2012 Ford Fusion
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Steering is the leading concern among 2,616 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 15 Fusion model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 111 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleMar 10, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Ranger, 2006-2012 Fusion, Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln MKZ, 2006-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2010 Ford Edge, and Lincoln MKX vehicles. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side airbag inflator or module with an alternate one, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 9, 2021 for the passenger side, and November 14, 2022 for the driver side. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S12.
Campaign 21V158000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalFeb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2005-2014 Mustang, 2004-2011 Ranger, 2009-2011 Mercury Milan, 2006 Ford GT, 2008-2012 Fusion, 2007-2010 Edge and Lincoln MKX, and 2009-2010 Lincoln MKZ vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a driver or passenger frontal air bag inflator used as a replacement service part, that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver and passenger air bag module, and replace either the module or the inflator, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Campaign 21V081000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleFeb 16, 2021
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain air bag inflator and/or module replacement service parts that may have been used as part of a collision repair. The parts include certain driver-side air bag inflators and/or modules, designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang and Mustang GT500. It also includes certain passenger-side air bag inflators and/or modules designed to fit 2005-2014 Ford Mustang, 2010-2012 Lincoln MKZ, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion, 2010-2011 Mercury Milan, 2007-2011 Ford Ranger, and 2007-2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles. Please see Ford's recall report for the specific part numbers. These parts may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the frontal air bag, an inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Ford will notify dealers that purchased the affected parts, and dealers will provide replacement parts to purchasers, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S05.
Campaign 21E013000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 7, 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Ford is recalling certain 2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles and 2011-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Ford is also recalling certain 2010 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX vehicles, 2010-2011 Ford Ranger and Mercury Milan vehicles, 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ vehicles, and 2010-2014 Ford Mustang vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.
Campaign 19V001000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleDo not drive until repairedJan 10, 2017
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2012 Ford Fusion and Mustang and Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Ranger, Edge, Fusion and Mustang, Lincoln MKX, MKZ and Zephyr and Mercury Milan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Ranger, Edge and Lincoln MKX, 2006-2008 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln Zephyr and MKZ, 2005-2008 Ford Mustang and 2005-2006 Ford GT vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available began mailing March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.
Campaign 17V024000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, electric power assist systemJun 2, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusion vehicles without a 3.5L engine and Lincoln MKZ hybrid electric vehicles, 2011 Mercury Milan vehicles, 2011-2012 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with a 3.5L GTDI engine and 2013 Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS, and Lincoln MKT vehicles equipped with any available engine. The affected vehicles have electric power steering assist systems that may shut down as a result of a steering motor sensor fault.
If the vehicle experiences a loss of power steering assist, extra steering effort will be required at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the Power Steering Control Module (PSCM) for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). If dealers find any loss of steering assist DTCs, the steering gear will be replaced, free of charge. If, no codes are found during the PSCM inspection, the PSCM software will be updated, free of charge. The recall began on July 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S18.
Campaign 15V340000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
2,616 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Structure, Nov 27, 2018, crash
TAKATA AIRBAGS DID NOT DEFLATE IN CAR ACCIDENT FOR SAFETY PURPOSE.
Steering, Nov 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRIGHTON FORD (190 W BROMLEY LN, BRIGHTON, CO 80601, (303) 800-3235) WHERE THE RACK AND PINION AND STEERING GEAR WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.
Steering, Nov 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.
Steering, Wheels, Traction control system, Engine, Nov 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STALLED. ALSO, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, AND THE POWER STEERING AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOB THOMAS FORD WEST (5321 ILLINOIS ROAD, FORT WAYNE, INDIANA 46804, (260) 436-3673) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 16451951. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.
Steering, Nov 24, 2018, crash
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET,AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT, LOST CONTROL HIT THE CURB.THANK GOD I DIDN'T HIT SOMEONE.
Air bags, Nov 21, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SAM PACK'S FIVE STAR FORD OF PLANO (LOCATED AT 4400 W PLANO PKWY, PLANO, TX 75093, (972) 985-3600) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Nov 21, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Air bags, Nov 21, 2018
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V024000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY OF 2017. THE VIN LOOK UP INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 21, 2018
TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCT.2016 FROM A DEALERSHIP .I ASKED THEM IF IT HAD ANY RECALLES THEY SAID NO.I DROVE MY CAR FOR 2 YEARS WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT IT DID. I WAS TOLD ABOUT IT IN APRIL 2018 FORD PUT ME IN A RENTIAL WHEN I ASKED FORD MOTOR CO. AFTER BEING IN THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS. THEY SAID THEY DONT HAVE A FIX FOR IT YET. WHEN I ASKED FOR A DEADLINE THEY SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE TILL THE END OF 20018 OR MID 2019. I TRYED TO TRADE IT IN OR SALE IT AND NO ONE WOULD BUY IT BC OF RECALL SO I HAD TO TURN IT IN . TO US AUTO CREDIT AND FIND A NEW CAR .I HADE TO PUT DOWN $2000.00 . THIS HAS PUT MY FAMILEY IN A BAD PLACE IT HAS MESSED UP MY CREDIT. WE WERE GOING TO BUY A HOUSE AND BC OF THIS IT HAS MESSED UP MY CHANCE TO DO SO.
Steering, Nov 20, 2018
I WENT OUT PARKED THE CAR. CAME BACK TO CAR PULLED OFF AND STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND CAUSED IRREGULAR BRAKING. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH FORCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER (STAR FORD LINCOLN, 1101 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Steering, Nov 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V340000 (STEERING). THE CONTACT CALLED HOLMAN FORD MAPLE SHADE AT 888-722-6721 (LOCATED AT 571 NJ-38, MAPLE SHADE TOWNSHIP, NJ 08052) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 20, 2018
POWER STEERING ASSIST FAULT CAME UP LAST NIGHT OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN. I WAS STATIONARY WHEN IT CAME ON AND ITS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE BUT I TURNED MY CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AND IT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THIS TIME I TRIED THE SAME THING BUT IT NEVER CLEARED ITSELF AND I'M CURRENTLY DRIVING IT WITH NO POWER STEERING BECAUSE I NEEDED TO GO TO WORK. VERY DANGEROUS AND A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE.
Steering, Air bags, Nov 20, 2018
WERE NOTIFIED BY MAIL REGARDING PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL. FOUND OUT ABOUT STEERING WHEEL ISSUE. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR. BEEN AT LEAST 2 YEARS
Service brakes, Nov 19, 2018
BRAKE PEDAL IS SOFT, AND TAKES LONGER TO STOP. HAD VEHICLE CHECKED - ALL BRAKE SYSTEMS FUNCTION CORRECTLY EXCEPT FOR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES-MODULATOR VALVE. SERVICE CENTER QUOTED $2282 TO REPLACE THE ASSEMBLY (# BE5Z2C215A). THE HIGH COST IS FOR 2010-2012 MODEL YEARS ONLY. THE COST DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY FOR THE 2014 FUSION. THE HIGH COST OF THIS SAFETY RELATED REPAIR, MAKES ESSENTIAL REPAIR UNAFFORDABLE. NHTSA OUGHT TO FORCE RELEASE OF AN AFFORDABLE PART, BASED ON SAFETY.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. DEALER HAS NOT YET HAD REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS.
Air bags, Nov 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED MAIL STATING THERE WAS A RECALL INVOLVING DEFECTIVE AIRBAGS THAT COULD CAUSE POTENTIAL HARM OR DEATH UPON IMPACT. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE FORD DEALERSHIP CLOSEST TO ME TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A REPLACEMENT. TEN DAYS WENT BY AND I CALLED TO CHECK THE PROGRESS AND I WAS TOLD THE ITEMS WERE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF DECEMBER. CURRENTLY I FEEL LIKE I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE DANGER IT POSES TO ME AND ANY OF MY PASSENGERS. AND IT LOOKS LIKE I WONT'T BE ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.
Suspension, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 18, 2018
HAVE FOUND ONLINE THAT THERE ARE TWO RECALLS IN PROCESS ON MY VEHICLE THAT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT NOTIFY ME OF. ALSO, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR SURGING FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STATIONARY POSITION. THIS POSES A HAZARD OF ME ACCIDENTALLY HITTING ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME WHEN TAKING OFF.THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE I LEASED THE CAR IN MAY OF 2018. I DO NOT REMEMBER HOW MANY MILES WERE ON THE CAR AT THE TIME.
Steering, Nov 17, 2018
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE AND AS I TRIED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO FOLLOW THE CURVED DRIVEWAY, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN IT RESULTING IN ME BACKING INTO THE YARD AND BARELY MISSING A TREE BEFORE I COULD GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, IT WOULD SURELY HAVE RESULTED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. FOR THE POWER STEERING TO SUDDENLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY!
Air bags, Nov 16, 2018
"TAKATA RECALL" IT'S BEEN ALMOST TWO YEARS SINCE THE RECALL AND I'VE MADE TWO APPOINTMENTS WITH FORD TO FIX IT. THEY CLAIM TO NOT HAVE THE PARTS.
Air bags, Nov 16, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED A FORM REGARDING THE AIRBAG SETTLEMENT. MY CONCERN IS THAT I AM DRIVING A CAR AROUND WITH A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE OR DANGEROUS AIRBAG AND FORD HAS NOT RECALLED MY VEHICLE YET. I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO ASSURE ME THAT MY AUTO SAFETY SYSTEM IS NOT GOING TO ENDANGER ME.
Air bags, Nov 15, 2018
TAKATA RECALL - STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED REPLACEMENT AIRBAG.
Air bags, Nov 14, 2018
2012 FORD FUSION HYBRID WAS RECALLED FOR AIRBAG. PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY VEHICLE AND SPECIFIC MODEL AND AN THERE IS NO AVAILABLE PARTS ETA. THE AMOUNT OF TIME MY CAR HAS BEEN UNDER RECALL WITH NO FIX AND IS NOT DRIVABLE PER THE RECALL IS EXCESSIVE AND HAS CAUSED MY FAMILY UNDUE HARDSHIP AND IS OVERLY BURDENSOME.
Vehicle speed control, Nov 14, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD FUSION. MOMENTS AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND SWITCHING THE GEAR SHIFTER TO THE PARK POSITION, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV VERY HIGH AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE DROVE FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RODEO FORD (13680 WEST TEST DR, GOODYEAR, AR) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,500.
Seats, Nov 14, 2018
IN 2017, MY PASSENGER SEAT WARMER QUIT WORKING AND IN 2018, MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER STOPPED WORKING. BOTH ACT THE SAME. WHEN THE SWITCH IS PRESSED TO ACTIVATE THE HEATER, THE LIGHT IS ON FOR ~3 SECONDS AND THEN IT GOES OFF. THE SEAT DOES NOT HEAT.