Anyone else missing the panel under the dash above the passenger side fuse box where the floor air ducts are.

[Wolf256]

West Hills Ford in Bremerton Washington ordered mine. The Service department put it on order. I was told it is backordered until May 12. They will call me when it comes in and install it under warranty.

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[sajohnson]

West Hills Ford in Bremerton Washington ordered mine. The Service department put it on order. I was told it is backordered until May 12. They will call me when it comes in and install it under warranty.

I apologize if I've asked this before, but did you have to go to the dealership for a scheduled service appointment and have photos taken (presumably as proof that the panel is missing)?

I'm asking because that's what our dealer wants us to do. I offered to send them photos but that was unacceptable.

Here's a thought: I know a lot of these issues are beyond Ford's control, but in cases where they know full well certain parts are missing, instead of jerking us around, they could just contact all potentially affected owners and tell them:

"Some BS models had to be shipped without one or more of the following parts (have a list with photos). If you find that your vehicle is missing any of these parts, please contact Ford (give website and phone number) and we will ship them to you or your dealer, whichever you prefer."

And now, story time...

Years ago, I bought a ginormous Whirlpool A/C unit, as-is, from Lowe's. It needed a few parts (a knob, the grill and filter). I called Whirlpool fully expecting to pay. Even though I told her the A/C unit was sold as-is, the CSR said all the parts would be free. She took my word for what I needed and I had them a few days later.

I don't have a very good memory, but I've never forgotten that.

Ford could learn something about customer service from Whirlpool.

 

[Wolf256]

I apologize if I've asked this before, but did you have to go to the dealership for a scheduled service appointment and have photos taken (presumably as proof that the panel is missing)?

I'm asking because that's what our dealer wants us to do. I offered to send them photos but that was unacceptable.

Here's a thought: I know a lot of these issues are beyond Ford's control, but in cases where they know full well certain parts are missing, instead of jerking us around, they could just contact all potentially affected owners and tell them:

"Some BS models had to be shipped without one or more of the following parts (have a list with photos). If you find that your vehicle is missing any of these parts, please contact Ford (give website and phone number) and we will ship them to you or your dealer, whichever you prefer."

And now, story time...

Years ago, I bought a ginormous Whirlpool A/C unit, as-is, from Lowe's. It needed a few parts (a knob, the grill and filter). I called Whirlpool fully expecting to pay. Even thought I told her the A/C unit was sold as-is, the CSR said all the parts would be free. She took my word for what I needed and I had them a few days later.

I don't have a very good memory, but I've never forgotten that.

Ford could learn something about customer service from Whirlpool.

I actually went to the dealership. I figured I would have to prove my claim, but my picture was enough. In order to get the part under warranty, I had to go through the service department. I went in armed with pictures from this thread, showing the part and Ford part number, and a picture of the exposed blower motor under my dash. That was enough for the Service department. They were surprised that something was missing, but I had pictures and the vehicle as proof.

 

[sajohnson]

I actually went to the dealership. I figured I would have to prove my claim, but my picture was enough. In order to get the part under warranty, I had to go through the service department. I went in armed with pictures from this thread, showing the part and Ford part number, and a picture of the exposed blower motor under my dash. That was enough for the Service department. They were surprised that something was missing, but I had pictures and the vehicle as proof.

I'm glad to hear your photo was acceptable to them.

So I take it they never even looked at your BS?

My wife or I can drop by the dealership if we have to, but it really should not be necessary, and certainly should not require a service appointment. At most, someone could take a quick look under the dash, maybe snap a photo or 2, and that's it.

 

[Wolf256]

I'm glad to hear your photo was acceptable to them.

So I take it they never even looked at your BS?

My wife or I can drop by the dealership if we have to, but it really should not be necessary, and certainly should not require a service appointment. At most, someone could take a quick look under the dash, maybe snap a photo or 2, and that's it.

I didn’t have an appointment. I walked in to talk to Sales about the missing piece. They escorted me to the proper place in service. The service rep got the okay from the Service Director, to set it as a warranty repair at no cost to me. Parts department wanted >$80 to order it. There was no way I was paying for a part the truck should have come with. Service agreed.

If I decide I want the engine cover, that’s different. My hood has the blanket safety liner. I haven’t checked for the tow eye or the mount. Not sure if Badlands is supposed to. I do not have the tow package but do have the forward tow rings. I have several add on’s that I’ll be starting this week and I’ll check out the rear end then, if the weather holds.

 

[sajohnson]

I didn’t have an appointment. I walked in to talk to Sales about the missing piece. They escorted me to the proper place in service. The service rep got the okay from the Service Director, to set it as a warranty repair at no cost to me. Parts department wanted >$80 to order it. There was no way I was paying for a part the truck should have come with. Service agreed.

If I decide I want the engine cover, that’s different. My hood has the blanket safety liner. I haven’t checked for the tow eye or the mount. Not sure if Badlands is supposed to. I do not have the tow package but do have the forward tow rings. I have several add on’s that I’ll be starting this week and I’ll check out the rear end then, if the weather holds.

Sounds good.

Needless to say, I agree 100% that the owner of a new BS (or any other vehicle) should not have to pay for missing parts! That's a given. I've been surprised that some people actually pay for missing parts out of their own pocket and seem to have no problem with it.

I'm curious as to how your BL compares to ours. I would expect it to have the tow eye (next to the spare) and the threaded hole to accept it since you do not have the tow package.

Looking forward to an update!

 

[DaveInSA]

Even though I bought mine used (4,000 miles) and expected push back, I reached out to my sales guy anyway. I and my family have done a lot of business with this dealer and same sales guy over the last 30 years. He directed me to a contact in service, who immediately said:

"Unfortunately since the vehicle was made without the part warranty would not pay for this unless it’s on your window sticker.

You may want to call Ford to see if they will or contact your sales person to see if sales will purchase one for you."

... I've responded with

"It's not on the window sticker as it's a standard part on all trim levels. It would be like the vehicle came missing a door panel for example, that's not usually listed on the window sticker. This is the same as a door panel, just on the underside of the dash.

Others have been able to do this under warranty, as it's a part that should have been there and was missed for whatever reason. Is there any way to check with the warranty people/department?"

But I'm not getting my hopes up... We'll see.

 

[LilbroncoS]

Even though I bought mine used (4,000 miles) and expected push back, I reached out to my sales guy anyway. I and my family have done a lot of business with this dealer and same sales guy over the last 30 years. He directed me to a contact in service, who immediately said:

"Unfortunately since the vehicle was made without the part warranty would not pay for this unless it’s on your window sticker.

You may want to call Ford to see if they will or contact your sales person to see if sales will purchase one for you."

... I've responded with

"It's not on the window sticker as it's a standard part on all trim levels. It would be like the vehicle came missing a door panel for example, that's not usually listed on the window sticker. This is the same as a door panel, just on the underside of the dash.

Others have been able to do this under warranty, as it's a part that should have been there and was missed for whatever reason. Is there any way to check with the warranty people/department?"

But I'm not getting my hopes up... We'll see.

They finslly ordered correct part for me under warranty. And i have a base model

 

[DaveInSA]

They finslly ordered correct part for me under warranty. And i have a base model

Anyone know a ford contact number for this if the dealer refuses to try?

 

[DaveInSA]

Unexpected turn of events. My sales guy contacted me and has gotten sales director approval for them to pay for the part for me. Now just to wait. Woot.

 

[sajohnson]

Unexpected turn of events. My sales guy contacted me and has gotten sales director approval for them to pay for the part for me. Now just to wait. Woot.

Congratulations!

Honestly though, it should not be that hard. Even though you purchased a used BS, it is still under warranty, and they know the missing panel is: a) a common issue, and b) absolutely no fault of the owner. They should just order it.

For comparison -- a former coworker bought a BMW 545 used (private sale), still under warranty, but barely. He took it to a BMW dealer he'd never been to to have some things fixed. Not only did they willingly do all of the warranty work he mentioned, they gave him a brand new BMW loaner AND found additional stuff he was unaware of and fixed those problems too. Then they washed and detailed his car! All for free, with no hassle -- for a guy they had never seen before!

Some of the responses people are getting from Ford dealers are f'ing ridiculous. What if a BS (or any other vehicle) was missing some speakers? The spare tire? The back seat? Seat belts?

At what point would Ford and/or the dealer admit that the part should have been installed and do their best to get it?

My wife is getting ready to stop by the dealer later this afternoon so the service manager can take photos to prove to Ford that the dash insulator panel is actually missing -- 'cause we might be trying to scam Ford out of a piece of plastic. If Ford trusted their customers, it would be a dangerous slippery slope! Next thing you know, we'd be claiming the engine fell out and we need a new one ASAP.

The responsible, ethical thing to do would be for Ford to come clean and just admit that due to supply chain issues beyond their control, some BS models were/are being shipped without a few non-critical parts. List the parts and provide photos and locations. Let customers self-report (if they choose). If necessary, customers could take a quick photo to show that the part is indeed missing.

Nah, that's crazy talk. Best to remain silent and only grudgingly do something if a customer complains.

 

[DaveInSA]

My wife is getting ready to stop by the dealer later this afternoon so the service manager can take photos to prove to Ford that the dash insulator panel is actually missing -- 'cause we might be trying to scam Ford out of a piece of plastic. If Ford trusted their customers, it would be a dangerous slippery slope! Next thing you know, we'd be claiming the engine fell out and we need a new one ASAP.

This is the part that's so frustrating. You can't prove a negative like this. Take a picture of the missing part.... ok, let me get a picture of an empty box. If someone WAS trying to scam ford out of a plastic panel, they could just leave the panel at home. So stupid.

 

[Stallyn]

Picked up my OB on Friday....had a checklist thanks to all the knowledge here. Cover was missing, so it was noted (along with the tow eye hook not being there). Dealer asked if I could find the part number as they couldn't find it. Once I grabbed that from this thread it is on order paid for by the dealer. Thanks guys!

 

[sajohnson]

This is the part that's so frustrating. You can't prove a negative like this. Take a picture of the missing part.... ok, let me get a picture of an empty box. If someone WAS trying to scam ford out of a plastic panel, they could just leave the panel at home. So stupid.

Excellent point!

Leave it to a large company to take a minor issue and make it worse -- instead of using it as a way to build customer loyalty.

 

[DaveInSA]

Dealer ordered my part. Said it's on back order and will take a month or month and a half to get here.

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