Following a two-month production shutdown, Ford and other automakers had to simultaneously create a safe working environment and slowly ramp production back up to normal levels over the course of several weeks. Despite returning to pre COVID-19 production levels sooner than expected, the lapse has inevitably led to a vehicle inventory shortage. And now, it appears that problem has extended to repair parts needed by Ford service departments as well.
Automotive News recently spoke with several Ford dealers, who say they’ve been forced to wait weeks in some cases for parts needed to repair coolant leaks in the cylinder heads of 1.5L EcoBoost I-4 engines in 2017-19 Ford Escape and 2014-19 Ford Fusion models, a problem that prompted Ford to issue a technical service bulletin in April.
One dealer reportedly has six Escapes currently in the shop waiting for parts, while another has spent an exorbitant amount of money providing rental vehicles for affected customers. And Tim Hovik, a member of the Ford council and owner of San Tan Ford in Gilbert, Arizona, says that parts shortages aren’t just limited to the Escape and Fusion at the moment.
“There’s a supply chain that’s trying to get back on line in terms of parts deliveries and how fast we can fill our orders,” Hovik said. “I think sometimes we forget how important some of our vendors are. It seems like we’ve had some issues as we’ve come out of this getting those ancillary businesses back rolling.”
Ford is well aware of its supplier’s struggles, even going so far as to pay its bills early in an effort to help key suppliers get back on track earlier this year. In addition, some dealerships have used specially-equipped vans to offer mobile service. Regardless, it seems like issues further down the supply chain are still having an effect on service in general, though Ford says that they have since been resolved.
“There were disruptions in parts supply in early May due to supplier closures caused by COVID-19,” Ford said in a statement. “Upon reopening, parts production and delivery was expedited, resolving shortages by late June. Ford is not aware of any significant parts delays currently impacting dealer ability to repair these engines.”
We’ll have more on this fluid situation soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.
Interest-free financing and more on best-selling pickup truck.
Based on a new trademark filing.
On top of $500 million last year.
This updated proposal suggests ways to cut down on battery drain.
It isn't original or perfect, but it would make for a nice classic cruiser.
View Comments
Regardless of what Ford says there are still MANY parts shortages affecting vehicles & Customers. These shortages also affect Dealers CVP scores but Ford won't acknowledge that.
You are correct. My F-150 has been at Sawgrass Ford going on two months for a new air intake manifold. I've been told 2000 people waiting on the same part. Now they've moved the backorder to Sept 27th 2021. They have no answers. I'm making payments on a depreciating asset that I can't even use. Am currently seeking legal advice
We are in the same situation. We are waiting for differential parts. Already 5 weeks. We are driving rental eco sport that we cannot even fit our family. Legally, everything would be different if it wasn’t for COVID.
I am here to tell Ford and everyone that there is still a shortage of repair parts. My dealership has had my Explorer since mid June and are telling me they do not know when they will have the turbos needed to fix my car.. it’s now mid sept. And I’m on my 3rd loaner. Almost time for my 4th. My husband and I are very frustrated.
Fordv will not even give me a loaner! They said it may be 3 months or more.
We have a 2015 Fiesta I bought for my mother that was towed to our dealership back in June. It's still waiting for a backordered TCM. It's nearing October. We've definitely been fed one of those sandwiches.
I turned my Ranger in May 20 to the dealer, its now October... No sign of when I will have my truck back. Terrible communication from Ford.
I turned my Ranger in Sept. 9. Ditto what Jeff said. Almost 7th week for me. Reading this didn't help my confidence in getting it back soon.
2020 Ford Explorer purchased May 1, 2020. Module for safety features (blind spot/cross traffic alert) on back order since June 22nd and transmission parts (Tech Service Bulletin 20-2305) on back order since September 2nd--that's 130 day and 58 days! Dealership will not keep the vehicle in the garage so it doesn't quality for the Lemon Law because it has not been in the shop for over 30 days and there has not been 3-4 attempts to fix it. In fact, there has been NO attempt to fix it. This is a breach of contract on the warranty! Waiting to hear from Ford again today on the 2nd attempt on Buy Back. Next step is contacting the Attorney General's Office.
Tina waiting on the same part now.... Ford you are letting me down...
Update: All parts have finally arrived and I am scheduled for repair on Monday, Nov. 16th. I hope this does the trick!
My truck is missing a windshield sensor and has been in the shop for 7 weeks/ no news on when it will be replaced. Very frustrating and collision repair shop keeps telling me they dont know how long of a wait it will be.
MY 2020 TRUCK NEEDS A FRONT BUMPER AND HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A MONTH WITH NO WORD FROM FORD. DONT BUY FORD AT THIS TIME. THEY CANT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCTS. I CANT EVEN GET A LOANER.
You're not alone Dan. Same situation with me. I have a 2014 Ford Focus SE with a bad TCM. These cars have had a bad history with their dual clutch transmissions and the transmission control modules. The TCM is on national backorder with no date in sight as to when it will be available. This is our only car. Wife has to take a bus to work now. Has to get up earlier than normal and endure all kinds of crazy weather hear and Florida. I asked a bout a courtesy vehicle and was told that this particular dealership had done away with their loaner fleet.
I have a 2017 Ford Focus SE with a bad TCM as well, and I'm going through the same thing, the dealership only covered 5 days for a rental and I ended up getting my Focus back. It's derivable as long as you don't go extremely fast or extremely slow.
I have a Ford Fiesta 2011 and it’s been in the shop since June 2021. Here it is now August and my car is having the same issues as yours and the guy that commented on your post. This is unacceptable, I have lost my job because of this. And they don’t have any rental available until October. I’m filing for a lawyer soon.
I'm in the same situation with my 2012 Focus SE. TCM went bad in June, its undrivable. Its been sitting at the dealer since about June 20th. Fortunately they provided a nice rental this whole time. As far as I'm concerned, they can keep the Focus! I'll keep the rental!
East Texas here and after almost exactly 4 months waiting for the TCM on my 2014 fiesta, I finally got it back yesterday!
There is still a shortage according to my dealer. Dropped off my mustang for internal wiring harness Oct. 20, was told it was on backorder till Nov. 7, but now its on back order till Nov. 27th apparently.
Dropped my car off nov 2nd, told I needed a new rear differential. still no word on when it’ll arrive.
Same story with me. 2010 Ford Mustang v6 needed a new ECM. I was told several different dates over a two month span. I became fed up and retrieved my car. The Ford Parts website states a 15 day fulfilment date on the same part, am I missing something here?
Did you ever get the ECM REPLACED?
I've been waiting for an ECM for my 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid since September of last year(or if I want to get technical, the part was actually ordered in April of last year. It's been in the shop since Septmeber of last year.) STILL WAITING.
No loaners or anything offered.
Wow, do you live in the Texas areas as well? My ecm gave out as well on my 2011 v6 mustang. And after hearing all these stories about how long people have to wait it is kind of scary tbh.
Been waiting on a power steering rack for a 2017 Ford Fusion since Thanksgiving and been told it could be a month or two even though the part was supposedly shipped last week