2017 headliner

[Frank F]

 

 

I should have asked to see the support piece before they repair it. The service advisor told me that the support piece is installed somewhere behind the passenger side sun visor. It is not very close to the edge So I cannot see it. The new trim piece seems to be a lot more rigid than the old one (which is probably deformed from some improper maintanence). The A-pillar trim piece supports the headliner on the edge. That seems to be the key to resolve the headliner issue.

That's very interesting. I wonder why on my 2017 they are going to replace the whole headliner. Maybe because under warranty.

 

I would think the 2014 headliner is identical to the 2017. However, maybe the 2017s (and some years before) already come with the "improved" A pillar. But I doubt they come with the magnetic support. Then again, maybe the 2017 headliners are supposed to be more rigid (or cut correctly) by the manufacturer.

 

Regardless, we know 2017 still has some headliner problems.

[drolds1]

Magnets are used as part of the headliner fastening system at the factory. MKZ shown:

 

If equipped with roof opening panel, release the seven magnets and two locator pins and magnets.

© 2017 ALLDATA, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

[drolds1]

Magnets are used as part of the headliner fastening system at the factory. MKZ shown:

 

If equipped with roof opening panel, release the seven magnets and two locator pins and magnets.

© 2017 ALLDATA, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

[coldwaves]

Magnets are used as part of the headliner fastening system at the factory. MKZ shown:

headliner.jpg

© 2017 ALLDATA, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Exactly, the service advisor told me that it is part of the fastening system at the factory. He said the replacement headliner for the Flat Rock built fusion already has the additional magnet in it. What Ford told them to do is to add one in the front passenger side in the current headliner to fix it in my case. I am not sure the exact location they add it but he told me it is somewhere around the sun visor area.

 

I know there are two magnet on the rear end of the headliner. In your diagram, are all the purple dots the "magnet fasteners"?

Edited April 5, 2017 by coldwaves

[coldwaves]

That's very interesting. I wonder why on my 2017 they are going to replace the whole headliner. Maybe because under warranty.

 

I would think the 2014 headliner is identical to the 2017. However, maybe the 2017s (and some years before) already come with the "improved" A pillar. But I doubt they come with the magnetic support. Then again, maybe the 2017 headliners are supposed to be more rigid (or cut correctly) by the manufacturer.

 

Regardless, we know 2017 still has some headliner problems.

 

I think warranty might be part of it. The service advisor first suggested replacement of headliner before he realize that my car is out of bumper to bumper warranty (It is a 2014 with 20000 miles. But it was built in Oct 2013). But he later told me that Ford tells them the way to fix it. So warranty might be part of it but I don't know for sure.

 

He also mentioned that the replacement headliner they use to fix the Flat Rock built fusion has the added magnet. It is possible that they have already improved the headliner. But I don't know that for sure.

 

Another possible reason is that your headliner just seem to budge out while mine seems to fall down. That might also influence how they fix it.

 

I suspect mine is not necessarily a bad headliner. It looks like the passenger side interior panel has been pried. I really speculate that someone did some repair on that side but was not very careful when removing panels and moving headliners. The trim piece was probably pried out of shape and lose its rigidity to support the headliner.

 

I will keep an eye on the longevity of the fix and report back if I have any problem later. So far, it looks the fix is pretty good.

Edited April 5, 2017 by coldwaves

[drolds1]

 

 

Exactly, the service advisor told me that it is part of the fastening system at the factory. He said the replacement headliner for the Flat Rock built fusion already has the additional magnet in it. What Ford told them to do is to add one in the front passenger side in the current headliner to fix it in my case. I am not sure the exact location they add it but he told me it is somewhere around the sun visor area.

 

I know there are two magnet on the rear end of the headliner. In your diagram, are all the purple dots the "magnet fasteners"?

Yes. The arrow with the 'X7' label points out the magnet fasteners at that area. The 2 in the rear are called "locator pins and magnets."

[coldwaves]

Yes. The arrow with the 'X7' label points out the magnet fasteners at that area. The 2 in the rear are called "locator pins and magnets."

 

 

Thanks for the info.

 

It looks like the Fusion still has some headliner issue, although I don't know how wide spread it is. I carefully examined all doors. It looks like the driver side are both pretty good. Headliner edge is in good shape and hide nicely under the weather strip. The front passenger side just gets fixed today. The rear passenger side headliner edge (where C pillar trim piece meets the headliner) just barely hind under the weatherstrip. Hopefully that side did not fall. I probably will put a bit glue on the edge to make sure it does not fray.

[coldwaves]

Yes sir will do. I'm very sure they are going to replace the headliner. I was told via phone that headliner is on order and replacement has been approved by Ford. They will call me when headliner arrives so I can leave car for replacement.

 

Frank, have you got your headliner fixed? How does it go?

 

It has been about three weeks after mine has been fixed. It seems to the fix still holds but not as neat as it is right after the repair. The headliner dropped a little more but the weatherstripping still cover the edge of headliner (although just cover the edge of the headliner). It seems the headliner drops a little bit when parking the car in the sun and come up at night. I guess it is just expansion and shrinking of materials due to temperature change. Also, the A-trim piece is more flexible when hot so maybe it does not provide as strong a support. I will keep an eye on it and see how it hold up.