Transit chassis recall received today

[Pausim]

I would be seeking some legal advice at this point because I would be less than happy with anything other than a complete rebuild on a new chassis and I suspect this is not a viable option with a motorhome. You may need to formally notify the dealership that supplied the motorhome because it is them you had a purchase contract with and it is them who will be liable for buying the vehicle back if Ford do not replace the chassis to your satisfaction. They and the manufacturer of the motorhome will carry more clout with Ford.

 

[Jo-jo]

I would be seeking some legal advice at this point because I would be less than happy with anything other than a complete rebuild on a new chassis and I suspect this is not a viable option with a motorhome. You may need to formally notify the dealership that supplied the motorhome because it is them you had a purchase contract with and it is them who will be liable for buying the vehicle back if Ford do not replace the chassis to your satisfaction. They and the manufacturer of the motorhome will carry more clout with Ford.

Yes, we are intending notifying the supplying dealer when we have something concrete to tell them.

 

[Dave and Jen]

It may be a good idea to tell them now . This would give you time to look around for something else if the worst comes to the worst.
Cheers, Dave

 

[Jo-jo]

It may be a good idea to tell them now . This would give you time to look around for something else if the worst comes to the worst.
Cheers, Dave

Pre-empting the worst-case scenario, this afternoon, I booked tickets for the NEC show next week. Our supplying dealer will be there.

 

[SteveE]

Thanks for making me aware of this issue. Not received a letter from Ford yet but checked in the Ford Pass app and our van does need to have a chassis inspection. Booked in with our local Transit Service centre in a few weeks time, so we’ll see what happens!

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[Jo-jo]

Thanks for making me aware of this issue. Not received a letter from Ford yet but checked in the Ford Pass app and our van does need to have a chassis inspection. Booked in with our local Transit Service centre in a few weeks time, so we’ll see what happens!

Just a heads-up, if they find chassis creasing, (I hope they don't) ask them to do a video of it at the same time. It might save additional trips for you.

 

[Geoffrey B]

Pre-empting the worst-case scenario, this afternoon, I booked tickets for the NEC show next week. Our supplying dealer will be there.

Good morning Jo
I also am going to the show on Tuesday, my vehicle Autotrail F62 is being checked next week. my intention is to visit the Autotrail stand to ask how they intend to correct the situation if the vehicle is not repairable, I am sure that my dealer will also be on the Autotrail stand. We have to remember that we did not purchase the vehicle from Ford. Good luck with yours Jo
Geoff

 

[Pausim]

If I owned an affected vehicle my concern would be if Ford decided the fault was within acceptable parameters. I would be looking for an Automotive Engineering Consultant to confirm this and if not would use their evidence to reject the vehicle, which can still be done outside the usual 6 months if you can prove that the vehicle was defective when sold. The Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA) might be a good place to look for an expert but it will cost you.

 

[PeterCarole29]

To my untrained eye, that looks very repairable with some plates welded over the top.

For those who have invested in extras for their motorhome, that might be cheaper.

It does suck though. :-(

The problem with welding the heat will burn any paint protection inside the chasis. A chasis that already has been condemd and rust from the inside where it should not be vunarable
An awfull position to be in.

 

[PeterCarole29]

If I owned an affected vehicle my concern would be if Ford decided the fault was within acceptable parameters. I would be looking for an Automotive Engineering Consultant to confirm this and if not would use their evidence to reject the vehicle, which can still be done outside the usual 6 months if you can prove that the vehicle was defective when sold. The Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA) might be a good place to look for an expert but it will cost you.

I think thats very good avice

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[vwRob]

I think thats very good avice

An inspection by a someone as suggested is a must.
Having been involved in the repair of accident damaged vehicles in the past, from what I can see in the photo it is possible the steel is too thin and not reinforced enough to take the strain of a heavy load behind cab. I have seen similar damage when a vehicle is shunted in the rear due to the leverage effect midway at the weakest point. The affected area would be repaired on a jig or written off. I would look other areas such as the cab to roof join for any movement or out of alignment to the cab doors.
The above is the worst case senario, hopefully it can be rectified by realignment and reinforcement of the affected area with steel plates mig welded and properly rustproofed.
As already mentioned the suppling dealer should be told of the situation.
Good luck.

 

[ktm707]

My van is going in for inspection next Friday, 90 mile round trip (thanks Ford) but being impatient, I crawled underneath to have a look and found damage virtually identical to Jo-jo's. They must have come out of the factory in that state. There's a large outrigger spot welded to the main chassis rails which supports the cab B pillar and to my eye there's no evidence of issues with the spot welds, so I'm wondering if there was excess pressure or something applied by a jig when they were welding up the chassis or defective tooling? They still shouldn't have passed quality control.

 

[Stoosal]

My van is going in for inspection next Friday, 90 mile round trip (thanks Ford) but being impatient, I crawled underneath to have a look and found damage virtually identical to Jo-jo's. They must have come out of the factory in that state. There's a large outrigger spot welded to the main chassis rails which supports the cab B pillar and to my eye there's no evidence of issues with the spot welds, so I'm wondering if there was excess pressure or something applied by a jig when they were welding up the chassis or defective tooling? They still shouldn't have passed quality control.

Is there a misplaced spot weld…..?

 

[Jo-jo]

ktm707 Ford will request photos from a specific angle (I don't have that photo) and a video. I'd try and make sure they speak to Ford before you leave to save you having to go again, so they provide everything Ford want.

 

[Kiffta]

Hi Jo-Jo our Swift was in last week for the recall and the dealer found what they stated was a crack in the chassis, at the same location as your deformation. Initial response from Ford was that it was welding splatter, which is rubbish. We have logged a formal complaint regarding their opinion, as they have totally disregarded what the inspecting dealer described and provided photographs of.
I’m interested to know if Ford has indicated yet as to how it intends to deal with your issue.

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[Kiffta]

ktm707 Ford will request photos from a specific angle (I don't have that photo) and a video. I'd try and make sure they speak to Ford before you leave to save you having to go again, so they provide everything Ford want.

Hi Jo-Jo our Swift was in last week for the recall and the dealer found what they stated was a crack in the chassis, at the same location as your deformation. Initial response from Ford was that it was welding splatter, which is rubbish. We have logged a formal complaint regarding their opinion, as they have totally disregarded what the inspecting dealer described and provided photographs of.
I’m interested to know if Ford has indicated yet as to how it intends to deal with your issue.

 

[Jo-jo]

Hi Kiffta that doesn't sound good. I wouldn't be accepting that response, if the dealer says its cracked. No, they've not yet had a video from the dealer, so no response/remedial work has been discussed.

Assuming you've read through some of the very helpful responses on here, perhaps an independent inspection is required. Have you spoken to your supplier of your vehicle to notify them?

Also, if you haven't got the photo's, I'd definitely ask for them.

Sorry, you're having a tough time over it, I feel we'll be joining you.

 

[Kiffta]

Hi Kiffta that doesn't sound good. I wouldn't be accepting that response, if the dealer says its cracked. No, they've not yet had a video from the dealer, so no response/remedial work has been discussed.

Assuming you've read through some of the very helpful responses on here, perhaps an independent inspection is required. Have you spoken to your supplier of your vehicle to notify them?

Also, if you haven't got the photo's, I'd definitely ask for them.

Sorry, you're having a tough time over it, I feel we'll be joining you.

Thanks for the response, yes we have the photographs from the dealer. Our dealer stated that they could not state whether our vehicle was safe to drive, as they had no direction from Ford. That is other than Ford claiming nothing needed doing, due to it being welding splatter. I have emailed the DVSA as they now encompass VOSA and asked if they can look at the photos and give advice as to whether it is safe to drive. If necessary we have said we would be happy to make the vehicle available to anyone they can recommend to inspect the issue.
In regard to your comment regarding remedial work being talked about on your vehicle. If you weren’t aware, there is a government website that covers recalls. Under each recall number it will state what action the manufacturer will take if an issue is found. In regard to the recall number for our chassis, it states that the corrective action will be that Ford will buy the vehicle back, there is no suggestion there will be any repairs made. It’s no wonder Ford aren’t hurrying to respond, given the potential costs involved. We will wait to see what comes of our complaint. I asked that they send a Ford engineer in person to inspect the damage given they were disputing the dealers observations and photographs and that I would like to be present when such inspection is carried out.
If we find it is necessary we will look to employ a company that carries out None Destructive Testing to confirm once and for all if it’s a crack and then take it from there. It’s all very frustrating to say the least, our van has only done 2400 miles since we got it in June 2024.

 

[Jo-jo]

If a dealer technician has said it's cracked, I'm not sure how Ford can wriggle out of it. If it went in for MOT, would it be deemed driveable with a cracked chassis, I doubt it.

Yes, we saw the recall on the government website re Ford buy-back.

Would you be prepared to share your photos on here? I understand if not, as it's gone to a formal complaint.

 

[Kiffta]

If a dealer technician has said it's cracked, I'm not sure how Ford can wriggle out of it. If it went in for MOT, would it be deemed driveable with a cracked chassis, I doubt it.

Yes, we saw the recall on the government website re Ford buy-back.

Would you be prepared to share your photos on here? I understand if not, as it's gone to a formal complaint.

At this time I won’t be posting photographs for the reasons you mentioned. However for your information, what the Ford dealer technician describes as a crack runs vertically for what I would estimate four inches and is located pretty much directly above the area you have highlighted in your photograph.

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