires that you can easily have changed or
repaired yourself.

Good luck!

I know this is not an answer to your issue, but since PlanetFeedback's
mission is as a resource to consumers, I have a suggestion:

When buying a car, consider not buying the built-in GPS system or
entertainment (DVD) center. Not only can they be much more expensive
than an after-market option, but they are often easier to fix/replace.
And that can be especially nice if you want to upgrade the
technology.

For example, you can buy a fantastic GPS system for under $500. Maybe
even $200. You can buy a portable DVD player for $200; closer to $100
on sale. So, even if these things failed and you threw them out, it'd
still take buying several before you hit what you'd pay for factory
installed.

Yes, the factory installed options often fit nicely within the car (as
opposed to you needing to have a mount or other solution) and, in
theory, they give the peace of mind of working well with the car.
But, unless these things are worth paying 2-4x as much to you (and
they might be), it's at least worth taking a look at other options.

I've seen people that bought a factory installed GPS a few year back,
only to not use it because it doesn't speak street names or because it
doesn't do traffic. So, they have this $1500 thing in their dash that
never gets used. But, attatched to their window is a $250 GPS unit
that does text-to-speech and traffic and has updated maps and...

It's a matter of choice, of course.

As for your particular issue: I agree, warranties stink. But the
question is: will any car company agree to a free warranty extension?
If so, go buy a car from that company.

The rules in the car industry are very clear. 3 years or 36,000
miles, whichever comes first. You may think it should be whatever
favors the customer, but that isn't the way it is written. It has
been this way since I was a kid, and that was several decades ago.
You can call me a chowderhead, but I think I know how car warranties
work.

There isn't evidence in the letter that the OP was screwed around
until he exceeded 36,000 miles. I agree that if he was under 36,000
when this was reported, it should be covered. I would think he would
have mentioned it if that were the case. If he could make time go
backwards, he might be able to get in under the wire.

I am wondering how legal recourse can help the OP, since he has an
expired warranty.

I would just like to say, I just got rid of my 16-year-old zero-frills
(no power windows or locks, even!) pickup and got a nice 2005 Camry.
I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have (1) cup holders, (2) CD
player, and (3) INTERMITTENT WIPERS. Oh my god, I have been missing
out!

I don't think I want more gadgets--I'd just miss 'em after they broke
down on me! ;)

I feel for you. I suppose the fact that you exceeded 36,000 miles
means you used that navigation system a lot, but... I don't see how
that could happen after just a year.

I have a question. You say the USB port is part of a sealed system,
but I don't understand how you would use a port unless it is
accessable?

The fact of the matter is Ford did honor their commitment to you.
Their commitment was 3 years/36,000 miles whichever comes first. In
your case, the 36,000 miles.

Electronic systems can go bad even if they are sealed. It sounds like
you do a lot of driving and use your system a lot. I think the
supervisor was right, if I did the amount of driving you did, I would
have purchased an extended warranty.

We currently own 5 Fords and have never had a problem getting Ford to
honor any warranty repair within the warranty period.

But you no longer have a warranty - it expired 1500 miles ago. The
car came with a 36,000 mile warranty, not 37,501. You are in the
position of asking for a favor, not something that you are due.

What if it was a window regulator, or the ignition switch broke, or
the bumper came loose? All of these would meet with the same response
- your vehicle is no longer under warranty. There are numerous
non-wear items on your car - the vast majority of them are not covered
after 36,000 miles as well. It would only be something like paint,
emissions, or powertrain equipment that have any warranty left.

Im assuming you bought the car new, which is, in opinion, a waste of
money. You are buying something, sinking alot of money into something
that you are essentially destroying when you drive it.

Saying that, you drove 37k miles in one year, assuming it was not a
demo or used.

I stay away from most "fancy" products. I dont even know what half the
things you said about syncing,or interface modules.

I buy a car to drive, not to sync or interface with. The more options
you get when you buy a car the more likely something will break.

Case in point, you are out of luck, you are out of warranty.

I think Ford is the best of the worst in American cars, but I would
still never own one. You are out of warranty, and in their cost
cutting climate, you may be out of luck with your syncing.

Good Day