Padi Lamp recall done - Now the panel won't sit flush, possible additional recall?

[ZH84]

I just had the recall done on my 2025 XLT for the parking thing, and I hadn't done the padi lamp recall yet either so I had them both done. I noticed after it was done that there was a noticable gap on the upper right side right above the air vent after putting the panel back, almost like it wasn't clipped back in properly.

I called the mobile tech to come back and double check that it was in all the way and he took it off and put it back on, 2 times actually. We noticed what was happening is it goes in flush at the top, but then the bottom right clip almost goes in too far to the point that it pulls the entire panel down slightly and reveals a gap. He took a bunch of pictures and told me he's sending this into Ford because they only need 25 total complaints to trigger a recall. He's seen this a couple times before and said Ford will most likely issue a recall for either the clips holding the panel in, or possibly just start replacing the panels.

I attached some photos. I've heard a couple complaints on Facebook about people's panels not going back in straight, I didn't see anyone complaining about this here though so I wonder how common this is. Hopefully this is something that gets fixed because little things like this drive me insane, especially since I got my 25 new and I'm trying to keep it pristine as long as possible

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[710-oil-614]

Mine doesn’t have that gap but I specifically asked them not to perform the recall.

They performed it anyway and caused additional clicks and rattles in the dash that weren’t present before the work was done.

My feeling is they’ll only make it worse if they try and resolve any issues they’ve caused

 

[Carlitos_92]

If the MY25+ is anything like the previous generation, there are tabs in the dash at the top of that HVAC/radio control component that it "hangs" on, and you have to push the assembly up and tuck the panel into those tabs before getting the lower clips clipped. Did they do that when you were watching?

 

[ZH84]

If the MY25+ is anything like the previous generation, there are tabs in the dash at the top of that HVAC/radio control component that it "hangs" on, and you have to push the assembly up and tuck the panel into those tabs before getting the lower clips clipped. Did they do that when you were watching?

Yeah it's that little thin flat plastic tab, that's the part that's being pulled down. When he pushed those tabs in first everything looked fine, then when you click the bottom corner clips in, it pulls just the top right tab/tab slot down for some reason, almost like the clip is going in too far

It almost seems like if I put a piece of tape of a very thin strip of foam behind the bottom right corner, it might prevent it from going in so far and pulling the top part down

 

[Carlitos_92]

Yeah it's that little thin flat plastic tab, that's the part that's being pulled down. When he pushed those tabs in first everything looked fine, then when you click the bottom corner clips in, it pulls just the top right tab/tab slot down for some reason, almost like the clip is going in too far

It almost seems like if I put a piece of tape of a very thin strip of foam behind the bottom right corner, it might prevent it from going in so far and pulling the top part down

Gotcha. Was asking because those tabs are easy to engage incorrectly if the panel's not in the right position. After I did my first round of stereo work, I apparently missed those tabs (but not the clips) and drove around like that for months... In hindsight, the gap was kinda like that.

 

[Mark’s Mav]

After getting the recall done on my 25 Lariat, I noticed mine had a gap too even more than yours. I decided to take off the panel and saw the problem was in the plastic tab not being in the slot. I pulled up on the panel on the right side and put the thin tab in the slot and snapped it back on. Problem solved. The panel is not being installed correctly is the problem.

 

[ZH84]

After getting the recall done on my 25 Lariat, I noticed mine had a gap too even more than yours. I decided to take off the panel and saw the problem was in the plastic tab not being in the slot. I pulled up on the panel on the right side and put the thin tab in the slot and snapped it back on. Problem solved. The panel is not being installed correctly is the problem.

That's what happened to me too, only when he put the thing back a second time and made sure the tab went in the slot, it still left a gap, just not as bad. Now I'm wondering if that gap was already there and I just never noticed? It was also 20 degrees out so I don't know if that affected anything because the plastic is less flexible.

 

[Rileyotta]

I just had the recall done on my 2025 XLT for the parking thing, and I hadn't done the padi lamp recall yet either so I had them both done. I noticed after it was done that there was a noticable gap on the upper right side right above the air vent after putting the panel back, almost like it wasn't clipped back in properly.

I called the mobile tech to come back and double check that it was in all the way and he took it off and put it back on, 2 times actually. We noticed what was happening is it goes in flush at the top, but then the bottom right clip almost goes in too far to the point that it pulls the entire panel down slightly and reveals a gap. He took a bunch of pictures and told me he's sending this into Ford because they only need 25 total complaints to trigger a recall. He's seen this a couple times before and said Ford will most likely issue a recall for either the clips holding the panel in, or possibly just start replacing the panels.

I attached some photos. I've heard a couple complaints on Facebook about people's panels not going back in straight, I didn't see anyone complaining about this here though so I wonder how common this is. Hopefully this is something that gets fixed because little things like this drive me insane, especially since I got my 25 new and I'm trying to keep it pristine as long as possible

I had the same problem. Whoever reinstalled the panel missed that clip. I pulled mine off on that side and was able to PROPERLY install it myself, by TAKING CARE and lining up the clips, unlike whatever “professional” at the dealership did when addressing the recall.
Fits just right now. Hope this helps

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