I have a 2001 F-150 SuperCrew XLT 4X4. I have had a few things over the last few months that have come to my attention that makes me wonder if this truck has been damaged. I bought the truck with a 1000 miles on it already. I have ran a full CarFax and no problems were found. But however the following is a list of concerns.

1. - The hood has some clear coat runs (looks like water drops) on the front edge just right above the grill. You cannot see them from the front but if you run your fingers under the edge you feel them. (about 4 or 5 areas).

2. - The very front edge of the hood on the driver side corner has a little black scuff mark.

3. - The truck has a light haze of what seems to be overspray. I have tried to wax it out but it won't. It is very light but at the right angle in the sun you can see it or you can run you finger over it like you checking the wax job and you can feel it.

4. - The support behind the grill has what appears to be some red over spray. If you look at the new trucks on the lot they are all painted flat black.

5. - And this is the latest development. I have about 5400 miles on the truck and just put new tires on it and wanted to have alignment checked (free in the first 12,000 miles). The dealership I bought it from checked the alignment and asked me if I have had it already aligned. Apparently the parts that need to be changed out to align the truck had already been installed. The dealership said they found no record on the truck being aligned on there records.

This maybe just factory items but they all seem to revolve around the front end as if something has happened either at the factory, the shipping or at the dealership during the first 1000 miles that I didn't own the truck. I am just wondering if there is anybody else that has had a similar experience and should I confront the dealer.

Thanks

 

you might try taking it to an impartial mechanic and let them look it over real good , might cost a few bucks but it would give you less to worry about . Other than that the truck would still be under warranty (right?)

 

This truck was most likely a Demo from another dealership , Never
had a real plate on it , so CarFax would tell you nothing .
the Salesman had an Accident , And had it fixed on his own.

I would Have A good bodyshop look at it .

 

Some of my front frame brackets or whatever they are have red paint as well. I think this is normal. It was discussed here a while ago but without the search function it may be hard to find. I think someone from the KC plant actually said it was normal. Showya? Was it you?

 

Factory or fixed, I would have it looked at by your dealer and maybe another dealer (just for bias reasons) cause it does sound like it may have been fixed. If it has been fixed and a good body work place says it looks good and there is no record then I wouldn't worry too much and I wouldn't tell anyone as it would hurt it's value.

 

Just to let you know, Ford puts on a real thick coat of clear so the runs are probably from the factory, My friends' Focus has a huge run inside the door sill. Hope this eases your worries a little

 

I think items #4 and #5 are the most suspicious. An independent body-shop should be able to tell if there has been work done.

 

here is what I would do.
Take it to another dealer (Ford).
Show the areas of concern and if your not happy with the paint and finish, it should be covered by Fords warranty.
If the dealer says "NO", ask to review the warranty information, and request a written evulation / inspection.
If ford wont fix your problems, take your report or findings back to Carmax. Raise hell, demand to speak with the manager and demand to have it corrected.
Your making the payments and you have to live with it.

 

I have some info on the status of my concerns. The following is latest news.

1. - The clear coat runs seem to be common on these trucks. I have checked a few others and have found that to be true.

2. - No news maybe just a factory flaw this is very minor item and not a major concern.

3. - The light haze over the truck has been explained to me as fallout. This is caused by the truck setting on the lot or storage area for an extended period off time. This is what the dealer has told me and that they have used what he called a cleaner wax to fix this on past trucks they have sold.

4. - The support behind the grill after closer inspection has no signs of damage as in scuffed up screws or over spray on the hood latch and cable itself. I have also seen that on other non mettallic paint like mine (Red) it is common to have this paint issue. I have seen both white and red trucks including 2002's that have this.

5. - The alignment has not been explained. All I have been told by the dealership is that in final inspection they may have had to align the truck at the factory.

My dealership has been very helpful and has offered to take care of items 1 and 3. They are going to take care of item 1 by polishing the edge of the hood. They will fix item 3 by using a cleaner wax to get rid of the "fallout". My only concerns is that I hope they don't swirl the truck. Right now the truck has a good paint job and don't wan't it to look like it has been buffed. Should I be concerned?

Thanks

 

I'd leave #1 alone. They'll probably just mess up the paint.

As for "fallout", check up in the BODY forums for info on rail dust & methods to get rid of it. The dealer will probably have to do something similar to your truck.