Daveman,

At least you got 1000 miles in... 7 days after taking delivery, the moonroof stuck open on mine.... I thought it might be a quick fix, didn't get what I needed outta the truck.... when I left, I had to retrieve some things from the truck... nothing like seeing my 7 day old Screw in a bay, the head liner in the bed and all the moldings and weatherseals removed....

 

I too have had paint problems!

Mine were in between the windshield washer nozzles on the hood. There were many small spots where the paint was chipped off down to the gray primer. The paint was also 'wrinkly' around these spots.
Took the 2001 Supercrew Lariat 4x4 to the dealer and they sent it to a body shop, and gave me a Chevy Caviler. Four days later, the repair seems to be perfect.

My impressions now; I didn’t like getting a $12K car for a replacement of a $31k truck. I will always worry about more paint coming up.

 

So did you get your truck back and how is it?

I got my Screw in late October and have noticed a few problems with QUALITY as well. I have a spot on my left fender that looks like someone leaned on it with a cloth (complete with woven pattern) while it was still drying.

There is a place on the roof, in a rain channel at the rear of the cab, that looks like they did not apply enough seam sealer where the panels mate together and there is a big "pooling" area as a result.

The only other exterior thing I have noticed that it looks like the right rear door was slammed excessively hard and made contact (chipping the paint) in the upper corner of the jamb area, right next to the weatherstrip.
I found this one while looking at the roof deal and happened to notice rough paint on the top edge of the door. It seems the touch-up was not dry before someone closed the door again and the fresh paint stuck to the door.

I have mentioned it to the dealer but don't want them painting a spot on my roof. I will continue to monitor my mileage and get it done before warranty runs out.

I am relatively new to the forum but enjoy reading the posts and it is a good place to get info. Seems like a good group of people.

Oh yeah......Has anyone had a problem with the leather on their steering wheel - around the cruise buttons?

 

Okay guys/gals,

Here's the latest on my Screw. I got it back from the dealer two weeks ago and they repaired the broken stud, repainted the entire hood and were supposed to paint under the passenger door rocker panel but they forgot. They were supposed to replace all the plastic trim on the rear bumper as it was stained with tar from the factory but Ford sent the wrong parts three times until they finially figured out it was a King Ranch and not a Lariat. Anyway, I had to bring it back to the dealer on Monday this week and I'm supposed to get it back tomorrow completed with all paint work done, plastic bumper pads replaced and for my trouble they are going to repair a dent I got in the parking lot of where I work. I think a co-worker hit my door with his and didn't bother to tell me as he knew I would be pissed but I think that's not right.

Should be able to update you guys tomorrow or Saturday for sure on the final word. Looks like the dealer has treated me fairly and so in the end it will probably all be okay, I hope!

Talk later,
DaveMan

 

I really don't like hearing about all of your problems! I am nearing the end of my lease and warranty on my 99, and eventhough it had the engine replaced with an FQR, I am considering getting either a new Screw or SuperDuty. The one thing about the 99 is that the paint is the most perfect and durable I have ever seen, the fit and finish is PERFECT inside and out!!! These are the things that will keep me buying Ford. But now I am beginning to wonder...

 

Hey firstimeFord,

I've been talking about my truck since I bought it and there has been tons of folks talking to me and no one has ever reacted like you! Sounds like you've got a personal problem to me.

If you don't like hearing my problems then buy your own Screw and create your own threads on whatever you want to tell about your experiences and I'll make sure and not read them.

BTW, if you don't want to read this crap then you are not required to do so.

DaveMan,

 

I thought this forum was to share information and make us all better prepared to make a major purchase. If nothing else our "problems", minor and major, should just be that much more information the consumer has when looking at a new vehicle.

I did not know about this forum before I bought my truck in October but if I had I would have looked more closely at things I have read about here.

firsttimeFord:
I am not saying my paint is bad it has a spot or two that aren't 100%, IMHO, but it is very tough. I bought white to hide scratches and the like from going in the woods. I was in some pretty thick brush and tight forest service roads with branches scrubbing down both sides, and when I washed the mud and gunk off.........I had no scratches. I think my paint will hold up fine and I LOVE my truck. I would buy another in a second, maybe a different dealer but definately another Screw.

Dare I say that, since my last 4 vehicles have been ricemobiles?

 

I have owned 2 f-150s, a 94 and the 01 SCREW I have now. The paint on both trucks has been outstanding so far and I have never had a problem.

Now yes every once in a while, and Ford should do there best to prevent lemons but when one does come down to the customer, the dealer/Ford SHOULD fix it.

Again no use arguing as just because your experiance is great dosen't mean that the next guys will be...

 

DaveMan -

Chill out. I was being sarcastic and was in no way ripping on you...I was mearly stating that I was set on a new Screw or SuperDuty but may reconsider due to the amount of quality and fit and finish problems and now I have more work (research) to do, that's all. The point I was trying to make is that my 99 is flawless and that the quality seems to be degrading since then...

Again, chill out. You took my post the wrong way, or at least it was clear in my mind I was being sarcastic.

 

Okay firsttime,

I'm cool with that.

I guess you threw me off with that statement of not wanting to hear my problems. It seemed pretty clear to me so I reacted.

I agree with you on the earlier trucks. I had a '99 and a '00 Scab and both were 4x4s and both were without flaw. I know that the Screws are built in a different plant than the Scabs and both of my Scabs were built in Norfolk and the Screws are in Kansis City.

IMO, the problems are at the assembly level for the most part.

Good luck with your research.

DaveMan

 

As so many talk about degrading quality on their trucks, I think the first thing they need to think about is volume. Truck sales have gone up and up from year to year. As volume gets higher, the chances of having a less than stellar fit and finish vehicle get out of the factory gets higher also. Most of the people on the lines care a great deal about the product they put out, but heavy overtime and heavy stress to get the product out can cause things to get overlooked.

Don't just blame Ford on this one, they are just trying to meet demand. If you were told that your truck would take another month to get to you because they were backing off on overtime, and giving line workers vacations to ensure quality, I don't think too many would be sympathetic. If our vehicles are 2 days late to the dealer, we yell and scream to high heaven as it is.

As for repairs, many, many vehicles are damaged in transport...... to one degree or another. Move it faster....... get it on the truck faster....... get it on the railcar faster........ move, move, move. Don't think that the dealers are always knowledgable on this either. All the transport companies have bodyshops at their major lots. I was told the minimum for disclosure was $700 in repairs.

For myself, I put up with a few small paint flaws to keep the factory paint. It is of much better quality, and applied with better technique (robots and baked), than anything the dealership would ever do. Also, the finish on the entire truck is then even. My 94L had MANY paint flaws, compared to my '01L. It also had much more orangepeel. However, it is still original, and has been out in the hot sun it's whole life. It still looks great.

Lastly, do not compare the fit and finish quality of a VERY limited production vehicle like the Tbird, to your truck. It is not being fair to the workers on the line, or to yourself. When you are making a total of 25,000 of any vehicle, for the entire year, you have the option to be VERY careful of what you do. It is nice to think equality can happen, but reality gets in the way. 25,000 vs 900,000........

For those who take threads like this to mean that all the Ford trucks are garbage, you need to spend more time perusing the competitions dealerships. Most of the others are much worse. Does this make it acceptable......... no........ but it does make it a bit more understandable.

hehe, GM people are so happy to finally have a real diesel engine, that they are willing to overlook serious quality control issues.

Sorry so long. Hope everyones problems get taken care of.

 

Hey 94LightningGal,

I can't believe you said what you did. I think if Ford cannot make trucks with the level of quality that people expect, then the numbers they are pumping out the door will fade one day and it will be in vain.

You say I should accept the less than perfect quality because folks don't want to wait a couple days or weeks for Ford to do it right the first time. Well let me tell you, I had to take my truck to the dealer three times so far and it has totaled more than two weeks in the shop so that kills your theory.

I would have gladly waited an extra two weeks to get the damn thing done right the first time 'cause I been inconvenienced big time taking the damn thing back and forth to the dealer and getting a rental.

IMO, no amout of demand should ever determine the acceptable quality that must exist in order to keep owners happy or to give them what they paid for. If Ford thinks they must provide a truck with substandard quality to meet the huge demand for them then it's only a matter of time before that bad practice will catch up with them and that goes for any manufacturer making products and not just cars and trucks.

Maybe if the shoe was on your foot, you would feel much different than you state and I bet you would feel similar to what I feel but I could be wrong.

I don't have any pity for assembly line workers that are getting paid very well to build trucks. If they are being worked overtime then I bet they are getting paid for it too. I'm an Engineer and I work overtime almost every day I don't get any compensation but I still have to make the payments on my substandard screw.

This is really starting to sound bad. I work harder to pay for a product that the workers get paid overtime to build but don't have time to do right 'cause they are overworked. Something is really wrong with this picture!

Good luck with all your adventures!

DaveMan

 

Okay folks,

Now that most of you have given your opinions, shown sympathy for what I've been through, given me your best wishes or sad feelings, I am now reporting that all my original issues have been resolved by my dealer.

I must say that it was still a pain in the *** to work through this with all the calls, writing, and pointing out I had to do to get everything corrected.

The broken weld on the console stud was re-welded by either siver brazing it or regular brazing. The entire console inside compartment has been replaced with a new one. The entire hood has been repainted. The rocker panel on the passenger's side door has been completely repainted. The rear plastic bumper pad has been replaced. So all my original complaints have been resolved except I'm stuck with the dinky radiator!

However, during the course of resolution of my original issues, a technician split my nice little oak wood blocks in my center console where I mounted my 10 disc Kenwood CD changer. The lid to the center console is now loose and doesn't line up like it should and it's not adjustable and the screws are not loose. I can see swirl marks under the clear coat on my hood where it was sanded prior to painting. There are few extra scratches in various places that were not there a week ago prior to leaving it at my dealer.

IMO, the best way to own a truck is to order it brand new, exactly the way you want it, and hope like hell it's delivered almost perfect and never go back to the dealer except to trade it in and/or order another new one or to take someone out to lunch if you got a screamin' deal.

I know you guys probably won't believe me but I'm done talking about my issues and I will consider my concerns resolved.

The new ones I mentioned are not Ford's fault and are a result of folks who just don't give a damn 'cause it aint theirs.

Thanks goes out to everyone who tried to help me and to hold my hand while I was going through bad times. Now I can move on and hopefully I've not discouraged anyone from buying a Screw but just enlightened them to be very picky and look real close before you "sign zee papers".

Happy Screwing!

DaveMan

 

Well DaveMan and everyone else,
I have been lurking here for the better part of three months, reading all posts with great interest. Some were encouraging, some I read with great dismay. All were helpful. I think DaveMan's experience is what allowed me to get a "good" screw last month.
I started out having a color preference. I checked online and went to a dealer about 4 hours away because they had 9 different 2001 screws. Arrived 2 hours before the dealer opened so that I could do some preliminary checking.

Boy was that revealing.

I think I saw every cosmetic flaw that has been described here and some that weren't between all the vehicles I looked at. Most had splatter on welds around the bottom edge of the rear window. Those were off my list. Only two had the gasket set properly on the rear window too. Three had drips in the paint on the doors. One had a ****eyed headlight. One had a tar-like substance around the leading edge of the bed. Two had waves in the doors like they had been hit and repaired. There were others that I can't remember.

The two color choices I had it narrowed down to, Arizona Beige and Oxford White had three or more of the above flaws each.

But there on the edge of the lot was a blue one. Deep Wedgewood blue they call it and it wasn't anywhere near the list of colors I was considering. But everytime I came back to it to check for a flaw like the others I saw, there wasn't one. The damn thing was...well it was pretty much flawless.

Except the color turned me off. I also have a black car, have had black cars for a long time. I drive dirt and gravel every day and black as well as other dark colors don't do too well under these conditions.

I drove the blue one as soon as the dealership opened. Using the X-plan I was out of there in 90 minutes, after some hemming and hawing about them throwing in a bed extender.

The truck has been fine for a month so far, I am getting about 16 mpg.
And, I am starting to like the color. Even though its muddy most of the time now.

When my new Challenger tube steps come in, I'll post pictures. After I wash it.

 

Hey Al,

I'm glad to hear that someone benefited from my misfortunes. After all, that's why I posted the problems in the first place. I had no intentions of bashing Ford, but I did want to try and inform folks that you need to keep your eyes wide open anymore.

I bought my '00 4x4 Scab with very little inspection and it turned out to be perfect. I assumed the same with the Screw and that's where I made my mistake. However, even with insufficient inspection at the time of purchase, I still was able to get satisfactory results through my dealer making it right with me.

DaveMan