Ford deleting Lightning Platinum features without telling the customer!

[GOP.EV.Driver]

What's your build week? Mine is 8/1, blend date 8/3 on the window sticker. Neither my reservation details nor the window sticker show the Max Recline added back in and I'm getting down to the wire on this (inferior to Lariat ER in range and payload) "Platinum" they'll be building next week with seats I didn't order. I also didn't order the spray-in bedliner in hopes that it would speed up my delivery based on what I read on forums. I don't think that's a factor, but at this point, who knows?

I’m two weeks after you…when it was pushed two weeks, it got added back.

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[PiMatrix]

This whole thing is like ordering a steak dinner at a restaurant, but instead of the waiter coming back to tell you, "Sorry, we just ran out of steak tonight, would you like a burger?" They just bring you a burger and tell you, "Well, it's still beef. We will take $1 off for your troubles though."

Apropos analogy, maybe a further clarification... It was a Porterhouse steak order on grub hub, sign of times, and the delivery person left at your doorstep. That's when you found out it was a burger with a $1 off charged to your card. But your wife is hangry and it's 8PM.

 

[PV2EV]

With today being the last day to change your order, how would one downgrade to a Lariat quickly?

 

[Tmack7]

With today being the last day to change your order, how would one downgrade to a Lariat quickly?

I keep reading last day to change order but can you once you have a build date? My dealer said no changes once there is a build date

 

[SmokingtheMeats]

I keep reading last day to change order but can you once you have a build date? My dealer said no changes once there is a build date

I think you’re mixing up build date and production week? I believe you can’t change once you have a window sticker (could be wrong) but I’ve made 2 changes since I was scheduled for 8/29 and received my VIN.

 

[Tmack7]

I think you’re mixing up build date and production week? I believe you can’t change once you have a window sticker (could be wrong) but I’ve made 2 changes since I was scheduled for 8/29 and received my VIN.

My build week is 9/12 so not in production week yet. So may just be my dealer being lazy? Did you change through your dealer or ford?
Edit: Just reread. Yeah I have a build week but not an actual specific date. So you have made changes after your build week was assigned? As long as there is not a specific day of the week assigned?

 

[SmokingtheMeats]

My build week is 9/12 so not in production week yet. So may just be my dealer being lazy? Did you change through your dealer or ford?
Edit: Just reread. Yeah I have a build week but not an actual specific date. So you have made changes after your build week was assigned? As long as there is not a specific day of the week assigned?

Yes. I removed the bed liner and I changed the color.

 

[jfried]

I’m curious if the hardware is actually removed or if the 3 airbags in the seat back and four in the seat along with the control buttons are there but not “connected”. Or some combination? Can someone who has their truck and the deleted option let us know? At least if the switches for lumbar and seat are there but not operational. Might give us insight to what’s needing to be added later. Some or all.

I have an ICE Platinum truck that was unfortunately delivered with the multicontour removal. I can say with abundant certainty, these are the worst seats I've ever experienced -- and are an absolutel embarassment to Ford -- especially considering how expensive this truck is. My Wife's Tiguan is miles ahead, for less than half the price.

That being said, the seats "appear" to be Lariat seats underneath the Platinum leather. There is that circular button on the side, but all it does is control a 1-zone lumbar support that is in the wrong spot.

I suspect, it was a situation where if they did a post-delivery installation of the module, that there would be absolutely no adjustment until that module was delivered, so they figured that 1-zone seats forever are better than having to deal with the problem later.... shame on Ford for ruining what is an otherwise great truck.

 

[RidetheLightning]

I have an ICE Platinum truck that was unfortunately delivered with the multicontour removal. I can say with abundant certainty, these are the worst seats I've ever experienced -- and are an absolutel embarassment to Ford -- especially considering how expensive this truck is. My Wife's Tiguan is miles ahead, for less than half the price.

That being said, the seats "appear" to be Lariat seats underneath the Platinum leather. There is that circular button on the side, but all it does is control a 1-zone lumbar support that is in the wrong spot.

I suspect, it was a situation where if they did a post-delivery installation of the module, that there would be absolutely no adjustment until that module was delivered, so they figured that 1-zone seats forever are better than having to deal with the problem later.... shame on Ford for ruining what is an otherwise great truck.

@jfried that’s beyond embarrassing for Ford and unacceptable to the customer. I’m sorry you got such a crappy product. I didn’t know which part of your post to quote because there’s so much there. I can’t believe how boneheaded and indifferent Ford is being about this, based on the communication I (have not) received and your description of these “seats.”

Where does the lumbar support actually hit you? Can you document the difference in height between a standard lumbar support on and F150L Lariat or Platinum with the original seats, maybe with a test drive? And do you have a chiropractor that can document any work you need done thoroughly?

 

[jfried]

@jfried that’s beyond embarrassing for Ford and unacceptable to the customer. I’m sorry you got such a crappy product. I didn’t know which part of your post to quote because there’s so much there. I can’t believe how boneheaded and indifferent Ford is being about this, based on the communication I (have not) received and your description of these “seats.”

Where does the lumbar support actually hit you? Can you document the difference in height between a standard lumbar support on and F150L Lariat or Platinum with the original seats, maybe with a test drive? And do you have a chiropractor that can document any work you need done thoroughly?

The "adjustable" lumbar support is too low for me (I'm 6'3 with a larger torso), so it doesn't really do anything..... but there is a spot in my mid-back that the seat pushes forward on (above the adjustable lumbar). I sat in a multicontour truck last week, and this is a non-issue as the "top zone" is adjustable, and protrudes less than the "lariat" seat.

No chiropractor for me.

 

[O’Majestic1’slightnigF150]

I’m at a loss for words. Those seats are the primary reason I upgraded to platinum and “accepted” the rest of the pavement princess additions. Our daughters ‘20 Superduty Limited seats are spectacular. At this juncture, I don’t know what I am going to do when my truck finally is built and arrives. Might buy for goodwill with dealer, order another Platinum 150 LEV ‘23 or wait on my SilEVrado and trade in the fake (no retractable running boards or multi contour seats) Platinum.

 

[O’Majestic1’slightnigF150]

Here’s my most treasured Ford farm implement and how I’m feeling about now.

 

[PiMatrix]

I can tell you that Ford Corporate doesn't give a damn. They plan to keep the 12K Platinum profits of their higher budget Platinum customers and not supply what they committed. Supply chain shortage is one thing, we all understand that and empathise, but good customer service and communication, customer choice options, or adequate compensation for deletions is another.

Was curious and I googled Ford class action lawsuits and was amazed on the number pending. Would not be surprised to see another once customers receive their car, be forced to sign an agreement to get the keys, and fork over 93-100K for items not received. They will lose this if it happens. Some accountants greed suggestion will backfire on Ford.

This mars the whole 1.5 year wait as Fords highest end customer essentially feel "ripped off." Not good. I'm sure the design of car is good and Ford technology team deserves extreme credit and kudos there, but it takes more than that to keep customers and their families and friends coming back. Ford's reputation is and will suffer greatly because of this (not just lightning) and they've lost a bunch of customers and recurring referrals for life. Someone needs to explain lifetime value of all these "new" Ford customers, they also have a pretty high bar and there was a valid reason they have not bought American cars for decades. Apparently nothing has changed. It is disappointing to me, Ford can do better. It is no longer about the seats now, it's about trust and credibility. Ford Tuff perhaps has become Ford Bully - our way or no highway.

 

[ExCivilian]

Someone needs to explain lifetime value of all these "new" Ford customers, they also have a pretty high bar and there was a valid reason they have not bought American cars for decades.

spot on.

 

[O’Majestic1’slightnigF150]

For those non farmers. It’s a 329 Ford Manure spreader. You can even see the blue oval in the lower right of the picture. Works great after all these years.

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