7000 miles and my bumper is falling off UPDATED

[broncoGIRL21]

Has anyone else had this happen?
I was washing my car when I noticed that the right side of my rear bumper looked like it was no longer attached to my vehicle. Upon further inspection, I was correct. The bolts underneath my car that are supposed to be holding my bumper to the vehicle look like they are completely stripped and no longer able to fasten the bumper to my car.

I have not been hit, been in an accident, or used any sort of car wash. I basically just handwash my car and treat it like a baby because it's the first car that I've ever owned. There are no marks on the bumper or the surrounding paint, so it doesn't look like I was hit unknowingly in a parking lot. And I have not been off-roading.

I of course took it immediately to my dealership's collision shop because I fully expected the bumper falling off my car within the few months to be covered by warranty and Ford is telling me no. They are saying that because the screws are stripped it is driver error.
This is not okay. I am currently fighting this outcome, but am wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

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[chtucker]

Pictures?

 

[Newbie]

 

[drew707]

Great, now we have someone so full of happiness with their new Bronco she’s driving her ass off

That’s highly unfortunate though. I hope this doesn’t get denied it really makes no sense at all.

 

[indio22]

Has anyone else had this happen?
I was washing my car when I noticed that the right side of my rear bumper looked like it was no longer attached to my vehicle. Upon further inspection, I was correct. The bolts underneath my car that are supposed to be holding my bumper to the vehicle look like they are completely stripped and no longer able to fasten the bumper to my car.

I have not been hit, been in an accident, or used any sort of car wash. I basically just handwash my car and treat it like a baby because it's the first car that I've ever owned. There are no marks on the bumper or the surrounding paint, so it doesn't look like I was hit unknowingly in a parking lot. And I have not been off-roading.

I of course took it immediately to my dealership's collision shop because I fully expected the bumper falling off my car within the few months to be covered by warranty and Ford is telling me no. They are saying that because the screws are stripped it is driver error.
This is not okay. I am currently fighting this outcome, but am wondering if anyone else has had this happen?

By chance after washing, did you get any wax on those bolts?

 

[thenewjs]

This thread is pointless, without pics.

Reminds of when a buddy tells me they saw a "hot chick", I ask "Did you get the number", they reply "NO" and I'm like "Why are are you telling me"!

 

[broncoGIRL21]

Pictures?

Great idea. Didn't think of that. Stay tuned!

 

[PWillette]

Without pictures...It would appear to the me that the bumper was not properly fastened at the factory...either the bolts were already stripped or not properly tightened. A "Bumper to Bumper" factory warranty certainly covers faulty workmanship including bumpers falling off for no apparent reason. Fight for the repair under warranty for sure.

 

[IROCnRoll]

Without pictures...It would appear to the me that the bumper was not properly fastened at the factory...either the bolts were already stripped or not properly tightened. A "Bumper to Bumper" factory warranty certainly covers faulty workmanship including bumpers falling off for no apparent reason. Fight for the repair under warranty for sure.

Bumper to bumper, but not the bumper.

 

[NC_Pinz]

There are three bolts on each side of the bumper securing it to each frame rail. Is it possible that you're bumper was hit in a parking lot that broke captive bolts free?

 

[broncoGIRL21]

This thread is pointless, without pics.

Reminds of when a buddy tells me they saw a "hot chick", I ask "Did you get the number", they reply "NO" and I'm like "Why are are you telling me"!

Sorry! I didn't think of it. I'm new here, LOL. I will add pics as soon as I can get back out to my car at lunch

 

[broncoGIRL21]

There are three bolts on each side of the bumper securing it to each frame rail. Is it possible that you're bumper was hit in a parking lot that broke captive bolts free?

I don't think so because there is literally no other damage to the bumper, surrounding paint, etc.

 

[Calm horse]

Bumper to bumper, but not the bumper.

 

[kimmnen]

The bumper bolts are usually fully threaded. If the bolts were not torqued to spec, the bumper was not fully secured and eventually loosened. The movement of the bumper damaged the exposed threads and caused wear. A tight, torqued bolt will not show wear. Attempting to retighten the bolt would move the damaged threads into the bumper and would not be able to be fully torqued to spec.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Bumper to bumper, but not the bumper.

More of a "between the bumpers" warranty, if you will.

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