Savio Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I'm just venting some of my frustrations as well as looking to get some feedback from some of you guys. I have a 2014 Ford Fusion that has Ford's Active Park Assist feature which is supposed to parallel park the car completely for you. It takes over the steering while you control the pedals and follow the car's instructions (remove hands from steering wheel, shift to reverse, shift to drive, etc.) until the car is done and perfectly (or so they say) parallel parked. My car does park itself correctly, occasionally. The majority of the time, this is what it does: Here's where my frustration comes in. I've taken it into the dealerships (2 different dealers) 4 separate times. They've updated all the software, tested all the sensors, even replaced the parking control module, and at this point in time have had me come pick up the car because they don't know what else to do to fix it, leaving me with a car that doesn't function properly. While some of you probably might say "first world problems" to this, this feature was one of the main things that attracted me to this car and I gladly paid extra for the option. On top of that, I truly think it's a huge safety concern. Active Park Assist requires the driver to relinquish control of the steering to the car and in my car's case, it hits curbs, stops when it's clearly not finished (leaving the car halfway into traffic), and on multiple occasions has tried to hit the car in front of me. If I hadn't intervened during those occasions, it would've scraped the cars quite badly. If someone other than myself drives the car (valet, family, etc.) and doesn't know the feature is not working properly (as the car displays no fault codes, error messages etc. as the car thinks everything is working properly), there is a huge liability and safety risk for other vehicles, my vehicle, and as well as those driving/in my car and we all know who the fault would end up on if something like that happened (hint: not Ford). If anyone has any advice/feedback/comments or has even possibly dealt with something similar, your feedback would we welcome as I'm losing my patience with this car (I haven't even mentioned any of the other problems with it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I'm just venting some of my frustrations as well as looking to get some feedback from some of you guys. I have a 2014 Ford Fusion that has Ford's Active Park Assist feature which is supposed to parallel park the car completely for you. It takes over the steering while you control the pedals and follow the car's instructions (remove hands from steering wheel, shift to reverse, shift to drive, etc.) until the car is done and perfectly (or so they say) parallel parked. My car does park itself correctly, occasionally. The majority of the time, this is what it does: Here's where my frustration comes in. I've taken it into the dealerships (2 different dealers) 4 separate times. They've updated all the software, tested all the sensors, even replaced the parking control module, and at this point in time have had me come pick up the car because they don't know what else to do to fix it, leaving me with a car that doesn't function properly. While some of you probably might say "first world problems" to this, this feature was one of the main things that attracted me to this car and I gladly paid extra for the option. On top of that, I truly think it's a huge safety concern. Active Park Assist requires the driver to relinquish control of the steering to the car and in my car's case, it hits curbs, stops when it's clearly not finished (leaving the car halfway into traffic), and on multiple occasions has tried to hit the car in front of me. If I hadn't intervened during those occasions, it would've scraped the cars quite badly. If someone other than myself drives the car (valet, family, etc.) and doesn't know the feature is not working properly (as the car displays no fault codes, error messages etc. as the car thinks everything is working properly), there is a huge liability and safety risk for other vehicles, my vehicle, and as well as those driving/in my car and we all know who the fault would end up on if something like that happened (hint: not Ford). If anyone has any advice/feedback/comments or has even possibly dealt with something similar, your feedback would we welcome as I'm losing my patience with this car (I haven't even mentioned any of the other problems with it). ?...car stops?...something is obviously wrong because last I looked the only way that would happen is with the utilization of the only remaining hands on feature left exclusively for the occupant...using the brakes?....So, you are stating the car applies its own brakes?....if so, i dont think you would have any issues with lemon law, safety issues are paramount... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If they've replaced the entire control module for that unit, then, IMO, you can rule that out. That leaves wiring and sensors. My guess would be wiring. FordTech1 might be able to provide some suggestions for the best way to get QC engineers at Ford involved in the investigation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) ?...car stops? Because it hits the curb, I think. Edited November 6, 2014 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savio Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 Because it hits the curb, I think. Correct, the car was stopped because it steered into the curb and the curb was holding it from rolling further backwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I watched the video a couple times. It looks like when you searched for a spot. The screen said found a spot full forward. A stop sign came up and you kept moving forward. Then it showed the green check then stop sign again. I think you drove past the calculated point. Also, when you put it in park it showed the car not to be parked correctly on the screen. Try again and stop on first stop sign icon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If that works, you gonna bill him for the time? Gotta like your job a lot if you're going to do it for free in your spare time as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) I can't necessarily address the specific issues (failure, etc) with your vehicle, but I do know that speed can play a factor in the accuracy of parking system. When I did the Lincoln Date Night with the MKC, I tried the park assist several times. I found that the faster you let the car go in reverse, the less accurate it becomes, resulting in hitting curbs, parking sideways, etc. presumably because of turning radius, etc. I'm not sure whether that would account for the system failing like that, though, if it fails consistently when you try to use it. Edited November 6, 2014 by rmc523 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 From my experience auto park has worked very well. Of course it is not a human and can't make decisions in some cases. However something in the scenario you posted caused a miscalculation. Does it do it on left side parking also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) I can't necessarily address the specific issues (failure, etc) with your vehicle, but I do know that speed can play a factor in the accuracy of parking system. When I did the Lincoln Date Night with the MKC, I tried the park assist several times. I found that the faster you let the car go in reverse, the less accurate it becomes, resulting in hitting curbs, parking sideways, etc. presumably because of turning radius, etc. I'm not sure whether that would account for the system failing like that, though, if it fails consistently when you try to use it. Agreed the slower you search the better. Your speed was probably at the upper limit of the 25mph for a search. Edited November 6, 2014 by fordtech1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If that works, you gonna bill him for the time? Gotta like your job a lot if you're going to do it for free in your spare time as well... This would be a warranty claim so it would be free anyways 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) This would be a warranty claim so it would be free anyways Oh, come on, I know the Ford reimbursement schedules for warranty work are bad, but I didn't think they were *that* bad. Edited November 6, 2014 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savio Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 To clear things up, here's a video at a slower speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savio Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 From my experience auto park has worked very well. Of course it is not a human and can't make decisions in some cases. However something in the scenario you posted caused a miscalculation. Does it do it on left side parking also? Parking on the left side never causes it to do this, only the right. And it does this frequently in a wide variety of parking spots, hence why I'm able to catch it on video so frequently/easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Try and search a left hand spot and see if its the same result. That will at least help to determine if its a particular side ultrasonic sensor that isn't working correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I suspect a sensor issue causing miscalculation since its only 1 side. I would have to be sure, but I bet the sensors could be swapped side to side and see if concern moves. Or suspect right side sensors be replaced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savio Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) According to the dealership, they've already tested each sensor individually and each one is functioning correctly. After this, they replaced the parking control module. The 2nd video was taken minutes after picking up the car from the dealership after replacing the module. Edited November 6, 2014 by Savio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If you scuff your rims because of this error, is Ford taking care of that too ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 IMO the best diagnosis of a sensor would do a swap or replace suspect sensor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Or a more technical way to test is a azimuth check. Which set up 3 in diameter 39 in tall pole and set it in particular spots next to car and see if it can see it. Its in the work shop manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Have you had any body work or bumper repair? Does the sensor on the right side of the front bumper look to be locked in compared to left side? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 The scary part is with some people you have to ask basic questions. If you knew how many times I heard "my windows are inop" because the window lock was on.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) The scary part is with some people you have to ask basic questions. If you knew how many times I heard "my windows are inop" because the window lock was on.... Friend of mine claims--we were both doing tech support at Gateway--that he had a guy call up: "You guys put the CD player in upside down!" (which, of course, is impossible. The screws only fit one way) Guy swears up and down that the CD tray is upside down, describes it upside down, etc. Then the light bulb goes on "Is the logo also upside down?" "Yes" "You have the computer upside down." Edited November 6, 2014 by RichardJensen 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordtech1 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I believe it. I have had customers complain that their hub caps all don't face the same direction after a tire rotation. They insisted we set all them with the emblem up. Common sense isn't so common. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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