Originally Posted by xtrer

I totally understand everyone's fustration. Let me begin by stating I love Fords - have owned many of them (both trucks and cars) and I remember a time that my salesperson told me that the quality of the Ford "finally" caught up with Honda. Those were his exact words - and from my experiece I believed it and was glad to proclaim it to the world!

Not the case any more. And before anyone starts their keyboards - with remarks - PLEASE remember it is my opinion what I am about to state - and just that.

I no longer agree Ford's quality is what it was - let's say going back from say 2000 to 2004. Since then I honestly believe they lost something. Here comes the important part - examine this closely. I truly believe Ford saw the auto recession coming long before anyone else. They tried to spend their money wisely - but cut too much in the wrong places -mainly "quality".

Think back to lets say a 2001 F150 XLT (with the XTR package - don't know what it was called in the US). Theese trucks were well built - yes I know they had the spark plug issues, but those Triton motors worked well. The trucks also had some extras:
- simulated wood dash trims
- grab handles on drivers door
-fiberglass (molded) running boards
-driving lights
-DOOR MOLDINGS that actually looked great and protected the doors from dings
- colour coded door handles
- colour coded bumpers
- MY FAVOURITE - FENDER FLARES - COLOURED TO MATCH
and the list goes on and on.

What's my point? Much of these options are gone (= COST SAVINGS TO FORD) or ONLY AVAILABLE ON THE HIGHER END TRUCKS SUCH AS THE LARIAT.

Why? To save money. Yes I know - some may agrue they were financially responsible - BUT leave them as options - let me pay for what I intend to order. These options are still part of the inventory (with the exception of the grab handle) - which other trucks still have. Can't understand this one.

Now let's fast forward to the auto recession. Mr. Alan Mulally went to the U.S. Senate asking the U.S. government to proceed with the Gov't Bailout. WHY did he do this? SIMPLE FOLKS - he even stated it himself!

If you don't proceed with a government bailout for GM and Chrysler - then the supply chain litteraly will vanish. You need to understand - GM, Ford, Chrysler, etc. all use pretty much the same suppliers to make and produce parts for them. Including the torque converter. If there was no gov't bailout for GM or Chrysler - where would Ford get their parts? Even if some of the millions suppliers survived - they would be charging Ford much more for the same parts = simple economics.

So - here we are, gov't bailed out GM and Chrysler - but I am not so sure who bailed out the suppliers, the smaller diecast, machine shops, etc., etc., across North America.

You see - they suffered - and had no bailout, BUT YET......Don't you think they had to cut costs? And they did - we are now seeing the end result. You bet your last peanut they cut costs (and it's not thier fault). They had to in order to survive! So - you make that gasket, just a little thinner to save money, you make that housing with a few changed things (should hold up they think), etc. etc. etc. Mean while - don't forget their buyer is also breathing down thier necks to sell the product for maybe 70 cents on the dollar because they are recovering. WOW that's a lot of cost cutting in all directions. And Ford is not to blame or alone - bet you GM AND DODGE are having thier issues with the qualtiy of parts also. Then throw in the earthquake in Japan -more cost cutting - now where do they get thier parts??????? Think about where parts are being made?

Yes, yes - but think of all the advance they made - like the nice display, ya - the foreing autos had them long before Ford - and they worked much better for the most part.

Think about it folks - it makes sense. If you don't agree, well, that's fine. It's just an opinion, and please no knea jerk reactions. I love my truck, but must admit - it's not up to parr with my expectations - shudder, shifting, engine knocking, sirrus = all problems just to name a few.

So before - you cut down one of your own -one of your countrymen for being upset about a product that does not work as the manufacturer stated or CLAIMED it would - put yourself in his/her shoes. WE SPEND HONEST EARNED MONEY ON THESE VEHICLES WHICH KEEP OUR ECONOMY HUMMING ALONG - WE SHOULD GET OUR MONEYS WORTH!!!!

Originally Posted by redcrew11

yes my plug on my 2001 xlt supercrew blew out at 119,000 miles on it. i installed an insert and had to jb weld it also. i have been a ford guy all my life and i am 53. i bought my 1st on june 19,1958(my 21st b-day) at a dealer in Detroit called McDonald Ford East. i now have 2011 fx4, issues are the shudder(1st-2nd)(2nd-3rd)(60mph), replace power slider(bad squeak) and now the newly installed slider's defroster is broke. also doors rattle, thunkin noise under left front suspension, poor throttle resonse! ford quality is not what it once was.

Originally Posted by BucketMan

Folks, lets keep the thread related to the OP and title.

While we are all frustrated and disappointed with this issue writing multi-paragraph rants about the perceived decrease in quality over the years only clogs this thread with unnecessary posts and prevents people from actually finding and or giving pertinent information to this problem.

I am just one of MANY people that have this issue, however I have what seems to be a very responsive and helpful customer care representative. I have hopes of forwarding a link to this forum and this thread in order to show some of the concerns, recommendations and possible fixes.

If you feel the need to post a rant, please start a new thread.

Thanks.