Bumper Gap

[ChaoticFury09]

Good afternoon everyone,

I am wondering if anyone has a similar issue on their 2018 or earlier model. I got my car a few weeks ago and I have been noticing what appears to be a gap that seems to be getting bigger over time. I went to a dealer who said this was normal and we looked at a few in the showroom that were similar. Some better, one worse. Is this normal or should I have Ford fix it? It looks terrible and I can’t imagine it was designed that way.

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[wanted33]

I just went out, and looked at our '18. If that's normal mine is screwed up, because there isn't any gap like yours. My guess is your dealer received a batch of cars with bad bumper alignment, or bad bumpers, and used the old "it's normal" line so they don't have to adjust/replace yours. I suggest you take her to another dealer, or show your dealer this post. I just don't understand dealers that won't try to make a customer happy, and fix an obviously misaligned or bad bumper. Good luck.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

That’s totally normal for Mustangs! Not so much other cars.

 

[ChaoticFury09]

I just went out, and looked at our '18. If that's normal mine is screwed up, because there isn't any gap like yours. My guess is your dealer received a batch of cars with bad bumper alignment, or bad bumpers, and used the old "it's normal" line so they don't have to adjust/replace yours. I suggest you take her to another dealer, or show your dealer this post. I just don't understand dealers that won't try to make a customer happy, and fix an obviously misaligned or bad bumper. Good luck.

Thanks for letting me know. Do you mind sending me a photo? I spoke to Ford corporate who is investigating but feel its normal.

 

[Dr. Norts]

Quality is job one.. Wait, we got rid of that job a while ago

 

[raydog1]

My trunk was actually smacking the bumper and created a nice sized line along the top of the bumper. Honestly, I ignored it until I couldn't ignore it any longer. I did some tests and could see that it was no longer hitting because the bumper appeared to settle downwards and I also had a small gap. The line was previously hidden by the decklid, but eventually (with the bumper settling) I could see it when the trunk was closed.

I took it to the dealer and specifically told them, "I'm OK with the gap, just buff out the line and I'll be happy." They did that immediately. I didn't even get through a cup of coffee. However, they still offered to fix the gap if I was unhappy with it, while informing me that the gap was pretty normal and actually thinner than most. Having seen several pictures on this forum of larger gaps, I agreed and reiterated that I'm fine with the gap and I was completely satisfied with the paint repair. I didn't feel the gap was big enough to leave the car with them and be stuck with a crappy loaner for God knows how long, lol!

So, Ford (at least my dealership) is aware that the gap is an issue for some folks and should be able to at least attempt to fix it for you.

Also, this was several months ago and the bumper has not moved at all since then. It appears a "settling" of the bumper is normal and should stop at some point.

 

[ChaoticFury09]

My trunk was actually smacking the bumper and created a nice sized line along the top of the bumper. Honestly, I ignored it until I couldn't ignore it any longer. I did some tests and could see that it was no longer hitting because the bumper appeared to settle downwards and I also had a small gap. The line was previously hidden by the decklid, but eventually (with the bumper settling) I could see it when the trunk was closed.

I took it to the dealer and specifically told them, "I'm OK with the gap, just buff out the line and I'll be happy." They did that immediately. I didn't even get through a cup of coffee. However, they still offered to fix the gap if I was unhappy with it, while informing me that the gap was pretty normal and actually thinner than most. Having seen several pictures on this forum of larger gaps, I agreed and reiterated that I'm fine with the gap and I was completely satisfied with the paint repair. I didn't feel the gap was big enough to leave the car with them and be stuck with a crappy loaner for God knows how long, lol!

So, Ford (at least my dealership) is aware that the gap is an issue for some folks and should be able to at least attempt to fix it for you.

Also, this was several months ago and the bumper has not moved at all since then. It appears a "settling" of the bumper is normal and should stop at some point.

I appreciate you letting me know. I am fine with a gap so long as it is minor. Right now it might as well be a place for me to store change it is so large. The photos make it difficult to tell, especially with it being black. I would be happier if the rubber seal just hid the small gap, but they are saying to me it can't be done. I will speak to Ford Corporate tomorrow and see what they have to say.

 

[wanted33]

Here ya go brother. Pardon the dirt, it's been quite dry here lately.

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[ChaoticFury09]

Here ya go brother. Pardon the dirt, it's been quite dry here lately.

100_4654

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Wish mine looked like that. I’ll forward it along to corporate. Thanks so much!

 

[wanted33]

Wish mine looked like that. I’ll forward it along to corporate. Thanks so much!

You are welcome. I hope they helps you out.

 

[Zathras]

I thought this was going to be about this other kind of bumper/fender gap, which a few of us have:

 

[Johnnybee]

This prompted me to go look at mine. About the same as, or perhaps a little better than, wanted33. Don’t have the issue at the rear quarters. I have had my car about 3 months and 4600 km.

 

[302@12psi]

My 2019 has the same fitment that Zathras posted. The passenger side "pops out" a bit on the like shown above and the drivers side is actually tucked in a bit. It doesn't really jump out as much on the Kona but I'm going to ask that it gets adjusted when it goes in for service. I just hope they don't mess it more than it is because it really isn't that bad.

I thought I walked around it with a fine tooth comb when I bought it but yesterday was the first day I got to wash and wax mine. There's several body panel issues and a small dent on the trunk which I'm sure is when they mounted the spoiler. I'll ask for PDR on the dent but they might say no since I've had it for 500 miles.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Here ya go brother. Pardon the dirt, it's been quite dry here lately.

100_4654

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My 2018 Ruby Red, the top of the rear bumper to body gap when trunk lid is open, looks just like yours. I suspect this is considered normal?

 

[raydog1]

My 2019 has the same fitment that Zathras posted. The passenger side "pops out" a bit on the like shown above and the drivers side is actually tucked in a bit. It doesn't really jump out as much on the Kona but I'm going to ask that it gets adjusted when it goes in for service. I just hope they don't mess it more than it is because it really isn't that bad.

I thought I walked around it with a fine tooth comb when I bought it but yesterday was the first day I got to wash and wax mine. There's several body panel issues and a small dent on the trunk which I'm sure is when they mounted the spoiler. I'll ask for PDR on the dent but they might say no since I've had it for 500 miles.

Yeah, this was the warning I was given about them trying to fix it. That any adjustment could fix one side but then make another side worse. It would be a trial & error deal. It just sounded like a gamble I wasn't willing to take...yet.

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