Ford Certified Collision Repair in Colorado Springs
What Ford Certification Means
Phil Long Collision Center is a Ford Certified Collision Network (FCCN) member, holding Ford's certification for collision repair of Ford and Lincoln vehicles. Our certification includes recognition as a Ford Pro Elite facility, which covers fleet vehicles Colorado Springs businesses depend on: Ford F-150 and Super Duty trucks, Ford Transit vans, and more.
Ford’s certification program — the Ford Certified Collision Network — establishes a defined set of standards for equipment, training, and repair procedures. For Ford vehicles, the most critical certification requirement is aluminum repair capability. Starting with the 2015 Ford F-150, Ford made the transition to a high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy body on the most popular vehicle in the United States — a decision that fundamentally changed collision repair requirements for Ford trucks.
The aluminum body on the F-150 (and subsequent aluminum-bodied Ford models including the F-250 and Expedition) cannot be repaired using the same steel repair techniques used on previous generations. Aluminum requires dedicated tools to prevent contamination, specific weld settings, and different structural assessment criteria. Ford’s certification program requires repair facilities to invest in aluminum-specific equipment, including dedicated aluminum MIG welds, aluminum-specific body dollies, and separate storage and handling for aluminum repair materials.
Beyond aluminum, Ford certification addresses Ford’s suite of driver assistance technology — Co-Pilot360 — which includes front cameras, radar sensors, and ultrasonic sensors that require post-repair calibration when any related structural component is repaired or replaced. Our Ford-certified technicians follow Ford’s ADAS recalibration procedures using Ford-approved equipment after any repair involving sensors, cameras, or adjacent structural components.
Our Ford Pro Elite status reflects additional capability for fleet service. Many Colorado Springs businesses operate Ford fleets — construction companies, contractors, government agencies, and service organizations rely on F-150s, Super Dutys, and Transit vans for daily operations. Ford Pro Elite certification means we can prioritize fleet repairs, access Ford’s fleet-specific parts ordering, and work directly with fleet account managers to minimize downtime for vehicles that earn their owners a living.
Specific Capabilities
F-150 and Super Duty Aluminum Body Repair
The aluminum-bodied F-150 (2015 and newer) and aluminum-body Super Duty require Ford-certified aluminum repair equipment and procedures. Our dedicated aluminum workspace prevents cross-contamination with steel repairs, and our technicians are trained in Ford's approved sectioning, riveting, and bonding procedures specific to the aluminum body construction.
Ford Co-Pilot360 ADAS Recalibration
Ford Co-Pilot360 cameras and radar sensors require post-repair recalibration after any related structural or panel repair. Our Ford-certified technicians perform complete recalibration using Ford-approved procedures and verify system function before delivery, covering Pre-Collision Assist, Blind Spot Information System, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Ford Pro Elite Fleet Priority Service
Ford Pro Elite certification prioritizes fleet vehicles for faster turnaround, Ford-direct parts access, and fleet account coordination. Colorado Springs businesses with Ford fleets benefit from our fleet-aware scheduling, which minimizes vehicle downtime and supports fleet manager reporting requirements.
What OEM Certification Means for Your Ford
The aluminum body on your F-150 or Super Duty requires repair approaches that most shops — even experienced ones — are not equipped or trained to perform correctly. Improper aluminum repair can leave hidden contamination that causes galvanic corrosion over time, weakening structural sections that were visually restored to normal appearance. For the most popular truck in America, in a market where trucks take serious work-related abuse, this hidden degradation is a real and serious risk.
Ford certification ensures our facility has made the investment in aluminum-specific equipment and training. The FCCN designation is your documented assurance that your Ford or Lincoln was repaired by a facility Ford has evaluated and approved. For fleet operators, our Ford Pro Elite status adds priority scheduling and direct Ford fleet support to get your work vehicles back on the road as quickly as possible.