Hitch cover falling off in car wash???

[kep5niner]

We’ve had our ‘23 Aviator for a couple of months now, and one time going through the car wash, the hitch cover for the bumper was gone (Club Car Wash). Found it in the car wash stall, with some scratches. The car wash committed to covering the repair, they just needed an estimate.

I had my dealership provide an estimate for a repaint, but was more concerned with why it fell off. Their only reply was that it’s a “common issue on the Aviator,” with no further resolution.

Is this indeed a common / known issue with the Aviator? I’m certain I could come up with a more permanent installation method for the hitch cover, but it doesn’t seem like I should have to.

 

[bbf2530]

We’ve had our ‘23 Aviator for a couple of months now, and one time going through the car wash, the hitch cover for the bumper was gone (Club Car Wash). Found it in the car wash stall, with some scratches. The car wash committed to covering the repair, they just needed an estimate.

I had my dealership provide an estimate for a repaint, but was more concerned with why it fell off. Their only reply was that it’s a “common issue on the Aviator,” with no further resolution.

Is this indeed a common / known issue with the Aviator? I’m certain I could come up with a more permanent installation method for the hitch cover, but it doesn’t seem like I should have to.

Hi kep5niner. Like all things, this would depend on what the definition of "a common issue" is. In this case of..."Is this indeed a "common issue"? No it is not.

However, in a joking manner...some (not all) service departments, shops, techs stating something is a "common issue" with a vehicle is sometimes a common issue.

Some things are common issues. However, even when it is not, stating something is a "common issue" can be used as a catch-all phrase which leads to less questions from a customer than "Well, sometimes things just happen."

In a case like this, the swirling brushes, cloths, high pressure water jets etc. of some car washes can catch the exposed edge of the cover and pull it off. Not something that would normally happen when driving on the road. And I am not excusing the fact this happens, simply answering the "common issue" question.

If the hitch cover and bumper fascia are within spec, and replacing something will not help, then a piece of duct tape or Gorilla tape on the back side (so it is not visible) may offer some peace of mind. Not what we want to hear, I know.

I'm sure others will also jump in to help, so keep us updated and good luck.

 

[Vikingstaff]

First…100% ditto what is said above by BBF. I wonder in these car wash situations if the covers is already improperly “in”. The plastic clip system that is used is probably not ideal, so if any of those clips was partially pulled out already, I could see this happening more easily. I would double check before going through any carwash if your’s has already come off once in one. I may start double checking mine in the future.

I also wonder if the “grip” of the clips is compromised over time if the hitch is used a lot and the cover taken off and put on a lot over time. We use our hitch occasionally throughout the year, so I’ve previously wondered about that.

One could certainly DIY some rear oriented fasteners, or taping as mentioned above, but like me, I am sure most don’t want to bother with such stuff.