New 2024 King Ranch Issues from Granger Ford

[BarryT82]

It looks like Zach (manager who has been dodging me) is related to the owner.

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[J17GT]

Under the hood I could deal with, but this is all over the truck. I’ve asked Granger if they could replace the truck more than once and the question is always avoided. According to the Ford truck team the dealership can replace it. I asked Chip yesterday if I could speak to their field service rep and he stated that they don’t give out their management teams contact information and that the rep is aware of the issues.

Sure, don't give out the contact info, then request for the field service rep to contact you. Sadly I think we know the response there.

 

[Buyer2021]

While there has always been a certain risk with purchasing new or used vehicles, the current state of the industry does feel riskier than normal. For so many reasons.

No way would I feel comfortable purchasing a vehicle before seeing and test driving. That doesn't mean that I wouldn't fly and buy. But it does mean I would not buy and fly, if you know what I mean.

Gotta agree with those points and sentiments.

Concluding a purchase transaction and then taking remote-from-the-dealer delivery sight unseen increases the buyer's risk exposure exponentially, IMO. Not only the increased risk of a vehicle leaving the factory in unsatisfactory condition (and getting through dealer PDI as may be the case here), but also the risk of issues relating to FOB 3rd party transport after the sales transaction is concluded. YMMV but for me those risks would be untenable for a new vehicle purchase.

Fly-and-buy does involve some risk, too, but substantially lower IMO, given the opportunity to do a careful inspection and test drive before accepting delivery. But you've got to be willing to set-aside the new-truck delivery-day excitement and urge to get on the road to take the time to conduct that careful pre-acceptance inspection and test drive.

IMO folks need to carefully consider whether the cost to 'fly' and the inconvenience of dealing with a potential 'decline to accept' far from home is worth the savings offered by the dealer. That's not 'looking for a problem', it's just recognizing and planning for the possibility. Defects, both patent and latent, are always a possibility.

IMO it's reasonable for the reputation of the dealer factor into this risk calculation, but it doesn't 100% eliminate that risk. Unfortunate reality, no dealer, even Granger Ford with their overwhelmingly positive record of customer satisfaction, is going to make everyone happy every time.

I'm sorry to read of the OP's issues and wish them the best toward finding satisfaction. IMO the primary value of this thread is not in the deep-weeds of that saga, but is the eye-opening exposure of the sorts of things that might 'go wrong' for folks considering a remote vehicle purchase,

Wishing the best for everyone.

 

[v8440]

On another note I wonder why this thread has disappeared from the top of the most views list, it was in the lead by several thousand last I looked. It’s missing altogether now.

I bet it's because the thread title was edited by the OP, and the views count is likely based on the thread title. In other words, probably not nefarious at all.

 

[mwf5888]

This thread has demonstrated why, when I leased my 2024 KR in July, I did a complete inspection and test drive of the truck based on many threads on the forums.

I did a complete walk around, took photos, and long test drive.

1. Missing Center Retractable Step. (dealer orders & body shop installed)
2. Paint issues in the tailgate jams and PAT door jams. It is clear coated so left it as Line-X covered most.
3. Misaligned hood (dealer body shop adjusted).
4. Misaligned door (dealer body shop adjusted).
5. Extreme orange peel in the entire paint job. (clay bar, buffed, and ceramic coated by Line-X shop)
6. Test drove overnight to test all functions in the truck including.
   • Bluecruise
   • Lane centering
   • Heat/AC
   • Seats - cool/heat
   • Heads-up display
   • Proximity sensors (parking)
   • Hood, doors, tailgate, rear sliding window, & twin-panel function
   • Every switch and selection on the dash and 12" screen
   • etc.
7. Checked engine bay and under the truck (no tape or tools left)

I spent 90 minutes in the driveway and garage testing it all and then two trips on the highway to test all driving features.

Thankfully all but 1 - 5 was in working order. I completely agree having owned 24 Fords since 1997 (between my wife and me) that the quality on my 2024 is the worst I have seen and my truck was held for 8 weeks on AC Hold and arrived with 96 miles.

 

[HammaMan]

Was just in my local dealer today to witness a guy dropping off his new 24 due to excessive orange peel all over his vehicle demanding it all to be remedied. Ford needs to get their paint issues sorted out already!

 

[BarryT82]

I went to a local body shop to get an estimate and it’s currently to at $9800.

 

[CoolCoyote]

I disagree completely. At Granger's volume level the holdback alone from Ford could provide an excellent salary for a few folks with a great work ethic and attention to detail to do PDI's, with enough left over to grease the suit dummies' pockets. We're talking an Iowa cost of living here. They have plenty of incentive at 4% below invoice, and we all know that's not the only kind of transaction they make. It's pretty clear they are low on empathy, professionalism, honesty, and integrity, and their silence in this case is particularly scummy.

That's a piss poor take, especially considering some of Ford's highest sales volume dealers in the country are located in Metro Detroit, where 90% of their sales are A-plan. They don't just deliver shit and tell the customer to take a hike, and justify it because they are A-plan sales.

 

[Wolf Man]

I'm curious if these trucks were built in Claycomo (commonly known as KC) or Dearborn. Obviously it could happen at either, even both plants but if this old memory of mine serves correctly, KC has a bit of a reputation for poor quality paint jobs in the past.

 

[BarryT82]

I'm curious if these trucks were built in Claycomo (commonly known as KC) or Dearborn. Obviously it could happen at either, even both plants but if this old memory of mine serves correctly, KC has a bit of a reputation for poor quality paint jobs in the past.

Mine was built in Dearborn.

 

[Wolf Man]

Mine was built in Dearborn.

Oh well there goes my theory.

I've read most of the posts in this thread and I'm sorry that Ford even sent that truck out. It should have never left the factory. What I don't understand is most if not all of the paint issues shouldn't have even happened. It's done by robots so the programming is messed up or the robots are out of sync or something. I just don't understand how it was even possible to get F-uped but it did and where was the inspection at the factory? It should've never left and put the burden on Granger and you. Oh well I could go on & on but that doesn't fix anything. Ford needs to do a buy back and that's it. They should be ashamed of the way they have handled this. Anyway I hope they make it right and soon.

 

[BarryT82]

Oh well there goes my theory.

I've read most of the posts in this thread and I'm sorry that Ford even sent that truck out. It should have never left the factory. What I don't understand is most if not all of the paint issues shouldn't have even happened. It's done by robots so the programming is messed up or the robots are out of sync or something. I just don't understand how it was even possible to get F-uped but it did and where was the inspection at the factory? It should've never left and put the burden on Granger and you. Oh well I could go on & on but that doesn't fix anything. Ford needs to do a buy back and that's it. They should be ashamed of the way they have handled this. Anyway I hope they make it right and soon.

If you look at my photos and Dustin’s photos both trucks have paint issues in the same spots. It’s even the same spot on the right side of the tailgate.

 

[Zeppelin]

Do you have a build date of your Blue King Ranch? I'm dealing with literally the same paint issues (minus the bubbling you have) but the insufficient paint coverage on 90% of the trucks panels... I also bought truck sight unseen (Not Granger, but Mid-Michigan) and thought it was originally just the tailgate area, but after futher inspection it's literally the whole truck... Awaiting dealership response, but getting uneasy feeling...

Do you have a build/blend date for yours?

 

[BarryT82]

Do you have a build/blend date for yours?

The blend date on mine is 23 Aug and his is 24 Aug.

 

[JJSnell]

@BarryT82 I may have missed this but did this truck go to @Granger Ford first and then be delivered to you? Or was it shipped directly from the factory to you?
If this went to Granger and they flipped it to you then I would tell Granger that you are shipping the truck back to them and expect reimbursement and they have 30 days to repair all of the issues or get you another truck.
Someone in my Mustang club ordered a Mustang years ago and it came with all of the factory wraps in place. It did not have any dealer prep completed so I'm wondering if that's how this was ordered and delivered?

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