Is Quality Job 1?

[johnjyi]

I certainly hope Ford is not starting to take shortcuts again.

 

Yesterday, I happened to see two new Tauruses on the road. You know, the flagship of Ford.

 

Anyway, on both (a blue and a red) I couldn't help staring at the rear view until I realized why I was so befuddled. The chrome trim around the taillights do not flow properly from the trunk side to the fender side. The chrome trim on the top of the light on the right side of the trunk (only) was about 2 mm higher than the chrome trim on the fender side. Only the right side, though. The left side seemed to flow okay. Here's the other thing...the trunk lid was aligned properly and the chrome trim on the bottom flows.

 

What gives?

[MY93SHO]

I certainly hope Ford is not starting to take shortcuts again.

 

Yesterday, I happened to see two new Tauruses on the road. You know, the flagship of Ford.

 

Anyway, on both (a blue and a red) I couldn't help staring at the rear view until I realized why I was so befuddled. The chrome trim around the taillights do not flow properly from the trunk side to the fender side. The chrome trim on the top of the light on the right side of the trunk (only) was about 2 mm higher than the chrome trim on the fender side. Only the right side, though. The left side seemed to flow okay. Here's the other thing...the trunk lid was aligned properly and the chrome trim on the bottom flows.

 

What gives?

 

You 100% sure the cars hasn't been wrecked and repaired,poorly?

 

Did you get out and actually measure the difference?

Looking at something going down the road is about as acurrate as a "butt dyno".

 

Show me 5 cars side by side with the same problem, then we'll talk about your conspiracy theory.

 

Look out for the black helicopters!

Edited July 30, 2010 by MY93SHO

[PREMiERdrum]

In the OP's defense, there were several, noticeable fitment problems with the 2010 Milans as well... the outer tail lights didn't quite match up with the units in the decklid. Most of the 2010 Milans I've seen have had this issue, and it was discussed here.

 

One or 2 Taurus does not a trend make, but it's worth discussing if anybody else here has seen the issue.

[NLPRacing]

Maybe some of the people from the dealerships and/or somebody from CAP can chime in.

[fordmantpw]

I think there were some similar reports early on when the '10 Taurus first started showing up on lots.

[aneekr]

Show me 5 cars side by side with the same problem, then we'll talk about your conspiracy theory.

Refer to this thread.

 

Sounds like the 2011 MY units are better.

[MGallun]

ahhhhh, the first year model blues strike again..

 

 

i did look at some 10s and 11s on my local dealers lot and saw no issues..

[SVTDarkCobra]

I did the same thing and my local dealer said that all the models that were not done correctly were fixed before being sold.

[johnjyi]

You 100% sure the cars hasn't been wrecked and repaired,poorly?

 

Did you get out and actually measure the difference?

Looking at something going down the road is about as acurrate as a "butt dyno".

 

Show me 5 cars side by side with the same problem, then we'll talk about your conspiracy theory.

 

Look out for the black helicopters!

 

Wow! Touchy, aren't we?

 

I was stopped at a red light right next to the rear of the blue one. I stopped to look at the back of the red one. No, I didn't get out and measure, but when you see it within a very short distance, you can tell.

 

Oh, by the way, conspiracy my behind. Most of my cars are and were Fords. Also, I own stock in Ford. So, do you really think I WANT TO START CONSPIRACY RUMORS?????

 

You want specifics? How's this. The little trim behind the rear passenger door ON MY 2009 MKZ does not properly align. The air bag light ON MY 2008 FOCUS turns on and off occasionally...even after having the air bag module replaced. My former 2008 MUSTANG had a leak in oil pan gasket BRAND NEW. I won't even get started on the problems I had with my older Fords.

 

Good grief! Chill out.

 

P.S. I think those black helicopters are cool looking.

Edited July 30, 2010 by exrub

[SVT_MAN]

Yeah. I hear ya. You may want to avoid this kind of topic though ... didn't end very well for me.

Edited July 31, 2010 by SVT_MAN

[Noah Harbinger]

Yeah. I hear ya. You may want to avoid this kind of topic though ... didn't end very well for me.

 

Well, to be fair, there are some different conclusions you could have drawn from your experiences.

 

"I have had problems with my door handles, and I am not the only one, therefore..."

 

a) I wonder out of the million+ Fusions sold, how many people have had this problem?

B) ALL OF FORD'S QUALITY PROGRESS IS CALLED INTO DOUBT! OMGROTFBBQ! DOOOOOOOM DOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!11!111

 

Ok, so that's a bit of hyperbole, but you clearly chose something closer to the latter tack - one need look no further than the inflammatory subject on this thread. You expect rational discussion when you start out with an accusation like that?

[mettech]

The trans issue for the 2010 Fusion I4 was for the most part ignored too.

[mustang2]

Refer to this thread.

 

Sounds like the 2011 MY units are better.

The alignment was obviously off on the Tauruses pictured in the other thread. So, why did Chicago ship them?

 

Let's not become Toyotaized........"We don't have a problem". Of all the cars on Ford and Lincoln lots, the only ones I've seen that have any type of fit and finish problem have all come from Chicago.

[johnjyi]

Yeah. I hear ya. You may want to avoid this kind of topic though ... didn't end very well for me.

 

Hey, SVT_MAN, perhaps you're right. I guess I'll just keep my observations to myself. Perhaps I'm also done on BON since a lot of folks here seem to not want to hear anything that would show problems.

 

BTW, mustang2, my MKZ was built in Mexico.

 

Also, I did go back and look at about 7 MKZs still at the dealer at that time. Guess what? They all had that same issue...the little triangular trim on the passenger side C-Pillar did not align properly with the rear door trims.

[mustang2]

Hey, SVT_MAN, perhaps you're right. I guess I'll just keep my observations to myself. Perhaps I'm also done on BON since a lot of folks here seem to not want to hear anything that would show problems.

 

BTW, mustang2, my MKZ was built in Mexico.

 

Also, I did go back and look at about 7 MKZs still at the dealer at that time. Guess what? They all had that same issue...the little triangular trim on the passenger side C-Pillar did not align properly with the rear door trims.

I haven't seen any problems with the MKZs, or Fusions, or Milans. My '91 Escort GT was assembled in that plant. The driver's door had been repaired when it was delivered. No problems after 112,000 miles. Just that damn door. I'm not impressed with Chicago's quality.

[Noah Harbinger]

Let's not become Toyotaized........"We don't have a problem".

 

I'll agree with that - I'm just saying that the tone of how you approach an issue makes a huge difference in how it is received.

[SVT_MAN]

Well, to be fair, there are some different conclusions you could have drawn from your experiences.

 

"I have had problems with my door handles, and I am not the only one, therefore..."

 

a) I wonder out of the million+ Fusions sold, how many people have had this problem?

B) ALL OF FORD'S QUALITY PROGRESS IS CALLED INTO DOUBT! OMGROTFBBQ! DOOOOOOOM DOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!11!111

 

Ok, so that's a bit of hyperbole, but you clearly chose something closer to the latter tack - one need look no further than the inflammatory subject on this thread. You expect rational discussion when you start out with an accusation like that?

 

That is such a load of crap. That isn't hyperbole. That's outright misrepresentation of something that happened, as usual ... I've come to expect nothing less from a handful of members here. Even viewing my story as an anecdote, I still got the "it's a used car, it was your fault" speech"

 

I may be alone, but my feeling is that Ford isn't going to get better using that mentality. Ignoring complaints and problems (even one), and instead looking at statistics, and writing me off as "statistical anomaly" is what gave us cars like the Pinto in my opinion.

 

Blaming the customer is NOT the way Ford is going to continue improving. Then again, I'm optimistic Ford IS listening to the complaints .. the only people who aren't are these kool aid drinkers at BON.

Edited July 31, 2010 by SVT_MAN

[aneekr]

The trans issue for the 2010 Fusion I4 was for the most part ignored too.

Didn't Ford issue a customer satisfaction program for the 6F35 transmission issues?

[suv_guy_19]

That is such a load of crap. That isn't hyperbole. That's outright misrepresentation, as usual ... I've come to expect nothing less.

 

But it isn't hyperbole or misrepresentation. Is quality job 1? ......I hope this isn't a sign of things to come....again. All that's missing is dun dun dun.......

 

Similarly, Ford turning a profit - did they cut too many corners?

 

It's like a couple sensationalized media headlines. Of course the response is going to be negative.

 

It's like: Sure Ford is making progress....maybe. But look at this. See, Ford still sucks. All is lost. Ford will spiral back down and into oblivion. That's basically what you're implying with titles like that, especially the one in this thread.

Edited July 31, 2010 by suv_guy_19

[SVT_MAN]

But it isn't hyperbole or misrepresentation. Is quality job 1? ......I hope this isn't a sign of things to come....again. All that's missing is dun dun dun.......

 

Similarly, Ford turning a profit - did they cut too many corners?

 

It's like a couple sensationalized media headlines. Of course the response is going to be negative.

 

It's like: Sure Ford is making progress....maybe. But look at this. See, Ford still sucks. All is lost. Ford will spiral back down and into oblivion. That's basically what you're implying with titles like that, especially the one in this thread.

 

ROFL. Using a 'grabber' headline is like "topic creation 101" ... headlines are supposed to grab your attention and get people interested in reading your post. I guess next time I'll post "I had a door handle problem" instead ... apparently coming up with an enticing title is too controversial.

 

I never once said Ford was going to spiral down into oblivion. You thought that was what I said, but that wasn't what I said. Posing a question is not the same as giving an answer or an opinion.

 

I posed a question and gave others the opportunity to reply with an answer. Most of the people here at BON did just that. There are only a few of you who want this place to be a Toyota-like homogenized, watered down, boring place where people can't speak freely of issues they have with vehicles.

Edited July 31, 2010 by SVT_MAN

[hawaiicarguy]

ROFL. Using a 'grabber' headline is like "topic creation 101" ... headlines are supposed to grab your attention and get people interested in reading your post. I guess next time I'll post "I had a door handle problem" instead ... apparently coming up with an enticing title is too controversial.

 

I never once said Ford was going to spiral down into oblivion. You thought that was what I said, but that wasn't what I said. Posing a question is not the same as giving an answer or an opinion.

 

I posed a question and gave others the opportunity to reply with an answer. Most of the people here at BON did just that. There are only a few of you who want this place to be a Toyota-like homogenized, watered down, boring place where people can't speak freely of issues they have with vehicles.

Maybe there are a lot of Ford workers who are tired of being beaten up on here and see the title as a slight. I think everyone should take a deep breath before responding. Stop beating up on each other and talk about issues that we see, maybe we could save Ford some money.

[johnjyi]

You know what? I'm sorry I even started this post. My bad!

 

DON'T WORRY FOLKS. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG HERE.

 

I hope that makes everyone feel better. I also didn't see the black Taurus with the same issue today.

 

It's also amazing how people decipher my comments. Although I did not blame the workers, it somehow became as if I was doing just that. If you must know, my curiosity was whether the stamping and drilling processes were the cuprits since these parts fit into guide holes. But, what do I know?

 

As you were, y'all!

[SVT_MAN]

Maybe there are a lot of Ford workers who are tired of being beaten up on here and see the title as a slight. I think everyone should take a deep breath before responding. Stop beating up on each other and talk about issues that we see, maybe we could save Ford some money.

 

I agree. I hope people heed your advice.

[FordBuyer]

Maybe there are a lot of Ford workers who are tired of being beaten up on here and see the title as a slight. I think everyone should take a deep breath before responding. Stop beating up on each other and talk about issues that we see, maybe we could save Ford some money.

 

For what it's worth, I see more than a few Fusions out there with misaligned trunk lids. I really don't understand how they leave the plant without being fixed first. And I don't understand how they leave the dealership like that either. Btw, I'm the kind of guy that will straighten a picture hanging on the wall. I'm anal that way and notice detail. For example, if I were buying a new Fusion out of stock, and something was misaligned, I wouldn't drive it off until dealership realigned it. I really wished people cared more about their jobs no matter what their salary and benefits are. Do the job right or quit.

[hawaiicarguy]

You know what? I'm sorry I even started this post. My bad!

 

DON'T WORRY FOLKS. THERE'S NOTHING WRONG HERE.

 

I hope that makes everyone feel better. I also didn't see the black Taurus with the same issue today.

 

It's also amazing how people decipher my comments. Although I did not blame the workers, it somehow became as if I was doing just that. If you must know, my curiosity was whether the stamping and drilling processes were the cuprits since these parts fit into guide holes. But, what do I know?

 

As you were, y'all!

Did not believe you were, just pointing out how they may feel. Maybe should ask about the stamping or drilling processes. My question would be to the dealers, why on earth would they allow a car with a trunk lid like that, be sold. To me, they are the last line of defense. I know the assemblers should produce a perfect product every time, but there will always be issues, because humans are involved. I think the dealers could take the time to look at this issue and get it corrected.

 

Also, as others have said there was another thread on this issue, but there is no law saying you cannot bring it up again. I was just saying with blogs and emails, it is often hard to decipher someones meaning when they write things. You may write it and think nothing of it, but someone else would look at it like an attack. It will come with the territory.