2025 Big Bend- Paint Quality

[Danielsand]

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.

Sound good however,........"in person" statement WILL NOT (certainly not) reach the right person (the owner). It will not go any further up than the GSM. They are all replaceable and they know it, therefore they will try to deal with the "prick" (the customer) and make him shut up. The OP will never have a chance to talk to the owner face to face.

The letter from a law firm, however, WILL end up on the owner's desk. He will read it, call the GSM, and tell him "Make this go away".

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[OverBudget]

Sound good however,........"in person" statement WILL NOT (certainly not) reach the right person (the owner). It will not go any further up than the GSM. They are all replaceable and they know it, therefore they will try to deal with the "prick" (the customer) and make him shut up. The OP will never have a chance to talk to the owner face to face.

The letter from a law firm, however, WILL end up on the owner's desk. He will read it, call the GSM, and tell him "Make this go away".

I'm just speaking from what i personally know has worked for people i know. Its obviously not a guarantee to work everywhere, as i said, but if it does it will avoid needing a lawyer....if it doesn't work, hire a lawyer and proceed with that.

 

[Danielsand]

One doesn't need to "hire a lawyer". Walk into any law office, tell them that you would like them to write a letter to the dealership, ask how much they will charge you, and tell them if the dealership doesn't respond favorably, you will put them on the retainer and pursue the matter further. It should cost no more than 3-4 bills. IF they say they don't do that, go somewhere else. In any respectable firm first consultation is free. IF they demand the retainer right away (contract), walk away, and make more phone calls.

Shopping for a lawyer is the same as shopping for an auto mechanic. They work FOR YOU and need to do what YOU tell them to do (and pay them for it). They can tell you what's possible, and what might be your impossible expectations, and they can also refuse to work for you. Ultimately, YOU are in charge, and you tell them what you want done.

When the letter is written, dealership WILL respond (not to you but to the law firm), and IF they decide to deny your demand, law firm will know it before you and contact you to see how you wish to proceed. At that point (if it's a denial letter) you will give the firm their retainer, and they will do the rest. I sincerely don't think it will go that way. The letter will say to inform the "client" (you) to bring the vehicle to the dealership to facilitate the refund. At that point you can (if so desired), pay the law firm to send a young lawyer with you (for couple of billable hours) to make sure dealership doesn't pull a "fast one" on you. IF you show up with a lawyer in tow, you will be out of there in an hour with your downpayment in hand + expenses (time lost from work, travel time, lawyer fee, etc.).

Anyway,....my advice is free. Do with it what you will.

 

[Danielsand]

Forgot to add........

IF they sneaked the form "As is/where is" form for you to sign, you have NO RECOURSE. That form is standard in used cars transactions but should NEVER be used in the "new" vehicle purchase, although I've seen some unethical dealerships sneak that in. Check your paperwork.

 

[ABorges]

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

The dealership during inspection should have caught these problems before you picked it up. Go up the chain of command and have them fix it.

 

[heavyD]

It's not just that they used touch up paint with a brush but the manner they applied it like they weren't even trying to hide it.

 

[Danielsand]

The dealership during inspection should have caught these problems before you picked it up. Go up the chain of command and have them fix it.

"Going up the chain of command" will NOT produce satisfactory results. Let me elaborate a little.

Salesman that sold it definitely KNEW that this was done at the dealer's "preferred" body shop. His manager knew it (most likely he arranged the repair). Maybe even GSM, and/or the GM. Owner most likely didn't know. They covered it up. They will offer to "fix" it, and some free oil changes for the inconvenience, and that's it.

This unit will never be the same as the new one. There is a difference between electrostatically applied paint and the paint that's sprayed on. In my area there is one reputable body shop, and a host of hacks. The reputable body shop in my area would charge 5-6 grand to fix that (it would still be sprayed on!), That's "consumer prices" (read: "retail"). Dealership would definitely pay less at the same shop, but no less than 2-3 grand. They will not do that. Judging by how they "fixed" this mishap in the first place, they'll go as cheap as possible.

OP can contact the Ford Customer Service (in writing!) also, but they will take notice without any action on their part and refer the issue to the dealer. This unit has a considerably diminished market value, which will come back to bite if it's put on the used car market, or attempted to trade in at another (even the same!) dealer.

 

[tock13]

My ‘23 cactus gray Bronco had little chunks of something under the paint, each the size of a few grains of rice…little clumps, maybe body sealant or something. Ford painted right over it. About 5 spots.

Dealer had a paint guy they contracted with fix it at no cost to me. No idea how he did it but he fixed them perfect. Couldn’t tell they were there.

As another member suggested call their bluff with a lawyer. They could absolutely 100% make this right with you with zero drama, but you see what’s more important to them. Go after them.

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