Has anyone had any problems with the paint rubbing off the radio buttons? I noticed this the other day when the lights were on. The paint had chipped off in spots and green was filtering through. I still need to take the car in for the Shaker TSB, but that's still pretty poor quality.

 

Yep my entire fast forward button was bare due to the paint just sliding off. When I had my gas tank and countless other crap fix I told em about the stereo and they replaced it.

 

Well it looks like this is going to be a problem for everyone eventually.

 

Well, given that the cost-cutting in the interior is a subject that has been discussed to death on this forum, I don't think anyone should be surprised, really. Annoyed, yes. Surprised, no.

It's what happens when finance & marketing runs a company and beancounters cut corners.

I ordered my car with the Pioneer/Ford OEM NAV deck, which I had an opportunity to play around with first in a 500. While it shares the same "family" look as the Shakers, the volume **** and all the buttons have a much heavier, 'quality' feel to them - so hopefully this extends to the paint as well.

But sorry to hear about those who are experiencing this issue with the Shakers. I do hope that the interiors of these S197s don't get shabby looking too fast.

 

Don't feel too bad. Three used Mercedes' I have gotten this year(all 99 or newer) had massive sections of the plastic dyes peeling off. An SLK had about 50% of it gone, it looks absolutely horrible. Not to mention the chrome is flaking and the plastic on the gauge bezels looks to be going and the various panels don't really match that well any more. The stitching was all frayed off the back of the steering wheel(looked like crazy cat hair sticking an inch off the back of it). I fixed it with a bic lighter though. All at 80k miles. I was going to list it on ebay and the power window gave up the ghost(it has been here 3 days since going through the checkout, stuff can happen...)so its back in the shop, I will post a pic of it tomorrow as long as it doesn't burst into flames or something.

Every VW product(and most Audi's) does this as well, particularly on the door handles and center console trim, it just flakes right off to the raw plastic. I have gotten a ton of used 05+ Fords with the new-gen radios and haven't seen any worn buttons yet though.

Heres a GTI I have on ebay. It says it has 'scratches' on the stereo set, but its actually peeling off all over the radio to the white plastic underneath. 4th pic down on the right row. For some STRANGE reason the 'photographer' didn't get that great a pic of it.... Chrome is peeling on the shifter bezel too. If you look closely through the slight blur you can see its peeling around the shifter and all over the radio. I am amazed though, it made it to 40k miles with every bulb in the dash still working(although its a rattletrap). Golf's are almost as bad as Mini's for peeling/scuffed interior paints and interior rattles. I also have an 05 Crossfire with chipped interior paints all over the place and a ton of rattles. And dont get me started on Honda Elements....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=140090510415

I hear all this talk about 'cheap interiors' in Mustangs, don't over rate what other manufacturers do. I think the Ford stuff in general holds up pretty well on average as a whole.

 

I agree with you 100%.

 

I'm having this problem on one button as well - is it a warranty item? Maybe a stupid question, but can they replace just the button?

 

maybe you are too indecisive and need to pick something and stick with it......kidding.
The 05 I drove before i bought my 06 had that.
Should be covered under warranty I would think.

 

There is a TSB out for just the radio, but this problem with the paint on the buttons is under warranty. I asked if they could replace the button and they said no that the whole unit had to be replaced.

 

Almost 2 years and 15,000 miles and no problems here. Don't blame Ford for the problem. I believe Delco makes the Shaker, so blame them.

 

30,000 miles on my car and paint started coming off a long time ago. My FM/AM and CD button, from switching to CD's and the radio all the time. Just an excuse to get an aftermarket radio at some point soon, preferable with a LCD screen face. I get tired of rambeling around with 6 CD's, waiting for them to load and all that stuff. pffffft.....

 

Ah...actually, blame Ford for USING them or for subcontracting parts that are not up to standard.

Actually, the Ford beancounters probably weighed in and subcontracted the stereos at the cheapest possible price, forcing Delco (or whoever makes them) to cut costs in manufacturing to come in on budget.

 

Ford's interiors are cheap. Lincoln interiors are cheap. Ford builds cheap cars and it definetly shows. Other aspects of the overall ownership experience drown out the cheapness. The only car I've seen this happen on is my buddy's GMC Envoy. It also has 80K more miles on it. I'll be definetly taking the car into the dealer soon.

 

Sorry to go off topic (feel free to move this) but

NASCAR sucks - why? here and here

MTAS, why does NASCAR suck? I checked the links, and they seem to be anti Toyota, anti import.

Funny thing is the Toyota Camery is the ONLY car in NASCAR today manufactured in the USA. Ironic isn't it.

Ford built in Mexico
Chevy built in Canada
Dodge built in Canada

Competition no matter from where is always good.

Cheers,
Mike

 

Yes sir started with the FF button in my 05 GT service said if I wanted fixed theyd have to replace the whole unit ! so I just got an 07 GT/CS

 

^lol

 

Just my personal opinions, nothing more. But this sums it up for me:

"Toyota in NO WAY does it the good 'ol American way. All their success goes to their home country where they rub it in, showing up the USA. Just who benefits when A Japanese mfg wins, not America nor the Japanese people. It's the big Japanese mfg that wins. Just because it's built in the United States does NOT mean it has earned the right to say, "Made in the USA". Our forefathers earned that right. And if it wasn't for the USA beating the crap out of Japan in WWII and then rebuilding their country with our money there wouldn't be a Camry of a Tundra to race. Until there is equal trade between the USA and Japan where an America car mfg can build and sell their cars in Japan, NASCAR should have said no way."

 

I mostly agree with all of that. But that fact that we helped rebuild Japan is water over the dam now, let's face it. It was also essential to ensure stability in that part of the world right after WWII. And let's not forget that Japan is now a VALUABLE ally given North Korea's nukes, and more importantly, the RISE OF CHINESE POWER.

Japan and China's trade practices, when it comes to tariffs, are unacceptable, I agree. But who's fault is that? We like our cheap goods and the current administration in the United States seems intent upon free trade with almost EVERYONE. But free trade isn't the same as "fair trade," and we should start getting tough and enforce reciprocity. Trouble is, it's hard to do, because together, Japan and China hold much of America's debt.

As to Toyota building cars in North America, well, it employees workers who are being layed off by companies like Ford, doesn't it? And if we're honest, much of Ford's woes are their own doing.

 

Mine are all chipped up, it look's sooo chezzy

 

If it is made on US soil by American workers, it has every right to be labeled "Made in the USA". The Japanese are bailing out our workers by giving them jobs. Back in the 80s, there was a lot of resentment by American workers towards Asian Americans due to the introduction of foreign/Asian cars in the US and the threat to American autoworker jobs. If the Toyotas and Hondas were made overseas and shipped here, I would agree with you that they have no right to slap "Made in USA". However, since the current Toyotas and Hondas are almost completely made in the USA, I would disagree with you. There are probably more American parts in a Honda than in the 07 S197 GT. The Shaker 500 speakers are made in China. The 4.6 3V's thermostat housing is made in China. The TR-3650 is made in Mexico and the 5R55S is made in France. The V6 in the Mustang is made in Germany. The current Mustangs are assembled in a Japanese majority owned facility in Flat Rock, MI.