hasn’t even , and it’s already having a number of issues. Ford has reportedly cut worker shifts for United Auto Workers members at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant, according to the . Production was initially cut the week of April 24. Then was shuttered the week of May 1, and now it’s scheduled to be down again the week of May 8. It all has to do with quality.

Freep reports that a member of the launch team in the factory said that the build-out for the was finished in early April. Now, a final quality review is focusing on fitment issues with body panels, electric issues that involve engineering and issues with the .

Those elements couldn’t be confirmed when Freep reached out to a spokesperson for , but she did say that the automaker is committed to ensuring its vehicles are “built with the quality our customers deserve and will take appropriate actions to deliver this commitment.”

Kelli Felker, said spokesperson, also noted that Ford has modified its vehicle launch process in order to focus on delivery. Basically, as Freep explains it, is slowing down vehicle releases to scrutinize manufacturing details rather than risk delivering vehicles that could end up recalled.

Those recalls are a big issue with Ford. every year at a far greater cost than its competitors. Jim Farley, Ford’s CEO has said .

According to Freep, a UAW member at the Flat Rock plant said factory workers are frustrated by “weekly robocalls with news of down time that result in temporary layoffs” as Ford works to fix issues unrelated to assembly work. The member asked that their name not be used since they’re not authorized to speak to the news media and fear job retribution.

(both internal combustion and Lightning models) production up and running again after a brief pause due to missing door handles. Earlier in 2023, a battery fire broke out in a holding lot near the assembly line. It led to 18 Lightnings being recalled.