ALL ON FARLEY. Even the Free Ford Press was forced to write an article that isn’t all Farley Fluff. Engine valves, electrical issues and body panel fit. Three MAJOR issues, why would anyone want to buy any Ford vehicle?
2024 Ford Mustang quality review leads to plant down time
Phoebe Wall Howard
Detroit Free Press USA TODAY NETWORK
Ford Motor Co. has cut work shifts of UAW members at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant while in the process of launching the all-new classic 2024 Mustang, the Detroit Free Press has learned.
The automaker has scheduled “down weeks” at the plant between April 24 and May 8, with plans to be down the week of May 8, too, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker said.
The Free Press learned that the build-out of the 2024 model was finished the first week of April but quality review is focusing specifically on:
Fitment issues with the body panels.
Electrical issues that involve engineering.
V-8 engine having internal valve issues.
In response to an email from the Free Press outlining the specific concerns above, Felker replied on April 26 and reaffirmed Friday, “We are committed to ensuring our vehicles are built with the quality our customers deserve and will take the appropriate actions to deliver this commitment.”
She noted that the company has modified its vehicle launch processes to focus heavily on quality, which means slowing down vehicle release rather than delivering vehicles that end up recalled. Ford spends billions of dollars on recalls annually, far more than its competitors. And these costs erode profits.
A UAW member at Flat Rock, who asked that his name not be used because he's not authorized to speak to the news media and fears job retribution, said factory workers aren't responsible for these needed fixes and they're frustrated they sacrifice wages while the company tries to remedy issues unrelated to assembly line work.
“The plant has worked very little,” the member told the Free Press.
Ken Tomalak, Flat Rock Assembly Plant chairman affiliated with UAW Union Local 3000, declined to comment to the Free Press. He referred inquiries to a Ford spokesperson.
Ford halted production of its F-150 Lightning for five weeks after a Feb. 4 battery fire in the Dearborn holding lot. The company recalled 18 pickup trucks as a result and has said its battery maker has addressed the concern.