Is this really standard build quality for an 80k truck?

[Buckthetruck]

Or did the factory crew just s*** the bed? I legitimately do not know the answer. I’m seriously inquiring. This is my first truck. I’ve been saving for 7 years and just bought a new 2023 platinum powerboost.

Three suspicious areas, all in the wheel well(s):

1) odd screw work which seems to be for attaching the front fender liners. Both sides are not the same. One side has more screws and many have double-wide-looking caps on them. Both sides have what look to be like screws with no caps shooting straight into the well. Is this intentional/normal? It’s unsightly and I certainly wouldn’t have engineered it this way if I didn’t have to. The lack of consistency between the two sides makes me feel like it’s not intentional.

2) front fender liner on drivers side was shoved up onto and underneath itself. That definitely wasn’t intentional. Found another forum here where people suggested to just pull it down. Which I did (see before and after photos), but it’s still a mess and the the plastic backing to the front part of the liner seems to be warped now from being affixed in the original orientation. It abuts up to the actual bumper edge, whereas theres a nice buffer on the passenger side fender liner (which also runs flush, photo attached for reference)

3) [minor] trim around back wheel well is attached with exposed plastic screws which is a little unsightly. I surmise this is intentional, but just want to confirm.

thank you!

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[oneinch]

I have come across two similar build quality issues on my truck. Each in a wheel well or in the proximity of one. Neither is a big deal and all is fine. Still, there is no excuse for this. It is my belief that these little things happen on all car brands. These cars are built by ordinary human beings.

 

[EricR]

On one hand, the fit & finish on my '21 Lariat is amazing! Don't let these few minor things keep you from enjoying how nice the overall fit & finish of your truck is.

On the other hand, if my truck had these same issues I would be at the dealer, expecting repairs!

 

[Highway 11]

#3 is normal. You are correct that it is unsightly. When I got my 2023 the steering wheel was scratched from the dealer's PDI and the front bumper was off centre. Lucky for me I had a great dealer and they fixed without an issue.

Build quality is something that everybody's struggling with nowadays. Brand new Tahoe at work blew its water pump first day it joined the fleet. A Dodge Durango in our fleet routinely fries its starter. I blew up a Ford Explorer 3.3L engine after its sixth rebuild and third fuel pump. My wife's Subaru Outback has a bunch of sensors that fell off due to the factory using substandard adhesive. My coworker had to have a 3.6 Pentastar rebuilt due to a faulty camshaft on his Jeep. Heck, the new Colorados and Sierras have roofs that dent when going through the dryer at an automatic car wash.

It's frustrating. Nothing is built to last anymore.

 

[CaptainAmericaRob]

it looks like issues witht the wheel well liner (dealer installed option) Y/N?
it also looks like compressed felt of some sort. Mine are a more of a semi-flexible plastic, that fit better into place.
Also... if this is the work of your issues... be thankful

 

[SupraVu]

Built Ford tough

 

[Fox146]

that front fender liner wasn’t put in correctly for sure. The back fender (3) is normal. I would highly suggest putting the fender liners in the back while it’s new. They finish the wheel well better as well as reduce some noise and look nicer, especially on a white truck

 

[TheOne]

Fords quality control right now is none existent and Ford knows it. Ford the most recalled brand in America.

 

[Aron]

Fords quality control right now is none existent and Ford knows it. Ford the most recalled brand in America.

Source?

 

[Vin]

Or did the factory crew just s*** the bed? I legitimately do not know the answer. I’m seriously inquiring. This is my first truck. I’ve been saving for 7 years and just bought a new 2023 platinum powerboost.

Three suspicious areas, all in the wheel well(s):

1) odd screw work which seems to be for attaching the front fender liners. Both sides are not the same. One side has more screws and many have double-wide-looking caps on them. Both sides have what look to be like screws with no caps shooting straight into the well. Is this intentional/normal? It’s unsightly and I certainly wouldn’t have engineered it this way if I didn’t have to. The lack of consistency between the two sides makes me feel like it’s not intentional.

2) front fender liner on drivers side was shoved up onto and underneath itself. That definitely wasn’t intentional. Found another forum here where people suggested to just pull it down. Which I did (see before and after photos), but it’s still a mess and the the plastic backing to the front part of the liner seems to be warped now from being affixed in the original orientation. It abuts up to the actual bumper edge, whereas theres a nice buffer on the passenger side fender liner (which also runs flush, photo attached for reference)

3) [minor] trim around back wheel well is attached with exposed plastic screws which is a little unsightly. I surmise this is intentional, but just want to confirm.

thank you!

Without even thoroughly reviewing your post, I am willing to answer:

1. Yes, whatever you are referring to is probably "standard build quality". This is not unique to Ford or even the automotive industry.

2. I cannot imagine "saving for 7 years" for any consumer product and NOT being disappointed that it isn't nearly perfect. The work you put in to save your hard earned money will never be commensurate with the level of care and attention to detail paid by the average clock-punching worker.

I'm not bashing Ford or rank-and-file workers at all. It's just an unavoidable reality that you will care more about your stuff than most other people will. Hopefully you can enjoy turning a few wrenches and screws to get it right. I feel REALLY bad for people when the electronics are involved. In that case, you are now relying on dealership employees to put in the effort (see #2 above).

 

[Deleted member 15247]

And the auto workers strike while demanding more money when they can’t do the job correctly now.

I had a list of of shit I had to have fixed on my truck that wasn’t caught or repaired when they supposedly PDI’d the truck, which I of course paid for. Some of it was so obvious, like the box cutter slices in the passenger headrest and seat. Or the cracked front windshield. Or the damaged plastics inside the truck. What really pisses me off is that when I went over the truck at time of delivery, I neglected to climb in the bed and take a look at the panoramic glass because at the time I hadn’t thought to even look up there. Well, after the first wash of the vehicle I found numerous chips out of the glass that could have only be seen from the top of the truck. I’m still hot about that as the dealer told me to pound sand and claimed that I did it. I’m thinking it happened while on the rail being shipped or it occurred on a car hauler. Looks like one hell of a sand storm hit it.

 

[ReverendQ]

Or did the factory crew just s*** the bed? I legitimately do not know the answer. I’m seriously inquiring. This is my first truck. I’ve been saving for 7 years and just bought a new 2023 platinum powerboost.

Three suspicious areas, all in the wheel well(s):

1) odd screw work which seems to be for attaching the front fender liners. Both sides are not the same. One side has more screws and many have double-wide-looking caps on them. Both sides have what look to be like screws with no caps shooting straight into the well. Is this intentional/normal? It’s unsightly and I certainly wouldn’t have engineered it this way if I didn’t have to. The lack of consistency between the two sides makes me feel like it’s not intentional.

2) front fender liner on drivers side was shoved up onto and underneath itself. That definitely wasn’t intentional. Found another forum here where people suggested to just pull it down. Which I did (see before and after photos), but it’s still a mess and the the plastic backing to the front part of the liner seems to be warped now from being affixed in the original orientation. It abuts up to the actual bumper edge, whereas theres a nice buffer on the passenger side fender liner (which also runs flush, photo attached for reference)

3) [minor] trim around back wheel well is attached with exposed plastic screws which is a little unsightly. I surmise this is intentional, but just want to confirm.

thank you!

Quality is a four letter word not spelled with an F. I have noticed many issues on our trucks are the result of suspect or poor engineering, less manufacturing. But consider during the scarcity period (aka Covid) the supply chain broke. I can imagine screws getting mixed for sure.

 

[Buckthetruck]

As far as I know, this wasn’t a dealer addon.

unfortunately it’s the least of my issues car delivery carrier literally destroyed the drivers side mirror and etched the paint off the door handle and the body. Multiple k in repairs and fighting with insurance right out the gate. But that’s not Fords fault

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

And a Ford truck is still the best full size in America ...

 

[Spiffers]

Monday morning or Friday afternoon truck.

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