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

[gettk]

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.



- A few hundred.

- Yes.



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.


Note:

Lots of people are assuming this means a new supplier, but I don't have any confirmation of that. Update from @Nickp , the following is correct: From what I can tell, this new tooling for the MIC hardtops is being designed and paid for by Ford and will be installed at the Plymouth plant for Webasto to produce.

The MOD tops coming in 23 are from a new supplier that has yet to be publicly identified.

Further info from @Nickp: My contact at Ford reached out, and basically summed it up that they need to make sure that these things are ready for the adventures that we are going to put them through. The current hard top and the quality offered just don't reach that standard, so they are just putting the kibosh on any more going into circulation before they fix the root of the problem. As outlined above, the fewer hard tops they have to ship around the country the better. When the new tops are being built, they are going to FiFo the current sitting orders. Basically, the ones that were built first will be the first to get tops and get sent on out to their final destination. Once the ones that are currently built are sent on their way, the goal will be to get people with a hard top Bronco in their possession already the new top, along with finishing up the first editions. It's not ideal, but this is "THE" solution that will be the only thing to fully fix things.

The cash flow benefits as well as good will to provide a soft top solution while they re-run the hardtops would appear to make sense. Why can Ford not successfully launch a new product?

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[Hambone08]

Time to work out the steps. Ill see how it goes.

I SOOOO NEEDED THIS !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[xmod]

Maybe I missed this, but are these new MIC tops going to be made by Webasto or another manufacturer?

 

[txozpilot]

I think the cost of replacing a known bad top - including dealer labor and freight shipping - adds too much for Ford to consider it. They'd rather deliver a better final product to the consumer and not have to deal with a warranty claim after.

I get it.. But at this point there is a lot of customers who made plans to have a new vehicle by now.. Myself included, and I’d take a faulty top just so I had wheels.. As far as their costs, they should’ve designed a better top and not released it when they did. They led people to believe that they would have vehicles by now. We’re the ones left paying money for UBER’s and rental vehicles while they faf around figuring out how they actually produce a vehicle they said would already be on the road. And if I don’t get my MY21 vehicle before they start producing MY22 Bronco’s is it really still a 2021 vehicle? @Ford Motor Company

 

[De Brus]

So @PREMiERdrum, what do you think happens in this scenario:

All the FEs produced last week and this (mine has a blend date of today) fall outside the 21 July end date we saw on the Ford note. Does that mean those units were/are being built with some improved MIC now?

Thanks.

Homie. It clearly addressed this in the FAQ that was posted.

 

[LIKEABOSS]

Hi all. We hear you and are working hard on getting you out in the wild in your Bronco as quickly as possible. Depending on your build, we are actively starting to communicate where we are and what we’re doing to make it right. In the meantime, please check out our latest FAQs here: https://ford.to/broncosupport

Ship the MIC top Broncos already built. If it's truly just a cosmetic issues then it can be handled at the dealer like the MIC Broncos already in the wild. If not it's either because your too cheap to absorb the costs for the incompetence that's lead up to this point or don't trust your dealer network's ability to handle repairs in mass.

 

[Afro]

This is my thing. I ordered a BB that is sitting there with what possibly is a water leak. Guess what @Ford Motor Company , that model has carpet and cloth upholstery... WTF!

The issue is aesthetic not performance, you'll be fine

 

[Bacon]

This is my worry, who wants last years model next year? lol

If you already have a vin, but get pushed into 22, will it be a 2022, or will it have to be a 2021 because you already have that vin

build date week of 9/20, who thinks i'll still get it in 2021

 

[mbagne]

Wondering at this point how many reservation holders are going to jump ship. I know a ton of people were already "on the fence" but still holding out because they had already waited THIS long and Ford was finally getting close to being on track again . . . but now more (and major) bad news. I have to believe this will be the catalyst for a chunk of lost reservation holders, as evidenced by some in this string of posts. I take no joy in seeing my fellow enthusiasts frustrated to no end like this, but perhaps a paired down waiting list will help those of us who can afford to wait several more months. Congratulations to those who will still be getting a 2021, and best of luck to all who now believe a Wrangler or Tacoma, etc. is in their immediate future.

 

[Baseball77]

My blend date was 8/4. The memo today states anything built prior to July 21. Does that mean I’m good to go, or does that mean I still received a bad MIC top and needs replaced?

 

[Tricky Dick]

I'm ill.

Hello bad batchers, I hope you saved me some room.

 

[pdonoh]

I confess that my Bronco yearning has shown signs of weakening lately. The Jeep Gladiator started to look good to me . With pricing it out and a pathological distaste of all things Chrysler related, that passed. A friend of mine has a new Tacoma and he raves about it. The future 2 door Bronco is meant to replace a long bed F-150 that became hard to park when I moved from a rural county to the jam-packed suburbs, so I'm lying to myself when I think another pickup would be a good solution. There's a nice looking yellow Wrangler I pass at a used car lot, but its an automatic and overpriced. I know I have to stay strong in my Bronco vigil, with the thought that its a unique, fun vehicle that will fit many of my needs and now there's a better than even chance I could pay cash for it after reading today's news.

 

[Wanted33]

All I wanted was an explanation as to what is going on, so I wouldn't have to make shit up in my head. I got the truth, the plan, and I'm happy to know the low down. I can deal with it now.

As for the units that have been stored in the open I'm sure they will be fine. Cars have sit on dealers lots, and in driveways since the beginning. Not everyone has garages.

 

[northshoreboarder]

My vehicle doesn't have a build date as of yet, but I would really be pissed if my Bronco was built and will sit under the weather for months while waiting for this sh*t show to fix itself.

 

[Keithc]

Looks like the only people that are gonna make out on this situation are the dealerships. I’m gonna have a hard time accepting a vehicle (at MSRP) that’s been sitting outside in a sand lot thru 3 seasons ( mine was built 7/20) . I’m guessing there will be quite a few refused orders, leaving the dealers with stock to mark up. Not to mention getting paid by Ford to replace existing roofs.
Just my take on things.
I don’t really need this truck, just want it. But if I find something else that I really like I’ll probably end up buying that.
I really wish they had offered a non removable metal rear clamshell. I have no interest in taking it off anyway. Just the two front panels.
That’s my rant for now.

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