Headliner Issues after Side Airbag Recall Replacement

[Azmig88]

Yea I never trust other people with my vehicle - least of all: Dealerships.

It's unfortunate I even have to take a vehicle in for recall work, but I know what to expect. The Ford Dealer near me tried to charge me over $100 for an oil change that was supposed to be free. The only reason I even let them do it was because I had no plans on keeping the vehicle and didn't want to waste my good Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. Of course, they ended up using my "ford points" to cover it. I couldn't care less once it was done and over with. I never let shops touch my vehicles for that reason. I figured if it got me out of the door quicker, then problem solved. They also did an "inspection" that I never asked for. It was in there for the oil change and to address the outdated ill equipped AGM battery in the 2.5L Hybrid Escape. They have a TSB on it but said the battery was "still holding charge" even though it was at 17% and I would get constant deep sleep notifications. What a joke. Another reason why I chose the Ecoboost Mav instead of the Hybrid.

Fingerprints and stains are just negligent. Another one that bothers me is when they don't use a protective layer over the paint. They just lean on the vehicle and scratch everything up. I live in Montana - I don't need more paint scratches and dings from a mechanic - there is enough from the road itself.

Anyways. I feel your pain, @MightyMaverick, and the many others in this thread. It might not solve everything and is very situational, especially if they have to disconnect the battery, but you can always invest in a 3 way dashcam and a battery pack. In 2023, EVERYONE should be driving with a dashcam at minimum, but the safe way is with the external battery pack and "parking mode". This way, when the battery is disconnected, the camera still runs parking mode for as long as the battery packs allow it to. I've used them for years now. I Always review the footage and it's pretty hilarious watching people realize they are being watched. Not to mention, the stuff that takes place around my vehicle in parking lots... jeez...

Blackboxmycar.com will steer you all in the right direction. Cover yourself. Don't be afraid to call out shady work or the workers doing it.

I have my appointment setup for the airbags and this is the 3rd day of ownership - and I already got the "powertrain malfunction" message. I posted in another thread about it, but I had it in the Escape too. It's an easy fix for them, but still... having to let someone else do the work sucks. I wish they would just supply parts to those capable of doing their own work. I'd gladly sign that waiver of liability. There are states that protect people and allow user repairs to be done by the owner along with maintenance, and there are those that raise red flags about everything down to the oil change. I would rather deal with the fight against me for "improper repairs" than to trust others working on something that literally holds my life in it's hands every time I hit the tarmac. Unfortunately, the closest thing to that is shelling out beaucoup bucks for parts. No thanks.

Lastly, both repairs shouldn't take more than a day. They did the powertrain repair on my Escape in about 3 hours and that was likely them taking a coffee break and chatting with other employees too. Parts availability waiting time is obviously something different, but for the work to take multiple days? Unacceptable and terrible planning/work ethic on their part. /rant

Good luck

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[Random]

My driver side seatbelt height adjustment was not put back together correctly. I fixed it myself.

 

[Fordloyal]

Just got mine back from the airbag recall. Lots of tool marks, grimy hand prints on the headliner, the pillar trims, the weatherstripping is not in the correct position, and so forth. Doesn't even feel like a newer vehicle now.

I had the same exact experience. Had it back at the dealership 2 more times to get it right.

 

[FESTUS]

only issue i have with the headliner is when they put the driver side visor back they broke a clip or something and have had one ordered for two months and still cant get it. they are replacing the whole visor. Other than that they done a great job.

 

[golfguy2020]

they broke a trim piece on the passenger C pillar
took a few days to get but they gave me a loaner

also mark me down for dirty fingerprints etc all over the pillars and headliner
luckily it all came off when they cleaned the interior

 

[Azmig88]

I’m still not having it done

 

[Red Ryder]

I’m still not having it done

Good for you, I wish I never had at all. Still without mine for a month.

 

[Azmig88]

Good for you, I wish I never had at all. Still without mine for a month.

That’s sinful

 

[Big Kahuna]

I went in for an oil change and my dealer said....can you come back in, I know we did your airbag previously but we want to check something.

Apparently the guy doing the recalls had been hooking up everything fine but had not been re-securing the wires to the clips under the headliner. At least the service manager took it seriously enough to check and sure enough it needed to be fixed.

My drivers side dash speaker cover or speaker has a rattle - they said the pillar piece wasn't clicked in all the way and said they fixed it but sure enough it started again this week. The cheap plastic interior drives me nuts.

 

[Azmig88]

I went in for an oil change and my dealer said....can you come back in, I know we did your airbag previously but we want to check something.

Apparently the guy doing the recalls had been hooking up everything fine but had not been re-securing the wires to the clips under the headliner. At least the service manager took it seriously enough to check and sure enough it needed to be fixed.

My drivers side dash speaker cover or speaker has a rattle - they said the pillar piece wasn't clicked in all the way and said they fixed it but sure enough it started again this week. The cheap plastic interior drives me nuts.

That’s a good service manager

 

[EnjoyIt]

I’m still not having it done

Stand strong. I regret taking mine in for the recall.

 

[Jerdys]

I have not taken my Velocity Blue Hybrid Mav to my dealer yet for the airbag recall. They told me that the headliner needs to be removed and reinstalled. I am worried that it will not be the same and there will be issues. Has anyone experienced issues with their headliner replacement or other issues after this airbag recall?

Mine has been a nightmare. I took it in for another issue. Dealer offered to do the recall while it was in. I said no problem. Got it back and the radio didn't work. I figure the antenna did not get hooked back up. Dealer said a broken connection. 2 weeks later and got it back in the shop. Truck is now out of warranty, but that is really a mute point. 3rd trip in, got about 1/4 mile from dealership and noticed passenger door pillar trim is only half on. I was like what the hell. I doubled back and they fixed it while I waited. Drove away again and shortly noticed several clips in the cab and the drivers seat belt would not retract properly or adjust up and down. Get it back today. Hopefully it is finally correct. Love my truck, hopefully this will be the last I speak of the side curtain airbag recall.

 

[Azmig88]

This whole thing is disheartening

 

[BeachBum]

I took mine in for the air bag recall on Monday, and was a little nervous after reading this thread and others' stories. No issues on my end. No scratches, no smudges, no errors. Maybe after doing a few my dealer figured it out and can perform the recall without messing things up.

 

[Azmig88]

I took mine in for the air bag recall on Monday, and was a little nervous after reading this thread and others' stories. No issues on my end. No scratches, no smudges, no errors. Maybe after doing a few my dealer figured it out and can perform the recall without messing things up.

It’s great to hear about one that went perfectly.
Congratz!!

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