Ford Decontenting Thread

[rmc523]

Figured I'd make a catchall decontenting thread lol.

 

2026 Ford Bronco Sport Drops Rain-Sensing Wipers

 

The 2025 Ford Escape dropped its rain-sensing wipers last year - and now, its corporate cousin and platform mate, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, is following suit. That means rain-sensing wipers are a thing of the past for the rugged off-road crossover.

[fuzzymoomoo]

Rain sensing wipers is a stupid feature anyway. Good riddance. 

[Motorpsychology]

4 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

Figured I'd make a catchall decontenting thread lol.

 

2026 Ford Bronco Sport Drops Rain-Sensing Wipers

 

The 2025 Ford Escape dropped its rain-sensing wipers last year - and now, its corporate cousin and platform mate, the 2026 Ford Bronco Sport, is following suit. That means rain-sensing wipers are a thing of the past for the rugged off-road crossover.

This may be in response to data from Ford Connect. FC can send info back to Ford on how some features are used, or not used, and decisions can be made on discontinuing feature, or moving it to a different option package or trim, if people are using the wipers in rain sensing mode seldomly or not at all. It could be a catch-22. People don't use them because they don't know they are there, or don't know how to navigate the Settings menu to turn the feature on or off. 

[rmc523]

5 minutes ago, Motorpsychology said:

This may be in response to data from Ford Connect. FC can send info back to Ford on how some features are used, or not used, and decisions can be made on discontinuing feature, or moving it to a different option package or trim, if people are using the wipers in rain sensing mode seldomly or not at all. It could be a catch-22. People don't use them because they don't know they are there, or don't know how to navigate the Settings menu to turn the feature on or off. 

 

I revert to my argument in most of the decontenting.......if competitors have it, and Ford keeps dropping x, y, z, it's a reason for people to pass on buying the Ford.

 

I'd use them if i had them.

Edited October 27 by rmc523

[ANTAUS]

Shame, mine is always on auto. I was a passenger in a Rav4 yesterday and my constant whining seeing all the faults the vehicle had. Talk about discontenting. No rear A/C vents, no lighted switched on doors (Had to pull a Helen Keller to open door and window), poor headliner, chitzy plastic, I could hear rain drops on the side glass, rear wheel well wasn't quiet, you could hear water splash. It was truely a 3rd world vehicles.  If Ford wants to be Toyota it should be reliability, not scrimping out on details.

[Sherminator98]

10 minutes ago, Motorpsychology said:

This may be in response to data from Ford Connect. FC can send info back to Ford on how some features are used, or not used, and decisions can be made on discontinuing feature, or moving it to a different option package or trim, if people are using the wipers in rain sensing mode seldomly or not at all. It could be a catch-22. People don't use them because they don't know they are there, or don't know how to navigate the Settings menu to turn the feature on or off. 

 

I thought that this was enabled by default? 

[Motorpsychology]

1 minute ago, rmc523 said:

 

I revert to my argument in most of the decontenting.......if competitors have it, and Ford keeps dropping x, y, z, it's a reason for people to pass on buying the Ford.

It is probably both, depending on the feature and type of vehicle. Rain sensing wipers may not be as important to BS customers as they are for Lincoln's. The change from an opening moonroof to a fixed panel design on the 2026 Explorer will have some moving the vehicle off their list. 

[Motorpsychology]

22 hours ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I thought that this was enabled by default? 

On my 2021 Ranger anyway, the RS wipers have a master on/off choice in the settings menu in the info display.

 

CORRECTION: My Explorer had the option to turn the Autowipers (rain sensing) on or off from the Settings menu.My Ranger has an option to turn turn on/off the courtesy wipe (don't go there) feature

Edited October 28 by Motorpsychology
Correction

[fordmantpw]

I love the RS wipers in my F350, and they work nearly perfectly.  In the Mach-E, they aren't near as good.  I miss them when I drive the Bronco in the rain.

[rmc523]

44 minutes ago, ANTAUS said:

Shame, mine is always on auto. I was a passenger in a Rav4 yesterday and my constant whining seeing all the faults the vehicle had. Talk about discontenting. No rear A/C vents, no lighted switched on doors (Had to pull a Helen Keller to open door and window), poor headliner, chitzy plastic, I could hear rain drops on the side glass, rear wheel well wasn't quiet, you could hear water splash. It was truely a 3rd world vehicles.  If Ford wants to be Toyota it should be reliability, not scrimping out on details.

 

I had a Rav4 rental while my car was being repared a few years ago (current gen model), and I feel it was nice enough, but overrated and had a lot of things that automotive writers would've skewered Ford/domestic brands for, but they get a pass in Rav4 for some reason.

I wonder if a lot of your issues are being fixed in the new Rav4?

 

43 minutes ago, Sherminator98 said:

 

I thought that this was enabled by default? 

 

I think you still have to twist the control to the sensitivity setting instead of the "off" position?

[brucelinc]

I would put rain sensing wipers in the same category as headlights that automatically come on when needed and those that can automatically switch from low to high beam.   Vehicles without availability of those features scream cheap.   I would forgive them not being included on the lowest cost base model but not on higher trims. 

[CurtisH]

I use the RS option on both the Mustang and Corsair.  In fact , that is the only setting I ever use on both vehicles. 

[Sherminator98]

5 minutes ago, rmc523 said:

 

I had a Rav4 rental while my car was being repared a few years ago (current gen model), and I feel it was nice enough, but overrated and had a lot of things that automotive writers would've skewered Ford/domestic brands for, but they get a pass in Rav4 for some reason.

 

I haven't been impressed at all with Toyota interiors...same thing that people have said here-cheap and chintzy inside. 

 

I've been in Hyundias and Kia rentals and their switch gear seem to be almost identical to Fords for some reason. 

[Rick73]

Little by little all those unnecessary features add up to much higher costs.  They also add more complexity and increase probability of malfunction and subsequent higher repair costs.  IMO they make sense as options on higher-cost vehicles but expecting most buyers to pay more for things they can easily do themselves, not to mention that some drivers actually prefer manual controls regardless of costs, is a poor business decision.  Evaluated individually each item or feature probably seems insignificant in added costs, but taken together I’m not sure they are worth it; especially features that are rarely used.

[92merc]

Had RS wipers on my 2013 Escape.  They worked very well.  My 2020 Escape, they suck.  Goes from barely working, to constant on.  No in between.  I turned them off.

[rmc523]

2 hours ago, Rick73 said:

Little by little all those unnecessary features add up to much higher costs.  They also add more complexity and increase probability of malfunction and subsequent higher repair costs.  IMO they make sense as options on higher-cost vehicles but expecting most buyers to pay more for things they can easily do themselves, not to mention that some drivers actually prefer manual controls regardless of costs, is a poor business decision.  Evaluated individually each item or feature probably seems insignificant in added costs, but taken together I’m not sure they are worth it; especially features that are rarely used.

 

This is an excuse, IMO.  The issue is, Ford often removes the feature (speaking in a general sense here) altogether, not just puts it in an option package.  Speaking specifically on the rain sensing wipers, the article points out that they already were only on upper trims.  Continually removing features that the customer interacts with isn't a good long-term recipe for success, IMO.

[akirby]

 I don’t want a vehicle without RS wipers.  Never turn them off.

[ANTAUS]

3 hours ago, rmc523 said:

 

I had a Rav4 rental while my car was being repared a few years ago (current gen model), and I feel it was nice enough, but overrated and had a lot of things that automotive writers would've skewered Ford/domestic brands for, but they get a pass in Rav4 for some reason.

I wonder if a lot of your issues are being fixed in the new Rav4?

 

 

I think you still have to twist the control to the sensitivity setting instead of the "off" position?

 

 

Its a 2020 Rav XLE, not sure if the new ones improved on those issues, but when sharing this with another friend and the "But Toyotas are realiable..." spin and I just attacked, I'm like "At what cost? a Miserable experience lasting years, have you tried anything else"... Ironically this vehicle was a hand me down to my bestfriends kid, grandma only does Toyota.  Funny thing is her son took her to anything BUT and bought a new 2025 GMC Terrain. And here he is "look lighted switched, some touch materials, toys, doors that sound like a solid THUNK", I just remind him "Please hope she doesnt have an issue with the GMC cause you'll never hear the end of it for purcashing a domestic brand"....

[rmc523]

4 minutes ago, ANTAUS said:

 

 

Its a 2020 Rav XLE, not sure if the new ones improved on those issues, but when sharing this with another friend and the "But Toyotas are realiable..." spin and I just attacked, I'm like "At what cost? a Miserable experience lasting years, have you tried anything else"... Ironically this vehicle was a hand me down to my bestfriends kid, grandma only does Toyota.  Funny thing is her son took her to anything BUT and bought a new 2025 GMC Terrain. And here he is "look lighted switched, some touch materials, toys, doors that sound like a solid THUNK", I just remind him "Please hope she doesnt have an issue with the GMC cause you'll never hear the end of it for purcashing a domestic brand"....

 

I'm talking about the brand new one that was redesigned/isn't out yet, so I'm not sure if things have been improved either.

 

Yes, definitely agree on that last sentence.

[Rick73]

1 hour ago, rmc523 said:

 

This is an excuse, IMO.  The issue is, Ford often removes the feature (speaking in a general sense here) altogether, not just puts it in an option package.  Speaking specifically on the rain sensing wipers, the article points out that they already were only on upper trims.  Continually removing features that the customer interacts with isn't a good long-term recipe for success, IMO.

Are you implying added costs are not an issue Ford is trying to manage?  If not cost reduction then what?  Personally see cost as primary issue with most things, otherwise every vehicle would have every gadget and option imaginable.  The line on content has to be drawn somewhere for any given vehicle price, right?  As mentioned previously in other threads, IMO the best way to reduce costs is to have budget-minded models that do not have these capabilities at all from the onset.  Deleting options can’t possibly save as much because many costs are already sunk.  Just my 2 cents….

[rmc523]

1 hour ago, Rick73 said:

Are you implying added costs are not an issue Ford is trying to manage?  If not cost reduction then what?  Personally see cost as primary issue with most things, otherwise every vehicle would have every gadget and option imaginable.  The line on content has to be drawn somewhere for any given vehicle price, right?  As mentioned previously in other threads, IMO the best way to reduce costs is to have budget-minded models that do not have these capabilities at all from the onset.  Deleting options can’t possibly save as much because many costs are already sunk.  Just my 2 cents….

 

Did you read what I said?  I'm not saying not to have base models that don't have the options.  I'm saying that Ford is now not even offering the options people want (that many competitors have) on upper trims.

[Andrew L]

The RS wipers on my MKZ work great I'd hate to lose that

[Shelby32]

Best example is the difference between my 2019 Ranger and when I bought a 2022 Ranger. The 2019 had sensors on the back doors so if the vehicle was locked the rear doors opened by touch as long as I had the Key fob on me which was a nice feature. The 2022 Ranger did not have it and the first time I tried to open the rear door nearly yanked my arm off that's not a good customer experience. They also cheapen the trim on the 2022 and change the ac power port covers to something that looked like they came out of JC Whitney catalog, and this was on a Lariat trim. The North American side is run by bunch of bean counters, after being in the Australian version of the Ranger Raptor it could not be more obvious. They took the rear air a/c vents off; they removed the grab handles that make getting in and out of the vehicle easier: they took the neat cup holder that are in front of the vents so you can keep your drink cold or hot depending on the weather: they took the auto 4wd out too in the lower trims below the Raptor. I could go on and on how Ford is removing features that would make the customers happier that the competition provides. 2026 Ranger Lariat they took even more out replaced leather seats with vinyl and took the fancy headlights off and put XLT base lights on it and went up on the price.  So now the Lariat trim is an XLT with push button start with a price increase. The 2026 Ranger gets a sunroof option finally but only on the XLT and Lariat and the Raptor does not get one, really Ford who came up with that ideal.  If Ford employees read this, please bring back the Red on the Ranger Raptor, Rudy Red would have look so nice on it, we did not need another Gray that they added. Sorry for the rant my favorite truck is treated like a stepchild here in North America. The Ranger could have been so much more and no I do not want a F150 I like the smaller size it fits the trails better. I guess the days are gone when they added features when they went up on the price. 

[Joe771476]

VW is discontinuing touch pad controls and going back to good old buttons. This new tech crap is for the birds. Just the basics. We don't need seat warmers either. Stop with the gadgetry. It's just another thing that's going to fail and cost mfrs. billions in recalls!

[fordmantpw]

32 minutes ago, Joe771476 said:

VW is discontinuing touch pad controls and going back to good old buttons. This new tech crap is for the birds. Just the basics. We don't need seat warmers either. Stop with the gadgetry. It's just another thing that's going to fail and cost mfrs. billions in recalls!

 

I don't know, I'm kinda partial to my seat (and steering wheel) warmers in warm weather.  I hear Ram owners appreciate their tailgate warmers to keep them warm while they wait for the tow truck.