Lincoln isn't alone when it comes to having issues

[akirby]

Cosmos your are correct.

 

I have been reading posts all over this forum blaming everything except the engineered assembly process. I can speak to this because I have worked on the assembly line at Ford Oakville. Many years have lapsed since I was in that position but nevertheless I can completely agree with Cosmos. 

 

There were many, many times that fit was an issue on the line. eg, an interior door panel has metal push pins that line up with holes in the door which hold it in place. The worker would line up the panel by sight and press or hit the panel with his her palm to engage the pins. Simple? No... because all pins must engage the entire perimeter of the door panel or you have a gap somewhere and sometimes a rattle. If one of the pins was slightly out of alignment that pin might break. There are numerous instances of brilliant engineering and design in a vehicle but less than that when the engineers takeover the design of the fastening methods and assembly. Not enough fasteners for a part, Fastening method in the wrong place. Usually this was correct as time passed. Process engineers periodically arrive at a workers stations to take note of assembly procedures and make the necessary changes if required. Workers usually inform supervisors if an issue exists. If fasteners line up and adjustments are kept to a minimum the vehicle has nice fits and all is good. The average worker has between 50 - 65 seconds to do their job so there is little time for error.

 

They assemble quality vehicles there and I am dumbfounded as to why there are so many unhappy customers with lousy fits. Job 1 to Job 100 maybe some minor adjustments may have to be done by repair in final inspection or the dealer if that is overlooked.

 

Obviously, Lincoln assembly line inspectors and dealers are missing quite a bit according to the complaints I have read.

My MKX is fine.

 

This is EXACTLY the point I was making about engineering and how it affects quality.   The engineering on the first gen Fusions built in Hermosillo was virtually bulletproof and the quality of the assembled vehicles was also bulletproof.    As soon as they changed to CD4 for the 2013s which was based on the European EUCD platform with different suppliers it was a nightmare of rattles and squeaks and poorly installed parts.   The workers didn't change overnight.  And we saw similar things with the Escape and Focus.

 

That's not to excuse the line workers completely, but if you engineer it right it makes it far more difficult for a bad worker to screw it up.  Line speed could also be a contributor.

 

Also Lincoln has advertised additional inspections for their vehicles after assembly so it doesn't quite make sense that we're still seeing so many issues.

 

Now that they're solidly profitable they really need to spend some of those profits on QA, better engineering and a higher quality manufacturing process.

[walkabout]

One observation about the mkx is that mine has been more free of squeaks and rattles at acquisition than any car I've ever owned. Whether it will stay that way over time remains to be seen.

 

I'm also not upset with the panel gaps on the exterior (which are on par with my bmw).

 

I think Lincoln had a lot of work to do with regard to interior assembly and materials.

Edited December 8, 2016 by walkabout

[akirby]

Honestly I haven't noticed any issues with ours as far as panel gaps or noises inside or out.  But I'm not that picky about panel gaps.

[Cosmos36]

No squeaks, no rattles, no interior panel gaps, no water leaks, no exhaust fumes, etc....actually everything is perfect inside. One of the tightest, quietest cars I've owned in 60 years.

 

When the sun strikes the windshield at a proper angle, I have noted the windshield 'bubbles' though.

[walkabout]

I don't have the windshield problem.

 

As far as fit and finish issues, mine have all been with the interior where I see various trim pieces peeling away.

 

As I mentioned,I saw similar problems on two of the four loaners I've had.

Edited December 8, 2016 by walkabout

[mfam16]

I'm with akirby on this one as well. I've always focused on mechanical, structure, & safety. Next is tech and how well it works.

 

Panel gaps and molding all have margin of error. Plus it's much easier and quicker to fix those issues than mechanical.

 

That's not too say we should accept the flaws. As others have stated, if we hold manufacturers to higher standards they will have to improve

[Timmer]

I'm a little over three months and 3,000 miles into my special order August '16 build MKX.

 

Delivery day! 

 

 

Thus far my Lincoln had been just about perfect. I've not had the serious problems or quality concerns others have posted about.

 

And thus far, I'm very happy with my dealer, (Apple Valley Ford/Lincoln. Apple Valley, Minnesota) but I've yet to have to put them to the test of resolving a serious problem.

 

Prior to my MKX, I owned a 1998 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer which was built at the now closed Ford St. Louis, Missouri plant.

 

At 186,000 miles and 18 model years later, I traded my beloved Explorer in for the MKX.

 

In 18 years, the most significant repairs my Explorer needed were replacing outer tie rod ends, two brake jobs, and of course, several sets of new tires.

 

Final Explorer pic - Saying goodbye to a great car!

 

 

So I guess I've been very, very lucky with my Ford and now Lincoln vehicles.  

 

I'm a firm believer in calling a spade a spade.  But I think it is only fair to also point out the good as well.

 

In my case, (knock on wood) thus far with Ford and Lincoln it's all been good!.

 

Timmer

Edited December 8, 2016 by Timmer

[mfam16]

Congrats Timmer! Great looking X!

[punch-card]

Timmer,

Still love your color choice, inside and out

Edited December 9, 2016 by punch-card

[walkabout]

Beautiful Timmer! I hope you enjoy it for many years.