If you own or intend buying a white Ford Ecosport - beware!

[FlashSA]

I purchased a new white Ecosport in Feb this year for my wife. We love the car.

Last week I noticed, in bright sunlight, that the car shimmers like it has a metallic paint (which it does not). I didn't pay much attention but this past weekend I recalled reading a letter to car magazine regarding the Ecosport's bodywork:

Sure enough, on closer inspection our car had the dots all over the car but they were silver. This morning, after my wife drove to work in the rain, they have all taken on a rust colour - the entire car has fine rust coloured dots on the bodywork.

I then decided, on a hunch from the CAR MAG letter, to go and snoop around the Ford showroom and what do you know - they have a brand new white Ecosport on the floor and it is COVERED in silver industrial fallout spots. When I pointed it out to my salesman he said he couldn't see it but started acting all ducky and divey.

Workshop gave me the whole "industrial fallout can be picked up anywhere" blah blah. Eventually they were willing for me to bring the car in and have photographs of it sent to Ford SA.

In the meanwhile I have found a detailing guy who will use a special liquid to remove the fallout and then give the whole car a treatment for R500. I just don't have the patience to go through a lengthy warranty fight.

Moral of the story - these Ecosport's are picking up fallout somewhere before they hit the showroom floor - inspect carefully and hold Ford liable. The car is great but this is a bit poor from Ford SA!

 

[skinndeep]

Thanks FlashSA, would this be a country wide problem?

 

[FlashSA]

Thanks FlashSA, would this be a country wide problem?

It seems to be countrywide - it is happening somewhere along the car distribution line between India and Pretoria if I have to guess.

The detailer who is sorting my car out tomorrow said that he sorted another white Ecosport out last week. This other car was bought by an EL gent from an upcountry dealership. The gent inspected the car in the showroom for dents etc before signing. He then drove the car to EL and took it to the car wash. The next day the fine rust spots appeared.

These dots are very fine - my wife never noticed it - You have to stand less than 50cm away to see them. They are like tiny freckles all over the car.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Microdot technology

 

[MrGray]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is industrial fallout? Sounds a bit post-apocalyptic.

 

[FlashSA]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is industrial fallout? Sounds a bit post-apocalyptic.

From what I have read, industrial fallout is a very fine metal dust in the atmosphere which is positively charged and when it touches the negatively charged vehicle body, it infuses itself into the clear coat surface. High risk areas are near railway lines and industrial factories. Also in areas where lots of angle grinding takes place.

 

[sgs]

Imported Fords are usually covered in stick-on plastic sheeting covering the roof and bonnet area of the car up to delivery to the dealership. I know my Figo was.

So I'd say look closer to the dealership, or else all the way back in India even before covering. It is unlikely that this would have happened during transport...

 

[reactor_sa]

My dad had a Ford fiesta with the same problem, took it back on day 2, got a red one a week later. No charge.

 

[rorz0r]

I found the same on my mother in laws white audi from audi airport. She did buy it and only take delivery 3 months later for some odd reason so I figured it had been standing outside there. A bit of claying and it was fine.

This is my current favourite for that kind of thing: https://autofinesse.co.za/?wpsc-product=iron-out-contaminant-remover-1l
There's a similar product called Iron-X that's pretty much the same.

It's disgusting really the condition of "new" cars. Even seen the cleaner using a rag and sunlight on some new VWs on the floor.

 

[FlashSA]

I found the same on my mother in laws white audi from audi airport. She did buy it and only take delivery 3 months later for some odd reason so I figured it had been standing outside there. A bit of claying and it was fine.

This is my current favourite for that kind of thing: https://autofinesse.co.za/?wpsc-product=iron-out-contaminant-remover-1l
There's a similar product called Iron-X that's pretty much the same.

It's disgusting really the condition of "new" cars. Even seen the cleaner using a rag and sunlight on some new VWs on the floor.

Bodyworks fellow who referred me to the detailing guy earlier today advised against claying - he said that clay removes the top of the metal contaminant but leaves the lower bit buried into the edge of the clear coat. Liquid removal like the product you linked to is now favoured by many apparently

 

[rorz0r]

Claying should "pull" the contaminant out, almost like using prestik to clean. Definitely wouldn't hurt to use both.

 

[stroller]

Many years ago vehicles that were assembled in Durban, East London and PE were tansported by train to a depot in Kaalfontein.
Some of these had paint damage caused by metal particles that came off the wheels of the trucks when brakes were applied. Obviously these particles were red hot and the heat imbedded these filings into the paint.
The problem was initially solved by washing the vehicles with a weak acid solution that dissovlved the particles withut affecting the paint work.
It is conceivable that these glowing particles can melt the plastic cover and still impregnate the paint.

 

[Cruelty]

Dunno where to get Iron-X from. I use Dragon's Breath from CD. Warning: don't smell this stuff - it smells like fresh vomit.

Wash the car then spray Dragon's Breath all over the paintwork. Let it sit for a few minutes. You should see the liquid turning purple - this is the fallout being dissolved by the DB. Then wash the car again. Then wash it again again - it IS corrosive. Use a high pressure hose to rinse the car. Then clay the car. Then wash it again.

 

[FlashSA]

Got our Ecosport all sorted this morning - R500 to rub the car down with a clay mitten and the special liquid which dissolves the fallout, then a wash and a full protective wax - car looks better than the white one in the Ford showroom now

Awaiting feedback from Ford SA on this as I have mailed my information through to them. Not really looking for any reimbursement for my damages but rather want future buyers to have this issue eliminated from their new cars before they take delivery.

The big issue here is that as soon as the car leaves the showroom floor, dealer and their workshop give the customer the big "can pick it up anywhere and everywhere - you're on your own" which is BS considering their unsold stock is already tainted!

 

[FlashSA]

Final Feedback

Ford SA called to say that they will continue to investigate to ensure no further cars experience this fallout issue. As I confirmed that I was not seeking damages they closed the case. I hope that is more than just lip service from them. Such great cars and value for money!

 

[boxerulez]

I purchased a new white Ecosport in Feb this year for my wife. We love the car.

Last week I noticed, in bright sunlight, that the car shimmers like it has a metallic paint (which it does not). I didn't pay much attention but this past weekend I recalled reading a letter to car magazine regarding the Ecosport's bodywork: View attachment 221412

Sure enough, on closer inspection our car had the dots all over the car but they were silver. This morning, after my wife drove to work in the rain, they have all taken on a rust colour - the entire car has fine rust coloured dots on the bodywork.

I then decided, on a hunch from the CAR MAG letter, to go and snoop around the Ford showroom and what do you know - they have a brand new white Ecosport on the floor and it is COVERED in silver industrial fallout spots. When I pointed it out to my salesman he said he couldn't see it but started acting all ducky and divey.

Workshop gave me the whole "industrial fallout can be picked up anywhere" blah blah. Eventually they were willing for me to bring the car in and have photographs of it sent to Ford SA.

In the meanwhile I have found a detailing guy who will use a special liquid to remove the fallout and then give the whole car a treatment for R500. I just don't have the patience to go through a lengthy warranty fight.

Moral of the story - these Ecosport's are picking up fallout somewhere before they hit the showroom floor - inspect carefully and hold Ford liable. The car is great but this is a bit poor from Ford SA!

My boets 4yo fiesta had the same...

Our fleet cars... bantam 2004 and bt50 2014 also suffered this when new. I just wetsand/polished... do not have time to lose vehicles for a week each.

 

[boxerulez]

It seems to be countrywide - it is happening somewhere along the car distribution line between India and Pretoria if I have to guess.

The detailer who is sorting my car out tomorrow said that he sorted another white Ecosport out last week. This other car was bought by an EL gent from an upcountry dealership. The gent inspected the car in the showroom for dents etc before signing. He then drove the car to EL and took it to the car wash. The next day the fine rust spots appeared.

These dots are very fine - my wife never noticed it - You have to stand less than 50cm away to see them. They are like tiny freckles all over the car.

Now that I recall you are from EL.

Go look where they park their stock...and get a look into SBV yard right there...

 

[FlashSA]

Our 4x T6's had zero imperfections. Only the Ecosport had and the latest T6 was purchased after the Ecosport so that makes me feel it is happening before the EL storage yard.

 

[boxerulez]

I would not put it past EC Motors.

Bunch of plebs lately. BT50 went in for service 3 months ago... they bumped it in the workshop... went back this week for service and they fixed their bump from last service... now they scratched fender and the bumper skin is not alingned properly.

Also 2nd bt50 in a row the jouns on either side under the cab window are showing rust in the seam.

They do not pick it up in corrosion inspection I have to point it out to them.

And SBV has their repairs workshop on the other side of the wall where EC motors park their stock. There around the corner by Buffalo Park.

 

[FlashSA]

I would not put it past EC Motors.

Bunch of plebs lately. BT50 went in for service 3 months ago... they bumped it in the workshop... went back this week for service and they fixed their bump from last service... now they scratched fender and the bumper skin is not alingned properly.

Also 2nd bt50 in a row the jouns on either side under the cab window are showing rust in the seam.

They do not pick it up in corrosion inspection I have to point it out to them.

And SBV has their repairs workshop on the other side of the wall where EC motors park their stock. There around the corner by Buffalo Park.

Their workshop is under major pressure. Ford sales volumes have gone through the roof but the local workshop has not increased in size in over 10 years - it is now showing with vehicles crammed too close together and mistakes being made.

When BT-50's and T6's are parked next to each other in the collection bays, it is impossible for doors not to touch other cars which is very bad.

My T6 was in this week. Tuesday after half a day I was called to say wrong parts ordered. Thursday called to fetch after work was done but interior parts damaged and have to be ordered :-/