2025 Big Bend- Paint Quality

[scrutineer]

Hello everyone,

New to the forum and a new Bronco owner. Great truck, reminds me of my 84’ FJ40. Looking forward to enjoying it!

We picked up a 4 door BB new from the dealer. White. Nothing Fancy just traded in my F150. So I know what to expect from Ford. I will admit I looked over the BB on a sunny Los
afternoon and took it home many hours later in the dark. And didn’t see anything until I washed/detailed it the a couple days later.

I found what looks like passenger rear door was repainted. First I found burn marks from polishing, the a hair in the color. Looking deeper I saw rubbing and contact from the door and the sill. Then saw that the hinges look like they were horribly repainted.
Saw a scratch on the passenger front door sill and scratches on the inside of the rear door. Can tell the scratches match from reassembly.

I brought it back to the dealer to get the “So what do you want us to do? If we repaint it it will look like it was in an accident…” This was from a sales manager, was not a jerk but was dismissive. When I asked for them to log it they said bring it back d Agreed it needed to be warrantied and played it off as it ca from the plant this way. Hard to believe? The rest of the paint looked fine maybe a quality fix from the plant. But seems hard to believe.

As I started to point out other areas that I would never complain about he started picking at the paint with his nails.

I am not trying to be a crazy person asking for perfection. Was hoping to hear back from the collective and quality of a 2025 BB. This seems out of character this far into production.

My apologies that my first post is negative, looking for some advice.

Thanks

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[Blue Max]

You need to run this up higher on the management chain, completely unacceptable for a new vehicle.

 

[DALOLA]

WTF is that first picture? Is that on the outside of the door? Looks like a freaking wire in the paint!

The other stuff I could touch up & live with, but that first picture is inexcusable. Really up to you how much you're willing to push for/accept.

Good luck!

 

[crzyhawk]

The paint on my 24 BB has been fine. That looks unacceptable. What difference does it make if the carfax make it look repaired when it looks like that? Your trade-in value will be compromised anyways.

 

[Danielsand]

There is new, and there is "new". How many miles on the ODO (you didn't say). It seems to me that someone (in the "management team") took this unit to "play with" over the "weekend", as a "demo". Took the doors off (FUN!) and had a trouble putting them back alone. Doors DID NOT come from the factory misaligned (sill rubbing). The door panel sustained damage (dent possibly?) while it was off the vehicle most likely, and it was "fixed" by a CHEAP "body shop" (if you can call it that). I would be surprised if the dealership owner knows about it.

I owned two dealerships some years ago, and this happened to me. GSM took a brand-new unit off the lot without telling me and damaged it pretty good (front bumper). Had it repainted "on the cheap", and the vehicle was sold as new. Paint on the bumper started peeling in spots after two weeks with the new owner. He brought it back, and the complaint came to my attention. Customer received a new (properly painted) front bumper, loaner for a week, and the GSM was busy writing his resume.

 

[TaterBronc]

That’s odd for sure, especially that first photo. I just picked up a 25 BB in Marsh Grey last week. The hood had 2-3 spots that looked like ‘holidays’ to me, like a spray spot 2” where the clear coat was compromised almost. Even the sales guy said good eye, he never noticed those. They were willing to repaint but said similarly: that it’s a new color, wouldn’t match, etc. They gave me more of a discount and said they’d buff and see what happens. Thankfully at delivery, I could no longer notice those spots.

there might be one more little scratch but I’m not overly concerned there.

 

[23OBX2.7]

Wow what horrible workmanship.....definitely unacceptable.

 

[OverBudget]

Seems like some stuff happened to that bronco. I'd agree to bring it up to someone higher up. Our 25 big bend was in the loaner fleet for 700 miles and has no noticeable imperfections. We received discounts for it being in the fleet as well. I would definitely elevate your situation and either request them to take it back(worth a shot) or properly fix the imperfections or take money off, whatever is right for you. Definitely shouldn't look like it was damaged at all though in my opinion. Just keep being a thorn in their side till you get what you consider to be a fair solution.

 

[scrutineer]

Appreciate everyone’s feed back. I was thinking along the same lines.
Something happened to it while the dealer had it. I didn’t want to accept it was delivered like that

I picked it up with 25 miles on it.

After taking to the dealer, they said they would file a warranty claim, bring it back to documentation and start the process.

Right before I went back, I got a called asking me to bring it next week for paint and that they approved a loaner. They never took pictures. I feel it show their hand that they knew something was not right being they don’t seem to be trying to warranty with Ford.

I have a bunch of questions about how this affects my warranty who is warranting the repaint and the fact that I didn’t buy a new car to have panels repainted a week after.

Oddly enough I am not picky about my cars, I understand things are not perfect but I don’t like buying something that had sub par repairs. I feel some what taken advantage of.

 

[Danielsand]

Right before I went back, I got a called asking me to bring it next week for paint and that they approved a loaner. They never took pictures. I feel it show their hand that they knew something was not right

Oddly enough I am not picky about my cars, I understand things are not perfect but I don’t like buying something that had sub par repairs. I feel some what taken advantage of.

The upper management KNEW before you purchased it,.......guaranteed. This unit will NEVER be "as new from the factory". I know this is unpopular opinion, but as a lawyer, I would suggest hiring one in your area. A letter from a reputable law firm to the dealership, requesting the replacement of the vehicle (or downright refund) would do wonders. A letter like that might cost one billable hour but save many headaches down the road. Dealership WILL NOT enter litigation on that, and most likely nullify your purchase and refund your money you put into the deal. Litigation like that would cost them WAY more money than doing that and sourcing another unit with the same equipment would do the same. Remember,....with dealerships it's all about the bottom line.

Ownership will look at that letter and do the math. They will take the unit back, repaint, fix the hinges, and sell it as a "demo" (still a money maker). Getting another IDENTICAL unit from another dealer, transporting it, inventory it, and deliver it to you would cost more. Selling it as "used" will prevent any action from the future owner, and they might even include "third party" warranty to facilitate the sale.

IF you are shy to deal with a law firm, your ONLY other option I would advise would be to insist on them including third party warranty on paint (36/36000 minimum). IF they go cheap (they almost always do!) on the paint job, your door (and the door sills) WILL start peeling in short order.

 

[Area51BS]

My 22 Badlands area51 is flawless for an OEM paint job. I have OCD and sleep well. Not a scratch on a bolt anywhere. There was definitely some work done there that I would not accept.

 

[scrutineer]

I will take your advice. My time and headaches should be spent at my discretion.

I have always understood it’s about the bottom line. I am nothing more than another sale and a number on sheet. It was clear it was never Ford pulling a fast one, fully felt like the dealership expecting I will roll over.

 

[OverBudget]

The upper management KNEW before you purchased it,.......guaranteed. This unit will NEVER be "as new from the factory". I know this is unpopular opinion, but as a lawyer, I would suggest hiring one in your area. A letter from a reputable law firm to the dealership, requesting the replacement of the vehicle (or downright refund) would do wonders. A letter like that might cost one billable hour but save many headaches down the road. Dealership WILL NOT enter litigation on that, and most likely nullify your purchase and refund your money you put into the deal. Litigation like that would cost them WAY more money than doing that and sourcing another unit with the same equipment would do the same. Remember,....with dealerships it's all about the bottom line.

Ownership will look at that letter and do the math. They will take the unit back, repaint, fix the hinges, and sell it as a "demo" (still a money maker). Getting another IDENTICAL unit from another dealer, transporting it, inventory it, and deliver it to you would cost more. Selling it as "used" will prevent any action from the future owner, and they might even include "third party" warranty to facilitate the sale.

IF you are shy to deal with a law firm, your ONLY other option I would advise would be to insist on them including third party warranty on paint (36/36000 minimum). IF they go cheap (they almost always d9!) on the paint job, your door (and the door sills) WILL start peeling in short order.

i agree with this, though i would first in person state that i would like the vehicle replaced and if i must i will seek legal council as the vehicle i purchased is meant to be new and the condition it is in does not fit that description. the dealer may just go ahead and move forward with reversing everything without even needing to actually hire a lawyer. depends on the dealer, but i do know of some where this has worked and no legal intervention was needed.

 

[battering ram]

I learned long ago. A new car isn’t perfect. I walk the car twice. Putting my face right up to it. I spend 5 minutes and often have my kids or wife doing the same. Very few of the new cars have been perfect. I’ve gotten a couple hundred off to accept minor marks . You must not have done this. Next car you will!!!

In 1990 I bought a mustang. Paint started peeling 1 year after. Turns out whole front end was repainted. Someone smashed it. They fixed it and still were legally allowed to sell as new. Car had 200 miles on it. I no longer buy any car over 20 miles. Most have 3-4 miles

Get it repainted. No biggie. Fords not going to give you a new car. And now you’ve learned a life lesson.

 

[Brian_B]

You can see the brush marks on that one hinge - factory doesn't paint anything with a brush...

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