Question on actual quality issues

[t4thfavor]

I've got 1k miles on my Lariat FX4 Sport appearance package and my only complaint is that one of my body panels is just an 1/8th inch too far in compared to the hood. The tailgate fitment leaves a bit to be desired as well... otherwise she's perfect!

That tailgate gap is ludicrous... In the morning, the rear light casts a bar on the ground behind the truck its so thick.

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[Geoff]

I have closely examined just about every new Ranger to arrive at every dealer within 50 miles of my house while anxiously awaiting my STX... some I had to even "Drive Further" and now I have had a few days to examine my own.

While there are always a few unique parts to fit any variation or application, neither the engine nor the transmission on the new Ranger are unique or wholly new. Each is fully developed and proven.
While it is sad when someone finds a spec of dust under a paint job, it certainly does not constitute an endemic problem (AKA a "bug").
Strawmen and canards are no substitute for facts or reason in any discussion, unless the goal is obfuscation.

I mostly agree with the caveat that the Ranger engine is a new variant of previous 2.3L EB engines. Logic dictates to me that the injector parts must not be identical to other 2.3 engines or parts would not be so hard to come by. That said, I agree that the engine is, for the most part, a proven design. Ditto tranny. As for the injectors, I'm quite sure Ford just got a batch that were slightly different than the norm. It happens. I cannot tell you how many times in my engineering career where vendors forget the "recipe" or alternate vendors parts spec well but tolerances aren't as tight as the primary vendor. Unfortunately sh_t happens but I can feel for anyone who's truck needs servicing right off the lot (so to speak).

That said, this truck is an absolute blast to drive. I'm still impressed when I get behind the wheel. I've been buying new Fords since my 1976 Mustang II and I've had great luck with them (KOW) and liked all them but the Ranger, to me, is a cut above my previous Fords and easily my favorite Ford ever. I was tempted (for a brief while during the excruciating wait) to cancel and wait for the 2020's but I'm glad I didn't waste a year of my life waiting for a 2020 truck. This one rocks.

 

[mike]

Supposedly that comfort issue is addressed in the 2020 model.
I'd be in one too if the tech was better and the design wasn't pretty much the same the last couple of generations.

I heard that too, but the problem is they haven't addressed the issue holistically unless they are adding more headroom to the equation. The ROW Tacoma doesn't have that problem. Tons of head room and manually adjustable seats.

 

[Hounddog409]

I've got 1k miles on my Lariat FX4 Sport appearance package and my only complaint is that one of my body panels is just an 1/8th inch too far in compared to the hood. The tailgate fitment leaves a bit to be desired as well... otherwise she's perfect!

I would take back to dealer. Those are relatively easy fixes.

 

[mike]

I understand your confusion, and why you think Toyota deserves "0" brand loyalty.
You can put lipstick (paint color) on a pig and call it honey, but its still a pig.
I bought the best truck on the market, as I have many times, and it ain't Toyota.
Toyota's substandard Tundra is already on the ropes.
Tell Tacoma that the Ranger is back!

The only thing I'm confused by is your comment, since I'm not confused at all. Toyota Tacoma has an immense amount of brand loyalty as does just about every truck brand. Here in Hawaii, it's probably 10 Tacomas to every other brand. In Thailand, it's probably 5 Hilux (Tacomas here), to any other brand with Isuzu and Nissan being fairly popular. Those are the two locations where I have had the most visibility on the Brand...maybe it's different elsewhere, but numbers would suggest otherwise. They would be much larger if they properly address comfort for those over 6'.

Right now...given the choices I have, I too bought the "best" truck. For me. It checked all the boxes but if it turns out to be a reliability dud, it'll get dropped quickly

 

[MSG W]

the problem with my truck is it is not getting 40 MPG like my 1998 Saturn ! It is missing a cassette Player - what am I going to do with all my cassettes !! It has too many gears I never know what gear I am not like my old three on a tree. I have no under the dash space to mount my CB like I did in my 1992 Ranger. There are two many tie downs I get confused. #sarcasm - Get a grip peeps ! it is 2019 this truck is Great !!! it even has power steering ! lol

 

[Floyd]

The only thing I'm confused by is your comment, since I'm not confused at all. Toyota Tacoma has an immense amount of brand loyalty as does just about every truck brand. Here in Hawaii, it's probably 10 Tacomas to every other brand. In Thailand, it's probably 5 Hilux (Tacomas here), to any other brand with Isuzu and Nissan being fairly popular. Those are the two locations where I have had the most visibility on the Brand...maybe it's different elsewhere, but numbers would suggest otherwise. They would be much larger if they properly address comfort for those over 6'.

Right now...given the choices I have, I too bought the "best" truck. For me. It checked all the boxes but if it turns out to be a reliability dud, it'll get dropped quickly

Well here in the states...

 

[mike]

Well here in the states...

Here in Hawaii, it's probably 10 Tacomas to every other brand.

Last time I checked, Hawaii was part of the United States.

But then, surely we don't account for the > 35000 Tacoma Truck sales for the first 2 months of the years (yoy gain BTW).

all you want. Right now, it's Tacoma showing the way.

 

[Floyd]

Last time I checked, Hawaii was part of the United States.

But then, surely we don't account for the > 35000 Tacoma Truck sales for the first 2 months of the years (yoy gain BTW).

all you want. Right now, it's Tacoma showing the way.

Maybe you're right... Have you checked lately? Ask the people who run it , to see if they agree... better yet ask a Haole.?


'cause I don't have to own a Toyota, Mahalo!

Why not own the one "showing the way"?
Aloha!

 

[mike]

Checked lately? Ask the people who run it , to see if they agree... better yet ask a Haole.?

'cause I don't have to own a Toyota!

Yup, regardless of the few loud voices from true native Hawaiians, the state is part of the US. Firmly Democratic, but still part of the US.

No need to ask a "Haole" or as the racist Asians here like to say "Effin Haole", because I am one. Asian, Black, Caucasian, whatever, Tacoma is the overwhelming favorite here in the state of Hawaii. regardless of race, religion, politics.

Either way, You can post all the cute little emoticons all you want. Tacoma is showing the way. If they figure out that not everyone is under 6', they will sell even more...regardless if you have one or not.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Okay Folks,

Here is the approach at Ford. We develop vehicles with a mix of prototypes that encompass the product mix. That said the sample size of products is pretty small, as for a new vehicle in prototype can cost over $1 million each. What we always say is that during the development process...there is not such a thing as a Onzee. If there is a systemic problem, there will be more than one example of a defect, so the key is the frequency.....The injector problem seems to be a supplier quality issue with a batch of injectors. I can tell you that Ford Quality will be all over the supplier to fix and ship certified product...when this quality issue gets into the field, there is a decision as to be a recall or if it is self campaigning...ie the problem is so bad that the customer will take it back to the dealer...problem with this getting production parts to support the assembly plant and also supply the dealers for current vehicle owners....many suppliers cannot support both....This is why a dealer says they do not have parts. Long term the supplier likely losses the business and we switch suppliers to deliver quality parts. So you decision on purchase a new vehicle hinges on how systemic the problem is...a bad batch is quite small in reality and is likely contained, however like the Boeing 737 Max 8...the problem is huge as it is a design problem... The issues listed are pretty well batch related and in my opinion should not influence your decision to purchase a vehicle.

As head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering, I was determined to get it right out of the box (assembly plant) so that the vehicle did not have to be returned to the dealer for warranty work....

I love my new Ranger, but the hood fit on the left cowl is not good and I am going to have to adjust this myself....Shame on MIchigan Truck Assembly....This vehcile should have not made final inspection in my opinion...

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co, retired.

 

[Geoff]

Okay Folks,

Here is the approach at Ford. We develop vehicles with a mix of prototypes that encompass the product mix. That said the sample size of products is pretty small, as for a new vehicle in prototype can cost over $1 million each. What we always say is that during the development process...there is not such a thing as a Onzee. If there is a systemic problem, there will be more than one example of a defect, so the key is the frequency.....The injector problem seems to be a supplier quality issue with a batch of injectors. I can tell you that Ford Quality will be all over the supplier to fix and ship certified product...when this quality issue gets into the field, there is a decision as to be a recall or if it is self campaigning...ie the problem is so bad that the customer will take it back to the dealer...problem with this getting production parts to support the assembly plant and also supply the dealers for current vehicle owners....many suppliers cannot support both....This is why a dealer says they do not have parts. Long term the supplier likely losses the business and we switch suppliers to deliver quality parts. So you decision on purchase a new vehicle hinges on how systemic the problem is...a bad batch is quite small in reality and is likely contained, however like the Boeing 737 Max 8...the problem is huge as it is a design problem... The issues listed are pretty well batch related and in my opinion should not influence your decision to purchase a vehicle.

As head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering, I was determined to get it right out of the box (assembly plant) so that the vehicle did not have to be returned to the dealer for warranty work....

I love my new Ranger, but the hood fit on the left cowl is not good and I am going to have to adjust this myself....Shame on MIchigan Truck Assembly....This vehcile should have not made final inspection in my opinion...

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co, retired.

Great post. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Floyd]

Okay Folks,

Here is the approach at Ford. We develop vehicles with a mix of prototypes that encompass the product mix. That said the sample size of products is pretty small, as for a new vehicle in prototype can cost over $1 million each. What we always say is that during the development process...there is not such a thing as a Onzee. If there is a systemic problem, there will be more than one example of a defect, so the key is the frequency.....The injector problem seems to be a supplier quality issue with a batch of injectors. I can tell you that Ford Quality will be all over the supplier to fix and ship certified product...when this quality issue gets into the field, there is a decision as to be a recall or if it is self campaigning...ie the problem is so bad that the customer will take it back to the dealer...problem with this getting production parts to support the assembly plant and also supply the dealers for current vehicle owners....many suppliers cannot support both....This is why a dealer says they do not have parts. Long term the supplier likely losses the business and we switch suppliers to deliver quality parts. So you decision on purchase a new vehicle hinges on how systemic the problem is...a bad batch is quite small in reality and is likely contained, however like the Boeing 737 Max 8...the problem is huge as it is a design problem... The issues listed are pretty well batch related and in my opinion should not influence your decision to purchase a vehicle.

As head of Ranger Vehicle Engineering, I was determined to get it right out of the box (assembly plant) so that the vehicle did not have to be returned to the dealer for warranty work....

I love my new Ranger, but the hood fit on the left cowl is not good and I am going to have to adjust this myself....Shame on MIchigan Truck Assembly....This vehcile should have not made final inspection in my opinion...

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co, retired.

Thank you for your contribution to the development of the new Ranger, mine appears to be as perfect in design and execution as each of my previous Rangers. Also thank you for participating here at Ranger5g!

 

[TimberWolf2018]

I am a month or so in.... love the truck, no issues!
By far the best vehicle I have ever owned.

And on a personal Note, thanks Phil,
been a ford man my entire life.
thanks for some really great rides!

 

[doug910]

I'm just about to roll over 9000 miles in my truck, and I just had my first issue - the auto window function suddenly broke (window rolls down, but the auto function doesn't work). Besides that the truck has been great! It's not perfect, but I have no concerns regarding quality. I rolled the dice buying a brand new model knowing that there may be some minor annoyances, but I have been satisfied so far.

A few notes:

• Sometimes I get some rough trans shifts when engine is cold, but there has been a TSB trans update which I just need to get done at the dealer. Not an issue, but minor annoyance.
• I get excessive brake pedal travel before they bite.Some people early on had similar issues, maybe there was a bad batch of Rangers that got a bubble in the system. I'm not concerned about my safety, but I will get it looked at the dealer when I go in for the TSB trans update next week.
• Fuel economy has been stellar for me, but as with all turbocharged engines, mileage does vary. During the winter, I was getting 18-22 mpg, now that it's warm, I'm getting 22-26 mpg. My recent 1000 mile trip, I averaged 25.5 mpg @ 75 mpg and I really can't complain. Someone who is consistently heavy on throttle WILL see their fuel economy tank.
• I have the FX4 package, and I personally think that the front is too soft and the rear is too stiff - I'm sure there were good reasons for this (probably to get those leading tow figures?), but it's a little uncomfortable IMO. Haven't driven the normal 4x4 nor the 4x2.
• No issues with injectors, have not noticed the frame being lower on one side.

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