Ford Recalls......When Does it Get Better?

[huey]

There has been a lot of complaining about recalls on this forum, and a lot of it is justified. I see this morning there is another recall for loose seat bolts & child safety locks

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/new...n&cvid=5d8fc207c1644776a6775db59438f15e&ei=31


I work for a large manufacturing company, in our division welding is our primary task, but we also have many bolt run down procedures. The article is pretty vague but Ford is blaming the issue on an improvement that was not properly vetted, then made worse by an employee mistake. Bolt run downs can be tricky, but with good tools on the line, properly trained team members on the line and robust quality checks and systems, this shit is easy to catch.

Quality issues can be difficult, but if Ford follows the basic principles of quality control, ironically to the level that they hold us to, many of these problems are caught on the assembly line. This is key as finding issues while on the line means the problem has not left their door and the problem can be contained. Containment and quality systems are clearly not working at Ford.

As a consumer and someone who lives in the automotive world, it is frightening to see all the quality issues. IT would seem some significant training investments are required. So people, don't panic, but be diligent about what you see on your vehicles and pay attention to rattles and noises etc!!

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[adam1991]

bolts that secure the driver’s seat frame to the body may be loose or missing

The last time I experienced anything like that was riding in a '79 Fairmont where the floor pan had rusted out and the bench seat was behaving like a recliner, with no front attachment at all.

 

[huey]

The last time I experienced anything like that was riding in a '79 Fairmont where the floor pan had rusted out and the bench seat was behaving like a recliner, with no front attachment at all.

LOL

yeah the missing hardware part is just nuts - reading thru the article again.......

"The second recall involves 46 Bronco and Ranger vehicles from the 2025 model year. The safety recall report says bolts that secure the driver’s seat frame to the body may be loose or missing, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

This issue was chalked up to workers at the Michigan Assembly Mod Center, which “did not follow the correct part replacement procedures and failed to ensure these seats included the two rear bolts with torque validation.”

I would love to see the 8D report which would explain the details of what, why, how the issue happened. How do their systems not catch a bolt that is not run down or flat out missing? really makes you wonder what else is half assed put together. The line worker botched it sure so Ford is blaming that person, but I would bet their procedure is crap.

I love this truck - but I wonder what it could be with better quality

 

[B-Dog15]

The Bronco Sport was the same way. Even Bronco Sports that weren’t a part of a particular recall would have the issue being fixed by the recall…

What I will say is that while the recalls are very annoying and shouldn’t be happening anyway, I do appreciate that Ford is willing to admit to and own their mistakes for the most part.

 

[MayhemMike]

Some of the recalls are simply the result of farming out components and suffering inferior quality from the component manufacturer. When one lies down with dogs they get fleas. That being said, missing or loose bolts are inexcusable. A line worker simply didn’t care or a substitute worker was placed at a line position that they were not qualified for.

 

[huey]

. A line worker simply didn’t care or a substitute worker was placed at a line position that they were not qualified for.

Absolutely possible and likely - which is why strong operator instructions at the station and a good quality system would catch these items. Ford may need to audit their systems and train up their team members

 

[Rydfree]

Ford accountant: " These recalls are killing our bottom line !"
Another Ford accountant : "Let's raise prices to fix that."

 

[Fordified1]

Ford accountant: " These recalls are killing our bottom line !"
Another Ford accountant : "Let's raise prices to fix that."

Another accountant: “how much money can we save by eliminating some quality control personnel”.
Another accountant: If we don’t fire, or reprimand anybody, we get less lawsuits.

 

[GoHawks63]

Didn't the last UAW contract give the workers substantial increases?

 

[heavyD]

Well at least we know consumers aren't the only

Didn't the last UAW contract give the workers substantial increases?

Well at least we know that consumers aren't the only ones paying more for less.

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