📣 Ford announces MIC hardtop solution (program 21B49): unscheduled orders will get MY2022, delivered & built Broncos will have tops replaced

[WuNgUn]

Sure, it's mid August... summer is not even over and we might see Broncos in March... or worse, next June. It's all over but the swag now...

Not even any swag dude!!

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[Dennis the Menace]

Updated by Administrator with full FAQ and Customer Satisfaction Program info.

Full Order Holder FAQ:

Awareness Communication - Upcoming Customer Satisfaction Program 21B49
(Certain 2021 Model Year Bronco Equipped with a Hard Top Roof Roof Panel Delamination)

Some extra info from @PREMiERdrum



All new tooling and an altered design. It became quite clear that even when manufactured exactly to spec that the design was flawed.

The timeline here is optimistic, but the right move nonetheless.


No. MIC hardtop production for unscheduled First Edition builds will resume late this year with the updated hardtop design. I wouldn't expect this until probably November, as the new tooling still needs to be completed, installed, and tested before production of the new hard tops can begin. Once that happens, they have committed to building new MIC hardtops for all units that have already been delivered, then the "bad batch" Broncos trapped at MAP, THEN for production of new units.



Hey, you have every right to be a dick. This has been a mess.

The design issue is the unfinished edges. Initially, these were to be treated and sealed but it was never successful. The "coating" applied at the plant lasted for about a week, if that. The other issues plaguing the MIC top - thickness of outer ply, uniformity of material thickness, and forming issues within the clamshell - were perhaps made more challenging by the tooling but not necessarily impossible. This new design and tooling should aid in ALL these factors.

As for the 8/2 "full speed" production, that was the plan. Heels were firmly dug in on the engineering of the top and all fingers were pointed towards Plymouth. There was hope that the "best" of the roof units being delivered to MAP could at least be used to complete FE and stranded builds, but as more and more units were evaluated, it became clear that it was a bigger liability to release more of these out into the wild than to just scrap the thing and start over.

Like I said last night, this move HURTS... especially the "bad batch" crew of 2,200+ builds stuck at MAP, but it's absolutely the best way to address it at this juncture. A LOT of these headaches could have been alleviated by pulling the plug when the first issues became apparent, but that's not where we are.

I think it is time for Ford to start sending out as many Broncos with soft tops as they can and send us the MIC tops when they have the issues solved. Most of us have been waiting over a year for our vehicles.

 

[P52Ranch]

The design will look very much the same (and be the same color, to those of you asking). Main points to address in the update:

- Rolled /finished edges where there were formerly raw cuts.
- Thicker, more uniform outer layer of material.
- Improved injection process to fix forming issues in the clamshell.

Also, I've seen several people asking why they can't just get their truck now with a bad roof and replace it later. Two huge problems will prevent that from happening:
- Ford doesn't want any more "bad" units running around beyond the few hundred already out there.
- They want no part of shipping any more of these things than they already have to. Freight is going be enormous on them and there is a substantial risk of damage while shipping. I doubt they have a packaging and logistics plan for them but I can imagine it's going to be incredibly costly.

I wonder what the thicker outer layer will do to the gross vehicle weight ratings and center of gravity? There were already limitations on the roof rack for Sasquatch 4 doors. Will this affect the 2022 roof rack re-design?

 

[Dwayne The Bronc Johnson]

Seems current Dirt Mountain (first edition Dirt Mountain we can call it) by September and Future Dirt Mountain by October. Wonder if the email will say "Stay Pumped"?

I'm concerned as to where Ford views our Broncos that have been "In Production" for weeks or months, although our dealers/800 numbers/etc. have confirmed we're "produced". Hopefully we're part of the first bullet point and not the second.

Yeah, I kind of alluded to that in my next post but my pitchfork got muffled by everyone else's pitchforks lol

 

[Last Ride Bronco]

I believe all new options and ordering for '22s were to be available in September and we would just be modifying an existing order and locked in with our current dealer. Besides, the grass isn't always greener.

It appears absolutely no WildTraks of any kind for 2021? That stinks.
After waiting over a year, what's another 6-8 months? It is what it is.

On the brighter side, maybe I'll be able to get a white mod top, drop the WildTrak graphics and add some crisp white retro stripes.

Wiltraks already scheduled with a VIN will Get built as a 2021.

 

[notlimahttocs]

The problem is you will end up waiting for the hard top and then come October, welp another issue! Delayed again! How can we believe any dates they promise anymore? It’s a joke at this point.

So are you implying I should change to the soft top?

 

[subshooter]

I have been extremely critical of Ford leadership, communication and decision making but I am very happy with this outcome and how they ultimately handled it based on the FAQs provided. It's a tough situation that was caused by them in the first place but this is the right recovery plan as painful as it is to us long term reservation holders.

 

[Pitpup]

There isn't a whole lot of hard tops that need replacing, really. MIC tops are pretty rare in the wild... Mostly softies. The lot hold trucks are like 2000+...
That alone should only be like 2 weeks of hardtop production...
Am I drinking Ford Kool-Aid?? You betcha!

Ford Kool-Aid? Are you using a straw and if so, is it made by Webasto? Careful you don't dribble down the front of your shirt...

 

[rugbysecondrow]

Ford is replacing all tops, making sure new units come with the proper tops and standing behind their product.

what the hell else do people want?

 

[Luv9rove]

Since I had already figured I would get a 2022, this isn't a surprise or a huge deal for me. And I want a roof that isn't defective.

Hidden in the message, confirmation from FORD for GREEN!!!!

 

[djbuff303]

does build date = blend date in this case? What if they started building my car but it never got a top? I had a 7/16 blend date.

We'll find out in September. You were likely built on your blend date, with a bad top, just like I was. And you're likely stuck on Dirt Mountain, just like I am.

 

[Prestons96]

Can they option the 2 door with soft top now? Lol maybe 4 door is the way to go…

 

[Wildtrak2020]

So the new redesigned top is still being manufactured by Webasto? I thought I read somehwere that they were working on getting a new hard top supplier up and running?

 

[Ksjrb03]

I am thinking about changing to a soft top. Do we know what the price of a new mic top once it becomes available? Will Ford price it over the cost of the current option at $695?

The current option is NOT $695. That is an upgrade price over the cost of the included soft top which costs ~$2000. The MIC top street price will be pushing $3k with shipping.

 

[Skdmarc]

They looked at the wrangler/ gladiator when designing the bronco you would think they would have used some of the top construction that's worked for years in their design

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