2023 Maverick quality control

[Fordguyw]

This is a dealer/shipping issue and is pretty sloppy handling. "Short staffed" is NO excuse and an admission of guilt. I went over mine before I received it and it was perfect (I found that little cubby by the rearview mirror won't open, wondering what to do) and I'm pretty happy. Get an estimate and tell him if you have to fix it they are going to be on the hook.

I agree with most of what you're saying except it's not all a dealer/shipping issue. As I explained in my 2nd post, there are at least 3 of the issues that were definitely there before the vehicle left the factory.

I was very happy with the initial quality of my 2022 Maverick with one exception. There was a fairly large epoxy drip on one bedside (which the dealer caught and resolved on Ford's dime). I highly doubt the epoxy happened after the vehicle left the factory and Ford had no problem paying for it. Goes back to QC issues.

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[Fordguyw]

You're in a better place than I am. Got word yesterday my 2023 Maverick was damaged during shipment and totalled.

That sucks! You're right, at least I have mine and it runs and drives great so far. It's just extremely frustrating to buy a new vehicle and find it has so much cosmetic damage. I hope Ford takes care of you and builds another for you ASAP.

 

[athertonbt]

Unfortunately, only one chance to make a first impression. Plenty of people looked this thing over from the factory to the sales floor and didn’t give it the attention they should.
A lot of folks dismiss the recalls and issues with these trucks as cosmetic, or insubstantial, but it all adds up to poor initial quality and a bad taste in your mouth about the vehicle. It’s like going to a restaurant and the outside, the tables, and bathrooms are dirty and unkempt. If they aren’t taking care of what everyone can see, there’s no reason to think what you can’t see (the kitchen) is any better.

 

[TGTBTU]

Yeah I saw your post on that- so dreadful- How was it "totalled" ?

I wasn't given much information from the dealer other than "damaged in transit and not saleable".

 

[TGTBTU]

That sucks! You're right, at least I have mine and it runs and drives great so far. It's just extremely frustrating to buy a new vehicle and find it has so much cosmetic damage. I hope Ford takes care of you and builds another for you ASAP.

So far, crickets from Ford. Only had deal contact.

 

[TGTBTU]

This is a dealer/shipping issue and is pretty sloppy handling. "Short staffed" is NO excuse and an admission of guilt. I went over mine before I received it and it was perfect (I found that little cubby by the rearview mirror won't open, wondering what to do) and I'm pretty happy. Get an estimate and tell him if you have to fix it they are going to be on the hook.

The dealer said it's not sellable giving me the impression it was written off.

 

[LSchicago]

Well one XLT truck left the factory with a Lariat back seat, so I don't think there is any quality control or inspections before shipping.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/article...delivered-to-customer-with-lariat-rear-seats/

What gets built gets shipped. @Ford Motor Company

 

[AutobahnSHO]

You're in a better place than I am. Got word yesterday my 2023 Maverick was damaged during shipment and totalled.

Sorry to hear!

 

[brandless]

We have vastly different expectations.

My first new car was a '92 mustang. When I went to pick it up, the drivers side corner of the hood, near the windshield was bent under a bit. Like someone beat it with a hammer to get it close... Didn't bother me then, and never bothered me.

The Maverick is a bottom of the line vehicle. It isn't going to have the best quality control.

If it is something that is going to bother you, I definitely wouldn't accept it. But I wouldn't have too high of expectations...

The mirrors, and windows if it is someplace that you are going to look through often, might be an issue to me. Otherwise, it's [relatively] cheap transportation.

 

[Fordguyw]

We have vastly different expectations.

My first new car was a '92 mustang. When I went to pick it up, the drivers side corner of the hood, near the windshield was bent under a bit. Like someone beat it with a hammer to get it close... Didn't bother me then, and never bothered me.

The Maverick is a bottom of the line vehicle. It isn't going to have the best quality control.

If it is something that is going to bother you, I definitely wouldn't accept it. But I wouldn't have too high of expectations...

The mirrors, and windows if it is someplace that you are going to look through often, might be an issue to me. Otherwise, it's [relatively] cheap transportation.

I understand and respect your opinion and some people feel the same as you, which is their right. Others will agree with me that the damage is unacceptable for any new vehicle no matter the price. Sure, low end vehicles are made with cheaper plastics, etc. and damage is likely to occur throughout the vehicle's life at a higher rate than more expensive vehicles (at least we'd all hope) but I should be the one to cause said damage. If I wanted a used vehicle I would've bought one.

My salesman told me about a new $85,000 F-350 that arrived just a few days prior to my Maverick with around $3500 worth of manufacturing & cosmetic issues/damage. Although this thread is about Ford's low end vehicle, the same issues exist with their more expensive vehicles. They need to improve (or enact) QC throughout the assembly process (including a final QC check once it's built), across the board.

 

[MinntoMich]

My grandparents bought a new Oldsmobile back in the 80s, even brand new, they knew something was off. The doors never closed properly. A dealership employee retired a few years later and told them what happened. The car fell off the car carrier, the dealership only fixed the surface level damage without addressing the deeper issues and covering it up.

A practice that is still done. Last brand new car I bought was an 07' Chrysler. Had a Blazer drive into the backside at a light. Not a high speed impact, just a good shove. To me the damage seemed limited to just the rear plastic bumper cover but did my due diligence and we both exchanged insurance information and the police made an accident report.
Several weeks later the body shop manager called me back to his shop and showed me what he considered to be preexisting damage and had I ever been in an accident before. I was surprised and no longer give that dealership my business.

 

[MiMav]

... Others will agree with me that the damage is unacceptable for any new vehicle no matter the price. Sure, low end vehicles are made with cheaper plastics, etc. and damage is likely to occur throughout the vehicle's life at a higher rate than more expensive vehicles (at least we'd all hope) but I should be the one to cause said damage. If I wanted a used vehicle I would've bought one...

I agree with you on this. Cheaper components are expected, but damage in assembly and shipping are not.

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

Before I get into my issue, I want you to know I am a long time, brand loyal, Ford customer (although this issue may have changed that). I have owned around 75 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury vehicles since I was 15. With that said, I hate to bash Ford but here is my issue...

I picked up my 2023 Maverick XLT Hybrid in January (ordered the first day order banks opened). Unfortunately, I relied on the dealer to fully inspect the vehicle prior to contacting me to take delivery. I'm sure the majority of people rely on the dealer for this. I would've normally fully examined the vehicle myself for cosmetic issues (because I'm a car guy with a ton of detailing/mechanical experience) but I was unable to the day of purchase due to some health issues. The only damage caught by the dealer was a large scratch on the driver's side front window and some scratches in the paint on both bedsides (assumed to be caused during shipping). I decided to polish the scratches myself and they were to replace the damaged window (at Ford's expense). A few days after I purchased the truck (once I felt better) I examined the truck carefully and found the dealer missed the fact that the truck arrived with a bunch of other damage on the exterior and the interior.

Here is a list of damaged items (pics attached of all but 1 & 2 since they were caught the day of purchase and documented by the salesman): 1. Scratches on both bedsides, which I polished out myself, 2. Scratch on driver's side front window, 3. Two scratches on driver's side back window (one of which was on the inside underneath the factory tint), 4. Multiple blemishes/scratches on rear bumper cover, 5. Blemishes/scratches on both rocker moldings, 6. Scratches on both side mirrors, 7. Scratches/blemishes on center console, 8. Small gouge on USB/12-volt adapter plastic surround, 9. Scratch on passenger door panel, 10. Overspray of some type all over both bedsides, which I removed myself.

Once I found all of this and took pictures, I contacted my salesman. He had me bring the truck in to verify the issues. He explained that they were short staffed in their detailing department, the head of which is supposed to fully inspect new vehicles for cosmetic issues when they arrive on the lot. Because of this, mine was not inspected. He also explained that he is actually the one who found the damage that was documented (he also had to wash my vehicle before I came to get it, for the same reason). After he looked at all the damage, he put me in contact with their General Manager. The GM explained that Ford wouldn't cover the repairs (other than item 2, which was documented before I completed the purchase) because the damage wasn't caught when the vehicle arrived at the dealership (or before completion of the sale). He agreed to resolve items 3, 4, & 8 at their expense. At this point both windows have been replaced, the rear bumper cover has been replaced, and they have attempted to replace item 8, but the part is currently being manufactured wrong (it has an unnecessary hole in the bottom of the casting).

Once I got the truck back (they had it a long time waiting on parts but did provide me a loaner off the lot) I was able to make the rocker moldings, the driver's side mirror, the passenger door panel, and the scratch next to the cup holders look decent with plastic detailer. Unfortunately, the damage to the side of the center console and the passenger side mirror can't be covered up. Because of this, I contacted the Ford rep on this site hoping he/she would be able to get me in contact with someone who could help. I was hoping Ford would take ownership of these issues and pay to have the center console and the passenger side mirror replaced (at a minimum). He was absolutely no help. Just as Ford Customer Service does when you call them, he put everything back on the dealer.

I'm not happy that the dealer didn't do their part to find these issues and I made that very clear to the GM. I am happy they didn't just completely tell me to kick rocks and instead replaced the window, rear bumper cover, and dash piece (which I'll get done sooner or later). I know they would've been in the negative on the sale if they replaced any other parts and I want to keep a good relationship with them. They are the only local dealer and I have been a long-time customer. As far as Ford's quality control, I know some of the exterior damage likely happened in shipping/transport but I'm sure it left the factory with the paint overspray on both bedsides (my dealer doesn't do any painting, and why just the bedsides??), the one scratch on the inside of the rear window, and the damage to the side of the console (both of which are obviously manufacturing problems), at a minimum. The 2023 is my 2nd Maverick. I ordered and purchased a 2022 XLT FX4 from the same dealer. The 2022 only had one cosmetic quality control issue, which was caught by the dealer. It had some type of glue or epoxy that ran down one bedside. Fortunately, it was able to be removed without paintwork by a local body shop on Ford's dime. I would definitely expect quality control for a new model year to be better, not worse! What happened to the Ford CEO promising to make major changes to improve quality?! If this is the best they can do I'll never purchase another new Ford!

I'm obviously stuck with the remaining damage but wanted to bring this issue to people's attention. Please add any similar situations you're dealing, have dealt, with.

A lot of this is very, very minor. A little cleaner will take most of that off.

 

[Fordguyw]

A lot of this is very, very minor. A little cleaner will take most of that off.

Unfortunately, "cleaner" wouldn't do anything because it wasn't dirty. It was rub marks and scratches. Other detailing products could cover up some of the blemishes, and make light scratches look better, which is why I clearly stated the following in my original post: "I was able to make the rocker moldings, the driver's side mirror, the passenger door panel, and the scratch next to the cup holders look decent with plastic detailer. Unfortunately, the damage to the side of the center console and the passenger side mirror can't be covered up."

The point isn't whether or not some could be made better, it was to show how some (probably many) vehicles are being delivered to dealers.

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

Unfortunately, "cleaner" wouldn't do anything because it wasn't dirty. It was rub marks and scratches. Other detailing products could cover up some of the blemishes, and make light scratches look better, which is why I clearly stated the following in my original post: "I was able to make the rocker moldings, the driver's side mirror, the passenger door panel, and the scratch next to the cup holders look decent with plastic detailer. Unfortunately, the damage to the side of the center console and the passenger side mirror can't be covered up."

The point isn't whether or not some could be made better, it was to show how some (probably many) vehicles are being delivered to dealers.

I had several of the same marks on my truck when it showed up. A little elbow grease took care of it. I’m not talking about the deep scratches but a lot of the stuff on the plastic can be cleaned. However it won’t take long till it comes back since it’s plastic.

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