zlacker

I wasn't ignoring that. Ford is likely to be the single source for any replacement displays especially if each vehicle model uses a different dashboard layout. Even if they standardize displays across their entire product line they would likely still be the only ones selling or stocking replacements. This makes it expensive to replace when the vehicle "owner" has a critical problem with the unit installed at the factory and needs a replacement.

As far as the oil pan, the design of the pan probably makes it too complex to manufacture at scale in a material that is more durable. It is not a simple cake-pan style reservoir. It has mating surfaces and ports that would be difficult to reproduce in metal. Here is the TSB that Ford techs need to follow to accomplish this temporary repair.[0]

[0]https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10164470-0001.pdf

>>doodle+(OP)
> Somehow I am supposed to trust that a company that produces a vehicle with a plastic oil pan which is not a part that anyone familiar with automobiles would ever consider to be a wear part, can reliably produce a digital display that can remain in service, working perfectly for at least a decade and that once it fails it can easily and cheaply be replaced by the owner if the owner chooses to keep the vehicle.

Here you're absolutely equating their failure at making a reliable oil pan as a reason to question them producing a digital display. Ford isn't producing the display. Their failure to make a reliable oil pan is pretty disconnected to them buying screens from an automotive supplier.

Ford isn't producing any displays, so questioning their ability to source a display given their failure at making a good oil pan on one generation of one vehicle is pretty moot.

As a counter point to displays being unreliable that, I've had Ford vehicles with displays that have lasted well over a decade so far, and to my knowledge still work. I've never had an automotive part have the display just fail on its own, personally.

As for them deciding to stop supplying them, eventually they'll also stop supplying the "analog" gauges as well, so its once again a moot point. That "analog" display can still fail requiring replacement. You're not avoiding that problem having needles instead of an LCD.