When it comes to repairing your Ford vehicle after a collision, the choice of replacement parts can significantly impact your car’s safety, performance, and longevity. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Ford body parts play a crucial role in restoring your vehicle to its pre-accident condition. This article delves into the importance of using OEM Ford body parts when fixing your vehicle after a collision at a Ford dealership.

What Are OEM Ford Body Parts?

Ford designs and manufactures OEM body parts specifically for their vehicles. These parts are identical to the ones originally installed in your Ford during production. They meet the exact specifications and quality standards set by Ford engineers, ensuring perfect fit, function, and compatibility with your vehicle’s systems.

Why Choose OEM Ford Body Parts for Collision Repair?

Guaranteed Fit and Quality

One major advantage of using OEM Ford body parts is their perfect fit. Manufacturers design these components to match your Ford model’s exact specifications, ensuring they integrate seamlessly with the existing structure. This precision fit is crucial for maintaining the vehicle’s structural integrity and appearance.

Ford has built its reputation on high manufacturing standards, maintaining its position as a global automotive leader for over a century. When you choose genuine Ford parts, you get that same trusted quality—without the risks that come with generic aftermarket alternatives.

Structural Integrity and Safety

Ford engineers design your vehicle’s structural components—frames, rails, aprons, and body panels—to work together as a cohesive system. This system maximizes performance and protects you in the event of another collision. Ford’s official position on structural repairs is clear:

“Ford Motor Company only approves repairs to structural components – (including frames, rails, aprons and body panels) – that are completed using Ford published repair procedures and Ford Original Equipment Parts. Failure to follow these instructions will adversely affect structural integrity and crash safety performance, which could result in serious personal injury to vehicle occupants in a crash.”

This statement underscores the critical role that Ford OEM parts play in maintaining your Ford vehicle’s structural integrity and safety features. Using non-OEM parts for structural repairs could compromise the vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in future collisions.

Preservation of Advanced Safety Systems

Modern Ford vehicles have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and other safety technologies. These systems rely on precise calibration and integration with the vehicle’s structure. OEM Ford body parts ensure these safety systems continue functioning as intended after a service. Non-Original Equipment Manufacturer parts may interfere with properly operating these critical safety features, potentially putting you and your passengers at risk.

Compatibility with Ford Repair Procedures

Ford designs detailed service procedures for their vehicles, specifically for use with Ford OEM parts. These procedures are the result of extensive testing and engineering to ensure that repairs restore the vehicle to its original specifications. Using Original Equipment Manufacturer parts in conjunction with these procedures guarantees that your Ford repair is to the highest safety and quality standards.

Preservation of Vehicle Value

OEM Ford body parts positively impact your vehicle’s resale value. Potential buyers often recognize and appreciate genuine components, signaling that the vehicle has been maintained to factory standards. This makes your Ford more attractive and valuable in the used car market.

Warranty Considerations

Using aftermarket parts doesn’t automatically void your warranty, but if those non-OEM parts cause damage, the warranty may not cover the repairs. Using Ford OEM parts ensures your warranty remains intact, providing peace of mind and potential cost savings at a Ford dealership in the long run.

The Risks of Using Non-OEM Parts at a Collision Center

While aftermarket, recycled, or salvage parts may seem like cost-effective alternatives, they come with significant risks:

• Inconsistent Quality: Aftermarket parts fit a range of makes and models, which can result in poor fitment and the need for modifications during installation.

• Unknown History: Recycled or salvage parts may have been exposed to previous collisions, extreme weather conditions, or general wear and tear, compromising their integrity in ways that may not be immediately apparent.

• Compromised Safety Features: Non-OEM parts may not integrate properly with your Ford’s safety systems, potentially reducing their effectiveness in a collision.

• Long-term Costs: While initially cheaper, non-OEM parts may lead to increased maintenance costs and decreased vehicle performance over time.

The Ford Commitment to OEM Parts in Collision Repair

The Ford dedication to using Original Equipment Manufacturer parts in collision repair is evident in their ongoing efforts to provide detailed service procedures and expand available sectioning options for various models. For instance, Ford and Lincoln recently released rear rail sectioning procedures for some 2020-2025 Explorer and Aviator models, demonstrating their commitment to supporting proper service with Ford OEM parts.

This expansion of service options allows for more cost-effective repairs while maintaining the structural integrity and safety of the vehicle. However, trained technicians should carry out repairs following Ford guidelines, as these procedures specifically apply to OEM Ford parts.

The Role of Ford Certified Collision Repair Networks

Ford has established a network of certified collision repair centers to ensure the highest quality repairs using Ford OEM parts. These facilities have the latest tools, technologies, and training to perform repairs according to Ford’s exacting standards. By choosing a Ford-certified collision center at a Ford dealership, you can be confident they will service your vehicle using genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer parts and following Ford-approved procedures.

The Importance of Pre and Post-Repair Diagnostics

With the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, proper diagnostics before and after repairs are crucial. Ford emphasizes the importance of these procedures, which work with OEM parts. Pre-repair scans can identify all damage-related issues, while post-repair scans ensure that all systems function correctly after the service. These diagnostic procedures work best on vehicles repaired with Ford OEM parts, as they fully align with Ford’s systems.

Environmental Considerations

While it might seem that using recycled parts is more environmentally friendly, the long-term environmental impact of Original Equipment Manufacturer parts can be more positive. Ford OEM parts that fit correctly and perform as intended contribute to the overall efficiency and longevity of the vehicle. This can result in better fuel economy and reduced need for replacements, ultimately leading to less waste over the vehicle’s lifetime.

Use Ford OEM Parts for Maximum Performance

The use of OEM Ford body parts in collision repair is not just a matter of preference; it’s a critical factor in ensuring your Ford vehicle’s safety, performance, and value. While the initial cost of these parts may be higher, the long-term benefits of safety, reliability, and vehicle value make them the superior choice.

As a Ford owner, insisting on Ford OEM parts for collision repairs is one of the most important decisions you can make for your vehicle. It ensures that your Ford is to its pre-accident condition, maintains its structural integrity, and continues to provide the safety and performance you expect from a Ford vehicle.

Remember, when it comes to collision repair, choosing Original Equipment Manufacturer Ford body parts is an investment in your safety and the longevity of your vehicle. Always consult a Ford-certified collision center to ensure your vehicle receives the highest quality repair using genuine Ford parts and approved service procedures.

Q&A Section

Why are OEM Ford body parts considered superior to aftermarket alternatives?

• Manufacturers design these parts to match your vehicle’s exact specifications, ensuring a perfect fit, optimal performance, and full compatibility with all systems. They maintain the structural integrity and safety features of your Ford, which aftermarket parts may compromise.

How do OEM Ford body parts affect my vehicle’s safety systems?

• These parts ensure that advanced safety systems and ADAS features continue to function as intended after repairs. Non-Original Equipment Manufacturer parts may interfere with these systems, potentially compromising their effectiveness in protecting occupants during a collision.

Will using non-OEM parts void my Ford’s warranty?

• While using these parts doesn’t automatically void the warranty, any damage caused by the failure of these parts may not be covered. Using certified Ford parts ensures your warranty remains intact.

Are OEM Ford body parts more expensive than aftermarket alternatives?

• Initially, Original Equipment Manufacturer parts may be more expensive. However, they often prove more cost-effective in the long run due to better fit, durability, and potential preservation of vehicle value.

How do OEM Ford body parts impact the resale value of my vehicle?

• Using official parts can positively affect resale value, as it indicates the vehicle has been maintained to factory standards, making it more attractive to potential buyers.

What risks are associated with using recycled or salvaged body parts?

• Recycled or salvage parts may have experienced previous collisions, extreme weather, or general wear, which can compromise their integrity in ways that aren’t immediately apparent.

How does Ford ensure the quality of their OEM body parts?

• Ford subjects its Original Equipment Manufacturer parts to rigorous testing and quality control measures to ensure they meet the same standards as those used in the original vehicle assembly.

Can Ford-certified collision centers use non-OEM parts?

• These collision centers must use Original Equipment Manufacturer parts for structural repairs to maintain their certification and ensure repairs meet Ford’s safety and quality standards.

How do OEM Ford body parts contribute to the vehicle’s structural integrity?

• Original Equipment Manufacturer parts work together as a system, maintaining the vehicle’s original structural integrity and crash safety performance. This includes preserving crucial elements like crumple zones and energy-absorbing structures.

Are there any environmental benefits to using OEM Ford body parts?

• While it may seem counterintuitive, Original Equipment Manufacturer parts can be more environmentally friendly in the long run. They contribute to better vehicle efficiency and longevity, potentially reducing overall waste and resource consumption over the vehicle’s lifetime.