12/08/2020-20N11-Warranty Extension-ROOF RACK TRIM DETACHMENT

[peterk9]

I just saw on the news that Ford is finally recalling the 2016 to 2019 for the plastic roof rail covers coming loose. I had a 2017 Sport before the ST and my rail covers constantly came loose. I brought in twice and they installed new rail covers but they only last a couple months. I finally had enough and screwed them down and that totally solved that. But a recall for that is finally here. Man, I loved that 17 Sport.

Sorry, I just saw this is already been posted.

Welcome to the Forum.
Your thread was merged with this existing one.

Peter

 

[FordGuy78]

It won't... It's a half a$$ed fix for the least amount of money...

If you don't use 'em...lose 'em...

Resurrecting this thread because of an amusing loop I'm now stuck in with Ford. One of the first things I did when I got my 18 brand new was rip the rails off, plug the holes and fill the channel using rubber trim following the expert advice I found on this forum. Every time I go in for an oil change I tell them to do what they have to do to mark the recall complete, but the tech always closes the line item saying that it cannot be completed as the vehicle is not equipped with rails.

I told the service advisor to give me the pins, bill Ford the labor and mark it done but the response is always that they can't.

So Ford continues to send me letters telling me how urgent it is that I deal with this. This is probably the first time in history that a vehicle has had a recall on something that is entirely cosmetic and subject to permanent removal, leaving no fix to be applied.

If I cared enough I guess I'd try to contact corporate and see what they can do - unless anybody else has any advice?

 

[peterk9]

Resurrecting this thread because of an amusing loop I'm now stuck in with Ford. One of the first things I did when I got my 18 brand new was rip the rails off, plug the holes and fill the channel using rubber trim following the expert advice I found on this forum. Every time I go in for an oil change I tell them to do what they have to do to mark the recall complete, but the tech always closes the line item saying that it cannot be completed as the vehicle is not equipped with rails.

I told the service advisor to give me the pins, bill Ford the labor and mark it done but the response is always that they can't.

So Ford continues to send me letters telling me how urgent it is that I deal with this. This is probably the first time in history that a vehicle has had a recall on something that is entirely cosmetic and subject to permanent removal, leaving no fix to be applied.

If I cared enough I guess I'd try to contact corporate and see what they can do - unless anybody else has any advice?

This is what the Recall states; A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. That is why it is a Recall and not a TSB. It's considered a "Safety" issue.

It seems that you have an honest dealership regarding billing for work NOT done.

Peter

 

[FordGuy78]

This is what the Recall states; A detached roof rail cover can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash. That is why it is a Recall and not a TSB. It's considered a "Safety" issue.

It seems that you have an honest dealership regarding billing for work NOT done.

Peter

Yes, I'm not disputing that it's a recall for safety reasons. Clearly, anything blowing off a moving vehicle could be dangerous. However I stand by my comment that the part in question is cosmetic for most. It has nothing to do with the integrity or safe operation of the vehicle, unlike say a suspension part, or a door latch, or the engine, or just about anything else that recalls usually cover.

Removing this particular part has the effect of completely and permanently obviating the risk while having zero impact on the safety of the vehicle itself. Win, win.

Years (OK, decades now ..sigh) ago, my wife had a VW Beetle. There was a recall because part of the stereo amplifier sometimes wouldn't shut off even when the car was turned off. This could lead to overheating and a fire - if it didn't drain your battery first. We'd swapped out the factory stereo for a much nicer aftermarket system. Anyway, it took about five minutes for the dealer to verify that yes, the factory amp is gone and code the recall as closed - non-essential part removed by customer. 20+ years later, Ford apparently doesn't know how to do that.

As to the dealer, they always have the option of billing 0 hours for the job; they just can't bill more than the book time allowed.

Like I said, I really don't care. The car will sit with an open recall forever and Ford will continue to waste paper and postage sending me reminders because they can't account for the fact that it is literally impossible (and unnecessary) to repair a small segment of the affected vehicles.

 

[Toddman41]

Just get 6 stainless self tappers 1/2" long, I put 2 in each rear and 1 up front. Way better than Fords fix of removing and adding a glue or epoxy that either doesn't adhere or has to be redone.

I just predrilled the holes to avoid cracking the plastic chrome trim.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Just get 6 stainless self tappers 1/2" long, I put 2 in each rear and 1 up front. Way better than Fords fix of removing and adding a glue or epoxy that either doesn't adhere or has to be redone.

I just predrilled the holes to avoid cracking the plastic chrome trim.

Been doing the latest recall myself at work for the past few weeks and it's a good fix, each corner gets two holes drilled and two black retainers installed well worth the trip to the dealership to get it done IMHO.

 

[PlatinumOwner]

Been doing the latest recall myself at work for the past few weeks and it's a good fix, each corner gets two holes drilled and two black retainers installed well worth the trip to the dealership to get it done IMHO.

I can confirm. My dealer just did mine and they drilled holes with new retainers.

 

[MM07]

Got mine done last week, finally.

Looks clean with the new clips and no glue.