Paint Problems on my New 2007 Fusion

[fusethis]

Let's all say it together.....can Ford afford another 12B.......... NOOOOOOOO

Edited May 3, 2007 by fusethis

[fxcomet]

Let's all say it together.....can Ford afford another 12B.......... NOOOOOOOO

 

 

Time go get tough. Your state has lemon laws, most all of em do. You've been back three times with no resolution. Document it. Ask to see the service manager. Tell 'em it's NOT ACCEPTABLE and that Ford has told you it's the dealer's responsibility to make it right. Tell them you'd like to file a for a "buy back" and if they won't cooperate you'll contact an attorney. THEN DO IT. Document every single chip with a photograph and date stamp it. DO NOT scrape any more paint off with your fingernail as they will try to lay the blame on you as a result. Send a registered letter to Ford customer service laying out what I've told you. Follow through. This will be a long haul issue, but you'll win. Keep in mind EVERY manufacturer/dealer makes customers jump through these kind of hoops in these situations hoping you'll just give up and go away. Also, remember, Ford has already said they'd correct it. You've got to put pressure on the dealership at this point. Be polite, be mature, but be firm. Do not back down. Don't make threats. Simply tell them what you're going to do and follow through. Good luck and keep us informed.

[Roadrunner]

Took the Mex. made piece of shit Fusion for another 25 mile drive @ 10 P.M. on a Sunday night. In Chicago, the streets are empty at that time and the streets are paved (not gravel). I washed it again on Monday afternoon....guess what...2 more paint chips. Not on the front of the car. On the driver's side, right around the side-view mirror. Every time I take this goddamn thing out, there's more chips in the paint. Ford and dealer say it's road debris.....bullshit! I'm hoping this thing gets stolen or totaled.

 

Lemon law your car based on the paint. Or go to the dealer and exchange it for a straight price.

 

What do you think of the way the Fusion handles and how it drives?

 

By the way, what color is your car?

[Sixt9coug]

It is the low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint that the EPA started requiring back in 1992. Paint durability took a big dive in quality and has been slowly improving since then.

 

 

20 years of VOC paint regulations isnt the issue here. its most likely an application or sealer defect on this car. I work for DuPont and we refinish bumper parts as demo pieces even that we can stand on, jump on, twist and beat the crap out of without delamination. This sounds like a failure of the material on a level of material defect, or possibly the sealer going past its topcoating window? possibly the incorrect application of waterborne materials as well. i wouldnt know 100% mainly because i dont know exactly what they use at the plant. its not the low VOC issue though.

[Roadrunner]

Some cars seem to have paint issues, others do not.

 

Late 1980s Fords like the Taurus and Bronco II (and some Escorts and Tempos) seem to always have issues.

 

Early 1990s Chevy Corsicas and Luminas (but not Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Pontiacs) seem to have major issues too.

 

The factor seems to be having flat surfaces as part of the car design?

Edited May 4, 2007 by Roadrunner

[DISGUSTED]

Lemon law your car based on the paint. Or go to the dealer and exchange it for a straight price.

 

What do you think of the way the Fusion handles and how it drives?

 

By the way, what color is your car?

 

 

I went and test drove a new Hyundai Sonata tonight....it does not compare to the handling and drivability of the Fusion. The interior and dash looked like a much older car. It felt way heavier and lumbering compared to the Fusion. The clutch wasn't nearly as precise and well-weighted. The stick shift felt cheap and notchy.

 

If Ford would only step up and remedy this situation, I'd be singing praises about the Fusion. After all, I did like the car enough to buy it. This paint situation killed all my enthusiasm for the Fusion, however. I can't understand why when you have a problem with a manufacturer's product and want them to rectify it, they treat you like some sort of enemy. I bought their product in the first place, I'm their friend. If they stand behind their product....they'll have a friend for life. That's how you build brand loyalty..not through some million dollar ad campaign. I thought they taught that in "Business 101". I believe Toyota outsold GM (worldwide) in the 1st quarter of this year. Did they do it through some slick ad campaign? No They have a reputation for their product. There is one and ONLY ONE way to build brand loyalty...satisfy your customers. How f%&@in' hard is that to understand?

 

 

The color of my car is Dune Pearl Metallic

Edited May 4, 2007 by DISGUSTED

[Maximus]

If they stand behind their product....they'll have a friend for life. That's how you build brand loyalty..not through some million dollar ad campaign. I thought they taught that in "Business 101"

 

You hit the nail on the head my friend, same reason I just left my phone carrier - it gets to be not about the money and more so the point of feeling like a company is almost going out of their way to lose your business, not to mention all the bad word of mouth that a pissed off customer will be spreading. I think the problem is that the concept is so simple that although a 5 year old could figure it out, when you get these "educated" MBA bean counters running things they only stare at little numbers on a nice pretty graph and make decisions based on "trends", not listening and satisfying their customer base - which in turn would become the most powerful marketing/sales force money can buy.

 

Best of luck to you in getting your issues resolved and hope that the dealership wakes up since it sounds like Ford is backing you.

[Roadrunner]

The color of my car is Dune Pearl Metallic

 

Fellow member Meelan has a Milan in that color - I wonder if he's had any troubles. Quite honestly, I haven't had any troubles with my Fusion, but it's Oxford White.

 

Hey Meelan, do you know if your car is Job 1 or Job 2 (and, have you had any paint issues?)

 

All I'm saying is, I think you like the car overall but the paintjob on this one you got was bad. If you can somehow trade it out for another without being penalized, then I think you'd be satisfied. It's just the "trading out" thing is the issue. That's where Lemon Law comes in.

Edited May 4, 2007 by Roadrunner

[timmm55]

The Fusion has been getting good marks for initial quality (includung paint). You may have an inept Service Department, they may be just dragging their feet, deciding to paint 1, 2, 3 panels or the entire car. It may not be obvious enough for them that it's a problem yet.

 

Document every visit.

 

Take it to another Ford Service Department (they are not all created equal!)

 

Take it to an Independant Body Shop AND a Ford Body Shop for evaluations.

 

But above all.....relax....you have a warranty. Before it gets real bad it'll be self evident that there is a paint problem.

[Sixt9coug]

Some cars seem to have paint issues, others do not.

 

Late 1980s Fords like the Taurus and Bronco II (and some Escorts and Tempos) seem to always have issues.

 

Early 1990s Chevy Corsicas and Luminas (but not Buicks, Oldsmobiles or Pontiacs) seem to have major issues too.

 

The factor seems to be having flat surfaces as part of the car design?

 

 

nope. i believe most of those cars along with the first Neons and 90s Silverados was due to the new waterborne sealers that were being used at the time. thats mainly why i would question if they are using waterborne sealers or basecoats at the OEM level.

 

btw, most of CA is going to waterborne basecoat in 09. its gonna be rough for alot of shops because if not done properly, results such as peeling, bubbles and blisters can occur.

[Roadrunner]

nope. i believe most of those cars along with the first Neons and 90s Silverados was due to the new waterborne sealers that were being used at the time. thats mainly why i would question if they are using waterborne sealers or basecoats at the OEM level.

 

Interesting insight. You're right that the Neons seem to have paint issues as well -- and some Shadow/Sundance twins.

[Roadrunner]

A lot of the early '87 trucks had problems with peeling paint, especially the dark grey.

 

Well, that explains why most of the paint came off the back of the '87 Bronco II we had.

[DISGUSTED]

The Fusion has been getting good marks for initial quality (includung paint). You may have an inept Service Department, they may be just dragging their feet, deciding to paint 1, 2, 3 panels or the entire car. It may not be obvious enough for them that it's a problem yet.

 

Document every visit.

 

Take it to another Ford Service Department (they are not all created equal!)

 

Take it to an Independant Body Shop AND a Ford Body Shop for evaluations.

 

But above all.....relax....you have a warranty. Before it gets real bad it'll be self evident that there is a paint problem.

 

 

What do I ask the body shop to test for and how do they do it?

...can they check and evaluate a paint job that was put on a car in Oct. of 2006? Do they have to scrape some paint off? Can they find a problem by looking at the paint job?

Thanx.

Edited May 10, 2007 by DISGUSTED

[sntmods]

What do I ask the body shop to test for and how do they do it?

...can they check and evaluate a paint job that was put on a car in Oct. of 2006? Do they have to scrape some paint off? Can they find a problem by looking at the paint job?

Thanx.

You can also get a hold of the Dealership's regional Ford Rep to share your story with corporate. You need to get past a Ford Customer Service Rep, its a call center for **** sake and wont be much help to you when all they do is refer you back to your original dealer for this type of problem. If your Ford has a problem, Ford doesnt fix it, a dealership does. If the dealership doesnt want to fix it (under warranty), Ford can step in. Its warranty work anyways, Ford fits the bill.

 

A man who knows paint for a living can tell you if the prep was done properly, just drive it somewhere.

 

Im sorry that this problem has struck you, you are not alone and its not just a Ford thing. This is something that can occur all the way across every manufacturer's product line.

 

I work for a dealer as a salesman myself and I nearly always side with the customer and I can suggest the correct route for them, as long as they are rational. If you cant get somebody at the dealership on your side and listen to your problem call another one and see if they'll help you get in contact with somebody (Ford Rep) that can help.

 

And remember, the newspapers usually love hearing about these sorts of problems, just make sure you stress that FoMoCo cares about you and that your Stealership does not.

 

Good luck

 

-Dan

Edited May 10, 2007 by sntmods

[DISGUSTED]

I called another Ford dealer, they're supposed to call me back when their Ford rep. is in the area. So, we'll see what happens.

 

 

 

I washed "Montezuma's Revenge".....that's the nickname I gave this piece of sh...well you know. I noticed another bubble in the paint. Check it out. I'm literally washing the paint off this car!

[Roadrunner]

Is that plastic from the side mirrors? What the hell is that?

[DISGUSTED]

Nope. This bubble in the paint is on the rocker panel. That is the rear passenger tire in the picture.

Edited May 28, 2007 by DISGUSTED

[Sixt9coug]

you sure thats a bubble and not some crap from the rocker guard?

[DISGUSTED]

I noticed 2 paint chips in the first two weeks of owning this thing (less than 100 miles driven...no highway miles). One on the passenger side front door and one on the trunk. I don't drive sideways or backwards, so it wasn't road debris as Ford told me it was. Ever since then, I go over the whole car with a fine-toothed comb whenever I wash and/or wax it. This bubble was not on the car the last time that I waxed it. I believe ALL the chips (5 and counting) started out as bubbles in the paint. This doesn't include the 2 small areas that I scratched off with my fingernail. I owned this thing for about 3 months..I'd hate to see what it looks like after 1 year.