There are several spots on the driver's side A pillar next to the windshield where the paint is peeling. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the paint is defective as the metal underneath is very smooth. The paint looks like it would continue to lift and break off as I can see space under the edges of the paint that is still there. There is also paint peeling on both the driver's and passenger's side in the upper corner under the windshield. Apparently this is a common defect and Ford refused to admit this is a problem with their paint process.
Both a-pillars have paint peeling - approx. 12" of paint gone on passenger side, 18" gone on driver side. There is no impact to the pillars, just paint peeling away from the primer/coating. It is clearly the paint not adhering to the primer.
Spoke to Ford dealer - "sorry paint is not covered under warranty". Pretty interesting broad (incorrect) statement I think...
Dealership also told me to "go to another dealership for paint problems, we don't do paint."
Looking online, there are hundreds of complaints of the paint peeling (mine is on the drivers side A pillar, which seems to be the majority spot to start) generally around the windshield. Two body shops have given an average estimate of $2000.00 to fix. One person had only 14,000 miles.
Ford has told us all to piss off, warranty only covers perforation.
Update from Apr 18, 2023: Took to Ford dealer body shop, ford dealer acknowledged defective primer, said they had seen others with same problem, ford denied claim, said it wasn't rust thoughdamage
The paint around the windshield is peeling off in sheets. And now it is peeling off the roof. Every car I see that is blue has the same issue, pretty soon I will have a beige car instead of blue.
Hand washing my car (as usual) and big hunks of paint are pealing off the inside (but the part around the WINDSHIELD). another huge clump of paint ready to just peel away on the other side too! SOMETHING WENT WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL PAINT JOB OF THESE CARS. MAYBE THE PAINT OR THE STEPS TAKEN IN THE BEGINNING WENT WRONG WHEN PAINTING THIS CAR???
- pennyon,
Lasalle, ON, Canada
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Ford says it's superior to Tesla in build quality, but after having a 2017 Escape from New I can safely say that is a lie . We have had peeling paint, a leaking gas tank, a door handle that aways freezes up and a lot more little annoying things. Before the Escape we had a 2010 Kia Soul and just sold it last fall - had it 11 years no problems at all. I have a Tesla model Y on order October delivery. ( hope the Ford makes it.)
Besides the RCM just noticed that the paint on the driver side pillar is peeling. Researching the net and find out this is a big problem with this vehicle. Dang, paint should not peel after two years of ownership. Really sucks that FORD does not address this.
This summer (2021) while filling up my wife's only new car ever, I was washing the front windshield and noticed about an 1" long bubble in the paint 2/3 of the way up the drivers A pillar. When I got home I took a closer look at the bubble and when I touched it almost 7" of paint flaked off.
The next time that I had it serviced for an LOF at the dealer that we bought it from (all required maintenance has been done there), I pointed out the flaking paint to the service manager whose only response was that it wasn't under warranty anymore. The Dealer doesn't have a body shop and gave me the number of the one that they use.
I ended up having a friend in the auto body industry mix me up a pint of Ford "Blue Lightning" and I performed the work myself - wet sand, prime, wet sand, 4 color coats (wet sanding between each 400, 600, 800), and 3 clear coats. I really feel sorry for those people that don't have the skills & contacts that I have because this will cost then a bundle to get fixed.
The paint is chipping off my 3 year old car! Can't upload photo as I'm at work. The area is next to windshield and is about 9 inches and growing. I am told by my dealer the paint is now water based and is environmentally safe but not durable. They refuse to fix my paint and act as if this is the new normal. My car is not even paid for yet and now I have to spend money at a body shop as well? This is unacceptable!!!
It is not the new normal for other makes such as Toyota, Mazda, etc.
Why is Ford using inferior paint? I can actually flick the paint off my car and if it's doing this in one spot, it will chip in other areas.
I cannot believe Ford's lack of concern. If it was their personal car I'm sure they would feel the same way. The difference is theirs would be fixed and mine will not be.
Pictures were taken by our local Ford dealership. They said that it's not covered under warranty, even though we bought the extended warranty at the time of purchase. The paint is peeling off around the windshield, down to the metal. One is six inches long. Both top corners are affected.
I am working with a customer care manager trying to resolve this issue. I have gotten a quote from a body shop the Ford dealer uses. The Ford dealer has told the customer care manager they do not send work to this body shop. I called dealer this morning and asked who they refer body work to since there was no body shop on site. Without hesitation, I was told the same place I have already taken it to for the quote. And now I am told it has to be a Ford body shop. Hmmmm, I guess that's because they are paid to lie?
The place I took it to called my problem a factory defect. Can't wait to hear what Ford calls it. If not deemed a defect, Ford will not pay.
There is no way, warranty or not, that paint chipping off the car is normal after 3 years. The cases I have read about are always near the windshield.
No matter the outcome, I will never, ever buy a Ford again.
I have never had this happen to any car we've owned. I expected to see some rust if the paint started peeling but the surface is clear and looks fine at the moment - but I'm sure it will start to rust now.
We had a snow/ice storm and the ice stayed on the windshield for a few days. When the snow/ice melted, it took the paint with it. It just peels off very easily. Running it through the car wash it flakes went everywhere. I’m not sure how they would fix such an issue because it’s oddly placed. I just hope it doesn’t grow onto the outer portion of the car. It’s definitely hideous, but I suppose I will just deal with it unless Ford comes up with a solution.
This car has less than 60k on it. There should be no reason that paint is coming off the car. I can't believe this is not covered under a warranty. I have seen complaints on the web about this same issue at the same spot on the vehicle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
There are several spots on the driver's side A pillar next to the windshield where the paint is peeling. Upon closer inspection, it appears that the paint is defective as the metal underneath is very smooth. The paint looks like it would continue to lift and break off as I can see space under the edges of the paint that is still there. There is also paint peeling on both the driver's and passenger's side in the upper corner under the windshield. Apparently this is a common defect and Ford refused to admit this is a problem with their paint process.
- qvergnugen, Ho Ho Kus, US