Ford will ship and sell vehicles without chips controlling non-safety critical features

[BrassSlinger]

I wouldn't trust the dealers to tell buyers either. I bet some aren't going to find out until after they get their vehicle home.

Imagine buying a truck with heated seats, you don't try them out on the test drive because it's summer. Winter comes along so you turn them on and that's when you realize you got an IOU.

Thats just it,they leave this stuff off and most people have no clue. Delivery day will be an hour long inspection to make sure everything works and the QC is good.

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[vtxrider]

It'll suck if my truck comes in and the cruise control doesn't work or heated seats, power mirrors etc.

 

[TREMOR]

I just read an article that said people will receive discounts if the car is delivered with missing items. I agree with that and the warranty extension issue needs to be addressed by ford.

 

[halligan1201]

This might be a good time to get into the car building business. I think I'll stick to these with no chips. BYOR

It's much quicker to build with the wood bed.

This is actually one of my favorite versions of the F150. I'd love to have it!

 

[9zero1790]

Well this should be interesting? Now Ford will start shipping vehicles without chips controlling non safety feature. Most of these dealers can't even do a simple oil change without messing it up. Does anyone else see a disaster in the making here?

https://www.wsls.com/news/2022/03/1...-non-safety-related-chips-install-them-later/

wow... the worst part of ford is the dealers.

 

[AzScorpion]

wow... the worst part of ford is the dealers.

While there are some good ones out there there's a lot of really bad ones too. Now we'll be forced to deal with them for these installs which seems like a punishment for buying a new vehicle. They're all doing this so it looks like there's no escaping it for now.

 

[9zero1790]

While there are some good ones out there there's a lot of really bad ones too. Now we'll be forced to deal with them for these installs which seems like a punishment for buying a new vehicle. They're all doing this so it looks like there's no escaping it for now.

i was thinking the same thing. I bet the dealers are not happy about it either. ive heard dealers get paid less to do "ford" or warranty work. so sort of a catch 22 for all parties.

 

[Radioman]

I'd maybe be down for this if they'd ship them direct to me instead of the dealership.

I seriously doubt that would happen.

I would not buy a new vehicle at this time unless there were no other option to me.

 

[Iowa Guy]

Well this should be interesting? Now Ford will start shipping vehicles without chips controlling non safety feature. Most of these dealers can't even do a simple oil change without messing it up. Does anyone else see a disaster in the making here?

https://www.wsls.com/news/2022/03/1...-non-safety-related-chips-install-them-later/

GM is already doing this. The companies need operating cash to continue day to day, the only way that works is if they can move vehicles to the Dealers, since that is when they "Ford" get paid, when the Dealer takes possession

 

[D Fresh]

I seriously doubt that would happen.

I would not buy a new vehicle at this time unless there were no other option to me.

Agreed on both parts.

 

[DakotaGuy]

I’m not sure how much this will effect the Ranger to be honest as a lower volume vehicle. It’s not so much about the chips, but the finished modules. Although I am sure modules like engine control, SYNC, and safety features are used across the lines many are specific to the vehicle. It would explain why you pretty much only see Broncos piling up in lots around MAP. High demand vehicles are more likely to be missing features specific to that line.

Now with this new change going forward you might see a few disabled features on all vehicle lines, but demand will be driving a lot of these adjustments.

 

[Silver]

Well this should be interesting? Now Ford will start shipping vehicles without chips controlling non safety feature. Most of these dealers can't even do a simple oil change without messing it up. Does anyone else see a disaster in the making here?

https://www.wsls.com/news/2022/03/1...-non-safety-related-chips-install-them-later/

YES.

 

[mailbox4449]

Thanks. I understand shortages are all over the place but Ford shouldn't ship a vehicle if it isnt completed and let the customer take delivery. Guess we will see. I really want this truck but i am not willing to have options not working on day one

I agree. But, like GM is supposedly doing, if I don't get a 100% completed truck, don't expect me to pay 100% for it!! You want to prorate it, give me a credit, discount whatever...that would be the RIGHT thing to do and STILL honor the install of the chip since THAT'S WHAT THE CUSTOMER ORDERED AND FORD/DEALER AGREED TO SELL YOU!!! Like AZ said, if its a chip or two for minor things...ok, as long as it does get installed later. Hopefully those heated mirrors or seats get the chip module before NEXT winter

 

[Sharky]

here is the opinion from a FORD technician on another site:

This is going to be just another disaster for Ford dealerships, AND, of course the techs.
This will entail a lot of extra logistical work for advisors and service managers. Ordering parts, tracking parts, scheduling the customers, fielding the calls, (are my parts here yet?), getting them to come in, scheduling a loaner, (which they won’t have), so they have to schedule a rental car with the local rental car company.
These guys already work 10+ hour days, 6 days a week. This crap is why.

Then there’s the installation side. Programming these modules has become so ridiculously complicated in the last 5-8 years. Used to be all the files for module programming/installation were on our scan tool, but not anymore. You have to access Ford’s “cloud” now to do any programmable module installation. The dealership I last worked at was a newer shop with newer internet, etc..,,,but we would still have access issues when programming modules over the internet. Then there is the pay side. If ford pays .5hr for something, that pretty much means it’ll take .7hr-1.0hr. Ford knows techs work out of multiple bays, and can be working on multiple jobs, that’s why warranty pays less time than it actually takes to do a job, but when it comes to programming modules, you can’t just leave them. Once you start the process, you have to babysit the scan tool to make sure you’re there to cycle the key or respond to a prompt on the scan tool.

not a good feeling for me if buying a vehicle without some parts......

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Ford has over the past year has completely failed to support the dealerships and customers by taking upwards of 6+ months to get repair parts to them. Had to deal with this on the replacement rear window for mine. How are they going to get the parts to the dealerships in a timely manner to complete vehicles that rolled off unfinished. Much less get the service techs to actually install them correctly and not break or miss stuff along the way???

I'm about 99.99999999998% certain this will be a complete and utter disaster or Ford.

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