There is an opinion that if we are talking about a simple and inexpensive car, moreover, created by a European manufacturer, the car will demonstrate maximum reliability, and there will simply be no reason for a breakdown. This is somewhat true, but the attempts of the manufacturer to save completely on everything went sideways both to Fusion himself and his owners.

In Russia there have always been few fans of subcompact machines in class B. Citizens of our country prefer class C and more, or at least a sedan from subcompacts, but having a stretched base and overhangs. Although exceptions to the rules were also when compact small cars found their owners. For example, the Ford Fusion mikroven, presented in this review, has a common platform with the famous Ford Fiesta, but it differs in some SUV notes in appearance.

Several years ago, this model was very popular, and before the crisis in 2008, its fame was huge. In South America, by the way, this car was sold as a Ford EcoSport, and it is the Fusion follower that is collected in our time in Nizhny Novgorod. At the same time, Fusion from North America has nothing to do with this car. This is a large sedan, in many respects similar to the European Mondeo.

Small cars are distinguished not only by their affordable price, but also by their uncomplicated design, and, with the proper quality of workmanship, a high level of reliability. All this can be said about the compact Fiesta, and the microven on its platform. In the course of some surveys, this model received the title of one of the most non-problematic machines among the “Europeans”. Overtaken by its Meriva from Opel, which is the main competitor.

Specifications

The machine is as simple as it is functional. Для нее характерна упрощенная механика, легкая небольшая платформа и немалый внутренний объем благодаря компоновке минивэна, что в сочетании составляет секрет успеха. И ничего лишнего. Motors также компактные, бензин и дизель 1,4 и 1,6 литра. Опять же, все удивительно просто, но довольно мощно для таких небольших размеров.

Gearboxes are predominantly mechanical, but for those who love the automatic, a simple “robot” with one clutch is offered. For version 1.6, a full-fledged automatic hydromechanics, four-stage, Japanese production. Also very simple. It should be noted that the Fiesta was left without an automatic transmission - it is content with a box of its own design.

Suspension is very simple and reliable, at the same time, the ground clearance is almost the same as that of the SUV. There is only one justified claim to the car - the use of not the most successful automatic box instead of the usual automatic one, complete with a 1.4-liter engine, also in combination with a dual-mass flywheel. It makes no sense to talk about the low quality of interior materials, because cars belong to the budget class.

In Russia, cars can mostly be found after restyling, since it was after the renovation that official sales began. Alas, the crisis and the halt of release made the century of cars on the market short, although he had success in the market. Although the price is not so small, they bought the car willingly. Someone was attracted by the quality along with practicality, someone - the kind of SUV. Fiesta, very close from a technical point of view, sold significantly worse.

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Problems in operation and breakage

Features of the exterior and interior

Body color is even higher quality than the Ford Focus. But over time, the shape of the side parts necessarily makes itself felt. Because of the bevel of the bottom of the door, the car “catches” all the stones from under the wheels, and even a large-width mudguard will not fix it. Corrosion predominantly affects the rear door, the door and the sandblasting seats, however, it occurs very infrequently, therefore, significant problems speak of body work in this part.

Corrosion of seams, which can occur on the bottoms and sills of the oldest cars, will be more difficult to fight. But while it is not so common and almost imperceptible.

The paintwork covering of the body openings is rather thin, therefore, it is often wiped in the contact areas of the door seals and on the thresholds, therefore traces of deposition and paint on the surfaces inside are not always indicators of serious body repair.

It should be noted that with a fairly low price of body elements and the availability of a non-original version, they often complain about the high cost of body repair. The problem is that, although new parts are inexpensive, it is often necessary to repair body parts from fights, which are just missing. We have to use new parts that still cost more.

The bumper is not very good. The front bumper has an intricate design and fragile plastic that hurts those who still take the car for an SUV. Lip bumper can quickly crack in contact with problems on the road. Usually due to the high cost of a new element in repair, plastic restoration technologies are used. Defects of the windshield are also often found due to the design and aerodynamics.

While the car is new, the look of the cabin is not bad, but over time, because of the cheapness of materials and the “practicality” of the owners, it can become something dusty and squeaky. The amount of soft plastic is small, mostly hard plastic is used. Special monolithic structure is not observed. Just a few thousand miles. on a problem road, dust and several assemblies and disassemblies can lead to the fact that everything will creak, as in the oldest model “Zhiguli”.

Often it is necessary to replace cabin parts, because the quality of many of them is very poor. After five years of operation, the plastic becomes so brittle that it is necessary to replace all small items almost every day.

A separate problem is to highlight the central locking drives, and especially the lock drive on the rear door. The special strength of the actuators is not observed, after some time it is usually necessary to replace the driver’s door drive and the front passenger door drive. The lock of the fifth door usually maintains only two-three years of operation.

It is worth paying special attention to the condition of the cabin. On this car, he as nothing else says about the true mileage and operating conditions. Work in a taxi, dust on the roads and mileage will give out themselves with the help of scuffed openings, dust in the plastic, and seats squat. Cars with low urban mileage may look like new, especially with air conditioning and a clean cabin filter.

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Features of electronics and electrics

The car has simple wiring, which has not yet come to serious problems. Claims can be made to the nodes, fans, locks, contact groups of switches. A relatively serious question is an unsuccessful generator that constantly fails. After repairing it for so long, it no longer goes, although among the non-original parts you can find worthwhile options.

As for electricians, during the first three to five years from the moment of release it is very reliable, and then small problems can start. However, you will not have any major problems with it.

Chassis

The suspensions are quite simple, which makes them reliable, but not in everything. The rear shock absorbers work very little, and the front struts do not differ in durability. The back original flavors may lose their effectiveness after 30,000 first km. After 50, they almost always need to be replaced.

The front can withstand up to 100 thousand, but, as a rule, they are still replaced by 50-70 thousand km. The causes of such problems lie in the height of the center of gravity and high carrying capacity with a small mass of the car itself. Shock absorber seals are also not very good. In general, the suspension confirms that there can be no talk of any “small jeep”.

The steering rack is more reliable, and its resource can reach 150 thousand kilometers. Although the current rails are still quite common.

As for the brakes, they have few complaints. The only thing is that their effectiveness is quite small for a full load of cars. And it's not about the drums, as it may seem at first glance, but rather about the lack of diameter of the front discs. Although there is a flaw in the drums - in practice, their resource is much less than expected by the former owners of the Zhiguli. Requires regular replacement of pads, at least once a 30,000 need to check the remaining thickness of the plates. If you hope for a case, you will have to change all the brake drums, which are quite expensive.

Transmission

There are a lot of nuances. First of all, the drives are rather weak, which is the result of unification with the Fiesta, which is much easier. If the anthers and not torn, still drive elements with mileage up to 150 000 km may require replacement. A symptom of problems, as a rule, is a vibration of unknown origin, not related to the wheels.

Special drawbacks in mechanical boxes are not noticed, except that the drive, which is often loose. Flywheel on diesel engines also often fails, especially if the driver likes to start abruptly, slip and carry trailers, or if a robotic automatic transmission is used. The same problem may occur with the clutch disc with non-composite flywheel.

Robots are not very intelligent. There is no help system to start up the mountain - you will have to help yourself with the help of the parking brake. The clutch life is also small, and the reason for this is not only in the wear of the pads, but also the decrease in the level of spring stiffness. Five to six years of operation or the so-called "bathing" can lead to the failure of even the actuators. Moreover, they are officially unrepairable, and the cost of replacement is quite high. Although some masters and offer recycling. It does not give a 100% result, but it is possible to postpone the replacement in this way.

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In the automatic box, working with motors in 1.6, the resource is quite large. With regular oil changes and no risk of overheating, the box can outlast the machine itself. If it fails, it is usually the result of serious driver errors. For example, it can be a punched crankcase or regular overheating with deaf protection of the elements, as well as regular operation on snow or dirt.

Motors

Diesel engines due to their limited number to consider it makes no sense. Problems in the work of small diesel engines are noticed, and there are many of them, and the history of such instances is not very clear, so it will be easier to avoid these engines.

The gasoline engines used in this car are already familiar to motorists from the Focus, as well as the Volvo S40. The units are very reliable, they are characterized by a large predictable resource, and generic problems are practically absent. But the design of the air filter is not very successful. In view of this, the throttle quickly becomes dirty, but otherwise, the engines are still very successful.

It is necessary to repeat once again that this car is not a crossover or an SUV. It does not like riding in the dust. It is better to change the air filters as often as possible and to ensure that the roof of the filtration compartment is installed correctly.

The timing is quite high. Replacement may be required after 90 thousand kilometers, and the life of the drive belt is determined by the brand of the belt and the operating conditions.

Thermostats in the engine are not too good. Especially often problems arise with a plastic thermostat casing, which can lose tightness. If the motor overheats, the thermostat mount suffers, which is why it can leak. To replace the need to remove the generator, that is, cut the drive belt with an additional unit. All this will require effort and money.

Other troubles of the motor associated with cooling or overheating of the engine compartment. Wiring may suffer due to dirt. Ideally, connectors should be prevented at least once every few years. Among other problems of the fragility of radiators and hoses, over time, plastic caps are drying out, which can let antifreeze through, as well as pipe failure. You need to keep track of all this.

What to do?

In the early stages, the uncomplicated design of the car struck by its resiliency. But over time, budget makes itself felt. Breakage of plastic may occur, gradual failure of electricians, but all this can be quickly and inexpensively repaired. Even at an age in its class, this car is considered one of the best - no matter what, it is quite practical and reliable.

And then a video about a used Ford Fusion 2007: