After numerous attempts to get Ford to address an obvious defect in craftsmanship I am left with no other recourse than to make their poor customer service known. I own a 2005 Explorer. The paint on the roof has come off and exposed the prime/metal underneath. The metal is rusting and Ford refuses to do anything. I own 3 Fords, but I will never buy another.
I estimate a $1500 repair vs. 6 -10 New car sales over my lifetime make this a poor business decision.
Why is it obvious? Is it possible that you park near a source of airborne contamination that is damaging the paint? Did you buy the vehicle new? Was the paint always bad on the roof? Do you like to use those car washes witht he rotating brushes (that roof brush can be really hard on taller vehicles).
Did you actually talk to "Ford" or is it the dealer that is refusing to do anything?
The Ford warranty guide is pretty clear on this:
"If corrosion does not cause perforation (holes), and is not the result of usage and/or environmental conditions, paint damage is covered under the terms of the Bumper to Bumper Warranty (3 years or
36,000 miles, whichever occurs first).
"For damage caused by airborne material (environmental fallout) - where there is no factory-related defect involved and therefore no warranty - our policy is to cover paint damage due to airborne material for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first."
So what is the reason they are not covering the repiar? Were you beyond 3 years, 36,000 miles? Was the corrosion the result of usage or enviromental conditions?
Ford needs to draw the line somewhere. They have a warranty that covers the paint. Did you exercise it within the stated period? Did you go beyond the dealer? Did you ask to talk to the zone rep?
If you think never buying another Ford is going to gaurantee that this won't happen with a another brand, you are fooling yourself. The worst paint problem I ever had was with a Toyota. In less than two years the (dark blue) paint was crap and when I suggested to the dealer they should fix it, they almost burst out laughing. Their parking lot was full of Toyota with crappy paint. And I still see them everyday (Toytoas with faded paint). The worst new car paint problem I ever saw was also with a Toyota. A friend bought a new Celica (red). I was admiring the car when I noticed that the paint was literally missing in a streak down the center of the roof. My much shorter friend got a step ladder and almost blew his top when he saw the problem from the same angle as I did. I can't imagine that the dealer let the car off the lot with such an obvious defedct - but they did. They (the dealer) repainted the roof. It looked good for the first couple of years, but eventually the roof faded differently fromt he rest of the car. He hasn't bought a Toyota since, but I can't see that it really hurt Toyota sales much.
I only wish you could see it. Having been in the Autobody industry for more than 20 years I conclude that the only thing that will cause paint to flake off the way this has after only 3 years is poor surface preparation/workmanship. Can you imagine how long we would be in business if the cars we repair had similar results. Of course I called Ford, wrote letters, and have gone to the dealer, who agreed that the problem was a defect, but was unwilling to remedy the situation.
Your response is troubling, I call it apathy, I should accept that the paint literally falls off after only 3 years and the car is rusting? It no suprise our auto industry continues to lose market share. And as long as we are drawing lines, I draw the line with poor quality. I expect much better , no, I demand it.
Really? Your complaint is suspect at this point in time. It should be obvious to any thinking person that if there is rust appearing, that the problem MUST have started long BEFORE your factory warranty expired. It seems odd that you did not notice the problem sooner.
For the interested, I'll email you high res pictures of the obvious defect and you can draw your own conclusions. But, as you've stated, rust does not appear overnight and as this is a
2005, it stands to reason that the problem began prior to the expiration of the warranty.
Maybe a web site with a photo gallery would better serve this purpose.
I would suggest calling the factory representative. If that doesn't work, go the state's attorney general. Also, see if you can use the lemon laws in your state.
Well, good pictures might go along way to helping form an opinion...
I just went through a rust pitted running board issue with a SuperDuty owner..... something about gravel roads and all those rock chips make it hard to be sympathetic.
I haven't seen your car... don't know here youi live.... haven't seen the nature of your concern.... Based on the FACTS I have at hand, I cannot form a valid opinion... and neither can anyone else....
For the interested, I'll email you high res pictures of the obvious defect and you can draw your own conclusions. But, as you've stated, rust does not appear overnight and as this is a
2005, it stands to reason that the problem began prior to the expiration of the warranty.
Maybe a web site with a photo gallery would better serve this purpose.
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