Tail light trim -- still a problem for recently produced cars?

[mkaresh]

I conduct a reliability survey that a number of people have been helping with. With the latest update, the 2010 Taurus came very close to a "worse than average" rating due to a common problem with the tail light trim. About half of the repairs reported were for this problem.

All but one of the cars reporting this problem was produced during the 2009 calendar year, and the last one could have been--I only know when it was purchased, not when it was made.

What I'm hoping someone here can help me with: has Ford definitely fixed this problem? What's the most recently produced car that has had it?

Thanks!

 

[SHO U UP]

I conduct a reliability survey that a number of people have been helping with. With the latest update, the 2010 Taurus came very close to a "worse than average" rating due to a common problem with the tail light trim. About half of the repairs reported were for this problem.

All but one of the cars reporting this problem was produced during the 2009 calendar year, and the last one could have been--I only know when it was purchased, not when it was made.

What I'm hoping someone here can help me with: has Ford definitely fixed this problem? What's the most recently produced car that has had it?

Thanks!

I believe I heard that Ford went with a new distributor for the 2010.5 cars and for the new ones out now. I've been fortunate on my 2010 as mine has not peeled at all hardly. Heck, if I hadn't heard about it on here, I never would have been looking at them. Gotta love the feedback on these forums.

 

[SpAz]

I conduct a reliability survey that a number of people have been helping with. With the latest update, the 2010 Taurus came very close to a "worse than average" rating due to a common problem with the tail light trim. About half of the repairs reported were for this problem.

All but one of the cars reporting this problem was produced during the 2009 calendar year, and the last one could have been--I only know when it was purchased, not when it was made.

What I'm hoping someone here can help me with: has Ford definitely fixed this problem? What's the most recently produced car that has had it?

Thanks!

I was told by my dealer that it was a specific batch that had issues. My car along with another in their show room (unknown to them) had issues with the chrome on the assemblies peeling.

Since having my new assemblies and there have been no signs of wear.

I'm curious as to why Ford wouldnt issue a warranty notice if there are that many people filing complaints.

I remember there was a big issue with the water retention in the cabin tail lights on the 04 F150 (new body style from 03) and they issued a warranty letter to a specific number of trucks made during a given time for replacement.

 

[ViPER1313]

I'm curious as to why Ford wouldnt issue a warranty notice if there are that many people filing complaints.

Because it's a cosmetic issue, and it's a lot cheaper for them to fix the ones that people complain about than recall all the cars.

 

[itguy08]

I conduct a reliability survey that a number of people have been helping with. With the latest update, the 2010 Taurus came very close to a "worse than average" rating due to a common problem with the tail light trim. About half of the repairs reported were for this problem.

While I do applaud your efforts, this is EXACTLY the issue I have with the way you present the stats. Something meaningless like taillight trim is treated the same as something major like a transmission failure.

Giving a car a worse than average rating because of chrome taillights is just wrong and really tells me nothing about the reliability of the car.

Yes, I had them; had them addressed at the time of my oil change and life went on. I don't knock it against Ford or the car. $hit happens. Now if I had a transmission or engine explosion that would be a serious hit to the reliability of the car.

 

[wchain]

mkaresh, I agree with itguy08.

Stating the car has a poor reliability record for chrome trim peeling off the tail lights is a little silly.

I've been a fan of your work for a while (I frequent other forums), but I was very surprised to see the data published on the 2010 Taurus. Even if it does have a note saying its due to peeling trim.

My car has a Jan 2010 Build Date (its a Job #2 Car)and I have had no issues with the Chrome trim around the tail lights peeling.

 

[luigisho]

As long as it's stated that the reported problems were heavily based on trim peeling then I don't see much of a problem. If people are too stupid to understand the statement then that's their problem. Most other new cars don't experience this, so that is a problem--so long as it's described correctly.

 

[mcgilles]

I should visit here more often. dealer says they've never seen it before. 3 out of the 4 pieces have chrome flaking off the trim around the lights. its going in tomorrow for a fix.

I should ask them if they could just paint them body color like they should have to begin with rather than the cheesy chrome.

 

[PhantomX]

Mine I believe is a Feb car, no issues so far that I've noticed... I would also agree, underrating a car for some trim is a bit excessive.

 

[SHOwNGO]

My SHO is a 9/29/09 build and 1 of the 4 rear light assemblies has peeling chrome in 2 places. I also have chrome blistering in 2 places on my grille. I have emailed my dealer about these issues and I'm waiting for a reply. However these problems won't sway me from feeling that this Ford is the best car I have ever owned (includes 17 new Fords since 1980).

 

[luigisho]

People have had both trim issues replaced at the dealer. Take it in and get the trim replaced.

 

[TRBOSHO]

So how did the chrome START to peel? Mine is a 2/2010 build and I see an edge on one light that MIGHT be the start. Otherwise they are perfect. The only thing is....the car is babied....never sees inclement weather, the finish is cared for with better quality materials than my kids were when they were newborns. If there are issues I want to handle them....but I don't want to stick some tape on there and do a "tape pull adhesion test" and destroy them on purpose.......

 

[SpAz]

So how did the chrome START to peel? Mine is a 2/2010 build and I see an edge on one light that MIGHT be the start. Otherwise they are perfect. The only thing is....the car is babied....never sees inclement weather, the finish is cared for with better quality materials than my kids were when they were newborns. If there are issues I want to handle them....but I don't want to stick some tape on there and do a "tape pull adhesion test" and destroy them on purpose.......

Mine started around the edges. As soon as it starts it will flake off with ease. When I dried my car after washing it my towel would have several chrome flakes on it.