[TRev]

I like my Fiesta ST a lot but there is one thing that I can not stand about it. Anytime I turn the HVAC systems from off to Auto, the system blows outside air through the dash vents at full fan speed. So if it is -15 out, I get a nice 15 second blast of ice cold air in the face. My dealer is saying they checked with Ford and this is normal behavior. I am not satisfied with that answer and am wondering if other peoples Fiestas are doing the same thing?

I can recreate the issue every time I turn the system to off....leave off for at least 20-30 seconds so the blower door can move to its off position...turn to Auto and feel the blast of air out of the dash vents for 10-15 seconds.

 

[TRev]

Is there someone who has a few minutes that could please try the steps above and post the behavior they experience?

I called Ford customer service as well and the rep said "If the Hotline says it is normal behavior than there is nothing we can do." If the car is really this poorly designed and Ford is not willing to look into it further, this will definitely be the last Ford that I own.

 

[captainmorbid]

FiST world problems... One of the common complaints I've seen about the FiST is the auto climate controls. I kind of hope Ford turfs it for the 2016s, as I live where it gets to 40 below, and I don't need snotcicles in my commute...


Sent via poles, wires and telegraph 2.

 

[CrookedRacer]

Mine does exactly the same thing. I'd say it's normal for the car.

It doesn't do this when you start the car and the system is already in Auto. Only when you switch from off to Auto.

 

[TRev]

Mine does exactly the same thing. I'd say it's normal for the car.

It doesn't do this when you start the car and the system is already in Auto. Only when you switch from off to Auto.

Thanks for checking!

Correct, it doesn't do it when set to Auto only whenever you turn the system off and then on again which I tend to do. Sad to hear that yours does the same thing as that likely means I will be ditching this car before next winter and it has ruined my appreciation for Fords. I have health related issues as it is with regard to cold and this is not something I want to live with regardless if it is only a convenience feature. Not sure how they could engineer something so poorly

 

[Ronbo]

^^^ Why don't you just leave it in Auto and avoid the issue?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TRev]

Because the Auto setting isn't accurate enough to be worth a damn, i.e. it is a lot easier to turn the system on and off then constantly try to adjust dials to my needs...however unlike every other car I have owned where you turn the system on and off and it acts like you expect, this turns on with the fan full blast pumping outside air through the most inconvenient vents on the dashboard. I am not turning it on with settings that have the fan on full blast and cold. I am turning it on set to auto with a temp of High yet I am getting the behavior of the former. It comes down to piss poor engineering and Ford could care less. Therefore, I could care less about Ford when I look for my next vehicle.

 

[TRev]

^^^ Why don't you just leave it in Auto and avoid the issue?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

One more point, it is obviously an "issue" at least compared to every other properly working car I have owned/drive and I have owned and driven a lot of cars. Why doesn't Ford fix the issue? Why is it up to me to "just leave it on Auto"?

It's obvious now why Ford is taking the stance they are because it is happening on all the cars and they don't want to deal with fixing the issue based on the costs involved.

 

[blurred]

Or you are the only one that complains instead of accepting the "quirk" and working around it.
Sometimes you just might need to accept that you are the only one that thinks it's a problem (as opposed to a minor annoyance)

 

[TRev]

Or you are the only one that complains instead of accepting the "quirk" and working around it.
Sometimes you just might need to accept that you are the only one that thinks it's a problem (as opposed to a minor annoyance)

It's not a quirk. It doesn't work properly and they should fix it period.

Oh, and even the customer care representative working for Ford said she didn't think it should work like that...but there was nothing she could do to help.

 

[blurred]

Sounds like a quirk as your system works the same as the rest, therefore it is not broken, it is working as it was created.

It might not be their intended result, or your ideal setup, but it isn't "broken" and therefore isn't a priority to "fix".

There are a few ways you can adapt, but it seems you are choosing not to, and are therefore making the "problem" worse for yourself.

 

[TRev]

Sounds like a quirk as your system works the same as the rest, therefore it is not broken, it is working as it was created.

It might not be their intended result, or your ideal setup, but it isn't "broken" and therefore isn't a priority to "fix".

There are a few ways you can adapt, but it seems you are choosing not to, and are therefore making the "problem" worse for yourself.

Please explain how I am making the problem worse for myself other than having a bunch of Ford groupies trying to defend poor engineering

 

[blurred]

Easy,
Don't aim the vents at your face if they keep blowing in your face and it bothers you.
Leave the system in auto.
Keep the recirc setting on during transition (which may or may not work).

Any of these things would reduce your "problem" and let you live a normal life instead of feeling like your econobox is trying to kill you. Just feel lucky you don't have a VW.... Imagine all of the actually problems you would have to deal with

And I'm not a ford groupie, I don't care for fords at all.

 

[captainmorbid]

It is behaving exactly the same as the system in my former Grand Vitara when in auto mode. Auto climate control is a dumb idea generally, but if a car I want has it, I will leave it in whatever position is least annoying, and live with it.

 

[CrookedRacer]

 

[TRev]

CrookedRacer, we both just dealt with Hawk on a product problem and Edwin had awesome customer service skills. I have no problem working through problems with a product if provided good customer service and tech support.

It isn't just the poor engineering...I mean really how hard is it to change the machine code to not have the fan running full blast when the blower door cycles?.....it is also the piss poor service. The Ford Hotline gave the dealer useless information....they didn't even have confidence as to whether it was designed behavior. Ford, you don't have cars that you could have tested this on to at least give the dealer a concrete answer, really? The customer service rep admits that it shouldn't work the way it does but says there is nothing I can do, have a nice day. Product mistakes happen, poor engineering happen, but poor service in combination is something that I won't tolerate. Did the Hotline provide alternative methods or suggestions to the dealer...ummm nope. I have a thyroid issue and am temperature sensitive so yeah, while it may not be a big deal to most, it is a big deal to me. The service aspect makes me want to never own another Ford.

 

[CrookedRacer]

FordService (Meagan), would you or have you already weighed in here?

 

[FordService]

...I called Ford customer service as well and the rep said "If the Hotline says it is normal behavior than there is nothing we can do." If the car is really this poorly designed and Ford is not willing to look into it further, this will definitely be the last Ford that I own.

Hi TRev,

I can check out some options on this. Please send me a private message with your VIN, mileage, best daytime phone, full name, and dealer name/location.

FordService (Meagan), would you or have you already weighed in here?

Thanks!

Meagan

 

[TRev]

Meagan, I appreciate you trying to help. PM sent.

 

[FordService]

Meagan, I appreciate you trying to help. PM sent.

Got it!

Meagan