pillboy

I knew I would ruffle some feathers with that post and I thought for quite awhile before hitting the "post" button, but an issue like this (even though I have not verified one way or another if I am affected) is entirely unacceptable in this day and age regarding something that is so preventable. Can you imagine what these cars are going to look like inside when a shop has to tear out a headliner to get to the issue? It is hard enough to get things put together properly the first time around. Unfortunately for me, I am a pessimist and rare is the day I am disappointed by the world. I have been a union member for 23 years and have witnessed quite a bit of just "mailing it in" as far as work performance is concerned, and I don't take it personally when someone paints my entire profession with a wide brush. My last Ford purchase (out of five total, and my dad was a Ford guy) had an problem that a couple dealers could not track down and the next fix was to replace the entire engine compartment wiring harness at 70,000 miles. This was an expensive repair that had no guarantee of correcting the issue. Do I carry a grudge for awhile, yeah, I guess I do. There comes a time where you have to start voting with your wallet, and I did that for a number of years. Everything I have read in the press the past few years indicated the quality playing field had pretty much leveled out between the domestic and foreign car makers. Seeing the issues some of the other forum members are having, I am beginning to doubt this. On the Subaru forum I came from a lot of issues were self inflicted by the vehicle's owners because of misuse and abuse, but I have to believe most people on here are not modding their cars and causing their own problems. Old stereotypes die hard, so I guess I am guilty of perpetuating them and I will admit to that. If this car is fraught with problems (and my pessimism makes me unjustly anticipate it), there will not be another Ford in my garage again.

I haven't looked to be honest. I don't feel like taking the crap out of the back to peek in the spare tire well. I just find it a little surprising that it is not a standard piece of equipment since that is the recommended way to extricate the vehicle. Maybe it is a piece that is standardized and tow operators carry them. I haven't needed a tow truck for a recovery since the early '80s.

Transit, that's what I thought you meant as most newer cars have this type of procedure for recovery of the vehicle. So you're saying the car doesn't come with the eye bolt? Both of our Subarus did. WTH Ford?

The rear bumper sensor also needs to "see" your approach to the vehicle...its a two-part process. Maybe if you just stand at the rear for an extended period of time you are not satisfying the "approach" part of the little dance. Chanting "hokey pokey" at the top of your lungs also helps.

That kind of money nowadays just buys the "average" car. As hard as that is to accept for an old duffer like myself.

Well, it looks like I will have to go for a long drive or park it outside during the next substantial rain we get (might be awhile the way the weather has been here). If it leaks from a sealing problem on the roof rails, so help me god, I will never but another domestic car again and will search out stuff that is not even assembled on this incompetent continent. %$#@ me once shame on you Ford, %$#@ me twice you and your sort-sighted work force deserve to go under. Roof racks are not some new technology. I beleive the engineering and design is there, so it has to be one of my union brethren who is unhappy with the UAW's current relationship with Ford.

You wouldn't like to drink with me. I am embarrassed to say, but my beer of choice is Coors Light. :bag:

I've been through your pics multiple times. I would be happy with it as it sits now.

I like the grille/fog treatment on the second one.

Further explanation or product.

I wouldn't complain...maybe yours won't leak.

Liftgate keeping you awake???

I'm kinda in PJ's camp too...and I hate camping.

Honestly? I'm seeing similar, minor issues with ours. Granted, picture don't tell the whole story. See what you think. I know ours isn't perfect, but I am happy with how it is. And my wife calls me the Fussy %$#@er.

Must be all those reports from the field of outstanding build quality.

I think the base Escape comes with 17s. I don't think I have ever seen a cap to fit the center hole of a steel wheel...

I already did a "Ford Kuga" search on eBay and found nothing interesting.

Looks nice PG. Leave the Styrofoam blocks on the door for protection.

I am curious too as to what kind of hub cap (dog dish, poverty cap, etc) fits current steel wheels. I think Crown Vics used for police duty had small stainless steel hub caps. I have also thought of using 1950's vintage, small hub caps on the steelies for an interesting modern/retro look. Let me know what you come up with.

My Jitterbug won't talk to the Escape or Ford. I might be the luckiest of all of us. I was joking about the Jitterbug...I'm still a couple years away from getting one.

Maybe there aren't any yet. :shades: I was going to suggest using AllData at the public library. That's that big building with all the books in it that does not say "Barnes and Noble" on the front. Our best bet might be a sympathetic Ford employee on this forum. There might already be a thread in one of the other sub forums (I rarely go to them cause I love you guys so much) on TSBs.

Are you kidding me? It might be time to try and get a Ford district rep involved. Believe me, the manufacturer does not want poor examples of their product in public for all to see...especially a new design that just launched.

I think this was being discussed in the "Accessories and Mods" thread that Transitman had started. I asked Issy about where he got it. No prob.

I'm thinking you should have had them fix the scratch BEFORE you signed the paperwork. And they can repaint the whole bumper if need be for a LOT less than what you would have to pay for it if they have an in-house body shop. The plus side to having the scratch on the bumper is that the bumper will not rust. If you are an "average" owner, the car will look like hell by it's first anniversary (especially if you have kids or pets or park in the closest spot you can find every time) and then they are right, it probably isn't worth a lot of time or money to make it perfect right now. If you do take care of your stuff and show pride in ownership and you didn't wring every last dime out of the buying transaction, then yeah, it should be fixed to your satisfaction. If you traded in a two year old car and it looks like a nine year old has been driving it all this time and they oil was never changed, then I wouldn't worry about a scratch.

Interesting.