Plastic Cowl Grille Warping - Replacement

[MoabRox]

Like many, the plastic cowl grille just below the wiper blades has warped on my 2021 Bronco. I called my dealer and they did not see any service bulletins or recalls for it. With almost 38K miles on my Bronco, it's also no longer covered under warrantee. I'll see if I can somehow get the clips to stay in place, but replacement is probably needed. Has Ford fixed the problem (improved the quality of the grille) or if I buy a Ford replacement (Part # m2dz21022a68a), will I just wind up with another warped cowl grille in a year or so? Does anyone have experience (good or bad) with the HECASA or KOJEM aftermarket versions?

Thanks.

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[fuesting]

same issue here as of tonight

 

[KenK]

Taking my '23 SAS-OBX to the dealer. See picture. In this condition, I can't open the hood without the hood catching on the cowl, bending it further, breaking additional tabs, and the possibility of damaging / chipping the paint.

I'm thinking the wiper motor is getting hot and causing the plastic cowl just under the drivers wiper blade to warp and break the tabs. Reasoning: I was on a 16-hour trip two weeks ago. Heavy, heavy rain. Wipers were on for 75% of the trip, with extended periods of high speed wiper operation.

It will be at the dealer tomorrow, and they will have it for a few days. I'll let you know what the dealer says the issue is.

If anyone else is having this issue, please post here. Can you tie your issue to a potential wiper motor use issue?

 

[Bronccraig]

Always interesting how that FORD guy never answers questions like this but oh well..

 

[BLTom]

my just started to warp this week, I need to take it in I still have some warranty remaining

 

[KenK]

Got the Bronco back today. Sun damaged part. Cowl replaced under warranty. Will just have to bring it back if it happens again and again.........and again.

Maybe an aftermarket vendor could design and produce a cowl made of better material and one that has a rubber interface between the plastic cowl and the windshield.

OR....maybe Ford could do it!

 

[Ace420]

My plastics are doing it too but every where and it happens in the cold. I've had them replaced once and ford apparently used the same batch of shit plastics andits doing it again but worse than before.

 

[MoabRox]

Wow. Something crazy is happening. That looks more like heat damage to me. Do you park somewhere where the sun could be reflecting and focused on your Bronco? Seriously, I've read reports where mirrored building windows focus the sun, much like a magnifying glass, and melt car plastic trim. Maybe it's only when the sun is lower in the sky that it happens. Good luck.

 

[604Bronco]

My plastics are doing it too but every where and it happens in the cold. I've had them replaced once and ford apparently used the same batch of shit plastics andits doing it again but worse than before.

Wow, that's crazy. I would have assumed someone tried to melt parts of your Bronco with a torch or lighter or something.

Like @MoabRox mentioned, the other thought would be a reflection off something is causing direct exposure in a specific point - Like a magnify glass would do. Even if it's cold outside, the sun can have a pretty significant impact if it's focused on a certain area.

There's folks who park in extreme heat and I've never seen this happen before. Hopefully @Ford Motor Company fixes it for good for you.

 

[Sunday Money]

My plastics are doing it too but every where and it happens in the cold. I've had them replaced once and ford apparently used the same batch of shit plastics andits doing it again but worse than before.

Lots of stories online with vehicles having the plastic trim melt due to sun reflections from energy efficient windows on homes and commercial buildings.

https://www.wral.com/video/news/local/wral_investigates/video/13620284/

https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer...ng-with-vinyl-siding-on-homes#google_vignette

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisc...ent-windows-blamed-for-melting-neighbors-car/

https://whdh.com/news/hank-investigates-melting-car-mystery/

 

[CarlSpackler]

My plastics are doing it too but every where and it happens in the cold. I've had them replaced once and ford apparently used the same batch of shit plastics andits doing it again but worse than before.

That has to be some sort of acid solution or direct heat application, theres no way thats just cheap plastics. But damn, man. Thats messed up.

 

[Techun]

My plastics are doing it too but every where and it happens in the cold. I've had them replaced once and ford apparently used the same batch of shit plastics andits doing it again but worse than before.

Where do you live? NM or AZ?

I also vote for reflections

 

[Ace420]

Louisiana

 

[Ace420]

That has to be some sort of acid solution or direct heat application, theres no way thats just cheap plastics. But damn, man. Thats messed up.

Nope no direct heat sits in a garage that's open so it doesn't get hot in there. And like everyone else I go to the car wash that other broncos use and there's isn't doing it

 

[Ace420]

Where do you live? NM or AZ?

I also vote for reflections

I live in Louisiana. No direct sun light. It sits in the garage

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