NHTSA Complaint #11350047 — 2010 FORD FUSION

TAIL LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS ARE ON. PER OWNER'S MANUAL THERE ARE 3 POSITIONS (OFF, PARKING, LOW BEAMS). THE DRL IS ON WHEN: THE IGNITION IS ON, THE HEADLAMP CONTROL IS NOT IN THE LOW BEAM POSITION, AND THE TRASMISSION IS IN OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THE WARNING IN THE MANUAL STATES: "ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TURN ON YOUR HEADLAMP AT DUSK OR DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE DRL SYSTEM DOES NOT ACTIVATE THE TAIL LAMPS AND GENERALLY MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUETE LIGHTING DURING THESE CONDITIONS DURING THESE CONDITIONS. FAILURE TO ACTIVATE YOUR HEADLAMPS UNDER THESE CONDITIONS MAY RESULT IN A COLLISION." I NOTICED A HEALTHY, ALERT, DRIVER OF THE FORD FUSION FORGETTING TO TURN ON THE HEADLAMP TO LOW BEAM. HE SAID THEY WERE ON, BUT IN FACT THE DRL WAS ON, BECAUSE IF THE LOW BEAM IS NOT ON, THE DRL IS USUALLY ON. WHEN DRIVING, WE NOTICED MANY FUSION MOVING CARS AT NIGHT TIME WITHOUT THEIR TAIL LIGHTS ON. WE BELIEVE IT IS BECAUSE THE DRL COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY AND PEOPLE FORGET TO TURN THEIR LOW BEAM LIGHTS ON BECAUSE THE DRL MAKES IT SEEM LIKE LOW BEAM IS ALREADY ON. I NOTICED THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO WHEN WE WERE ALMOST REAR-ENDED AND I DISCOVERED THE LOW BEAMS WERE NOT ON (BUT THE DRL WAS ON). SEE ATTACHED OWNER MANUAL. PER OWNER MANUAL, THIS IS BY DESIGN. REPAIR IS NOT NEEDED. WE TOOK THIS TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED IS A DESIGN ISSUE AND NOT A REPAIR ISSUE. WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED TO CONTACT THE DEALER.