Parts shortage. Ouch

I used to like my job and had good days at work, but now I'm starting to get fed up with the constant backorders and shortages. And weeks isn't so bad, I've been waiting for months on pieces of plastic! I'm not even mad when customers buy an aftermarket radiator support or something because it's holding up a job, I'll encourage them to buy whatever they can get because I hate checking ETAs and want to sell what I have or can get easily.

What blows my mind, I was expecting to have trouble finding new cowl vent trim for my 25 year old Explorer. Nope, not at all, readily available as new aftermarket. Got it in 2 days with free shipping. Obviously there's manufacturing capacity and shipping ability there. If cowl trim for a 25 year old Explorer is available, surely we can make these other things somehow?
 
I design engine control panels for stationary engines, so we use the same kinds of parts as the automotive industry. The part shortages are insane. We're scrambling to find microcontrollers, memory devices, transistors, logic gates, and pretty much any kind of semiconductor. We look at projected delivery times, and it's not unusual to see 50-60 week lead times on some parts. Almost as soon as I find a replacement for one unobtainium part, then another one goes to having no availability, or I have to find a replacement for the replacement. Crazy!
Sounds like my job in ATE. Passives mostly but plenty of parts just go NLA overnight. Circuit board vendors too, sometimes crazy leadtimes.
 
I used to like my job and had good days at work, but now I'm starting to get fed up with the constant backorders and shortages. And weeks isn't so bad, I've been waiting for months on pieces of plastic! I'm not even mad when customers buy an aftermarket radiator support or something because it's holding up a job, I'll encourage them to buy whatever they can get because I hate checking ETAs and want to sell what I have or can get easily.

What blows my mind, I was expecting to have trouble finding new cowl vent trim for my 25 year old Explorer. Nope, not at all, readily available as new aftermarket. Got it in 2 days with free shipping. Obviously there's manufacturing capacity and shipping ability there. If cowl trim for a 25 year old Explorer is available, surely we can make these other things somehow?
I hear you! I like designing circuit boards and had a selection of parts that were easy to sub. Not any more!

But on your cowl, I have to wonder, just what the demand is, and if it hasn’t been sitting on a shelf for quite some time.
 
But on your cowl, I have to wonder, just what the demand is, and if it hasn’t been sitting on a shelf for quite some time.

I just got around to opening the package today, and it gets better. They aren't aftermarket, turns out they are genuine Ford parts, made in April and May 2021.
 

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I just got around to opening the package today, and it gets better. They aren't aftermarket, turns out they are genuine Ford parts, made in April and May 2021.
Can't explain that one. Maybe that vendor had nothing else better to do? at that time, that is.

Sure is a wonky time.
 
I just got around to opening the package today, and it gets better. They aren't aftermarket, turns out they are genuine Ford parts, made in April and May 2021.
That part is readily available still. Its overnight if I order one from my facing PDC.

Check out how many Ford PDCs have it:

ONTARIO HVC (OT)
11​
AF1RA​
SACRAMENTO HCC (SC)
AF1LA​
SACRAMENTO HVC (SH)
11​
AF1TA​
PORTLAND HVC (PO)
4​
AF1SA​
DENVER HVC (DV)
9​
AF2AA​
FORT WORTH HVC (FW)
4​
AF1PA​
HOUSTON HVC (HO)
5​
AF1NA​
KANSAS HVC (KS)
AF2BA​
MEMPHIS HCC (MC)
AF2GA​
MEMPHIS HVC (MH)
9​
AF1KA​
TWIN CITIES HVC (TC)
AF1XA​
INDIANAPOLIS HVC (IN)
9​
AF1QA​
ATLANTA HVC (AH)
11​
AF2EA​
DETROIT HCC (DC)
AF1MA​
DETROIT HVC (DH)
25​
AF2FA​
GREENSBORO HVC (GR)
6​
AF2DA​
LAKELAND HVC (LK)
14​
AF2CA​
WASHINGTON HVC (WA)
AF1VA​
NEW YORK HVC (NH)
AF1WA​
HARTFORD HVC (HA)
4​
AF1UA​
MEMPHIS LVLC (ML)
AF1JA​
EXPORT HVC (EX)
34​
AF2KA​
NATIONAL (ND)
AF31A​
PRC-BROWNSTOWN (PR)
31​
AF30A​
 
Ford says it doesn't and I have no proof otherwise. I wouldn't want to drive it for years with a rattle but I'll only put on around 1k miles by mid April (when the parts are supposed to arrive).
Ford lies. I ordered a taillight assembly for a 19’ F-150. Told me 1 week, already been 3 weeks. Other parts fellow techs ordered told same thing; these techs been waiting over 2 months. GM on other hand is very quick as we get parts delivery every morning at 6am no matter the weather
 
That part is readily available still. Its overnight if I order one from my facing PDC.

Check out how many Ford PDCs have it:

ONTARIO HVC (OT)
11​
AF1RA​
SACRAMENTO HCC (SC)
AF1LA​
SACRAMENTO HVC (SH)
11​
AF1TA​
PORTLAND HVC (PO)
4​
AF1SA​
DENVER HVC (DV)
9​
AF2AA​
FORT WORTH HVC (FW)
4​
AF1PA​
HOUSTON HVC (HO)
5​
AF1NA​
KANSAS HVC (KS)
AF2BA​
MEMPHIS HCC (MC)
AF2GA​
MEMPHIS HVC (MH)
9​
AF1KA​
TWIN CITIES HVC (TC)
AF1XA​
INDIANAPOLIS HVC (IN)
9​
AF1QA​
ATLANTA HVC (AH)
11​
AF2EA​
DETROIT HCC (DC)
AF1MA​
DETROIT HVC (DH)
25​
AF2FA​
GREENSBORO HVC (GR)
6​
AF2DA​
LAKELAND HVC (LK)
14​
AF2CA​
WASHINGTON HVC (WA)
AF1VA​
NEW YORK HVC (NH)
AF1WA​
HARTFORD HVC (HA)
4​
AF1UA​
MEMPHIS LVLC (ML)
AF1JA​
EXPORT HVC (EX)
34​
AF2KA​
NATIONAL (ND)
AF31A​
PRC-BROWNSTOWN (PR)
31​
AF30A​
Wow, that's funny. Literally only used on 95-01 Explorer/Mountaineer, not even on Rangers. It's mostly cosmetic too except for holding the washer nozzles and keeping some debris out. It's probably common for them to break during windshield replacement or something, but that's still funny Ford is readily providing this part for 21-27 year old Explorers. Mine got beat up in heavy hail (years ago), but still function. I bought new ones because it's getting a new windshield in a couple days and I doubt the current ones will come off without breaking the rest of the way. Meanwhile brand new Super Duties sit on dirt lots for months.
 
I used to like my job and had good days at work, but now I'm starting to get fed up with the constant backorders and shortages. And weeks isn't so bad, I've been waiting for months on pieces of plastic! I'm not even mad when customers buy an aftermarket radiator support or something because it's holding up a job, I'll encourage them to buy whatever they can get because I hate checking ETAs and want to sell what I have or can get easily.

What blows my mind, I was expecting to have trouble finding new cowl vent trim for my 25 year old Explorer. Nope, not at all, readily available as new aftermarket. Got it in 2 days with free shipping. Obviously there's manufacturing capacity and shipping ability there. If cowl trim for a 25 year old Explorer is available, surely we can make these other things somehow?
Same. Common parts are on backorder(ex. We cant get 2020 up explorer pollen filters) but they had a fuel lift pump in stock on the shelf for my 1994 F350 IDI Turbo Diesel!
 
We had a traded in Highlander go to Toyota for a block heater recall. No parts availability.
Toyota solution was to remove the block heater and we'll call you when the part comes in. And we've seen nights at - 25F. Smh.
Is that any different than Ford who just cut/ removed a part of the block heater cord on my F150 for 6 months before parts became available ( 2018 if I remember correctly...)

Stuff happens...
 
Friend of mines 2022 brand new Explorer took a major whack to the front end.
It's been fixed for 2 months except the front bumper is on back order till who knows when.
 
My TL's front turn signal cracked from stone chip a couple of months ago. OEM part is over $200 from the stealership and is on back order indefinitely. Decided to use clear silicone to fill in the hole (it's on the edge, fortunately, so easy to fill in) and used Lamin-X to give a layer of protection on both sides. Unless you are looking directly at it, it's a good fix and no condensation after three weeks and several car washes.

Just bought a cheap MIG welder so I might do more fabrication or fixes at home if need arises. I have to bring out my knowledge from metal shop class from Jr. high days 38 years ago.
 
Is that any different than Ford who just cut/ removed a part of the block heater cord on my F150 for 6 months before parts became available ( 2018 if I remember correctly...)

Stuff happens...
Not really diffetent, except the caf parts supply chain is very different today than in 2018.
And Ford had block heater issues far earlier than 2018. Iirc a few of my fleet F350s Ford's caught fire early 2000s due to block heater issues.
Ford shouldn't get an easy pass on your issue in 2018 imo.
 
Point being that every manufacturer often has issues when recalls are done - and that isn't just due to current supply chain issues.

On different vehicles with different manufacturers dating back over 20 years I've had recalls where something gets disabled now, and then you wait for parts. A previous employer parked an entire fleet of pool vehicles for nearly 9 months waiting on manufacturer parts due to a recall, and that was back in 2013ish. Not a Toyota or a Ford issue in that case either.
 
I checked with the Jeep dealer today. 39 days since the axle assy. was ordered. Still no delivery date shown! :cry:
At least I can still use my Jeep.
 
My 2008 Jeep Rubicon has been setting at the dealer for two weeks waiting for a new right front axle and oil seal. Hard to believe!
Here it is 4/15/22. Still no parts yet. Sad situation this supply chain is in.
 
May be just coincidence but I gather Chrysler is one of the worst hit. My dad has been waiting a year on a wiper switch for his Dodge, and when I thought I was going to need a PCM for a Chrysler I was told they had been on backorder for months with no ETA.
 
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