Major external defects on the MME!

[Phil Martin]

Not sure where the 3000 psi comes from, all the car wash tunnels I've used just squirt your car and the brushes do the work.

I've washed my cars my hand for 30 years and said screw it, I'm so very done with that thankless job. I've used the tunnels for the past five years, twice a week, on all of our three cars, never an issue. The cars are always clean now. For those that want to wash by hand, have fun. I'm the idiot because it took 30 years to finally dawn on me it's a complete waste of my precious time.

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[rreddy3]

Lots of people on this forum have had the same issue. It's hardly an isolated incident or personal anecdote. I've never had this issue with any car I've owned, and I've owned many different makes and models over thirty years.

While there are reports of the slip on charge port cover coming off in car washes, that is not evidence of a “major external defect.” Ditto the little “hatch” in the front bumper cover. Mine, BTW, was damaged in the pre delivery process. I flagged it before taking
delivery and the dealer ordered a new one, painted it to match, installed it and
life went on as usual. I think it’s actually a generic Ford part not unique to the Mach e.

Generally speaking, to qualify for a buyback a defect or problem has to be substantial and have a notable impact on the vehicle’s performance, value, and/or safety, according to commentary by attorneys practicing in the buy back and or lemon law area of the law. The problems you described don’t fit those criteria.

Although I have been retired from lawyering for nearly 10 years, and although a great deal of my practice dealt with defending design professionals from E&O claims, I can still smell a claim or potential claim that doesn’t pass the smell test.

If you elect to pursue your grievances as a buyback claim it will be interesting to learn how it turns out.

Regards,

 

[tuminatr]

While there are reports of the slip on charge port cover coming off in car washes, that is not evidence of a “major external defect.” Ditto the little “hatch” in the front bumper cover. Mine, BTW, was damaged in the pre delivery process. I flagged it before taking
delivery and the dealer ordered a new one, painted it to match, installed it and
life went on as usual. I think it’s actually a generic Ford part not unique to the Mach e.

Generally speaking, to qualify for a buyback a defect or problem has to be substantial and have a notable impact on the vehicle’s performance, value, and/or safety, according to commentary by attorneys practicing in the buy back and or lemon law area of the law. The problems you described don’t fit those criteria.

Although I have been retired from lawyering for nearly 10 years, and although a great deal of my practice dealt with defending design professionals from E&O claims, I can still smell a claim or potential claim that doesn’t pass the smell test.

If you elect to pursue your grievances as a buyback claim it will be interesting to learn how it turns out.

Regards,

He won't get a buyback for this. It would need to be a minimum of 3 failed repair attempts by the dealer and under the factory warranty. At least that's the way it is here in MN.

 

[rreddy3]

He won't get a buyback for this. It would need to be a minimum of 3 failed repair attempts by the dealer and under the factory warranty. At least that's the way it is here in MN.

I agree. The multiple failed repair attempts is, I believe, an element of all these buyback or lemon law cases. I would be astounded if Ford bought this car back. They may bend the rules a bit for high value customers, and if OP has that status, perhaps Ford will cut him a deal.

 

[DevSecOps]

Wow, you're a really pleasant guy.

From @DevSecOps posting:

Since you quoted me, let me just say that the buyback program was used extensively by owners of the early generation vehicles because they had quite a few issues. Most people had repetitive repair work, repeat failures leaving people stranded or very extended repair times.

I would agree with others that, as I see it, there's not substantially enough based on your post to warrant a buy back. Ford was generous with them in the early days, but I doubt they would be so generous now since many of those serious issues are resolved.

Additionally, I don't think you would find an attorney to take up a claim based on your post as I don't see any significant financial damages, but pick up a phone and call if that's the route you feel like going. I'm not an attorney and can't speak for all of them out there.

Lastly, for those posting that you need 3 repair attempts in order to remedy the complaint, you're wrong and it doesn't matter what state you are in. The lemon law can be all but guaranteed by meeting the criteria, but that doesn't mean you can't take legal action even if falling outside of the laws limits. Most auto makers have a policy for settlement if there's valid concern and financial hardship on the owner. Ford's buy back, for example, was not based on the lemon law, it was based on their own criteria.

 

[SonicBlue]

In OP’s defense, the charge port door is very easy to pop open, and sometimes does so inadvertently. It’s a pretty crapty design.

The front bumper port is also a very stupid design, as has been frequently discussed and acknowledged on this board. But in addition to being a dumb idea, it is really easy to knock loose in a car wash. Happened to me but was still dangling by the wires.

None of this merits a buyback. But these are both weak spots in the exterior design, for sure.

 

[Omen]

Not sure where the 3000 psi comes from, all the car wash tunnels I've used just squirt your car and the brushes do the work.

I've washed my cars my hand for 30 years and said screw it, I'm so very done with that thankless job. I've used the tunnels for the past five years, twice a week, on all of our three cars, never an issue. The cars are always clean now. For those that want to wash by hand, have fun. I'm the idiot because it took 30 years to finally dawn on me it's a complete waste of my precious time.

Well considering most pressure washers operate between 1000-4000psi..,,a optimal psi is around 1500psi for washing a vehicle. If a tunnel just squirts water it never rinsing off the soap or dirt properly. Most people don’t considering handwashing or just using the manual bay at the car wash a waste of time…..because we hate seeing those swirl marks. So it well worth my time.

 

[Omen]

Wow, you're a really pleasant guy.

From @DevSecOps posting:

1 - call Ford at (800) 392-3673 and tell them you wish to initiate a buy back and why. They will initiate the process with little effort or push back.
2 - most buy backs that's I've seen take about 4 months.
3 - this is something you'd have to ask the buy back case worker. I wouldn't count on keeping any terms or loan conditions.
4 - I've never heard anyone just swapping the car. The dealership isn't the one who built or assembled the car, they won't just take a hit for Ford.

Many members here have gone through easy buy backs with Ford. Many have also gone the legal route with attorneys.

As for records, it's all recorded, so even if you didn't keep anything the dealership isn't going to shred all evidence of you being there. Likewise, every time they hook up the car it's saved on Ford servers. Every DTC that the car throws is updated OTA to Ford. We aren't in the old days of saving carbon copies of service orders.

I’m sorry you fail to understand how ridiculous you actually sound with buy back. Did you throw a ton of tantrums as a child as well?

 

[Sikkun]

Painters tape.

More effective and unlike dreaming of a buyback will accomplish something.

 

[waldo1949]

I've uncovered, pun not intended, several defects on the MME.

The carwash I use, where I've washed my MME dozens of times in the past years, knocked the cover off my charge port door. Many people on this forum have experienced this defect. I went back to the carwash today to see if they found it on the track, but they have not. They said they never adjust the pressure settings, and I believe them.

I went back through the was this morning but asked them to switch to "touchless" mode. After the wash, I pulled around and wiped down the car with the free cloths they provide to customers. I found a sensor door on the front of the car, and it was dangling! I do remember this happening a long time ago.

I love my MME, but now I'm starting to think I should call and ask about the buyback program.

I lost a cover door on another car years ago in a car wash, but was lucky enough to find it after. Those things just snap on and sometimes come off in car washes. It has nothing to do with a defect in the car.

 

[ryannix123]

Since you quoted me, let me just say that the buyback program was used extensively by owners of the early generation vehicles because they had quite a few issues. Most people had repetitive repair work, repeat failures leaving people stranded or very extended repair times.

I would agree with others that, as I see it, there's not substantially enough based on your post to warrant a buy back. Ford was generous with them in the early days, but I doubt they would be so generous now since many of those serious issues are resolved.

Additionally, I don't think you would find an attorney to take up a claim based on your post as I don't see any significant financial damages, but pick up a phone and call if that's the route you feel like going. I'm not an attorney and can't speak for all of them out there.

Lastly, for those posting that you need 3 repair attempts in order to remedy the complaint, you're wrong and it doesn't matter what state you are in. The lemon law can be all but guaranteed by meeting the criteria, but that doesn't mean you can't take legal action even if falling outside of the laws limits. Most auto makers have a policy for settlement if there's valid concern and financial hardship on the owner. Ford's buy back, for example, was not based on the lemon law, it was based on their own criteria.

Thanks for clarifying. I own a 2022 Premium MME.

To be clear, I never said I would hire an attorney; I just said that the Buy Back program is worth exploring. I'm becoming less and less happy with the car. In addition to the problems with charge port cover and the front sensor cover, which other people on this forum have experienced, a few tabs on the cheap plastic covering the air filter broke during replacement. I also have the paint recall problem.

 

[ryannix123]

I lost a cover door on another car years ago in a car wash, but was lucky enough to find it after. Those things just snap on and sometimes come off in car washes. It has nothing to do with a defect in the car.

I disagree. The cover should be secured in a manner that can withstand a very modern car wash.

 

[ponyboy-njshore]

I’m sorry you fail to understand how ridiculous you actually sound with buy back. Did you throw a ton of tantrums as a child as well?

Don't be a prick. The concerns are legit.

 

[ryannix123]

lol @ literally damages car and blames Ford for it. You are literally beating your car in an automatic carwash friend...

Our 2024 Chevy Trax and 2016 Chevy Volt never have these problems at the same car wash. I'm also reading the reviews for Driven Carwash; no one else has had these problems.

Since other MME owners on this forum have had the same problem with the same components, it must be a Ford problem. The carwash's lawyers and Ford's lawyers will say the same thing.

 

[Omen]

Don't be a prick. The concerns are legit.

Ok sure

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