Dealer Cut a Hole in My Headliner HELP

[Slorch]

I'm astounded a Ford dealer would install a hack like that on a brand-new vehicle, doubly so considering the Platinum models have had the Homelink as standard equipment since 2011. It's not like the techs have never seen the factory install. When we bought our 14 XLT I was amazed it wasn't standard equipment across all models. I did add it into the visor myself, buying a used transmitter and new charcoal bezel on eBay for about $25. There are a few tutorials around the web on how to do that, but I understand wanting the factory-assembled visor installed on a brand-new vehicle.

The dealer needs to make this right, but they may need a little "persuasion" from the Ford regional rep. I would expect them resist the idea of replacing the headliner outright, so you'll need to remain firm, but calm. Don't bother with any service writers or even the service manager. You need to be talking with the GM of that dealership.

That said, I do like the location they chose, and I think it would have made a good place for the factory unit to be, perhaps with some backlighting. For me, the visor location is awkward and the Homelink buttons are tiny, but the Ex is my wife's daily driver and she has no complaints.

 

[peterk9]

Hello:
I have been lurking on the site since I picked up my new '17 Exp XLT in November. Was this the switch they installed?
http://www.homelink.com/afterMarketHomeLink
This indicates installation within the headliner.
You are correct, if you specified the visor switch, that is what you should receive. The headliner I am certain would be OEM as I believe the aftermarket may have not caught up to current models.
bbwb

Welcome to the Forum.
Your link does not work for me. I get; "Unable to load the requested language file: language/english/all_lang.php"
In any case, a picture of his switch is clearly shown in his picture above.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

I'm astounded a Ford dealer would install a hack like that on a brand-new vehicle, doubly so considering the Platinum models have had the Homelink as standard equipment since 2011.

The Platinum trim level only came out in 2016.
In the 2011 and 2012 models it was referred to as Car2U. The 2013 model had either Car2U or Homelink according to the Manual and from 2014 on it was Homelink.

Peter

 

[MSB1102]

To be clear, my concern isnt getting the dealer to agree to replace the headliner. I'm sure they will do so, I just want to ensure they don't take any shortcuts or make it worse than just keeping the generic homelink with the factory installed headliner/clips. As far as the free money comment goes, I should have included the word "interest" free obviously it's not "free". As a day trader, I always feel like I can make my money work for me and am naturally drawn to no interest products that free up liquidity (fingers crossed on FB earnings report tomorrow). I really believe the girl who was responsible for it made a mistake, nothing more, nothing less. I dont know enough about the rest of the Ford product line but its possible that other vehicles in their product line do not offer the option for the homelink visor and maybe tha'ts what the dealer has done in the past.

They did call me back today but I was in court all day with no access to my phone. Court all day tomorrow as well but I will make a point to call them back with a decision on my end. I still don't understand why homelink isnt a given with ford. My 2014 Rav4EV (California only) got rid of the CD player but kept the homelink and I was perfectly fine with that and even our old 2004 accord had the homelink buttom. It just doesnt make any sense to me.

I tossed the paper the dealer gave me with the model number but I will look for it tomorrow but Slorch seems to already have a write up on it with the same bezel.

 

[omar302]

Welcome to the Forum.
Your link does not work for me. I get; "Unable to load the requested language file: language/english/all_lang.php"
In any case, a picture of his switch is clearly shown in his picture above.

Peter

It seems you have to go through the main website to select region & language. Here is a direct link to the shop page for the same, it is not cheap.

 

[peterk9]

It seems you have to go through the main website to select region & language. Here is a direct link to the shop page for the same, it is not cheap.

Thanks Omar. Found it. I see the switch is different than the ones that are factory installed.

Peter

 

[ls973800]

Have you seen this install? http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...elink-garage-door-opener.306904/#post-2669974

Peter

No, I wasn't aware of that link. Looks like I have a lot of reading to do!

Thanks.

 

[Slorch]

The Platinum trim level only came out in 2016.
In the 2011 and 2012 models it was referred to as Car2U. The 2013 model had either Car2U or Homelink according to the Manual and from 2014 on it was Homelink.

Peter

Right. I meant the Limited model. We were surprised it was not offered even as part of an option package on the XLT models, given midrange sedans from many manufacturers offered it 10 years prior.

Either way, I'm curious to see how this all turns out with the headliner replacement. Dealer cost on one of those has to run into the $900 range.

 

[MSB1102]

Spoke to the dealer today. They are going to order a replacement headliner but they say it will take around 45 days to get the part(s). This doesn't sound right to me so I may escalate the issue.

I also asked them to just cancel the order completely. I no longer want the mats or visor from them. I paid a premium for convenience. Now that it is inconvenient, I see no point to me paying the premium. I really just want to cut my losses and move on. Unfortunately I still need them to install the headliner.

Can anyone here justify the 45 day order fulfilment? The 17's have been out for months now and the 16's don't appear to be materially different in respect to the roof (or much else for that matter) so I really don't get it.

 

[reserved50]

can call another dealer and give them your VIN and ask for the same part, maybe its in "high" demand, probably have it on back order, or all of them are spoken for ones in current production. Sounds like it will be a waiting game unless they strip another vehicle off the lot which I doubt since its not a safety issue.

 

[peterk9]

Spoke to the dealer today. They are going to order a replacement headliner but they say it will take around 45 days to get the part(s). This doesn't sound right to me so I may escalate the issue.

I also asked them to just cancel the order completely. I no longer want the mats or visor from them. I paid a premium for convenience. Now that it is inconvenient, I see no point to me paying the premium. I really just want to cut my losses and move on. Unfortunately I still need them to install the headliner.

Can anyone here justify the 45 day order fulfilment? The 17's have been out for months now and the 16's don't appear to be materially different in respect to the roof (or much else for that matter) so I really don't get it.

I can only guess that it is either a high demand item as reserved50 eluded to or a part that is not commonly replaced, so stock may be limited.

Peter

 

[Jon M]

Having worked for a manufacturer, though not of cars, I can tell you that parts that are very rarely replaced, especially something the size of a headliner, which is going to be difficult to warehouse and ship, is not going to be just sitting around waiting for a dealer to order it. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's got to come from the factory, either Ford's or whoever is making the headliner. That's probably going to be true a few years from now, too, unless an issue pops up making replacement common. I used to have to our factories pull parts off the assembly line on occasion, to resolve warranty issues on parts that normally didn't fail.

 

[champco]

can call another dealer and give them your VIN and ask for the same part, maybe its in "high" demand, probably have it on back order, or all of them are spoken for ones in current production. Sounds like it will be a waiting game unless they strip another vehicle off the lot which I doubt since its not a safety issue.

Actually parts in high demand are commonly stocked. This is a unusual part to order.
Find a local body shop and ask them if it can be ordered. Make sure you receive OEM parts and not something from Certifit which supplies a lot of parts. Good move canceling the order. It's ridiculous.

 

[sheltonfilms]

That system they installed is like a $250 MSRP model. (looks like 60-HMLKV5BLK)

Homelink isn't cheap. It was designed and patented by Johson Controls and a few years ago was sold to Gentex Corp for $700 million(supplier that makes all the auto-dimming mirrors). Engineer at Gentex said they were tired of paying royalties and having to have circuit designs approved. Said they could design it better.

Anyway here is what I would do:

Get the headliner replaced. Have them install the visor one you wanted. For the inconvenience, tell them you only want to pay invoice price for the part. Labor and part up charge should be waived for the inconvenience.

To me it was a simple honest mistake that cascaded down to what it is. Maybe the parts guy ordered the wrong part and the installer did what he was suppose to do, install the part that he was given. He probably installed it in the spot that he has always done it or has been told to do it before. Maybe when they placed the order for the part they ordered it right and who ever they got it from sent the wrong part.

People make mistakes, give them a chance to fix them. You should be compensated for your inconvenience but don't ask for the farm.

The problem is only as big as you make it out to be.

 

[unixadm]

Glad I bough a visor off of eBay and installed it in 10 minutes for $80!

 

[reserved50]

Actually parts in high demand are commonly stocked. This is a unusual part to order.
Find a local body shop and ask them if it can be ordered. Make sure you receive OEM parts and not something from Certifit which supplies a lot of parts. Good move canceling the order. It's ridiculous.

By high demand I was trying to be funny, as in maybe 1 or 2 might have been in stock and already sold

 

[Sixonemale]

Recalling that you ordered an OEM Homelink visor and they cut out a portion of your headliner and installed a switch off center, as much as you like your service advisor, I would work with senior management or the GM of the dealership going forward. Why? Because the installer or interior specialist has already proved some level of his competence and you want the headliner installed right. Obviously the headliner is not a part that is in high demand, therefore, this dealer probably has very little, if any experience in taking an Explorer headliner out and installing a new one. I know it’s not rocket science, but based on your experience thus far you need better support and technical ability going forward.