Vibrations in a Ford Fusion Car
by Brian Gallagher
The presence of noticeable and persistent vibrations in any make or model car, including a Ford Fusion, can indicate a serious problem. Have your car checked by a professional if you suspect it has any major issues. However, you may be able to diagnose the exact cause of the vibrations on your own, meaning your mechanic can go straight to work on the real problem instead of billing you for guessing and checking.
Tire Issues
Abnormal vibrations commonly stem from unbalanced or misaligned tires. Any difference in the orientation of your tires on opposite sides of the car or between the front and the back pair could lead to noticeable vibrations when driving. If the vibrations only began after you have rotated your tires, this cause should be your first guess. Non-round tires can also cause vibrations, though this problem shouldn't occur with relatively new tires.
Torque Converter Shudder
Problems in the torque converter are another prevalent cause of vibrations, or shudder. Generally, you can assume your vibrations have stemmed from a torque converter issue if they seem to emanate from your transmission and they usually occur when you accelerate at a speed of between 15 and 50 miles per hour (mph). Many owners of the gasoline-powered (non-hybrid) Ford Fusion have reported transmission issues, the fix for which may involve a flush of all transmission fluids or a transmission control module reprogramming.
Problems with Mounts
If the vibration or shuddering occurs during acceleration at any speed, and only during acceleration, the mounts on your car's engine or transmission may not be tight enough. Your mechanic should be able to verify quickly whether these components are mounted securely.
Driveshaft Problems
Ford has issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) for the 2007 Fusion stating that vibrations felt during driving on all-wheel-drive models may result from an improperly balanced or indexed driveshaft (TSB 07-6-14). Your mechanic, as per the TSB's instructions, will want to try reindexing the rear driveshaft. If the problem persists, the driveshaft may require removal.
Bulkhead or Dashboard Vibrations
Vibrations that appear to emanate from the bulkhead or dashboard, which may manifest themselves as a buzzing sound, may occur due to a variety of loose components in that area. According to TSB 07-17-05, "The noise may be heard during light tip-ins at 25-50 mph (40 to 80 km/h). The most common occurrence is at approximately 50 mph (64 km/h) at 1,500 rpm. The buzzing noise is more prominent in cold ambient temperatures." If you experience the vibrations under these conditions, consult this TSB for the full steps to remedy the problem (see link in References section).
Writer Bio
Brian Gallagher has been writing for various websites since 2009, focusing on topics of science and technology. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Illinois.
