To the Owners - Any Build Quality Issues Noted?

[millim]

I had a little debate on another brand forum and my belief/assertion is that Ford’s experience helps them deliver a high quality product with minimal manufacturing issues/defects.

I realize the software may have some growing pains, and the charging network is out of their control, so I’m really focused on physical product. All the YouTube reviews from the presser seemed glowing, but looking for real owner feedback.

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[Theo1000]

The F150 Lightning build quality is excellent. No rattles, shakes, seam issues. Paint quality is excellent. Matches my Audi Etron quality. One little test. I spray washed the truck, lightly wiped and let it stand outside for 2 hours. Then opened all the doors and checked seams and gaskets. Zero retained water. Everything drained and literally dripped dry. Speaks for long term corrosion resistance.

Ford knows its Sh$tte...

 

[Beans]

I’m very happy with the build quality. Wisconsin country roads are rough, and I have notices a slight rattle from the front passenger side a few times, but have not talked to the dealer about it yet. Still fine tuning how to reproduce it. Honestly, the roads where I hear it are so bad I don’t know if it’s fair to complain.

No issues with panel alignment. Some have though the interior could be more “high end”, but coming from an Acura I’m pleased with the Lariat interior.

 

[Jarre5005]

I’ve had mine for 24hrs and will be dropping it off for service next week, one of the rear seatbelt tensioners doesn’t retract at all. I’ve manually fed it back in, tried to “loosen it up” by pulling it out, nothing works. A *little frustrating for a brand brand new car with 60 miles on it

 

[dirtdiver]

I’ve had mine for 24hrs and will be dropping it off for service next week, one of the rear seatbelt tensioners doesn’t retract at all. I’ve manually fed it back in, tried to “loosen it up” by pulling it out, nothing works. A *little frustrating for a brand brand new car with 60 miles on it

If it were me I would drive it a bit more to collect any other niggling things that dont work right. Also I wouldn't want to give them a chance to screw anything up as one of the first lightenings at the dealer. On the other hand if you need to use that seat belt - that would be compelling. Im jealous that you have your truck and Im still waiting!

 

[PopsGG]

No issues at all and I have had it for 2 weeks. No creaks or misalignments.

At first the inside left me unimpressed.

• The steering wheel feels bad and sounds like I'm running my hands over sandpaper.
• Every surface is hard plastic, nothing feels quality.
• The buttons for lights and sun roof controls are impossible to see/read without basically laying on your back
• No seat memory for the passenger side
• No auto open/close for rear windows
• The spring loaded retention wedges in the cup holders feel like they will rip a Styrofoam cup every time I push it in.

You would be hard pressed to find any car/truck this expensive, that has the issues I mentioned above. It feels like they put lipstick on a pig(work truck) to sell it at luxury car prices.

That said, 15 days in I love it, and all the issues I mentioned above melted away into meaninglessness.

 

[FlasherZ]

I guess it depends on how picky you might be... I haven't observed any major issues but a couple of minor ones:

My flip-up document/glove box has a small occasional latching problem but if you are more forceful it nails it each time. The spray-in bedliner had some extra material hanging on the plastic top rails that was easily peeled off.

The "fake denim" trim (Lariat) was a bit weird for me, but it's growing on me. The truck cost me significantly less than my last car with leather everywhere, so I guess I need to temper expectations.

My car makes a horrible chime sound when backing up, and a whooshing sound when driving at low speeds. But that's not Ford's fault, that's NHTSA's fault.

The software isn't the easiest to navigate compared to other cars, I'm unimpressed with SYNC but once you have the vehicle set up, things improve and you can use Apple Carplay or Android Auto as necessary for reasonable features.

 

[Sam James]

My car makes a horrible chime sound when backing up, and a whooshing sound when driving at low speeds. But that's not Ford's fault, that's NHTSA's fault.

Ford is not required to make Fords use the Ford Chime™. I’m pretty sure that’s a long-running joke they’re playing on us.

Kidding aside, our ID.4 makes an obnoxious reverse and low speed sound due to those same regs, but at least it’s not a chime!

 

[Pjlightning]

Leather on the seats is loose and stories are starting to circulate on this site and others that the seats are aging rapidly.

I fear what this leather will look like at 20k miles.

It was loose the day I picked it up. Leather just seems way too thin and might not hold up too well over time.

look at this thread for more on this:
TFL 10k (almost) mile Lightning review

Here’s my drivers seat the day I took delivery last month, before I even sat in it:

 

[monsterlag]

The build quality is top notch. The materials they used to build the truck is very very subpar. Understand that for a long time Ford has not used real leather on all of the seat since the 90s. Ever since outside of KR its been just the square where you sit. The "leather" feels like pleather, and the overall seat feel does not remind me of typical Lariat seats. The smallest bump in the back of the seat from a dog or kids foot you feel.

To me the frunk motor and tailgate motor wont last at all. I am personally baffled why they exist at all, I understand maybe on plat trim for frunk motor.

It’s a good thing the extended warranty is cheap!

 

[F150ROD]

So far the only thing I have noticed is the center speaker grill has started to come off

 

[MichaelCA]

So far the only thing I have noticed is the center speaker grill has started to come off

looks like heat deformity. Does it pop back in?

 

[F150ROD]

looks like heat deformity. Does it pop back in?

Thats pretty much what it is. It won’t pop back in, the sides are also starting to come up. Doesn’t bother me yet since there is no rattle. Eventually, I guess I’ll reluctantly go in for service to get it looked at.

 

[Firestop]

Thats pretty much what it is. It won’t pop back in, the sides are also starting to come up. Doesn’t bother me yet since there is no rattle. Eventually, I guess I’ll reluctantly go in for service to get it looked at.

Today I noticed the same thing on my truck….The speaker grill if pretty thin, flimsy plastic……I think it is warping a little due to the heat from the sun………

 

[LightningShow]

No issues at all and I have had it for 2 weeks. No creaks or misalignments.

At first the inside left me unimpressed.

• The steering wheel feels bad and sounds like I'm running my hands over sandpaper.
• Every surface is hard plastic, nothing feels quality.
• The buttons for lights and sun roof controls are impossible to see/read without basically laying on your back
• No seat memory for the passenger side
• No auto open/close for rear windows
• The spring loaded retention wedges in the cup holders feel like they will rip a Styrofoam cup every time I push it in.

You would be hard pressed to find any car/truck this expensive, that has the issues I mentioned above. It feels like they put lipstick on a pig(work truck) to sell it at luxury car prices.

That said, 15 days in I love it, and all the issues I mentioned above melted away into meaninglessness.

Yeah, it’s not what i’d expect in interior quality for an $80k vehicle but it’s really a $50k vehicle with a very expensive new drive system in it. And the drive system is amazing so i’m not complaining about the interior (much).

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