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So May 2010, I bought a brant gnu Mustang V6. My very first ever new car I got for my ownself.
Well, since it’s new of course it’s got all those nifty airbags in places my 1995 Ranger did not. Including in the dash on the passenger side. Which has a panel over it. Which is apparently held in rather loosely, by parts standards.
The side of it closest to me has always been lifted a little bit, but I took it in today to have it looked at because I thought it might be getting worse. Though, because I drive 80 miles a day, my car has been out of the 3 year, 36k bumper to bumper warranty for three or four months now.
And apparently the panel popping up like that is actually quite common, because it is so loose according to the service person I spoke with at the dealership today. He pushed it back in and it’s staying for now. Told me that mine, at out half an inch, wasn’t even the worst he’d seen, and since I was out of warranty, it’d be $250 to replace the part, and if I could stand it, to not even bother because the new piece would likely do the same thing within 6 months.
Now, this would be one thing if I hated my car and would never consider one ever again, but I love my car, and right now I’m feeling very disappointed. Surely with all their brilliant engineers Ford could have come up with a better way to secure the panel so it didn’t pop out until, you know, it needed to. It makes me very sad.
When I’m feeling a little more coherent, I’m considering a letter to Ford, for all the good it might do. Suppose it wouldn’t hurt to remind them that those Camaros and the Challengers look mighty nice too…
Thats crazy! I love mustangs! currently i own an eclipse, but soon i had planned on getting a GT or go Shelby lol. But im sorry that happened to you.
Author of “Moonlight Walkers” book and artist for the Trail of Painted Ponies Co.
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Website: courtneymooreauthor.comDude, I would get into SO MUCH TROUBLE with that kind of engine. I push the limits as it is with a V6. Not to mention I couldn’t afford either one at this point. My car is nicer than my truck was, but by today’s standards, is still a plain jane.
BUT! I have power windows and locks now! And cruise!
I would totally have bought another one down the road without thinking too hard, but now, this is really going to color my decision later on.
Dont pay it! Dealerships charge up the wazoo…but Im sure you know that. If you can find the part elsewhere-ebay, auto parts store or something, get it there. I joined a car forum several years before I even actually got my Firebird. I feel like such a n00b there I just lurk, but people are always buying and selling cars, parting out wrecked ones etc.
I’m 100% positive there is a Mustang forum out there. You could ask advice from “the pros” of Mustang car owners and I’m sure they have an easy cheap fix, or could sell you a part cheaply and you could have it installed at a mechanic (NOT the dealer!).
My ignition switch went out on my ‘bird last year. My (amazing for once) luck was that it died AT a repair shop. They wanted a few hundred for the part and installation. I had my BF come pick me up, drive to Advance Auto Parts, picked up an ignition switch for $50 give or take, and the shop installed it for another $80-$100. Saved me way more than 50%! Shops (around here at least) always use AC Delco parts-they’re the best, but they are very expensive. Some things, you don’t NEED a top of the line thing. I mean, if its a few hundred or even a hundred difference, my opinion is that a generic one will work just fine.
I know how it is to have one tiny thing wrong with your car-even if it is cosmetic. My car sits low to the ground, and apparantly GM didn’t think “oh, gee, its gonna get water in the day time running lights” so I’m putting new bulbs in there every 2-3 months. *rolls eyes* oh well, at least its cheap, and easy to do, and I can do it myself.
Good luck! I’m not a fan of Ford. The mustang is the only thing they’ve done right since the 70’s or sooner.
Well, it’s the airbag panel cover thingie. And even if I could find the part elsewhere, that’s not something I’m comfortable doing by myself.
I did that once with my Ranger, who had a stuck door switch (which meant I had to pull the fuse to stop that enraging, incessant dinging while the door was shut and I was driving) got the estimate from the dealership ($50 just to diagnose, who knew after that?) asked how much the door switch was ($16). Said screw you, bought the door switch, went home to a Ford Truck forum and asked them how to switch it out.
Fortunately someone on there stopped me and told me to try a can of WD40 first, but that was something I was more comfortable doing.
As it is, as long as the panel doesn’t get too bad, I won’t get into a big hurry. Apparently it’s not a terrible thing, it’s just a burr under my saddle.
Sorry you have that trouble. My 2010 Roush version does not seem to have that trouble. But I do not drive it nearly as much as you do, of course at only like 200 miles to the tank it would be costly. I have just 3k in miles on mine.
I did have the center cap problem of them popping out when the temp changed after driving them and they sat the heat inside would pop them out. We contact Roush and they said know trouble and replaced with the new ones that fit better.
I am more worried about my hood that started bouncing at 110 mph. Not that I go that fast often but makes me worry if I get a chance to see just how fast it does go. It is suppose to go 160+. I suggest a Roush to a Shelby until the Shelby does a suspension package for cornering. Speed is great but unless you race it on the strip, everyday you take more corners.
Write Ford, be calm but firm. Tell them the details as you did here. Recalls are a known factor of life and this may be one. If it is a known fault they should fix it.
For the price they are nice cars and Ford should built things better. It is that cheap plastic that is causing all the trouble. They need to find a better way to do those cheap plastic pieces with lighter weight metal. Aircraft Aluminum for example.
Good luck with the car.Well I am comparing yours to a ’91 Camaro of mine (yes I was the original owner -cough, cough), but the airbag made part of my steering wheel stick out funny. It always kind of bugged me, as it was not flush and it’s a piece that’s right in your face all the time, but it didn’t ever go off incorrectly. Then again, I was never in a front end collision, so I never tested it out.
I don’t believe my passenger side has air bags, but my dash was always a little off. Probably had a lot to do with letting my punk of a boyfriend at the time install all those aftermarket speakers he wanted to. Never let a boyfriend modify your car girls! Even if he takes it and does it without your permission and claims it is a gift to you! Don’t let them fool you! It will never be the same! It’s just like in Kindergarten, they really only want to play with your toys! 😉
For sure, check out the Mustang forum. My husband’s on the Firebird/Camaro one and there’s rivalery between them, Mustang and Corvette, so there’s a forum! I can ask him which one’s the best in case there are more than one.
Read my books! Volume 1 and 2 of A Dragon Medley are available now.
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http://www.sarahjestin.com/feedbacklists.htmWell, got into contact with Ford Customer Service on Twitter, we’ll see where it goes from there (posted a picture there too)
Well, got into contact with Ford Customer Service on Twitter, we’ll see where it goes from there (posted a picture there too)
Oh! So smart! Yes! Make it a public complaint and see if other people get on the bandwagon about the same problem. Kudos!
This is one of the reasons I stepped away from Ford and went back to Chevy. I loved my Ranger, but there were a lot of cheap (sad to say) American made parts used in it that caused all kinds of little issues. The truck (like all fords I have had) always started up and RAN great all the time I had it, but it CONSTANTLY had “stupid” problems that were a waste of time and money to fix because they were just cheap things to begin with. Irritating things…I eventually got used to not having interior lights, not being able to charge anything in the car because the car lighter fell inside the dash board, my door ajar light constantly being on and dinging at inapropriate times (just like your apparently), ripping my ABS system out because it always thought I was driving in rain apparently, and not being able to unlock my passenger side door from the outside x.x
Sorry you are having issues Rusti. It’s a beautiful car, I remember how excited you were when you got it. Perhaps you could take the actual part to a metal fabricator and get something custom made that will last longer but essencially perfor the same function, but better??? My brother used to do it and made replaced all sorts of plastic pieces with metal ones for that kind of stuff on his Harley and Camaro. I’d give that a try if it really annoys you that badly, it would probably even cost less then bringing it to the dealership for just another low quality part that will break again anyway.
Got a busted Windstone?
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Dreamscape, Orion, Poison Dart, Fireberry, Spangler + Tigerberry DragonsWell, it’s the airbag panel cover thingie. And even if I could find the part elsewhere, that’s not something I’m comfortable doing by myself.
I did that once with my Ranger, who had a stuck door switch (which meant I had to pull the fuse to stop that enraging, incessant dinging while the door was shut and I was driving) got the estimate from the dealership ($50 just to diagnose, who knew after that?) asked how much the door switch was ($16). Said screw you, bought the door switch, went home to a Ford Truck forum and asked them how to switch it out.
Fortunately someone on there stopped me and told me to try a can of WD40 first, but that was something I was more comfortable doing.
As it is, as long as the panel doesn’t get too bad, I won’t get into a big hurry. Apparently it’s not a terrible thing, it’s just a burr under my saddle.
LOL random… i used to own a ranger. Very beautiful. Hunter green color. Chromed out lol. But yeah i saw u were kidding around with the shelby engine lol. Dunno if i want to go mustang or get a Ford Raptor. Debating. But i hope u get some answers with the Ford Forums.
Author of “Moonlight Walkers” book and artist for the Trail of Painted Ponies Co.
Follow for updates: twitter.com/cmooreauthor
Website: courtneymooreauthor.comOMG, I want one of those Raptors so BAD. They are gorgeous trucks, but so completely out of my price range right now it’s hysterical. I got a great deal on my car or I wouldn’t have it either! Bottom line is a need a much better job than the one I have now.
I do still really love my car, drag0n, I’m just annoyed that this stupid little problem is so…stupid and little. I fired off an email to Ford corp through their website Thursday night, dunno if anything will come of that, but who knows?
Here’s one of the Mustang forums:
My husband’s part of it because this club used to meet with the Firehawk/Camaro club for solo racing.
Read my books! Volume 1 and 2 of A Dragon Medley are available now.
http://www.sarahjestin.com/mybooks.htm
I host the feedback lists, which are maintained by drag0nfeathers.
http://www.sarahjestin.com/feedbacklists.htm
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