NHTSA Complaint #10436923 — 2011 FORD FUSION

LETTER SENT OCT. 2011. CUSTOMER UNHAPPINESS DEPARTMENT FORD MOTOR COMPANY P.O. BOX 6248 DEARBORN MI 48126 GENTLEMEN AND/OR LADIES: I HAVE OWNED A FORD (FUSION SE) FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND EVERY TIME I TAKE IT OUT OF THE GARAGE TO DRIVE I AM AFRAID. I AM AFRAID BECAUSE AS SOON AS I LEAVE THE GARAGE I HAVE TROUBLE SEEING THE RED NEEDLE THAT SHOULD BE TELLING ME HOW FAST I AM GOING. IN THE GARAGE, I SEE THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE EASILY. THE FEW TIMES I HAVE DRIVEN AT NIGHT (AT AGE 90, I TRY TO AVOID NIGHT DRIVING) I COULD SEE IT QUITE WELL. BUT IN ANY DAYLIGHT THE BIG NEEDLE TENDS TO DISAPPEAR, AND ON BRIGHT SUNLIT DAYS I USUALLY CANNOT SEE IT AT ALL IN THE FRACTION OF A SECOND I TAKE MY EYES OFF THE ROAD TO LOOK DOWN AT THE DASHBOARD. CURIOUSLY, THE SMALLER NEEDLE ON THE RIGHT THAT TELLS ME THE TEMPERATURE OF THE RADIATOR FLUID SHOWS UP BETTER THAN THE -- MUCH MORE IMPORTANT -- LARGE NEEDLE THAT SHOULD TELL ME THE SPEED. THE ORDER WRITER AT MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT TURN UP THE DIAL THAT CONTROLS BRIGHTNESS OF THE NEEDLES WHICH HAVE, HE SAYS, LIGHTS INSIDE THEM. I HAD ALREADY DONE THAT. IN MY JUDGMENT, A WHITE NEEDLE WOULD SHOW UP BETTER THAN THE RED ONE. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE TO MAKE MY DRIVING SAFER? DO I NEED TO TRADE FOR ANOTHER MAKE OF CAR SO I CAN FEEL SAFE WHEN I DRIVE? ******* THEIR REPLY SAID, IN EFFECT, "TOUGH LUCK KID; WE CAN'T AFFORD TO SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS." *TR