Wondering if I made a mistake buying a new Ford.

[jeffers]

There have been some pretty cool Fords over the years, the most recent mustang 350r comes to mind, all the Raptor trucks, Focus RS. F150's have been pretty solid trucks for towing and for work trucks, I just get whatever is the coolest at the time though. My other car is a GTI, which is an awesome car but I think the rest of VW's lineup is pretty meh, except for Golf R.

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[jeffers]

What does that even mean. UAW is not the problem my friend.

Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Nissan all moved to the South where they could avoid the unions. I've driven past the Subaru plant. Now they're moving to Mexico where my GTI was built. My GTI had one QC issue, the front passenger door hinge was loose, could be worse. I don't know how many issues the dealership caught before I took delivery. When I worked at Nissan the Sentra and Venza were made in Mexico with pretty bad QC issues. Its up to the company to maintain QC despite where they're built. I think the new Tacoma is being hit pretty bad by QC issues in their new plant in Mexico.

 

[G L Rockwell]

I'm not a Ford "fan boy" (4th Generation dealer is a family friend) but have owned 14 Fords since '78 plus three "other" makes. Only one - until now - had problems, a 2000 Explorer Eddie Bauer. None of the rest were ever in the dealer except for routine things.

My '24 RR was built in January and, like all Rangers, not shipped until April. Delivered on 22 April w/66 miles. Ford said it was for blah, blah, blah, but since Ford has (had?) the worst frequency of repair in the industry, I believe (and it's just me) it was to get those things that could be fixed during production fixed. Farley finally has paid attention and there has been some improvement.

My RR is, mechanically, just fine. No issues ... but, like the OP, I have software problems which are the same as his. Blank screen, 2 minutes to come on, etc., all of which seem to be random. Additionally, the Adaptive Cruise will indicate being off, but still works. But there are other issues that are programming concerns - like Lane Keeping automatically coming on even when deselected on the screen. I asked my selling dealer to reinstall the software, thinking it might just be a glitch, but was told Ford will not allow a reinstall unless there is an update to the software (It's online and Ford controls it from Detroit).

Given the cost of today's vehicles we should expect more. As manufacturers put more and more electronic control into their vehicles, one could argue it's understandable. It's cheaper for them. I don't like it, but given the push for more and more screen control, I don't see it getting better in the near term. Let's hope over-the-air updates fix these bugs, some of which have been around a lot longer than they should.

My only gripe is the carplay not reconnecting at times, hopefully an update will address that.

 

[SubaruRaptor]

Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and Nissan all moved to the South where they could avoid the unions. I've driven past the Subaru plant. Now they're moving to Mexico where my GTI was built. My GTI had one QC issue, the front passenger door hinge was loose, could be worse. I don't know how many issues the dealership caught before I took delivery. When I worked at Nissan the Sentra and Venza were made in Mexico with pretty bad QC issues. Its up to the company to maintain QC despite where they're built. I think the new Tacoma is being hit pretty bad by QC issues in their new plant in Mexico.

I wont argue the QC is bad. But people blaming it on unions are just so wrong its embarrassing. Bad QC is directly tied to Ford Management and processes and the quest for more money. QC takes time, causes Ford to spend more money which is the exact opposite of what companies want to do. Where the car is built doesnt exactly matter, its all about processes that Ford controls.

Tesla QC is terrible for a long time regardless of wherever its built as an example.

 

[jeffers]

I wont argue the QC is bad. But people blaming it on unions are just so wrong its embarrassing. Bad QC is directly tied to Ford Management and processes and the quest for more money. QC takes time, causes Ford to spend more money which is the exact opposite of what companies want to do. Where the car is built doesnt exactly matter, its all about processes that Ford controls.

Tesla QC is terrible for a long time regardless of wherever its built as an example.

You should watch the movie Gung Ho.

 

[stormrider151]

UPDATE
So based on your responses I did a little detective work on my truck.

The fuel door issue as some of you suggested you were correct. Leaning against the truck to put something in it will cause it to pop open. Price of being fat I guess. I'll keep an eye on it.

The tag issue the dealer is going to hate. The tag is defiantly blocking the radar module which probably explains both the warning messages I got as the camera and radar module work together. If you flip it it partially blocks the front camera which can affect the park assist function. Here's what they are going to hate. They pop riveted the plate holder to the front of the truck leaving to holes in the front end. The only remedy I see is to replace the entire piece. I can live without a tag holder.

The glitchy center screen I'll have to watch. But they will have to replace the seat belt.

Thanks for all of the comments and advice. I'm new here and am really enjoying the forum.

 

[FossIsleBC]

I've always bought Ford vehicles. Never even considered anything else. It's very rare that that I have ever had to have warranty work done on one. Well, my new Ranger XLT is beginning to be something of a disappointment. I've only put 200 miles on it and already things are popping up that are causing concern.

1. The center display is glitchy. Sometimes it just won't come on and others it comes on but won't get past the startup screen. I can shut the truck down completely and it will correct the problem.
2.I get a "collision avoidance not available" warning on the DIC. This is intermittent. The windshield is clean.
3. I get a "adaptive cruise control module is blocked" warning. It came with a front license plate holder and I'm
wondering if this is on upside down.
4. A back seat seat belt will not lock in. Don't they test these? You would think so.
5. The fuel door keeps popping open going down the road.

Some of these may be nit picking and some are serious safety issues. Maybe I should have gone with the Tacoma. But I've always been a Ford guy. We'll see what happens when I take it in for repairs. But I can hear it now. "We couldn't recreate the problem" so............ I hear people with that problem all the time.
Rant over......carry on.

mostly agree, except with the “maybe I should have gone for the Tacoma”.

do yourself a favour and go hang out in the Taco forum a while - you’ll soon be happier with your decision to buy the Ranger. Some serious probs with the trannies on the new Taco, amongst other quality issues

 

[SubaruRaptor]

You should watch the movie Gung Ho.

Watching a fictional comedy won't change anything. If you think unions are the issue, I have some cardboard futures to sell you

 

[dguffin]

Unfortunately it doesn’t matter what you buy nowadays. The prices are higher and the quality is less. Be prepared to live with electrical gremlins. It’s normal nowadays.

 

[jeffers]

Ok, I think I should state my experience. I haven't really had any issues with my Ranger since I picked it up. Mine passes my expectations of quality control. Its still early on so time will tell, but there is the JD Power initial quality survey. I would give my truck high marks.

 

[NEPA]

mostly agree, except with the “maybe I should have gone for the Tacoma”.

do yourself a favour and go hang out in the Taco forum a while - you’ll soon be happier with your decision to buy the Ranger. Some serious probs with the trannies on the new Taco, amongst other quality issues

- Accurate. I had a 21 Tacoma and had numerous issues. I have a new RR and it’s been way better. I actually made it to my first oil change without the engine coming out.

 

[Deleted member 8845]

I've always bought Ford vehicles. Never even considered anything else. It's very rare that that I have ever had to have warranty work done on one. Well, my new Ranger XLT is beginning to be something of a disappointment. I've only put 200 miles on it and already things are popping up that are causing concern.

1. The center display is glitchy. Sometimes it just won't come on and others it comes on but won't get past the startup screen. I can shut the truck down completely and it will correct the problem.
2.I get a "collision avoidance not available" warning on the DIC. This is intermittent. The windshield is clean.
3. I get a "adaptive cruise control module is blocked" warning. It came with a front license plate holder and I'm
wondering if this is on upside down.
4. A back seat seat belt will not lock in. Don't they test these? You would think so.
5. The fuel door keeps popping open going down the road.

Some of these may be nit picking and some are serious safety issues. Maybe I should have gone with the Tacoma. But I've always been a Ford guy. We'll see what happens when I take it in for repairs. But I can hear it now. "We couldn't recreate the problem" so............ I hear people with that problem all the time.
Rant over......carry on.

Sounds like some quality control issues. Hopefully your dealer can work through the issues you’re having and get your truck back on the road for ya. My 24’ Ranger XLT made it to 240 miles on the odometer before it was bought back by Ford due to structural failure issues.

 

[wolf32v]

UPDATE
So based on your responses I did a little detective work on my truck.

The fuel door issue as some of you suggested you were correct. Leaning against the truck to put something in it will cause it to pop open. Price of being fat I guess. I'll keep an eye on it.

The tag issue the dealer is going to hate. The tag is defiantly blocking the radar module which probably explains both the warning messages I got as the camera and radar module work together. If you flip it it partially blocks the front camera which can affect the park assist function. Here's what they are going to hate. They pop riveted the plate holder to the front of the truck leaving to holes in the front end. The only remedy I see is to replace the entire piece. I can live without a tag holder.

The glitchy center screen I'll have to watch. But they will have to replace the seat belt.

Thanks for all of the comments and advice. I'm new here and am really enjoying the forum.

I have the glitchy screen too it even distorts the sound while playing music sometimes for just a second. I would rather have the sync 3 out of my Maverick in the new ranger its more rock solid never had any problems with it. It just needed a faster CPU and then it would have been perfect for me.
I also have several paint defects and trash in the paint.
The paint quality is just poor one spot looks like they ran out paint pigment around the inside door piliar.
Love the truck but its really losing its luster with the quality problems that are starting to show up.
The back of the cab weld seam on the right side below the back glass on some Rangers is just terrible, looks like a high schooler did some welding on it. There is splatter and rough welds on the right side of the trucks while the left side seam is smooth.
I would give Ford an extra 1000 for just an improvement in the paint quality and interior trim quality.

 

[Catalyst]

I got the seat belt problem too rear passenger side will not buckle.
I have the glitchy screen too it even distorts the sound while playing music sometimes for just a second. I would rather have the sync 3 of my Maverick in the new ranger its more rock solid never had any problems with it. It just needed a faster CPU and then it would have been perfect for me.
I also have several paint defects and trash in the paint.
The paint quality is just poor one spot looks like they ran out paint pigment around the inside door piliar.
Love the truck but its really losing its luster with the quality problems that are starting to show up.
The back of the cab weld seam on the right side below the back glass on some Rangers is just terrible, looks like a high schooler did some welding on it. There is splatter and rough welds on the right side of the trucks while the left side seam is smooth.
I would give Ford an extra 1000 for just an improvement in the paint quality and interior trim quality.

I have that issue with the cab weld on the passenger side below the rear window. Even has some areas paint bubbled and popped leaving pinholes. Driver’s side is smooth.

 

[fordtrks4ever]

If they would only give those union employees more money all of these problems would cease.


LOL.

The front plate holder is installed at the dealer most likely by the lowest payed employee in the service department.

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