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2008 Ford Fusion Safety Review

August 1, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Edmunds.com: no stability control, "unlike with most competitors"
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: "top pick"

Nearly every review we read noted the lack of stability control on the 2008 Ford Fusion. Ford updated the Fusion in 2007 with plenty of new standard features like side curtain airbags. But it's the glaring omission from the Fusion's safety features list that caused most reviewers to pause before recommending the Fusion.

Edmunds said that stability control isn't available on the Fusion, "unlike with most competitors," a strike against Ford. Cars.com explained why it's such a good idea to have it. Stability control helps keep a vehicle from spinning out of control, and while it "isn't as necessary as it might be in an SUV," they wrote, the fact it's standard on the Camry, Accord and Altima "makes the Fusion's omission less acceptable."

Even so, the 2008 Ford Fusion has every other imaginable piece of safety gear, including anti-lock brakes, side curtain and side airbags, as well as dual front airbags. The crash performance for the sedan is also quite strong -  it earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Pick," also scored five-star safety in government tests for front, side and rear impacts. So while it's missing one feature, the Fusion still is a safe vehicle by almost all measures.

Conclusion

The lack of stability control gives reviewers pause, but the 2008 Ford Fusion still has five-star safety, like many other Ford cars.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10 Edmunds.com: no stability control, "unlike with most competitors" Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: "top pick" Nearly every review we read noted the lack of stability control on the 2008 Ford Fusion. Ford updated the Fusion in 2007 with plenty of new standard features like side curtain airbags. But it's the glaring omission from the Fusion's safety features list that caused most reviewers to pause before recommending the Fusion. Edmunds said that stability control isn't available on the Fusion, "unlike with most competitors," a strike against Ford. Cars.com explained why it's such a good idea to have it. Stability control helps keep a vehicle from spinning out of control, and while it "isn't as necessary as it might be in an SUV," they wrote, the fact it's standard on the Camry, Accord and Altima "makes the Fusion's omission less acceptable." Even so, the 2008 Ford Fusion has every other imaginable piece of safety gear, including anti-lock brakes, side curtain and side airbags, as well as dual front airbags. The crash performance for the sedan is also quite strong -  it earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's "Top Pick," also scored five-star safety in government tests for front, side and rear impacts. So while it's missing one feature, the Fusion still is a safe vehicle by almost all measures. ConclusionThe lack of stability control gives reviewers pause, but the 2008 Ford Fusion still has five-star safety, like many other Ford cars. 2008 Ford Fusion Styling | 8 out of 10 Cars.com: “lean and athletic” FamilyCar.com: “instrument cluster was clean and easy to read” Car and Driver: "the best looking Ford sedan in years" Reviewers generally liked the 2008 Ford Fusion's combination of sharp edges and soft ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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See the Ford Fusion in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (4 total)

  1. By Bill Stammers #1, Posted: 5/21/2008

    A great car!!

    I have driven over a million miles in my lifetime, I have driven most modern cars, the most comfortable was a Mercedes 560SEC, well the Fusion whilst not having the raw power of the Merc is as comfortable corners much better (the 560 ate it's front tyres for breakfast) I have been so impressed with the build quality, the engine's flexibilty (I have the 4 cyl with manual 5 speed transmission, the quiet ride and the fuel economy I am getting 31.4 mpg over 5,500 miles at an average speed of 45 mph. I drove a Honda Accord for a long time, it does not compare to the Ford, the fuel economy was better, but the build quality (driver's window collapsed) comfort and noise levels were disappointing. Living in the wild west of Canada, where the roads are mainly long and straight, I have not as yet had a chance to put the Fusion through any hard cornering, but the feel of the car gives me absolute confidence in achieving complete satisfaction ehen I do! All in all a great car, Ford have taken a really good car in the Focus and taken it to the next level a pat on the back for them!!

  2. By Bob #3, Posted: 1/12/2009

    Let's rock

    This car rocks!

  3. By Doug #4, Posted: 7/8/2009

    My 2010 Ford Fusion has an annoying NEED OIL CHANGE message on my reader board on the dash. The problem is, I just got my oil changed. Anyone know how to remove that message? THANKS.

  4. By Eric #5, Posted: 9/6/2009

    I get the same Problem with my 2001 Alero, so what you have to do is look in your manual and it should tell you how to turn it off there. usually you have to enter a code to get it to turn off. I would take it back to wherever you got your oil changed and they should be able to show you how to turn it off. You can always call the dealership you bought it at and ask them how to turn it off too.

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