I recently discovered the paint bubbling on the front edge of my 2013 Ford Explorer hood and thought it was a manufacturer’s defect that would be taken care of swiftly. I bought the car new and it had 44,000 miles when I first noticed the defect. I brought the vehicle back to a Ford dealership, but not where I purchased it. The dealer took some pictures of what is clearly a manufacturer’s defect and said they would file a Digital Imaging Claim with Ford Motors. My car is out of warranty, but seeing how this is clearly a defect I figured Ford would do what most responsible manufacturers do – stand behind their products and make it right for me – the consumer. Ford outright refused the fix the defect and continually fell back on the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. My claim was that it’s not about mileage – the car is less than three years old and the paint is bubbling and chipping to pieces. They stuck to the warranty issue. Ford offers a rust warranty for five years on the vehicle, but if you don’t have a hole the size of a nickel where the rust burned through then you are again – out of luck. The dealer said that they can repaint the hood for about $600 but Ford wouldn’t be paying for any of the work.

For a vehicle that is less than 3 years old and the paint starts to bubble and chip that is just poor craftsmanship. I’ve owned three Ford vehicles in the past, my daughter and son both own Ford vehicles and for Ford to treat a loyal customer like this for a lousy $600 repair, that is clearly their fault, is just obscene. Ford is a disgrace.

I got rid of the Ford – my daughter just traded in her Ford for a Nissan and my son will be looking for new vehicle in the next 18 months – I guarantee it won’t be a Ford. Ford is so cheap; they wouldn’t even provide for a $600 repair and did everything in their power to avoid responsibility for the defect. But in the end it’ll cost them a customer that has been loyal to them for over 15 years and the three consumers in training I have in my family. My three kids, 20, 25 and 27, will never own a Ford and social media and word of mouth spread faster than the bubbling paint on the hood of my 2013 Explorer. That’s real smart business acumen Ford. Goodbye forever Ford.

On September 14th, 2015, I discovered paint bubbling on the front edge of my 2013 Ford Explorer hood. I bought this used CERTIFIED vehicle on August 14, 2015. I brought the vehicle back to the same dealership, Tommie Vaughn Ford, and they took some digital photos and then told me that after checking with Ford, my vehicle is out of warranty because it was about 2,000 miles over warranty limit which is 36,000 miles.

They did said that they can repaint the hood for about $575 but the cost would come out of my pocket. In additional, I would be responsible for a car rental while they do the work which they said will take about 3 days!

For a vehicle that was less than 3 years old and was certified, this was very disappointing and if I had known how Ford treats their customers, I wouldn't of probably not buy this vehicle which is my first Ford. After further researching, I found so many complaints from other customers which kind of clearly showing Ford avoiding any responsibility. I don't know how Ford is still in business. They really need better management and a training course in customer service.

I'm sure that this paint issue was happening long before we noticed it and we're furious. Our vehicle is a 2013 Ford Explorer and from what I've read, we aren't alone in this. It seems as though Ford's use of aluminum hoods and panels is flawed and the metal is tainted and Ford isn't owning up to the problem. See this video from an investigative report from Russ Ptacek with WUSA9, a Chicago TV station.

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/2015/05/07/ford-blistering-bubbing-peeling/70912214/

WUSA9 brought in an expert, Steve Gaiski (http://www.amazon.com/MAKING-Payments-lasting-longer-FACTORY/dp/0984299416), who has been used as an expert witness against Ford and their paint issues in court. The paint doesn't adhere to the car, even when repainted since iron particulates are embedded in the aluminum and causes blistering and bubbles the paint. It would be great if Ford just owned up to the issue and made things right for loyal Ford owners.

I was washing my car this weekend and noticed bubbles under the paint on the edge of my 2013 Ford Explorer hood. I immediately thought it was rust and went straight to the dealer. Once at the body shop they told me they have seen many Fords with aluminum hoods with the same problem but they could not help me cause I was over 36k miles. Apparently this problem goes back to 2007. I could not believe Ford had the audacity to knowingly practice a manufacturing process that had undesirable results.

I called Ford and they claimed they could not help me. To make it worse, they claim it was not a known issue, hence no recall. Waiting to hear from a supervisor, but now I know I will not get a favorable response until we receive results of class action lawsuit in NJ. Btw, my one dealer claims a considerable larger amount of repairs than complaints you see here.

I have a 2013 Explorer with paint bubbling around the perimeter of the hood. Only 13,000 miles on it and bought brand new from local Ford Dealership. I went to ask them about the problem and the service department stated it was a well known issue and had to do with aluminum and reactions that occurred during the manufacturing. I was told to go to their paint and body shop. I went there and was told the same thing, roughly $800 to correct the problem. Went back to Ford to let them know the estimate only to be told my warranty expired 3 days earlier and they couldn't do anything. I was provided a 1-800 number and called it. The man stated he was sorry there was nothing he could do. My father was a car salesman and was told to buy Fords so that is what I have always done. I will not do that ever again. Even if I try to trade it in or sell I'm not going to get the money I have paid out because, cosmetically, it does not look appealing.

Update from Dec 4, 2015: The service department man helped me! He found out the regional manager was in town and had him come to the dealership. I brought the vehicle to the dealership and was told the actual dealership was going to absorb the cost.

I bought a 2013 Ford Explorer XLT in the last week of September from a west side of Cleveland Ford dealer in Ohio. The Explorer is CPO and was purchased with 35,500 miles on it and a perfect Carfax and service record. The SUV is fantastic to drive but the fact the paint is bubbling across the entire front of the engine hood is terrible. This car is gorgeous in Tuxedo Black but then there is the hood looking all bubbly like a row of prunes and raisins are living under my paint. I contacted the dealer I purchased this vehicle from about 2 weeks after purchase regarding a missing owners manual and they promised me a second key fob from the initial purchase. I mentioned the paint issue and the receptionist said she would forward the information to a service manager and they would call me back. Manual delivered as promised and key fob ordered and programmed but nothing from the dealer about the paint issue. Weeks later and no contact just birds and crickets.

I stop into same dealer group but on the east side of town near the city I live and asked for an opinion from the collision center manager. I was made aware that the paint on my Explorer is not the factory paint and there are many flaws in the paint job. Exposed primer along the back of the hood and under sides of hood. The edge or seam sealer was never applied to the front of the hood. He advised for me this should have never been issued as a good repair job and to call the dealer I got it from or call Ford customer service. In his opinion the hood needed to be replaced and not repainted. I called Ford direct and was shocked at the information provided to me. Brittney claimed the Explorer I owned was repaired for bubbling paint on 11-06-2014 at a Ford dealership under prior ownership. The vehicle was only 1 year old when the paint problem began. Claim number provided and wow did that wake the phone up. Now I'm getting every excuse under the sun and the fact my car has now since passed the 36K mark guess what? Yes. I'm not covered and there is really nothing Ford can do. Paint my hood every year is what I get. Ford...you suck!!!

I took the vehicle to the dealer group that was closer to me and had a collision center expert to request a quote to be sent to the west side dealer I purchased the vehicle from. The quote was drawn up and they absolutely recommended to have the hood replaced and painted since this was the second time in 2 years the hood would not hold paint. They sent this quote to the dealer I purchased this from. $780 for total repair and guess what? They would repaint it for free knowing this is not the proper fix or split the cost with me for a new hood. Ford... Really? I have a 2 year old vehicle that the hood can't hold two paint jobs a year apart and you tell me all well lets split it? Thanks for not calling me back in a timely fashion so the remaining 500 miles expired on my bumper to bumper warranty with no contact about this manner. What about the dealer who made a bad repair in the first place according to a certified Ford collision center? Exposed primer? Improper prep on the front edge? Thanks for making an enemy over poor workmanship and communication. DO NOT BUY FORD.

I was sort of lucky. I caught the paint bubbling on the doors just prior to the end of warranty so the dealer fixed it. Two months later I noticed paint bubbling under the edges of the hood. I was still under warranty mile wise but out of warranty time wise. Ford did not want to cover it. After some haggling Ford agreed to fix it for $100.

What bothers me most is this is a problem Ford is well aware of but they are not telling customers. Ford lets it go until the customer happens upon it hoping that is after the warranty has expired. Then Ford will not cover it. Ford service people told me they are instructed not to help customers find the problem prior to the warranty expiring.

Rust within 3 years on supposedly Ford's premium product the Ford Explorer Limited!?!? Very disappointed with the dealer response and being bounced back and forth between dealer and Ford Service Rep. There's no excuse for a less than 3-year old vehicle to have a failure in material. It doesn't matter what part of the country. The knowledge and engineering behind such a product should be well established. Yet Ford continues to hide behind their ridiculous warranty that the metal needs to show a hole completely through the metal. This couldn't happen if the car sat in the bottom of the ocean for 5 years. I'm shocked in this highly competitive market that Ford will not backup their product> Is there anything more important than keeping a good customer? Doesn't seem like it. I'm sure Ford is working on fixing the issue internally and maybe have it fixed for the next model but in the meantime have lost a lot respect from me and many other consumers. But don't worry...I'm sure Ford will find another customer. I'm sure there are plenty of people out there willing to spend $45,000 on a rusty vehicle.

This sis the SECOND paint bubbling issue with this vehicle! Ford made good on the first after only having the truck for 1 1/2 years and 62,000 kilometers. They replaced the rear hatch completely as my dealer informed me they were having issues with this model year and the fix was a new from the factory rear hatch. COOL, they made good -- now a year later my 2 1/2 year old vehicle has paint bubbles all around the edges of the engine hood. My dealers service department asked how many Kilometers (90,000 KM) and informed me that Ford would declare it not available for warranty!! I asked why a car the is less than 3 years old would have major paint failure not covered? The rep informed me that the 5 year paint warranty ONLY covers complete perforation through a body panel not bubbling. I am now in process of speaking higher up the chain to get this fixed. This is outrageous when this vehicle cost $56,000 new.

Corrosion under the paint on the hood, apparently it's a problem that has been around since FORD introduced aluminum hoods. I went to my local FORD dealer's Body Shop and he took pictures and entered a Prior Approval Claim with FORD. The claim was denied with the explanation; "FORD does not honor rust claims, if the hood is not rusted through". What the??? So, you know that you have a problem yet you deny that's it's your problem??? I started a claim with the FORD Customer Care department, who, of course, could do nothing except start another claim with my local FORD dealer. Apparently it is now up to the dealer to decide if he wants to help me or not. What has happened to the car companies??? Lie, cheat and deny, all y'all, you should be ashamed. We were going to buy another FORD before the end of the year but not anymore. This will be our last after 20 years.

My Explorer has corrosion on the edge of the hood like so many others our there. I have taken it to the dealership and they said unless it has a hole through it it's not covered under warranty. So I called Ford myself and they told me the same thing. Unless there is a HOLE through the hood of my car they won't cover a thing. Now they know that there is a problem with their product yet they refuse to fix it while the hood is still good. They want to wait till there is a BIG HOLE through the entire hood. I really don't know what else to say except that this is the last Ford that I will purchase. It's pretty sad that they won't stand behind their product.

1000 km over warranty allowance of 60K km to fix. Auto body shop at the dealer tells me he fixes one of these aluminum hoods every week on either a Ford Explorer or Mustang. The truck is less than 3 years old and it's corrosion from the Aluminum hood and some metal content in the hood. No protectors can prevent this, it is not from rocks or chips, its just from exposure to moisture. This is basic chemistry to me and an obvious defect that Ford is not willing to resolve. At this day in age, this should not be happening, definitely not with a $50,000 vehicle!

I purchased the Protection Plus Extended Warranty Coverage when I purchased the car. I was told this morning by the Body Shop Manager at New Country Ford that he sees this problem a lot and it's not usually covered by the warranty that I have. The warranty specifically says, "Corrosion Protection" and "Exterior Paint Sealant" are covered. I am not waiting to hear from the Service Manager who is going to do some "research" to see if he can get this covered. This vehicle is 2 years old and is garaged in the winter and washed at least once or twice a month or more often is necessary.

I will keep this site updated on my progress fighting to get this covered by either this warranty plan or Ford. Any suggestions or further information from anyone who has dealt with this would be greatly appreciated.