Cracked MIC roof action

[Rydfree]

Who knows? They seem to be cracking multiple times for the same customers and not cracking for others; so environment might have little, some, or a lot to do with it.

Tom

My 2nd top was bad right out of the crate. The dealer promptly ordered a replacement for the replacement. That replacement was defective also so they never even mounted it to the truck. Further replacements were on backorder at the time so after 3 weeks the dealership simply took one off a Bronco on the showroom floor and put on my Bronco. A month later that one had visible cracks. So now I need a replacement for the replacement that never actually replaced the one that replaced my original top.

Yeah the tops are fine, it's the environment .

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[2023bronco]

My 2nd top was bad right out of the crate. The dealer promptly ordered a replacement for the replacement. That replacement was defective also so they never even mounted it to the truck. Further replacements were on backorder at the time so after 3 weeks the dealership simply took one off a Bronco on the showroom floor and put on my Bronco. A month later that one had visible cracks. So now I need a replacement for the replacement that never actually replaced the one that replaced my original top.

Yeah the tops are fine, it's the environment .

Yeah, mine lives outside, but that doesn't explain cracking weeks after I got the second replacement. One cracked in summer, one cracked in winter, and one was junk upon arrival. The thing these tops do best is crack.

 

[TPadden72]

Yeah the tops are fine, it's the environment .

Never said it was or wasn't. I am also not saying there isn't a problem. Sincerely, good luck with your next replaced replacement's replacement.

Tom

 

[Rick U]

I’m on my 4th top. This last one has gone almost a year and a half without cracks. Maybe i got one of the good ones?

 

[Owl]

Still makes me wonder how many plants there are that make the MIC tops.

It seems logical that if some people don't have any problems (like me so far after 3 years) and some have constant problems that there must be some kind of plant issue, or line issue, or content issue (for a given number of tops).

 

[Summit981]

Well... maybe I did get lucky. Seems like I've avoided a bunch of problems so far. The 2.7 + auto seems fine with no problems, no SW glitches, and decent gas MPG.

MICs are "Composite" -- makes you wonder about all the jets (airliners) being produced out of composites.

Still wonder if all the MICs come out of the same factory.

The composite manufacturing process involves the combination of different materials for different applications. The materials Ford is using in their composite for the MIC top (called 'Sheet Molding Compound' or SMC with a resin system) is NOT the same materials as used by the aerospace companies in the production of high performance aircraft assemblies, subassemblies and engine components. For example, at least three different composites are used in the construction of the F-35 jet fighter: carbon/epoxy, carbon/bismaleimide and carbon/nanotube reinforced epoxy. Ford's not using any of that. With Ford, we're talking "baseline" composite here. It's down a few pegs from carbon fiber.

 

[tock13]

I haven't had any problems with my 22 Base 2Dr top yet. I live in NCal. Always garaged.
Gets up to about 108 in the summer, and maybe 35 in the mornings in the winner. Since mine is in garage a lot.... I got a feeling temps probably never reach 95 (high), and probably never < 40 (low). Humidity is probably < 40% for 95% of the time. But I'm just coming up on 15,000 on the Bronco (which is white with MIC top).

My question for those with cracked tops... are you guys in any extreme situations... temp-wise. High temps, low temps, etc.

I'm just trying to figure out if I got lucky, and why. Final question for anybody that might know... are the MIC tops all made at the same plant, or are there various MIC plants.

Thanks.

I live in western WA state so no huge temp swings. I have a ‘24 Bronco that has ~14k miles. Lives in a temp controlled garage and never been outside other than to drive it. Been in the rain twice. I have been over my top with a fine toothed comb since I brought it home…black light, flash light, both LED and analog lights and until October there have been zero cracks/defects.

In October I discovered two tiny cracks under the passenger side glass. The top was sitting on a top lift pro from late May till mid September. Could sitting like that all summer with the sides hanging unsupported cause these cracks? Who knows but mine are 100% not weather related in my opinion. Hell, I never even wash the top for fear of it cracking.

 

[dpAtlanta]

There is a forum Bronco owner tracking the issue along with at least one law firm investigating the issue with an intention of a Class Action against Ford/Webasto.

The problem with the Class-Action suits is that the Plaintiff Attorneys get the largest chuck of the settlement if reached, and then the original Plaintiff who brought the case gets the next highest amount... the rest of us get a portion of what's left.
A check for $18.73 will not fix you problem.

($18.73 was a made-up amount, but it will be NO WHERE near the cost of a replacement top...!!!)

Most class-action settlement checks are only a few percentages of the financial loss in a products case.

 

[swamp2]

Why is it that so few in these post about MIC tops mention their local environment and whether the garage is temperature controlled or not (attached garage). Does the temperature get down to 20 below zero at night in the garage? Or does the sun beat down on the garage during the summer where the temperature gets over 120 degrees? Would be helpful information when trying to understanding why this is happening.

I've seen a ton of folks who have had failures report their weather, garaging and washing. Similar info has been provided for many of those without failures. I've seen no correlation.

...design flaw that can be somewhat overcome by aftermarket coating.

There has been no evidence this is possible. Furthermore, even if it was possible (strongly suspect not) it wouldnt be verifiable. How would one know if their particular top would or would not have cracked if left uncoated? Of course it could be verified that such a coating did not work. But given the relative rarity of failures times the additional rarity of folks who have coated, this is going to be extremely uncommon.

 

[Fatfireman]

My 2nd top was bad right out of the crate. The dealer promptly ordered a replacement for the replacement. That replacement was defective also so they never even mounted it to the truck. Further replacements were on backorder at the time so after 3 weeks the dealership simply took one off a Bronco on the showroom floor and put on my Bronco. A month later that one had visible cracks. So now I need a replacement for the replacement that never actually replaced the one that replaced my original top.

Yeah the tops are fine, it's the environment .

Best post/reply yet.

 

[J-Lugster]

The problem with the Class-Action suits is that the Plaintiff Attorneys get the largest chuck of the settlement if reached, and then the original Plaintiff who brought the case gets the next highest amount... the rest of us get a portion of what's left.
A check for $18.73 will not fix you problem.

($18.73 was a made-up amount, but it will be NO WHERE near the cost of a replacement top...!!!)

Most class-action settlement checks are only a few percentages of the financial loss in a products case.

Ya for the most part Class Actions only benefit the lawyers.

But in some circumstances they lead to recalls and/or warranty extensions.

We owned a vehicle that had a manufacturing defect in the air conditioning system. Partly in response to widespread complaints and filed class-action lawsuits alleging these defects, the warranty on the air conditioning system was extended to 10 years/unlimited mileage.

We had a similar thing happen with a big screen TV that had a manufacturers defect. Partly in response to Class Actions, the manufacturer issued vouchers to all affected TV customers to purchase a replacement from the same brand.

I am hoping that multiple class actions across North America force Ford to actually do something like a recall where they replace the subject MIC tops with their painted hardtops or at least foot some of the cost to replace them.

 

[dpAtlanta]

But in some circumstances they lead to recalls and/or warranty extensions.

But only if it goes to trial and there is a Plaintiff verdict.
Otherwise, if they settle, here's your $18.73 check.

Good point though!

 

[Owl]

Well, that's why... if I start getting cracks and the dealer won't do anything I'll probably look at small claims court. Here is the California info (where I live)...

In California, individuals can sue for a maximum of $12,500 in small claims court, while corporations and other business entities can sue for up to $6,250. These limits apply to cases filed after January 1, 2024.

Much better than a $20 check from some lawyer somewhere, and at least I'd get the satisfaction of dragging the dealer to court!

 

[RyanP]

My 22 is garage kept, had 1st top replaced 1 month before my 36 month warranty ended at 26,000ish miles, 6 months later replacement top started cracking at 28,000ish miles, ford told me to pound sand, 3yr/36000 had expired and the extended warranty would not cover it because it is "considered trim". I live in South Louisiana, so our temp will break 100° a few times during the summer. As far as humidity, yes we have all the humidity.

I was under the impression that a replacement top would be protected by any remaining time on the initial 3/36 warranty or a 12 month warranty.

 

[CUZICAN]

I was under the impression that a replacement top would be protected by any remaining time on the initial 3/36 warranty or a 12 month warranty.

According to my dealership, it was only covered by the remaining 3/36, and my 3/36 ended 1 month after replacement. The top didn't start showing cracks until about 4.5 months after replacement. Top was replaced end of February and I noticed cracks beginning of July.

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