2014 Ford Fusion - ABS lights in combo with others

ABS/Traction control/air bag lights come on and will either stay on or go off and on. I did the thing I could do that were suggested, such as new tires, alignment, speed sensors, topped off the brake fluid and had my brakes checked, which they are fine. My mechanic can’t seem to find the problem

ABS/traction warning light will turn on if drivetrain computer detects certain engine/transmission problems. It does that b/c those function won’t work correctly (& safely) unless engine/transmission is working to spec. Suggest to ask shop to read out the diagnostic codes, computer usually stores these codes in memory when it detects engine/trans malfunctions. If codes are present, you can post the numbers here for more ideas.

This doesn’t explain the air bag warning unfortunately. Perhaps those are caused by a different problem. Make sure to remove everything from unoccupied seats. Just placing a briefcase on the rear seat on way to work could conceivably confuse computer…

Did your mechanic scan for codes? that would be the normal place to start. also checking for frayed, cut or burnt wires to sensors and connectors should be checked.

2014 ford fusion service advancetrac message; ads, tracti… (yourmechanic.com)](2014 ford fusion service advancetrac message; ads, tracti...)

New tires for an airbag warning light? I suspect your mechanic doesn’t have a diagnostic scan tool that can connect to the ABS or airbag modules to obtain the fault codes.

A package on a rear seat could corrupt a computer? That is a serious defect.

Confuse more than corrupt. No dispute, such a thing would be a serious design defect.

There are no frontal airbags in the rear seat and no occupant detection system in the back seat.

Is your mechanic employed by a Ford dealership?

You need a new mechanic. This one is completely incompetent if they suggested new tires for ANY of these faults.

1 Like

Clearly, you are thinking of the FRONT passenger seat, George.

No, I meant rear. May not apply to Ford Fusion, but some cars have (or had) rear passenger seat sensors which confused computer if briefcase placed there. Based on car-repair incident, apparently car owner kept bringing car to shop w/complaint exhibited most every morning; but shop never able to repeat the problem at the shop. Owner says they had the problem that very morning. Shop tech then notices the car owner removes their briefcase from the rear seat before leaving the shop for work. Voila. It’s possible facts got confused in the telling, briefcase actually on front passenger seat I guess.

You’re just a customer with a broken car, there’s no way you would or should know this, but doing all that work in hopes that it will turn off your ABS light is just stupid. Whoever recommended those things to you is either incompetent or dishonest. I prefer to think incompetent, as I generally give people the benefit of the doubt.

A 2014 Fusion is a mainstream car and any repair shop with the slightest bit of professional equipment will have the ability to diagnose and repair your problem. Step one will be to scan all the modules on the car for fault codes, and then performing specific tests to determine the root cause for any codes found.

Replacing tires, doing an alignment, and topping off brake fluid for an ABS light is like rewiring a kitchen for a burned out light bulb. Please ask your friends and co-workers for the name of a reputable repair shop.

2 Likes

Even my cheap code reader can read ABS codes so clearly your first step is to change mechanics.

The intermittent combination of warning lights might indicate a system voltage problem. Have the battery and charging system checked.

1 Like