Fusion 2010 SE Interior defects

[boltonebob]

I have a question to you all - I have a Ford Fusion 2010 SE which I love. One thing that has always bothered me though is where two parts of the center console meet there is bubbled paint / missing paint - as though there was a problem putting the console together?! My question is, does the warranty cover small defects to do with the interior, defects that were obviously created during manufacturing. Any feedback on what I could do about the issue would be greatly appreciated! We have owned the car since last June (2009).

[bbf2530]

I have a question to you all - I have a Ford Fusion 2010 SE which I love. One thing that has always bothered me though is where two parts of the center console meet there is bubbled paint / missing paint - as though there was a problem putting the console together?! My question is, does the warranty cover small defects to do with the interior, defects that were obviously created during manufacturing. Any feedback on what I could do about the issue would be greatly appreciated! We have owned the car since last June (2009).

 

 

Hi boltonebob. :D As with any defect or problem (especially with interior/exterior finish type of issues), as soon as it is discovered it should be brought to the attention of the Dealership. Since you say it "always bothered" you, I assume it has been present for some time. Ideally, you should have brought it in earlier.

 

If a car is still under the 3 year/36,000 mile Warranty (for Ford and Mercury) and it is a manufacturing or material defect, it will be repaired under Warranty. If it seems to have been caused by some sort of chemical spill or other outside source/abuse, it would not.

 

It would also be a good idea for you to do the following: When you purchased your Fusion, you were given a bunch of paperwork and Owner Guides. One was the Warranty Guide. It is only about 40 pages long and explains in detail your Warranty coverages and rights. It would be a very good idea for you to take a look at it closely.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited March 18, 2010 by bbf2530

[metallicred09]

I have a question to you all - I have a Ford Fusion 2010 SE which I love. One thing that has always bothered me though is where two parts of the center console meet there is bubbled paint / missing paint - as though there was a problem putting the console together?! My question is, does the warranty cover small defects to do with the interior, defects that were obviously created during manufacturing. Any feedback on what I could do about the issue would be greatly appreciated! We have owned the car since last June (2009).

 

 

The part that is bubbled in the paint can be replaced, not repaired. Take it to the dealer and see what they say

[bbf2530]

The part that is bubbled in the paint can be replaced, not repaired. Take it to the dealer and see what they say

 

 

Hello metallic. :D Since I am the only individual in this thread who used the word "repaired", I will make my reply clearer so any word parsing does not confuse people.

 

Here is the definition of "repair" (as a transitive verb) from the Merriam Webster Dictionalry: Repair - 1 a : to restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken : fix <repair a shoe> b : to restore to a sound or healthy state : renew <repair his strength> 2 : to make good : compensate for : remedy <repair a gap in my reading>

 

So the scope of "repairing" an issue or problem also includes "replacing" a part or parts if necessary. In addition, defective interior finish trim is not always replaced. Sometimes it is refinished.

 

Either way, whether it is "replaced" or "refinished", it is "repaired".

 

In this case, it probably will be replaced, but that was not the important part of either of our answers. The important part of our answers was getting boltonebob to realize that when a vehicle is under Warranty and there is an issue, take it to the Dealer.

 

So as we both stated, boltonebob needs to make a service appointment, where hopefully they will "repair" his defective console/console component. In this case, most likely by "replacing" it.

 

And I am really not trying to be a wiseguy, simply explaining that the information I provided in my first reply was already correct.

 

Hope that clears up any confusion.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited March 18, 2010 by bbf2530

[danager]

Well now I am confused. bbf2530 used "repaired" first, and then metallicred used it second - not just as a quote. So when you said you were the "only individual"..."who used the word "repaired"", this left me even more confused. Can you please clarify what you meant as the first person (in this thread) to use the word "repaired"?

 

Confused yet?

 

Anyhow, I have had a similar experience with two vehicles. My Honda was damaged when the tint was being installed. this was a PITA as the dealer sourced out the job, and then expected me to deal with the issue. In the end the repair was to use the same panel, some epoxy, and repaint it - resurface it if you will. The second time was when I took delivery of my Escape, the armrest was scratched. They attempted the resurfacing method, and when it did not turn out as planned, they replaced the part.

 

Bottom line, visit the dealership. I would give them the opportunity to correct the issue how they see fit, just set the expectation that the part look and perform like new. I usually look for my salesperson when issues like this arise as well, as this is also related to the delivery process.

 

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Dan

[bbf2530]

Well now I am confused. bbf2530 used "repaired" first, and then metallicred used it second - not just as a quote. So when you said you were the "only individual"..."who used the word "repaired"", this left me even more confused. Can you please clarify what you meant as the first person (in this thread) to use the word "repaired"?

 

Confused yet?

 

Anyhow, I have had a similar experience with two vehicles. My Honda was damaged when the tint was being installed. this was a PITA as the dealer sourced out the job, and then expected me to deal with the issue. In the end the repair was to use the same panel, some epoxy, and repaint it - resurface it if you will. The second time was when I took delivery of my Escape, the armrest was scratched. They attempted the resurfacing method, and when it did not turn out as planned, they replaced the part.

 

Bottom line, visit the dealership. I would give them the opportunity to correct the issue how they see fit, just set the expectation that the part look and perform like new. I usually look for my salesperson when issues like this arise as well, as this is also related to the delivery process.

 

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

Dan

 

Edited

 

Hi Dan. :D First, as I stated in my previous reply I want to make it clear that I was not trying to be a wiseguy. However, there were errors in metallics "correction"/reply that needed to be addressed. And there were no hard feelings contained in my reply, It was a simple fact correction. After all, hopefully that is what we are all here for, to provide correct information that may help others.

 

Now that I have made that clear upfront: Nah, I'm not too confused and still have a basic grip on the chain of events :hysterical:

 

Bottom line is the Dealer will "repair" the problem by "replacing" or "refinishing" the defective parts. Or they will do nothing. But a visit to the Dealer is the first step.

 

Now we can hope that boltonebob gets his car repaired correctly and he lets us know the outcome.

 

Hopefully this clears up any confusion.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited March 19, 2010 by bbf2530

[acdii]

OY VAY :banghead::hysterical2::hysterical::superhero:

Edited March 18, 2010 by acdii

[boltonebob]

Wow! thank you all for speedy responses. I am a little nervous about arguing the issue because I had so much trouble actually getting the car from my dealer originally. We ended up making a formal complaint against the dealership, it was a whole mess. Anyway we live somewhere else now and I took my car in today to inquire about TSB 09-19-1, which has been an issue for me and is what led me to this forum. Thank you for this forum for that reason, it helped me identify the problem and communicate it to the my local ford dealer. Back to my present concern, as i said ever since I bought the car the marks/bubble/scratch have annoyed me. What I am trying to determine, is whether the defect is covered by the warranty provided by Ford, or whether the dealership that I now use for service will laugh at me! To me, even though I bought it last June, it is still new and I want it to look like new. I understand what is meant by repair, sorry to have sparked a debate on the term. : ) The reason this defect annoys me is because I know it is there so it is the first thing my eyes go to each time I get in the car, but I've always presumed their is nothing I can do about it!

Edited March 19, 2010 by boltonebob

[2010 Sport Blue SEL]

It looks like human intervention caused the damage. Do you think someone had to get into the radio area and used the wrong tool to seperate the panels? Those plastic panels should be able to be replaced. I'd demand the dealer replace the damaged parts. There's no way the sales person or service tech could miss that damage prepping the car for you, unless one of them did it and they're trying to hide it and not willing to admit it.

Edited March 18, 2010 by 2010 Sport Blue SEL

[akirby]

If the car arrived from the factory with that damage (unlikely but possible) it would absolutely be covered under warranty. If the dealer damaged it (likely) then technically the Ford warranty wouldn't cover it but the dealer would be responsible for it. If you're having issues with the dealer then that may be difficult. Bottom line is if that's the way the car was delivered to you it's not right and either the dealer or Ford should fix it. Good luck!

 

BTW, that looks exactly like someone pried up the console with a screwdriver.

[bbf2530]

Wow! thank you all for speedy responses. I am a little nervous about arguing the issue because I had so much trouble actually getting the car from my dealer originally. We ended up making a formal complaint against the dealership, it was a whole mess. Anyway we live somewhere else now and I took my car in today to inquire about TSB 09-19-1, which has been an issue for me and is what led me to this forum. Thank you for this forum for that reason, it helped me identify the problem and communicate it to the my local ford dealer. Back to my present concern, as i said ever since I bought the car the marks/bubble/scratch have annoyed me (See attached photo). What I am trying to determine, is whether the defect is covered by the warranty provided by Ford, or whether the dealership that I now use for service will laugh at me! To me, even though I bought it last June, it is still new and I want it to look like new. I understand what is meant by repair, sorry to have sparked a debate on the term. : ) The reason this defect annoys me is because I know it is there so it is the first thing my eyes go to each time I get in the car, but I've always presumed their is nothing I can do about it!

 

 

Hi boltonebob. :D Don't worry, all you did was ask for help. The rest is simply a misunderstanding concerning terms. It happens once in a while, no big deal we all still love each other! :grouphug:

 

The one thing we all definitely agree on is that you need to take your car to the Ford Dealership for a final diagnosis and Warranty decision.

 

While it is difficult to be ascertain from that picture, I tend to agree with 2010 Sport that those marks look as though they "could" be scratches.as opposed to a manufacturing defect. If they are scratches caused by "human intervention", then the fact that you have had the car approximately 9 months (since June 2009) could be a problem. It leaves open the possibility that it happened while you owned the car, as opposed to during manufacturing or Dealer Prep (I am not saying it happened in your possession, just explaining the situation from the Dealer and Ford's perspective).

 

I understand it was difficult for you with the pre-delivery problems, but in the future, try to report report interior or exterior finish problems as soon as you see them. That eliminates "when did it really happen" questions.

 

Bottom line is the Dealer will make the final decision, and it never hurts to ask. The worst that can happen is they deny the claim, in which case you have the right to contact Ford Customer Relations if you think the decision was incorrect.

 

So as metallic, danager, 2010 Sport and I (EDIT - and akirby) all recommend, make an appointment, bring it to the Dealer and explain your predicament to them.

 

Let us know the outcome.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

Edited March 18, 2010 by bbf2530

[danager]

FWIW - the opening comments in my post were meant to be sarcastic.

 

I have worked on thousands of cars over 12 years of installing aftermarket electronics professionally. That looks like a flathead screwdriver to me, again, not to point out how, or whom (other than you). I would agree that should be dealt with, and it could get complicated. You know, if the dealership needs to get involved, I would simply tell them this is their opportunity to make it right. Business is fuelled by loyalty, and word of mouth, I am sure they want you in their corner.

 

I too am concerned, after seeing this photo, I went and looked at that area in my car - for a reference. I noticed some damage on the vinyl dash to the right of the radio trim. Tomorrow is my day off, and I will be stopping in to see my salesman. I have purchased three vehicles from him in the last 5 years. All A-Plan, and I almost literally handed him the specs on the car and asked for it. I didn't even need to test drive one of them, after driving a co-workers car a couple times. Best of luck to you!

[boltonebob]

Well thank you all for your advice. Today I went in and went through the whole issue with a service technician at my local ford dealership. Although it does look like someone did something with a screw driver, if you look to the far left there is even a chip of paint missing there. In addition what you can't see without the picture being in 3d, is that there is a bubble in the paint in the defect on the far right. For this reason (the bubble) the dealership has approved a replacement of the two panels with the offending marks.

Thank you so much to all of you for giving me the confidence to go in and argue the case. This forum has been invaluable to me.

Edited March 19, 2010 by boltonebob

[bbf2530]

Well thank you all for your advice. Today I went in and went through the whole issue with a service technician at my local ford dealership. Although it does look like someone did something with a screw driver, if you look to the far left there is even a chip of paint missing there. In addition what you can't see without the picture being in 3d, is that there is a bubble in the paint in the defect on the far right. For this reason (the bubble) the dealership has approved a replacement of the two panels with the offending marks.

Thank you so much to all of you for giving me the confidence to go in and argue the case. This forum has been invaluable to me.

 

 

Hi boltonebob. :D You are very welcome, glad we could help. And thanks for letting us know the outcome.

 

And just remember in the future: The Warranty is part of the price of the vehicle, so if you have any issues, never be afraid to bring it to the attention of the Dealer Service Department. Most Service personnel will be more than willing to help if we are polite to them.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[Johnnyboy1102]

A lot of times these damages occur during transportation, not actually during manufacturing. I see it a lot in my line of work, and being that a lot of cars pass in and out of those places they tend to over look minor details and just wait for them to be brought back to them. I would be willing to bet they would cover it under warranty as long as you dont say you did it, because in all honesty the dealers like the warranty money they get from Ford. i know my company does lol.

[danager]

Glad to hear they are taking care of it - well done sir. You should never worry about asking for something to be covered under warranty, because you did pay for that.

[acdii]

You never know, sometimes just taking the shipping plastic off damage can occur. The Hyundai VC I had had trim plates on the door thresholds that were brushed aluminum that lit up when you opened the door. The plastic they used to protect it stuck too well, the adhesive marred the finish. It is always a good idea to go over everything when you buy a car, before leaving the lot, or even before signing the papers.

[boltonebob]

Last update on the issue: Today I took it in for the starting issue and to have the defect ridden panels replaced. I can now say goodbye to the feelings of dread every time I drove the car knowing I had those defects spoiling my new car. The car is now the way it should have been when I first bought it. Thank you once again for all the encouragement to pursue the issue. My local ford dealership replaced all the necessary parts under warranty. I would advise everyone to check their cars for such defects and report any such defects to your local ford dealership, as if the defects are deemed a result of production they can be replaced. I'm one happy ford fusion 2010 owner! :shift: