When will I ...

[buddyg]

Dealer should ban together and sue Ford that is ridiculous. It’s a manufacturing issue and they make the dealers suffer?

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[25Raptor]

I was told they are …

 

[Kaptain75329]

Yep. I’m getting more nervous by the day haha. My 26 GT is scheduled for production on 10/20. We’ll see

Right there with you: my order for a custom 2026 Mustang GT was pushed back a few days ago by one week, but this is not new for me. This happened when I custom ordered my 2011, 2016, and 2019 Mustangs. The 2019 was a hard one for me: there were enormous parts constraints on MagneRide at the time, and the process has never been the most transparent. I expected the same with my 2026 order and so far no surprises. I anticipate at least one more schedule change, possibly two, before it's all said and done. So far things are playing out as they usually do with Ford. It's a complicated business.

When dealing with Ford on custom orders, we the customers have to learn a few things the hard way:

• Scheduling changes for custom builds are part of Ford's process. Ford estimates based on available demand data and then they update as additional data helps complete the picture of where they stand with manufacturing.
• Ford's build schedules are fluid because they have to be: it's a fact of life with a unionized workforce. But, as most of us know, Supply Chain is the bigger factor here, largely because Ford will, by design, underbuy - then they do secondary supply orders as needed based on the demand they actually observe in real time.
• It has to be this way because 1) Ford has to estimate parts orders months in advance and there's no way at present to really get that estimate correct in one go. 2) Getting the estimate right the first time is near impossible because Ford takes so many custom orders (considerably more so than most of their competitors) making these estimates for supply orders part guessing game and part cost-saving strategy.

On that, when it comes to custom orders, Ford never really knows what's priority from one year to the next, and they have added to that conundrum by editing/deleting options, rearranging packaging, and raising prices annually for the last 4 years. In turn, that approach has and will continue to significantly influence what customers decide to order, forcing Ford to essentially start over with supply chain estimates every model year. The fix would be to have sufficient parts inventory for nearly every build combination - but that solution is astronomically expensive. So much so, that it is not workable in Ford's current financial situation. As a result, Ford is stuck doing these band-aids on supply chain because they haven't fixed their sales numbers, which they can't do until they get these interminable recalls under control.

It sounds dumb, but anyone who's ever had to manage inventory in IT, medical device, or automotive businesses knows there really isn't a better way to do this right now. Textbook irony: Ford really wants more of their business to be custom orders so they don't have throw incentives on the hood to sell dealer lot cars. This would save them money and increase profit. Yet, quality went down because Ford was trying to save money and increase profit. We can only hope Ford is learning the right lessons here. Beyond that, if Ford wants custom orders to make more of their business, the experience has to get predictable and routine. For that to happen, Ford needs to be consistent on quality so that those issues don't exist to slow down or screw up the custom order process. Ford already has products people want + an enthusiastic fanbase, so at least they got the hard part on track.

With all this said, you expressed concern that the recall on Mustangs regarding defective sealant that threatens vehicle electrical systems is a possible reason for the schedule changes. On that, I feel confident in pointing out this is unlikely.

Explicitly because:

• The 26's appear to be getting pushed back due to remaining fulfillment of the 2025 builds, which in Ford world is normal as I detailed above.
• Specific to the recall, that only impacts existing cars already built, regardless of whether they are still at the factory, on the dealer lots, or in customers' driveways. Cars yet to be built will not have this problem as Ford already fixed the defect on the production line quite some time ago per the NHTSA link in the next point.
• Direct from the NHTSA: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V546-2755.pdf -- it's clear from Ford that the manufacturing dates of affected cars will not include 2026 models. Also important to note that 2025 models were still being built into August, which means the defect has already been prevented on the remaining 2025 jobs left to be built.
• Some perspective: Ford indicated that a possible 105,441 cars were impacted, and the media sure had a field day hyping that number for clicks. However, Ford is adamant that specifically 1% of that number is actually affected. This is likely because only a select few robots were building incorrectly, not all of them. Ford is on record saying most of those cars assembled in the affected time frame were actually built correctly.
• Ford was hoping containment workarounds would be enough for the affected cars. Considering the problem was related to both robotic and manual application of sealants, the fix really will be complicated and likely involve partial disassembly to get at where the root problem is. That's not going to be easy, but it also won't happen on the same assembly lines building new Mustangs.
• At present, existing cars can't be fixed at the Factory once they've been delivered to dealers and customers as logistics would exponentially more complicated and costs drastically higher just on shipping alone. The most probable solution at this point would be for dealers to outsource the repair work to local body shops if they cannot fix the cars in-house.
• Might be a different story for cars still on factory grounds awaiting shipment. We will have to wait and see what Ford decides. As of now, the answer is not simply to put the car back on the assembly line - the defect in application of sealant appears to be unique to each car as evidenced by Ford's admission that the problem cannot be fixed with a replacement part. On the plus side, cars in this exact scenario are few, and since they are just sitting on the Factory shipping stage grounds, they are not causing changes to the build schedule for remaining 2025 and pending 2026 Mustangs.

The issue here with build schedule changes is Ford is doing normal Ford things; thankfully, the recall is not a factor for those of us waiting on our 2026 Mustangs. If you're new to custom ordering a Ford, the normal schedule changes look like delays - and that can be unnerving for obvious reasons. If it's not new to you though, I can only say I feel your pain as I've seen these schedule changes be an integral part of the process with Mustangs since 2011.

The wait is worth it though - it's never been longer than 5 months in my experience, and the car always turns out perfect.

 

[Frogdog1]

Dealers suing Ford is a good way for dealers to lose a franchise. Just getting a car franchise is difficult to do and they can be difficult to keep. They aren't just handed out. No dealer is going to make it or not make it because of Mustang sales. If Ford quit making Mustangs today, dealers wouldn't suffer much if at all.

Anyone want to be a GM dealership with the V8 pick up engine problems? That's over 600K engines so far and yes, dealers are paying the floor plan for defective pick up and SUV engines in new vehicles. 91,000 Jeep Cherokees were just recalled. Ford isn't alone on recalls.

 

[Riptide]

Right there with you: my order for a custom 2026 Mustang GT was pushed back a few days ago by one week, but this is not new for me. This happened when I custom ordered my 2011, 2016, and 2019 Mustangs. The 2019 was a hard one for me: there were enormous parts constraints on MagneRide at the time, and the process has never been the most transparent. I expected the same with my 2026 order and so far no surprises. I anticipate at least one more schedule change, possibly two, before it's all said and done. So far things are playing out as they usually do with Ford. It's a complicated business.

When dealing with Ford on custom orders, we the customers have to learn a few things the hard way:

• Scheduling changes for custom builds are part of Ford's process. Ford estimates based on available demand data and then they update as additional data helps complete the picture of where they stand with manufacturing.
• Ford's build schedules are fluid because they have to be: it's a fact of life with a unionized workforce. But, as most of us know, Supply Chain is the bigger factor here, largely because Ford will, by design, underbuy - then they do secondary supply orders as needed based on the demand they actually observe in real time.
• It has to be this way because 1) Ford has to estimate parts orders months in advance and there's no way at present to really get that estimate correct in one go. 2) Getting the estimate right the first time is near impossible because Ford takes so many custom orders (considerably more so than most of their competitors) making these estimates for supply orders part guessing game and part cost-saving strategy.

On that, when it comes to custom orders, Ford never really knows what's priority from one year to the next, and they have added to that conundrum by editing/deleting options, rearranging packaging, and raising prices annually for the last 4 years. In turn, that approach has and will continue to significantly influence what customers decide to order, forcing Ford to essentially start over with supply chain estimates every model year. The fix would be to have sufficient parts inventory for nearly every build combination - but that solution is astronomically expensive. So much so, that it is not workable in Ford's current financial situation. As a result, Ford is stuck doing these band-aids on supply chain because they haven't fixed their sales numbers, which they can't do until they get these interminable recalls under control.

It sounds dumb, but anyone who's ever had to manage inventory in IT, medical device, or automotive businesses knows there really isn't a better way to do this right now. Textbook irony: Ford really wants more of their business to be custom orders so they don't have throw incentives on the hood to sell dealer lot cars. This would save them money and increase profit. Yet, quality went down because Ford was trying to save money and increase profit. We can only hope Ford is learning the right lessons here. Beyond that, if Ford wants custom orders to make more of their business, the experience has to get predictable and routine. For that to happen, Ford needs to be consistent on quality so that those issues don't exist to slow down or screw up the custom order process. Ford already has products people want + an enthusiastic fanbase, so at least they got the hard part on track.

With all this said, you expressed concern that the recall on Mustangs regarding defective sealant that threatens vehicle electrical systems is a possible reason for the schedule changes. On that, I feel confident in pointing out this is unlikely.

Explicitly because:

• The 26's appear to be getting pushed back due to remaining fulfillment of the 2025 builds, which in Ford world is normal as I detailed above.
• Specific to the recall, that only impacts existing cars already built, regardless of whether they are still at the factory, on the dealer lots, or in customers' driveways. Cars yet to be built will not have this problem as Ford already fixed the defect on the production line quite some time ago per the NHTSA link in the next point.
• Direct from the NHTSA: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2025/RCLRPT-25V546-2755.pdf -- it's clear from Ford that the manufacturing dates of affected cars will not include 2026 models. Also important to note that 2025 models were still being built into August, which means the defect has already been prevented on the remaining 2025 jobs left to be built.
• Some perspective: Ford indicated that a possible 105,441 cars were impacted, and the media sure had a field day hyping that number for clicks. However, Ford is adamant that specifically 1% of that number is actually affected. This is likely because only a select few robots were building incorrectly, not all of them. Ford is on record saying most of those cars assembled in the affected time frame were actually built correctly.
• Ford was hoping containment workarounds would be enough for the affected cars. Considering the problem was related to both robotic and manual application of sealants, the fix really will be complicated and likely involve partial disassembly to get at where the root problem is. That's not going to be easy, but it also won't happen on the same assembly lines building new Mustangs.
• At present, existing cars can't be fixed at the Factory once they've been delivered to dealers and customers as logistics would exponentially more complicated and costs drastically higher just on shipping alone. The most probable solution at this point would be for dealers to outsource the repair work to local body shops if they cannot fix the cars in-house.
• Might be a different story for cars still on factory grounds awaiting shipment. We will have to wait and see what Ford decides. As of now, the answer is not simply to put the car back on the assembly line - the defect in application of sealant appears to be unique to each car as evidenced by Ford's admission that the problem cannot be fixed with a replacement part. On the plus side, cars in this exact scenario are few, and since they are just sitting on the Factory shipping stage grounds, they are not causing changes to the build schedule for remaining 2025 and pending 2026 Mustangs.

The issue here with build schedule changes is Ford is doing normal Ford things; thankfully, the recall is not a factor for those of us waiting on our 2026 Mustangs. If you're new to custom ordering a Ford, the normal schedule changes look like delays - and that can be unnerving for obvious reasons. If it's not new to you though, I can only say I feel your pain as I've seen these schedule changes be an integral part of the process with Mustangs since 2011.

The wait is worth it though - it's never been longer than 5 months in my experience, and the car always turns out perfect.

Hopefully all ends up well. This is my first ever custom order of any vehicle so I really have no idea what to expect. Granger Ford in Iowa has been great to work with so far

 

[25Raptor]

Dealers suing Ford is a good way for dealers to lose a franchise.

Well word is it’s ALL dealers, not just one

 

[Frogdog1]

Well word is it’s ALL dealers, not just one

I highly doubt that. Not all dealers are focused on a few Mustang sales compared to the bulk of what they sell and need support on, i.e. pickup's, SUV's, and their whole line-up besides Mustangs. which is a comparatively small part of their business, and trucks up to the GVW they are allowed to sell.

Once a business relationship is destroyed, it's destroyed and usually forever. Being a dealer is a huge complex investment to the franchisee that I doubt few want ruined by just a Mustang issue that is going to pass. Not pleasant for them or customers but selling Mustangs has much less of an impact to a dealer than selling F150's, SUV's, etc.

Also, in a franchise business model, the franchisor will never sit down with dealers as a group when there is conflict. They will only do it one on one and avoid "group or mass conversation" on such an issue.

I've owned a major franchise at one time in a prior life and ganging up on the franchisor is something they won't do and it always backfires. Updates and progess is a story that Ford will communicate about as there is change. Ford is dependent on suppliers and people are emotional but the issue will pass. This is not a worn out concept. Patience is the key in this issue while Ford works through the "mechanical part of the moving parts" of the problem. And from first hand experience, Ford will not hesitate to "beat up on suppliers" if that's what is needed.

This isn't what anybody wants but it is what it is.

 

[25Raptor]

I highly doubt that. Not all dealers are focused on a few Mustang sales compared to the bulk of what they sell and need support on, i.e. pickup's, SUV's, and their whole line-up besides Mustangs. which is a comparatively small part of their business, and trucks up to the GVW they are allowed to sell.

Once a business relationship is destroyed, it's destroyed and usually forever. Being a dealer is a huge complex investment to the franchisee that I doubt few want ruined by just a Mustang issue that is going to pass. Not pleasant for them or customers but selling Mustangs has much less of an impact to a dealer than selling F150's, SUV's, etc.

Also, in a franchise business model, the franchisor will never sit down with dealers as a group when there is conflict. They will only do it one on one and avoid "group or mass conversation" on such an issue.

I've owned a major franchise at one time in a prior life and ganging up on the franchisor is something they won't do and it always backfires. Updates and progess is a story that Ford will communicate about as there is change. Ford is dependent on suppliers and people are emotional but the issue will pass. This is not a worn out concept. Patience is the key in this issue while Ford works through the "mechanical part of the moving parts" of the problem. And from first hand experience, Ford will not hesitate to "beat up on suppliers" if that's what is needed.

This isn't what anybody wants but it is what it is.

Well you are wrong - Ford dealers have an organized group (like a union sort of) and they are all bringing action against ford to return the floor plan interest paid on units they can’t sell due to recalls. I really don’t care if you believe it …

 

[Frogdog1]

Well you are wrong - Ford dealers have an organized group (like a union sort of) and they are all bringing action against ford to return the floor plan interest paid on units they can’t sell due to recalls. I really don’t care if you believe it …

Dealers don't have anywhere near the bargaining power of an organized union, dealer group or not. Lawsuits are always the last resort. Your business experience and acumen are lacking and no, I don't care what you believe either. Over and out.

 

[agentdarnell]

My dealer just had me sign a letter stating I was aware of the recall and it would be fixed as soon as something is available. I took the car home that day after all paperwork was complete.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

That’s interesting. It’s my understanding that the recall is mandated by NHTSA and Ford has no say in the matter. Signing a liability waiver didn’t seem like an option.

But that said, if that’s how it went down, good for you! Get that key fob and burn rubber outta there before they change their mind!

It’s a valid recall, but to put a stop-sale on the cars because if it is ridiculous. And how does it take Ford 6 more months to figure out how to apply a better bead of silicone caulk around the BCM?

 

[25Raptor]

Dealers don't have anywhere near the bargaining power of an organized union, dealer group or not. Lawsuits are always the last resort. Your business experience and acumen are lacking and no, I don't care what you believe either. Over and out.

You clearly have no idea what you’re talking about, warm up some milk, get your blanky and binky and go night, night

 

[AZ_Ryan]

My dealer just had me sign a letter stating I was aware of the recall and it would be fixed as soon as something is available. I took the car home that day after all paperwork was complete.

This is good news. I don't understand why they can't just do the inspection and let the car go subject to a future fix. Surely most of these cars do not have water issues or we'd be hearing a lot more of it.

 

[MAT1955]

@25Raptor ..... aren't all Mustangs on "sale" now where all options are deducted?

 

[25Raptor]

@25Raptor ..... aren't all Mustangs on "sale" now where all options are deducted?

No Clue my man ...

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