My wife has a 2020 Ford Fusion SE with a 1.5 ecoboost I4 engine (build date 6/2020).  Past years of this engine had a design flaw in which coolant leaked into the engine near cylinder walls causing issues which would generally lead to engine replacement pretty early.  I learned that there was a revised engine design that corrected this coolant intrusion issue on subsequent Fusions. How can I tell if her 2020 Fusion SE (build date 6/2020) has the updated design of the 1.5 ecoboost I4 engine that does not leak coolant into the engine?  Any info would be appreciated.

I've got nothing substantial for you, OD, other than this.  It appears there was a possible lawsuit that was going to be filed, and it referenced model years 2013-2019.  With your wife's being a 2020, I'd say it's excluded for a reason (they finally addressed the issue).  Also, with the build date of 6/20, this is very early on in Covid, I'd say they were still pretty close to their traditional build schedule, so it's 2020 parts that were likely assembled.

Are you just looking for peace of mind, or do you need it for something else?

I'd take it to the dealership and have them check it out. I am not sure with it being considered to be the same engine, just upgraded, if you would be able to get accurate information or not based solely on looking up the VIN # online.

6 hours ago, CincySportsFan said:

I've got nothing substantial for you, OD, other than this.  It appears there was a possible lawsuit that was going to be filed, and it referenced model years 2013-2019.  With your wife's being a 2020, I'd say it's excluded for a reason (they finally addressed the issue).  Also, with the build date of 6/20, this is very early on in Covid, I'd say they were still pretty close to their traditional build schedule, so it's 2020 parts that were likely assembled.

Are you just looking for peace of mind, or do you need it for something else?

Wife is looking for piece of mind honestly.  Although I told her she probably would never get as much for her car as right now and go for a non Ford.  She's VERY loyal (to a fault IMO), has never had anything else but Ford.

2 hours ago, Tones said:

I'd take it to the dealership and have them check it out. I am not sure with it being considered to be the same engine, just upgraded, if you would be able to get accurate information or not based solely on looking up the VIN # online.

Yeah, that's just it.  I have dealt with Ford corporate on another issue years ago and could not get a straight answer.  In my opinion they were falling over themselves to cover their back side in the response to me.  Same with a GM product I had years ago as well.  Seems workmanship and quality at auto companies is not considered in the bottom line any longer.

17 hours ago, OlDog75 said:

Yeah, that's just it.  I have dealt with Ford corporate on another issue years ago and could not get a straight answer.  In my opinion they were falling over themselves to cover their back side in the response to me.  Same with a GM product I had years ago as well.  Seems workmanship and quality at auto companies is not considered in the bottom line any longer.

I had the same problems dealing with Ford. Thought it was an issue with the dealership I was dealing with but sounds like maybe it could be more of a problem. Got rid of my Edge at 30k miles solely because I couldn't deal with the people at the dealership. Good luck.

THE SAGA CONTINUES.......

Just to add to this car saga, after I had posted this to BGpreps, MY car was parked on street in front of our home and we had quite a storm that afternoon.  We were out running errands in my wife's car when storm hit and came back home to see a rather large tree limb had fallen on the top and rear of my SUV.  OK, lots of damage and got insurance company to pay to fix it.  Couldn't get it in for a month at the place where I wanted it repaired, really no problem because it was drivable (miraculously no glass busted). Got it back after 4 weeks at repair shop.  That week, went out to start wife's Ford and it's having a hard start, got it running albeit roughly.  Drove it around neighborhood but it obviously was in "limp mode".  Opened the hood to find a bunch of leaves in top of engine and wires chewed, even the insulator around the battery was all chewed up.  Wife's Ford only sat for 2 days after last use (little buggers are quick and destructive, probably chipmunk or squirrel).  YA GOTTA LOVE LIFE, HUH? 

8 hours ago, OlDog75 said:

THE SAGA CONTINUES.......

Just to add to this car saga, after I had posted this to BGpreps, MY car was parked on street in front of our home and we had quite a storm that afternoon.  We were out running errands in my wife's car when storm hit and came back home to see a rather large tree limb had fallen on the top and rear of my SUV.  OK, lots of damage and got insurance company to pay to fix it.  Couldn't get it in for a month at the place where I wanted it repaired, really no problem because it was drivable (miraculously no glass busted). Got it back after 4 weeks at repair shop.  That week, went out to start wife's Ford and it's having a hard start, got it running albeit roughly.  Drove it around neighborhood but it obviously was in "limp mode".  Opened the hood to find a bunch of leaves in top of engine and wires chewed, even the insulator around the battery was all chewed up.  Wife's Ford only sat for 2 days after last use (little buggers are quick and destructive, probably chipmunk or squirrel).  YA GOTTA LOVE LIFE, HUH? 

I had mice chew into my wiring earlier this year after leaving it parked in the driveway for a few days while driving my daughters car.  That was an expense I wasn't expecting.

I've heard this is an even bigger problem with newer cars as they're using a soy based material in the wire coverings.

15 hours ago, nees1212 said:

I had mice chew into my wiring earlier this year after leaving it parked in the driveway for a few days while driving my daughters car.  That was an expense I wasn't expecting.

I've heard this is an even bigger problem with newer cars as they're using a soy based material in the wire coverings.

Yes, the CHEAP soy wire insulation car manufacturers are using is a problem.  I was also told by the repair shop this has been the worst year they have ever seen for rodents chewing up engine wires.  So now we put peppermint soaked cotton balls and peppermint spray everywhere in the engine bays (of course where it won't cause a problem with engine) and make sure we start or drive the vehicles every day or every other day. (I was told it didn't matter if car sits outside or in a garage, it could happen)

We've got so many squirrels and chipmunks running around, even the black snake we occasionally see can't keep up!

Years ago, my family went to Florida to stay in a condo that my in-laws owned (they were snow birds and it was summer).  Their car had been sitting for a few months (car battery hooked up to a charging device). We got into the car, started it and heard a crunching noise followed by all kinds of debris coming out of the AC vents.  Turned out there was a nest of mice under the hood.  Never did get that smell out of the car.

On 10/19/2022 at 10:38 AM, Beechwoodfan said:

Years ago, my family went to Florida to stay in a condo that my in-laws owned (they were snow birds and it was summer).  Their car had been sitting for a few months (car battery hooked up to a charging device). We got into the car, started it and heard a crunching noise followed by all kinds of debris coming out of the AC vents.  Turned out there was a nest of mice under the hood.  Never did get that smell out of the car.

YUK!