Comments on: More problems for Ford–Paint Defects in 2000-2005 models

By: jennifer grant

jennifer grant — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:56:58 +0000

we have 2003 f150 and i was trying to find if anyone elsehaving the peeling issue and wow i would say so and looks like it doesnt matter to ford so im in to whatever we have to do!!

By: Len Rapoport

Len Rapoport — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:59:19 +0000

Kim, good for you…remember people, those that complain the loudest and threaten court action are the ones that will get some response from Ford.

I am a member of a Ford group on LinkedIn. The reason I joined this group of Ford employees is to try to get some insight on what was going on at Ford. It has been very helpful indeed and I want you all to follow this link to a discussion posted by Mike Hardle Ford’s Director of Global Quality and Productivity Planning. Yes, he is on step under the top guy for Global Quality.

He talks about the great reviews they have just received at JD Powers and Consumer Reports and others and of course you now I went in to talk about their lack of quality and lack of customer care.

Take a moment, read his original post and scroll down until you see my little face and my comments, at least now, I know I finally was able to send my message directly to the man that can make some changes at Ford.

I hope you will all remember me when they decide to initiate a new program to address this problem

http://tinyurl.com/y9fl6pw

Len

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:02:25 +0000

I have been following this website for almost a year now (you can actually see my first post from last year) I have a 2006 Ford Expedition that began blistering on the tailgait about a year ago. I went through the same processes as all of you and got the same bs answers. However, I was not content to let it sit. This past fall the blistering finally lead to peeling and the tailgate and hood of my truck was covered in gray splotches where you could see the aluminum. By this time I was following Len’s process pretty closely and waiting to find out how his case went and how to proceed in small claims court on my own. Just before Christmas we requested a meeting with the local Ford rep as well as the dealership. I came prepared with print outs from this site, Len’s site, even a repair document from Ford showing how to fix the paint issues. We waited weeks to hear back and of course Ford refused to do anything. The dealership on the other hand saw the value of our business (we’ve bought about 6 vehicles from them in 8 years) and paid to have it repainted themselves. I just got it back last week. They even gave me a rental for the week it took to repaint mine. All-in-all, I made it clear I would sue in court and had every intention of doing so had they not fixed it. I’m thrilled to see Len won and urge you all to not just roll over and take it from Ford. That’s exactly what they are counting on.

By: Len Rapoport

Len Rapoport — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:01:10 +0000

Members of this group….If you have been following my posting you know I have been encouraging you all to take Ford to Small Claims Court and to also join our Facebook Group. Read below on how I killed them in court today….

=======================================================

I sued Ford Motor Company today in small claim court today and killed them where they stood.

Some of you may know I have a 2005 Mercury Mountaineer (see original story on my blog on on this blog) and the paint on the roof had delaminated from the primer. Ford has had a paint problem for over 25 years and can’t afford to handle all the complaints because repainting a vehicle when the primer is defective means stripping all the paint and primer off and down to the bare metal, priming and painting it again. Estimated cost to do this to the average car is around $5,000. With the millions of cars produced with defective paint over the past 20 years this would amount to Billions of dollars…so it is less expensive for them to simply deny any wrong doing and only pay out when you twist their arms as I did today (it really felt good).

Ford has practiced what the media has called a Silent Warranty…the people that made the most noise or those that took them to court would be approached, as I was, to take some form of compensation. Their warranty on paint defects is only one year, but this problem does not show until almost 3 years, hence they play the game with the average customers …”Sorry we can’t do anything for you, it is out of warranty” They did this to me for a period of about 2 years, until I decided enough is enough and went to Small Claims Court, paid the $22 and sued them.

I had over prepared for the case, but the 8X11 photos of the peeling paint as it progressed, the two estimates and my speech about Implied Warranties convinced the judge that it was a paint defect and that it could not be environmental issues as claimed by the Ford Rep….Can you imagine after looking at my huge photos that the rep claimed it could have been bird droppings, UV rays, etc. My car has a total of 25,000 miles in 5 years, is perfect in other areas of the vehicle and as you can see the roofs paint is simply peeling off. The judge was a very wise man, like a Judge Joe Brown on TV, he knew the truth from the lies.

He ruled in my favor and awarded $1800 which was the estimate I got for the repairs to my roof and rear door of my SUV.

Ford offered me $1700, before court and at mediation the same offer, if I would sign a release not to ask for any additional money if other parts of the car started to peel. They also had a confidentiality clause, so I couldn’t talk about the settlement and finally a clause that the stated they are not quilty of any wrong doing and they made no admission of guilt or improper painting of the vehicle. I refused them because of my promise to all of my friends here and on my Facebook Group that I was simply not going to take the money and run and be a sell out. I wanted to show you all that this can be done and it is easier then you think.

After my active participation in various Ford Peeling Paint forums and groups including the one I formed on Facebook and their refusal for over a year to even talk to me, I basically told them to go screw themselves and I would see them in court.

They have been so nasty each time I have had to talk to them and so arrogant, that I was so happy today to beat them bloody. The regional service manager that came down to court today was a nasty son of a bitch and as we walked out, he turned to me and said you waited all this time to get $100 more then we were going to offer you, I turned to him and said, you know if the hood peels, I am going to come at you again and you also know I am a journalist and now I can write all about this all over the internet…he was not happy.

Great day for me and all the others suffering with this peeling paint on their vehicles.

One down and one more to go as I filed today to sue the puppy store for selling me a mixed breed dog and forging paper work to show he was a pedigreed dog. Can’t wait to take them on too.

I AM THE MAN…I warned them Not To Get Me Mad..Visit and subscribe to my blog…

http://dontgetmemad.blogspot.com/

Len

By: Zestar

Zestar — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:41:10 +0000

Ford announced during October 2009 that the paint may not have been applied properly on certain 2006 – 2008 crown victoria vehicle models. They have released a Customer Satisfaction Program concerning the repainting of those vehicles. You may want to ask your dealer if the Customer Satisfaction Program has been expanded to include your vehicle. On a facebook page, it was stated that a Ford Dealer did agree
to paint a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria that had paint peeling off it.

By: Steve Tait

Steve Tait — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:34:15 +0000

I have a 2006 Explorer (new shape) with only 100,000 kms and the paint is blistering on the tailgate in two spots. One by the Ford badge and one under the chrome handle. Rust coloured areas are present however there is no perforation. The tail gate is clearly aluminium as so much paint has flaked off.
My Calgary dealer scoffed and said it is out of warranty and there is no perforation. Thanks Ford
I will push the TSB Ford Canada.

By: Amy McKelvey

Amy McKelvey — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:26:10 +0000

Thanks for this informative page. I have the peeling paint problem. I posted my photos on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/ford-peeling-paint
I am wondering, does it matter that I am not the original owner of this car as far as taking them to small claims court?

By: JOHN PARRIS

JOHN PARRIS — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 14:06:27 +0000

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer, been a great car, but large sections of paint are just coming off the roof of the car. No visible corrosion underneath. I am looking at lots of these complaints from other people and yet have found only negative responses from Ford. The NHTSA is good but this problem is not safety related so it does not get much attention. Had planned on keeping this car for a while. We really like it, but if I have to get it repainted thats an expensive proposition. Guess I will get some estimates.

By: Charles

Charles — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:31:05 +0000

follow up from my post in nov 2009 #273 Ford agreed to fix my 2005 f-250 supercab with 28500 miles.truck quarterpanals.tailgate,bottoms of doors (all 4) and rear bumper. they paid over $2000.00. I requested them to replace rear quarters as a proper repair and was denied. The Ford bodyshop manager and Warranty Administrator also requested ford to replace quarters instead of repair and were denied. Well less than 60 days and less than 400 miles the paint has blistered worse than if they left it alone and ford will do nothing. I run out of warranty 3/9/2010 (5YR 100000 Mile rust thru) and I am in the process of taking ford to small claims court. I Have Been working for a ford dealer for over 26 years as a Parts Manager,Parts and service Director,Service Manager and have been to bat for Ford and gone to court on Fords side Many Times. I have Only lost 1 time when Ford was truly wrong and I was compelled to tell the truth in court. Well I know I am within my rights as a customer and plan to persue this till the end. Any and all advise would be helpfull as I have never been on this side of the issue before.

By: kenny allen

kenny allen — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:52:21 +0000

I have purchased 7 new Ford trucks the last one was a 2006 F-250 w/ white painted bumbers which started chipping the first year and the dealership repainted the bumper. After approx. another year the process started all over again I talkted to the dealership ( Ford Vandaila Ohio)
with a response of they could’t not repaint this every year. I ask them to just do it correct once.I called Ford customer service which was a joke ( noo english/ location not in this county) There service so unacceptable ,this was my last I hope a 500.00 -1000.00 fix was worth a repeat customer

By: Janice Feltz Cournoyer

Janice Feltz Cournoyer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:44:48 +0000

I have paint bubbling and chipping on the tailgate & hood of my 2003 Ford Expedition Eddy Bauer, it was there when they delivered the car to me new in late 2003, but I didn’t notice it until the following spring. It’s been getting worse every year. I think we should file a class action lawsuit, because it seems like Ford isn’t going to to anything about it.

By: Ken

Ken — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:15:06 +0000

I purchased a 2003 Ford Explorer a week ago and was showing it off to a coworker when i saw what looked like mud on the roof. Upon closer inspection it was rust with the paint around it flaking off….i was a little pissed. This is the 3rd Ford i have owned and will be the last. Very disappointed in Ford for not stepping up on this. I know it will cost them alot of money but its better PR to come out and admit the mistake on the paint, when Toyota has issues with gas pedals and are risking peoples lives. Now would be the perfect time for them to try to fix this, but they wont. Over all i am happy with the vehicle but will not buy another Ford, Mazda, or Mercury.

By: Joe Lolley

Joe Lolley — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:10:59 +0000

I own a 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis with 39000 miles on it. I went to the post office a little while ago, and when I returned, I noticed that a6-9″ oval of paint was missing on the trunk where it appeared to be delaminating. I had had nothing like this before. I took the car immediately to Massey Lincoln-Mercury here in Hagerstown, MD where I bought the car. The service department said that the paint was only warranted for 12000 miles, period, and that they would not repair the car.

I don’t understand. I did nothing wrong, the paint is just flaking off in big chunks. It is obviously going to continue to do so, because the edges of the paint are curling up all around where the delamination is occurring.

By: dwilliams

dwilliams — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:53:30 +0000

I have a 2006 Expedition with bubbles/blisters forming in the paint on the front edge of the hood. The dealership told me the issue is not covered under the 5-Year unlimited mileage warranty because the only corrosion that’s covered is if a “sheet metal” body panel is perforated due to rust. Since the hood is aluminum, it’s not covered. The service manager at the dealership could not even say it with a straight face (how can you blame him). I called Ford Customer Service and got exactly the same answer. Unbelievable! The sad thing here is that I really like this truck and I’ve always had good luck with Fords – this is my 2nd Expedition. I naively thought that Ford would stand up and do the right thing, but I was dead wrong. After being treated this way, I will never by another Ford and I will certainly discourage anyone I meet from buying one as well. What a shame.

By: SANDRA SMITH

SANDRA SMITH — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:30:04 +0000

I have a 2005 ford expedition and paint is bubbling on rear tailgate ,all over.I called about this problem in 2007 and they told me it has to rust all the way through in order for ford to even look it. I will never buy a ford product ever again.Sooo disappointed .Toyota,Honda …. here i come.

By: Len Rapoport

Len Rapoport — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:56:41 +0000

Ford called me today and offered me $1700 to call off the lawsuit. I told them I would accept it but wouldn’t sign a release for any future damage or peeling paint, only for the current problem. They wouldn’t agree, so I told them I would see their Regional Rep in court on Feb. 25th.

I am suing for the max allowed in Small Claims Court of $3,000. $1800 for the current damage and the rest towards future repairs that will be required. I am not sure if the court will award me for “potential issues”, but I told them there are already signs of peeling paint from other areas of the SUV.

He told me it was simply a good will customer service offer and they do not admit to any wrongdoing. I asked him why they waited to make the offer and that I had to sue them for their customer service offer came in. He didn’t really care what I had to say and admitted he never even read the material I faxed over to them.

It is a nuisance claim for them…Take these SOB’s to small claims court. For a little bit of time and a few bucks, you too will get the call with an offer.

Make sure to get a couple of estimates from area body shops to back up your claim.

By: Tony Damico

Tony Damico — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 18:15:40 +0000

2004 Explorer and roof pealing, Ford body shop said it will cost you? Not covered by any recalls and or warranty!

By: Mark Lute

Mark Lute — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:50:20 +0000

I own a 2005 Merc. Grand Marquis. It has a gold color and the paint is bubbling up on top of the front fenders, along the hood. I have not talk to ford yet or the dealer. I thought I would check the internet to see if Ford had a recall on the paint and found all the complaints. Looks like no help from Ford. You would think that after all the declining sales of the big 3, and all there customers moving to other car companies they would start to treat there customers better. I would like to buy American cars but there quality is just not the same.

By: Annette Stephens

Annette Stephens — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:47:40 +0000

I also have a white 2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition with 65,000 miles on it. It has been kept in the garage most of the time, as I use my Chevy Cobalt to run errands. After having the Explorer washed, I noticed huge pieces of paint wash down the side of a window. I climbed up to see that the paint in all the grooves on the roof had disappeared, and rust was present. I got estimates from two dealerships and a local collision repair place, anywhere from $500 to $650. Of course, the car was not covered under the extended warranty I had purchased. Obviously this is a recurring problem. I am planning to complain to the BBB and Ford. I can’t believe Ford will not acknowledge the problem and fix this for us. I will not buy another Ford!

By: Len Rapoport

Len Rapoport — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:19:09 +0000

TAKE THE TIME AND SUE FORD IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT….

Imagine the publicity if we can get 20 people to sue Ford in Small Claims Court in the same month?

I am scheduled to appear against Ford on February 25th at 9:00 AM, unless they request a new date. This comes out on a Thursday, and from what I read, the end of the week is the best time to have them appear in court. Friday is better…the regional reps, don’t like to go to court the last day of the week.

I would love to see an effort from all of you that have posted here and see if we can’t get them to notice us. At that point if we can get a number of law suits going, we can send out a press release to the major media that our Lemon Law and Facebook Groups have organized and intend on suing Ford, one by one if necessary.

I will make myself available to help anyone that needs it and will keep posting instructions and updates here and on our Facebook Group. If you haven’t joined us on Facebook yet, please do so, this way we can have a handle on how many of us are actually victims of Ford at this time. The more of us the better when we try to get some media attention.

If you have friends of know of others, please let them know about our efforts and have them join us too.

Once again our Facebook Group is:

Ford/Mercury Peeling Paint Complaints

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=94328817418&ref=ts

By: Loris Ferry

Loris Ferry — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:48:19 +0000

I wanted to add one more thing that most of us may not think about. My original warr was about up and bought an entended warr. I paid $3000.00 for what I thought was pretty good. Actually it is good as I have already had problems that had to be fixed. AmTrust/Warrantech has somthing with Pep Boys that will wave the $100.00 ded but Ford does not wave the ded. Anyway, unfortunately this company does not cover paint problems as I read though my policy. So buyer beware. I don’t know if there is an extended warr out there that does cover paint problems but if so I wouldn’t mind someone posting this for the future of all of us who are now dealing with headaches and embarrassments.

By: Brenda Hendrickson

Brenda Hendrickson — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:43:07 +0000

I hope all of you with small claims suits will win against Ford. Good luck, Len. As for me, I traded in my peeling behemoth for a new KIA Sportage — 10 year warranty on the powertrain — 5 yrs. on most of the other usual stuff. I couldn’t stand looking at the peeling paint on the 2005 Ford Explorer any longer. No sense wasting time painting it because the problem affected most of the vehicles in several different spots — too much of a hassle to deal with. Plus, the vehicle had other issues and needed repairs. I only got $7,000 for it; it just rolled 70k miles. Interestingly enough, the KIA and Ford Dealerships were side-by-side, and the top Ford Manager was running the show on my sale. I haggled for 4 hours with them to get the minimum trade-in price and price on the new vehicle that I wanted. It was worth it. I can now put this Ford issue behind me. My 4th Ford was my last. Best of luck everyone. Just don’t ever buy another Ford and tell everybody you know (internet, phone, etc.) about Ford’s refusal to stand behind their product and make a problem right with its customers.

By: Loris Ferry

Loris Ferry — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:36:28 +0000

Well mine is a 2004 Grand Marquis LS. Pretty much same story. Paint above front windshield, on hood, and around back windows. I think I like the small claims court route. I once had a Grand AM, paint started peeling, took back to dealer and as quick as that, it was re painted. So guess it just depends where you buy it. However, as many of you have already stated, “I will never buy a Ford again”~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Len Rapoport

Len Rapoport — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:19:07 +0000

Just a fast update…one of our group Shawn H, took Ford to Small Claims court on Dec. 15th and won his law suit. I had two notarized statements from two of our group members regarding there problems with photos that I sent to Shawn as well.

Last week I filed in Small Claims Court in New Jersey and will be suing Ford for the maximum amount in my state for $3,000. The cost to do this is only $22 and to file is quite easy and there is a one page form you complete that asks for the names of the two parties involved and what it is all about. That is only a small area about two paragraphs.

The court will send out the summons for appear in court to both parties and of course as indicated here and on our Facebook Group, Ford/Mercury Peeling Paint, the proceedings are usually handled by an attorney who has volunteered his time to the courts.

Small claims court is a great way to get these guys to man up and pay for the repairs. Make sure to collect all your information before going to appear in court. This means print outs from this group, our Facebook Group, links I have posted here and on Facebook to authorities that claim this is a widespread problem, the Technical Service Bulletin sent out to Ford Dealers about the paint issue and more.

Take photos now and before you go to court so you have proof to show the judge what is going on. If any of you are looking to do this and stop wasting your time with Ford, you can let me know. If each one of us helps each other with a statement that they too have the same problem, gets it notarized, we can pass it to each other as sworn testimony to show in court.

Print out from the internet can be challenged, but a sworn notarized statement is considered valid. Let me know if you are interested in doing the same as Shawn and what I am doing and we can help support you all.

If we can get a ground swell of law suits, maybe Ford will take notice of all the negative publicity and now that their stock is so high and going higher and their sales are up over 35%, they may even try to find a way out of this mess for all of us.

Bitching and moaning on the internet is fine, but no one is going to send you a check in the mail unless you become pro active and take these creeps to court.

The chances of you winning is in your favor. By the way, if you haven’t going to your Ford Dealer and got a written turn down from them, you should. Ask them to put your claim into Ford and then give you a print out of Ford’s refusal. Also go to your local body shop, explain why the paint is peeling and ask them for an estimate on the cost to strip down the areas effected to the bare metal and totally refinish it.

You will need these in court. Also note any dates you called Ford’s Customer Care line and were turned down. These are the things you will need to prove your case in court.

Remember to join us on Facebook

http://tinyurl.com/ybo8ds5

and also the Lemon Law group as well.

You can email me directly if you want to send me your statements, notarized about your peeling paint. I have not gotten my date yet to appear in court, but will keep you all posted.

lenrap@internationalpress.com

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 22:49:24 +0000

2006 Ford F-150 4×4 crew cab 5.4L triton, Great truck, its runs great no mechnicle problems what so ever. But the paint under my gas cap inside the door is peeling like every other f150 i know, i really do not like peeling paint or rust. If ford does not fix this problem i will be selling the truck and bying a Toyota Tundra like i should have in the first place. This is my first ford, and more then likely my last!!! The has peeled all the way to the steel, this is not rite, my truck has 40000 miles.