Lincoln/Mercury Quality Control

[Dennis Reinhart]

Well this is enough to make me sick, I accepted Keith's car last week, I initially found the paint in the trunk was thin with primer showing through, the trunk latch had over spray all over it, I contacted the dealer, I had not done amy modifications to the car, aside from doing a base dyno run, on Wednesday, I had the car on the lift to start, the 4:10's as soon as the car was up in the air I found blue over spray in both rear wheel wells, as I got to the rear of the car, I almost had a fit, it had over spray all over the trunk floor pan it had dents in both the left and right and rear trunk floor pans it appeared to me, the car had been hit in the rear, I took it to the dealer and they are waiting on a Ford rep, to look at this piss poor quality, well I drove to Shelby North Carolina Friday to pick my Marauder up, I was there Saturday morning, the car has the light gray seats instead of the dark in Keith's car I like it better it will be cooler here in Florida, well I opened the trunk and it had the exact same problems thin paint over spray on the trunk latch, so I told the salesman I wanted them to have the car put on there lift. Well, my car was exactly the same as Keith's same big dents in the trunk floor pan same over spay, I am accepted the car had all discrepancies noted and will have the local dealer fix it or I will turn the car back in, I am drafting a letter to Lincoln it wont be nice, the good news is Keith's car was not wrecked just piss poor quality control. So I am back on track let the mods begin.

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[RCSignals]

The blue car is yours then?

[B-26]

I hope they aren't repainting the black cars blue to fill orders?? It would be a cheap thing to do.Say it ain't so.

[Dennis Reinhart]

Originally posted by B-26
I hope they aren't repainting the black cars blue to fill orders?? It would be a cheap thing to do.Say it ain't so.

No its just piss poor Quality controll

[jgc61sr2002]

It appears the the inside of the trunk lid on Black MM's is only in prime. FMC uses a black primer. John:(

[UncleLar]

Sickening!

[nomad]

Geez, Dennis,what did they use to load those cars for shipment?
a forklift?! Seems like maybe they're rushing to get these blue ones out. Hope you can work out these"Job 1" problems and start enjoying your car. Good luck,it really is a nice car and I love the blue.

[Dennis Reinhart]

I am convinced this was done on the assembly line, trust me these cars will be made right or I will send them both back

[joflewbyu2]

during production FMC might change parts supplier throughout the year. all of the driver's front wheel well are open while the passenger's side have a full splash guard. i don't remember where but i have seen a picture behind the passenger front wheel well to reveal a black canister the size of a gallon of milk. i don't have anything behind mine so this only leads me to believe that PERHAPS california emission cars might have it ( i am in florida ). someone in california please be kind enough to look behind the passenger front splash guard - can be accessible from the bottom too. working at acura and seeing how perfect the cars made in japan are (nsx, rsx, tsx, rl) and even the cars made in ohio (cl, cl-s, tl, tl-s)- which are far from the fit and finsh of the of the prior can make you sick when you compare them to the MM. BTW, my car does not have any problems other than ****ty paint quality. orange peel on the rear quarter panels. paint depth measured 5 mil all the way around though.

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Dennis Reinhart
I am convinced this was done on the assembly line, trust me these cars will be made right or I will send them both back

In a way, this is good news for Keith, yes? Rather than being a victim of a long and hard to trace/track shipping line, it seems better for him (and you too, Dennis, I suppose) that the problem is traceable back to the production line. Eaiser to fight with one than many, eh? I hope you get some satisfaction on this.

I inspected my trunk, undercarriage, and related areas. My 300A appears to meet my expectations, maybe this "black" observation is a 300B issue?

Surely hope not...

[Dennis Reinhart]

Kieth's car is a CA car I will check it once it comes back from the dealer, I will speak directly to the Ford Rep this week

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by jgc61sr2002
It appears the the inside of the trunk lid on Black MM's is only in prime. FMC uses a black primer. John:(

Actually they use a grey primer. The dull black under the trunk lid is colour coat, they just don't clear coat under there. Not an uncommon practice

they also don't paint the inner real wheel wells. On black cars it isn't noticeable that they get overspray. on coloured cars it will look like they partially painted the inner wheel well with body colour but it is mostly overspray. The trunk pans all get oversprayed, and are really just left in the grey primer.

There shouldn't be dents in the trunk pan though

[Dennis Reinhart]

Originally posted by RCSignals
Actually they use a grey primer. The dull black under the trunk lid is colour coat, they just don't clear coat under there. Not an uncommon practice

they also don't paint the inner real wheel wells. On black cars it isn't noticeable that they get overspray. on coloured cars it will look like they partially painted the inner wheel well with body colour but it is mostly overspray. The trunk pans all get oversprayed, and are really just left in the grey primer.

There shouldn't be dents in the trunk pan though

RC the black cars dont have this I checked, its called piss poor quality control, it will be corected on the two cars I have, and they undercoat the wheel wells they should have covered the paint and there is no excuse for the piss poor paint in the trunk lid

[Bigdogjim]

Maybe the Ford rep. can check the vin# against the production run and see how many more MM are affected? If two got by then how many more?? I know this do not help you (Dennis) but it is was just a thought.
Big Dog

[Ray Snyder]

Now Remember Quality is Job #4,567,234.

PS,

RC, Finally somebody in this counrty that knows how to spell Colour.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by Ray Snyder
RC, Finally somebody in this counrty that knows how to spell Colour.

Yah, now if only YOU could spell country...!!!

J/K

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[jefferson-mo]

Blau is my favourite colour

don't cha know

[Ray Snyder]

Hey, I'm new to this one finger typing, guess which one I'm using now. Broke my shoulder last week while skiiing, well actually it was while falling.

[MAD-3R]

Ouch!!!
Damn, atleast you can still drive the Marauder.. Auto is good for that.

[prchrman]

Yeah but colour is just to French....:uzi::uzi:

[Ray Snyder]

I'm on a boycott of all French products. No more Gray Goose.

[TAF]

Hey, I'm new to this one finger typing

I thought "one-finger"/handed typing DIDN'T happen on car enthusiasts boards....D'OH!!!!:nono:

'Cept maybe RF when he looks at Marty's mod list in his sig...:lol:

[jefferson-mo]

OK guys the last thing I wanted to do was climb around under my car 1st thing Monday morning..........
1. The driver's splash shield is designed that way (for some unknown reason). I went upstairs and looked at a couple of '03 Crown Vics and they're all the same, except they don't have the fog light connector to get wet. I went downstairs and looked at a 2001-2002 Crown Vic shield(1W7Z-16055-AA) and it's different--it appears to cover down farther.
2. Joeflwbyyu....mine is a California car and there's nothing in front of the passenger wheel......
3. Inside my trunk lid is the same but I think all Fords are that way--I guess I'm just used to it as I didn't even notice it.
4. I do have floor pan damage on the passenger side rogjt by that little black plug. Never noticed before and I've had it in the air a couple of times before.
My theory on the damage is loading/unloading between trains and trucks. If you've ever seen these daredevils that move the cars the word 'slow' is not in their vocabulary. I would look at the front and rear bumper covers really close for damage.
My car has had sections repainted(found masking tape in the driver's wheelwell) so maybe they touched up the bumpers too.
I have mentiond before many times that I'm not impressed with my paint job but I can't tell if it's factory defect, shipping damage or dealer damage. I'm hoping they can repair it without a repaint because a repaint is the LAST thing you want to do to a new car.

I bought my car at a Mercury dealer and I work at a Ford dealer so my dilema is do I just have it fixed here(which they may do a better job 'cause I work here) or do I take it back to the Mercury dealer so they are at least aware of my discouragement?

[vaderv]

What is really sad about his issue is that Ford has talked about closin the Wixom assy. plant in Michigan (currently build Lincolns, Thunderbirds and The GT 40) and sending the production to the Canadian plant that built our cars. Last I looked Wixom is smoking this plant quality and pc wise. Go figure

[WolfeBros]

Not meant to bash our Canadian friends but I have not seen quality problems like this from a Ford plant in a long time.
No matter where they are built. :(

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by prchrman
Yeah but colour is just to French.... :uzi::uzi:

actually, it's not French at all

[RCSignals]

I haven't seen any new vehicles that have the trunk areas thoroughly painted, and certainly none that have had clearcoat applied in the trunk.

The vehicles are painted by robot, and from what I've heard, the St Thomas plant has a whole new paint system/Area.

Other areas to check for thin paint are the lower portion of the dogleg in the rear door openings, just above the rocker, and the rain drain area of the "C" pillar. There is a filler cover there, look at the edges of it on the roof and sail panel.

If you look at the pictures where that "damage" is on the pan you'll see a unpainted shadow from something that was there.
So I'd say yes, it was at the factory. Are the bodies not painted before they are dropped on the frame? Could the "shadow" and "damage" be from the buck that holds the body while it is painted?

[Tom Kuznicki]

:scream: Dennis, I work at the Wixom assembly plant as a Quality Control Inspector. I have done this job for the past 18 years. It is not the fault of the hourly Q.C. people, I'll give you a for instance, When I began my current Q.C. job as a CBT inspector, ( Current Base Testing ), it is an electrical test in the vehicles, there were 5 inspectors, with the line running at 54 jobs per hour. Between last Sept and currently, there are now 3 inspectors trying to keep up with an increase in line speed to 60 jobs per hour. We are literally running up the line trying to do the best as we can, but, when you're threatened about shutting the line down for problems, it's just not worth it. Retaliation is the rule of the day in the plant, and I don't mean just mine. Luckily, I only have just over 4 years left to retirement, but I'll tell you what, if they offered me a 25 and out package, they'd have to chase me to get me to sign the papers. I'm sure I will probably hear about this thread from the Company , but, Maybe the glass house does'nt really know about the problems in the plants since they always let the plant know when they are going to visit. It would sure be nice if Billy Jr. would sneak out to a plant unannounced and look at the truth.

[Menace]

WOW

[Fourth Horseman]

My perception, and please understand this is just _my_ opinion, is that quality has been declining with Ford products for the past several years. I had quite a bit of problems with my '97 T-Bird, but my '93 Cougar was flawless, for example.

That said, Ford went the extra mile taking care of my stuck throttle problem on my Marauder. Also, other than a noisy watts link (which I have yet to have looked at) I've had no troubles with my Marauder.

I'm sure Ford is feeling the financial squeeze from all the huge losses lately. I just hope they realize that cutting quality is not the way to correct that problem. Better quality and increased customer satisfaction is.

My $0.02.

[sailsmen]

I had a '97 GM for 4 years and 60k miles the only 2 things that broke on the car were 1) trans slip in certain conditions, cured with a fluid change covered under warranty and 2) drivers door sag, fixed with a whack from a hammer.

I was told the same drivers door sag occurs on the Lexus coupe.

The problems on my 2002 Econoline 150 Traveler are new transmisson, front brake pads completely worn at 10k (first time that ever happened) requiring new rotors and 2 bad coils all in the first 16k.

[Dennis Reinhart]

Well, look at the pictures, I will never settle for this it will be fixed right or Ford can come get the cars, I am waiting on the Ford rep to contact me this week. So I have two Blue Marauders with the exact same issues. I am waiting on Ford before I do any thing to any of the cars I did receive the headers today, and the high flow cats with X pipe should be here by Friday.


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[sailsmen]

I hope Ford is embarrassed, if they are there is hope.

[Dennis Reinhart]

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[RCSignals]

Dennis, have you checked the C pillar areas and rear door opening dog leg area I mentioned previously?

[Dennis Reinhart]

Well here is the latest, Keith's car has been at the dealer for two weeks now tomorrow a Ford Rep will be there, they said there is no need, for me to bring my car since it has the exact same problems, so tomorrow I will know what they propose, I had some one call me today who also has a blue Marauder, and he went out and looked at his car and it had none of our problems, so I am eager to here from the Ford Rep at his proposal, so I have not done any modifications to either car, hope fully I can start next week.

Dennis

[RF Overlord]

Go get 'em, Dennis! :D

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[Effster]

dennis,,i also have a blue 1 that i will look at over the weekend.will post asap

[Dennis Reinhart]

Originally posted by RF Overlord
Go get 'em, Dennis! :D

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Well I am pissed and I will not stand for any thing less than perfect both Kieth and me have financed our cars through Ford Credit I will not make one payment till the car is right or they can replace them both period, I sent email to some higher ups at Ford today who I did have a conference call with earlier this week.

:po:

[RCSignals]

How far apart are the two cars in production sequence?

[bluesky636]

Frankly, after looking at your photos I think you are way over reacting. Get the problems fixed, by all means. I think you can get that done without all the stink and threats.

[Dennis Reinhart]

Sure I will run right out and have it done tomorrow, when can I expect your check to pay for it since they refused.

Out of over 30 replies I have had three responses such as yours, I respect your opinion but you are a minority here, which is good, I don't think many of you have seen close up pictures of the large dents and bare metal, I will take some tomorrow, again why should I have to pay for this.

I thought I was buying a top of the line car, no its not a Jaguar, but as I have said more than once I have owned five new Ford cars I just bought a 02 GT it does not have this so how can you say live with it, I wont. I will pursue it, how do any of us know how this car is going to hold up, five years from now, by then its to late to complain, at least I will have it do***ented for my self and the members that are supporting me over this.

[bluesky636]

I see that you are a "supporting vendor." It would be interesting to see how you would respond to one of your customers who exhibited an attitude like yours. And by the way, I never said to live with the problem. But I doubt you will ever get anywhere with your attitude.

[Warpath]

Every car I every had had the thin paint under body and between panels. If the dent isn't seen from standing outside the vehicle or doesn't affect its function, then I don't see the point of getting it fixed. How do you know its not supposed to be there? I agree you are overreacting. Ford doesn't have to fix it if it doesn't affect safety, government regulations, or is covered under warranty. Since there is no rust yet, there is no warranty claim.

That being said, you are an unhappy customer. Ford should do what they can within reason to make you happy so you stay a Ford customer.

Just a word of warning, your credit will be negatively affected by not making a payment. Your credit rating is not based on whether or not you are happy with the car. Its based on payment.

[RCSignals]

See my comments in the related thread in the "Garage"

I don't see why we have two threads on the same subject still going. It hasn't been acceptible in the past.

[Logan]

Closed.