6.8
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $1,270
- Average Mileage:
- 40,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 32 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (16 reports)
- repaint car (10 reports)
- replace hood (4 reports)
- repaint (2 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
The paint along the leading edge of the hood is bubbling in several areas. I observed the same issue on a number of Explorers around Lake Charles, LA. and have taken pictures. I didn't save them but will start again and send to this site.
- Leon L., Lake Charles, LA, US
Noticed my hood paint was bubbling (common issue with these Explorers). Contacted Ford and they told me to take it to a dealer. Took it to the dealer who is now giving me the run around and won't answer if Ford has denied this claim or not. I will never buy one of these garbage vehicles ever again.
- Bryant K., Saint Louis, MO, US
The paint all across the front of the hood where it meets the grill is bubbling. The paint on grill is flaking. Disgusting on a truck that is only a few years old. I have had Explorers since they first came out, this is the last one for me.
- Debbie E., Taylorsville, KY, US
click to see larger images
My Explorer is 4 years old and I've owned it for 2 years. I noticed the paint on the edge of the hood peeling this summer and is quickly spreading. It's not even on the very front where Ford can say it's from rocks, sand, salt. I called my local Ford dealership and they said it sounds like a PROBLEM THEY'VE SEEN with their Explorers called aluminum corrosion. Apparently my car has too many miles on it for Ford to do anything about the problem they knew about.
This is the most I've ever spent on a vehicle and is/was the nicest I've owned. I expect quality when spending that kind of money... at the very least offer to help with repairing something they knew about. I have done nothing but baby this vehicle BECAUSE of the amount of money I spent and I get paint chipping??! I've always kept my vehicles for a long time, years and years.. I have NEVER had paint chipping.
I really love the Explorer and the way it looks but I'm done. I will never buy a Ford again.
- jfenner, Chippewa Falls, US
click to see larger images
Ford needs to step up and be responsible for their total disregard for quality control.
- Dan D., Syracuse, US
i have a 2014 Ford Sport Explorer and notice a bubbling of the paint at the edge of the hood. I have had Fords all of my life and have never had problems with the paint. If this issue continues as a lot of people have reported on Google it will be the last one I buy. I did have plans on purchasing a new truck, but if its made of aluminum and the paint keeps doing this, I will not be making this purchase. I don't have the money to fix it. Only four years old and I have to deal with this. Great!!!
- Chris W., Swedesburg, IA, US
Car not even 6-months old and they had to re-spray the front hood due to paint bubbling and peeling.
- jayce_7, Ponte Vedra Beach, US
The paint is bubbling on the hood of my 2014 Ford Explorer Limited. Upon research, I found several forums where people were having the same issue with their Explorers. I purchased the vehicle brand new. In fact, it still had the shipping plastic on it when we told the salesman we were coming to see it!!
I found this issue about a month after my Ford Warranty had expired. When I presented it to the dealer body shop (before I could even say the model of my car the guy knew the issue as soon as I said paint bubbling), they told me that it wouldn't be covered because it fell outside of the 36K/3 year warranty period. Bear in mind, I also purchased an extended warranty when I bought the car. It was also not covered under this warranty either. So the body shop said they couldn't help but the issue was due to the metal the hood was made of & very nicely gave me an estimate to fix. It was quite clear Ford dealership was aware of the problem but wasn't going to help....Since this wasn't the dealership I bought from I then decided today to contact them. Waiting to hear back.
I hope Ford will fix the problem but not sure! We have always been Ford fans but we will see if they help with this or not.
- tlbrod, Tomball, US
I bought my 2014 Explorer in May of 2017. After getting it home I noticed 2 spots on the hood that we're bubbling. I called the dealer and of course they said there is nothing they could do. They told me the Explorers are known for this because if the aluminum hoods. They haven't recalled them yet. So I'm stuck with the repair cost. We always had Chevrolet vehicles. I like my Explorer, but if this is how Ford is going to treat their customers. I'll be going back to Chevrolet products.
- Lori P., Nashville, US
The paint is bubbling on the hood of my 2014 Ford Explorer Limited. Upon research, I discovered that it is an aluminum hood that wasn't adequately acid dipped (prepped) before paint was applied. I also found several forums where people were having the same issue with their Explorers.
I noticed this about 5000 miles ago but it got worse to the point where paint started come off. When I presented it to the dealer, they told me that it wouldn't be covered because it fell outside of the 36K/3 year warranty period. Bear in mind, I also purchased a $4000 extended warranty when I bought the car. It was also not covered under this warranty either. When I spoke to the dealership, they connected me with Ford Corporate. I felt like a ping pong ball going back and forth as nobody could give me a straight answer in how to fix this or how it would be covered.
Finally, I was told that they would need to strip the hood at my expense, to determine if any corrosion had started. That would be the only way that Ford would fix the issue. Corrosion is covered up to 5 years, but defective paint isn't. Although there isn't any corrosion yet, I was told by the dealer that it would be inevitable with time. Also keep in mind, that this car is washed weekly and kept under cover. This is absolutely unacceptable for a $40K vehicle that is 3 years old. There was no accountability from corporate even though the issue stemmed from a manufacturing problem. After hours of back and forth, no solution was offered other than I am out of luck and on my own.
This was such a disappointing outcome for this problem. I don't know if I would consider buying another Ford because of the way this was handled alone.
Update from Aug 1, 2017: I contacted the owner of my local Ford dealership directly and was told that she would look into my case. I will update my complaint as I get more info! I am keeping my fingers crossed that we can get this fixed!
- 222cmd, Kirkland, US
Noticed what I believed was a chip from a rock. Didn't look further until the car was just outside of the warranty and I discovered that the paint is bubbling and peeling at the entire edge of the front hood. Ford will not acknowledge that this is a paint/hood problem and just maintains that they aren't responsible since it is out of warranty. Hard to believe that Ford wants a $50,000 vehicle of theirs that is relatively new driving around with paint falling off.
- Anjie G., Alton, IL, US
Explorer hood has two points of corrosion above the headlights in the same place on either side. Just noticed about two weeks ago. Car has about 40K but dealer says because there is no hole under the corrosion the warranty doesn't apply. This was my first and will be my last Ford product. I've owned GM vehicles for years and never-ever had this problem anywhere on the vehicles. I'm so glad my new pick-up is a Chevrolet. I was considering another look at Ford at the time but now I'll never look at them again!
- John S., Edna, TX, US
A few days ago we noticed 6 spots on the edge of the hood on our Explorer bubbling up. Some are about a quarter inch and one is around an inch. We contacted our dealership that we purchased the vehicle from and they did not care to help us (Invergrove Ford) in Minnesota. The service manager we spoke to told us that Ford was not willing to pay for it to be fixed. From there we took it to Apple Valley Ford and their service manager was more than helpful. He checked it and said it was very common on Explorers and would set up a claim for paint repairs on hood and would get back with us when he hears back from Ford. In the meantime we also set up a claim with Ford Customer Care but have not heard anything back yet. We will see if Ford stands by their products but my guess is no they will not.
- Mike Y., Collins, US
HAD LOTS FORDS IN MY LIFE , LAST ONE 2014 EXPLORER XLT, LOTS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS , NOW I GOT PAINT BOBLING ON HOOD 12 DAYS AFTER WARRANTEE WAS OVER ON BUMPER TO BUMPER, DEALER SAID ITS DIFFECT BUT FORD DONT CARE ,MY FAULT THAT BOUGTH A FORD , 22908 MILES, 3 YEARS AND IT NEED TO BE PAINTED ,
- John P., Coventry, RI, US
Aluminum hood with paint bubbling around the edges. Ford customer service won't do anything. Said the vehicle is out of warranty. Apparently it is ok for one of their "high end" vehicles to have paint peeling off it after 3 years! This is a known issue and they do nothing about it. Will pay to fix it myself $750, and kiss this POS goodbye - along with Ford altogether!
- Walt W., Houston, TX, US
click to see larger images
Bought the truck used but w/n warranty from a Chevrolet dealer. No wonder they were so eager to get rid of it. No disclosure from them obviously. The defect runs all along the hood where it curves at the front. After investigating the problem on this relatively new vehicle, I have found like others have that this same problem has existed for some time with no answers from Ford. What a disappointment especially for my wife who waited so long to get the vehicle of her dreams. I will say thank you to big business Ford up front knowing that ever with a class action suit they will not be held totally accountable as they should. I say stand up for once and show you can still provide excellent customer service. Take ownership and join Trump in making America GREAT again. Maybe people will buy American again or what is left that is American in automobiles today.
- integrity, columbia, IL, US
Area with bubbling is the rear left corner in the roof.
- Joly A., Auh, auh, United Arab Emirates
BOTTOM OF DOORS RUSTING AGAIN. 2ND TIME AT THE SHOP
- John Y., Rayland, OH, US
PAINT COMING OFF OF HOOD AND BOTTOM OR BOTH FRONT DOORS RUSTING
- John Y., Rayland, OH, US
I am very upset that Ford will not address this issue, I have ranted with the dealership several times and each time I was instructed that it must have been caused by a rock (really?) or excessive use of an automatic car wash. My vehicle is parked in the garage every evening and I take great pride in keeping it looking nice, I find it very tacky that I am not expected to wash my vehicle and keep it in great shape. I have gotten several estimates and each one is more than I am willing to dish out ($900 up). I really wish that I could start a class action suit regarding this matter. This is not an isolated case!
- Michelle S., Indianapolis, US