Ford garage got caught cheating us

[missyc]

Very long story, but our Ford garage (Sarasota Ford) has got to be the worst around. DH bought a new 2004 F-150 in December. It went back 5 times (in 9 months) for problems with the brakes or rotors or something. they just kept turning/replacing the rotors, but the problem kept coming back. There's a lot more to it but too long to get into. Anyways, this last time I took it in for the same thing plus a few minor things. They FINALLY agreed that something is not right and ordered a new rear axle. It was supposed to come overnight. After 2 days they finally gave into my demands for a loaner. 2 1/2 weeks later they still had our truck and no new part. Then finally got the part and guess what? It was the wrong one. DH was in causing quit a stink over the whole thing and they offered to do the 15,ooo mile service at cost. This would have normally been about $400. We paid $160. They also did a full detail for free. I pick the truck up and later see a puddle of oil in the driveway. DH crawls under and the filter (I think) wasn't tight. Fine....except that while he's down there he sees that the filter isn't a new one. We went back to the garage and the guy thought we were stupid or something. Too much to tell, but I don't think they did anything that they charged us for. The oil was clean, but the filter wasn't. One of the other fluids wasn't topped off, was actually about 1/2 empty. Etc, Etc.
Then to top it all off the idiot service manager has the nerve to accuse US of puting an old oil filter on!
I absolutly HATE that garage and don't want to buy Ford because of them. We are getting ready to buy a new van and I like the Windstar /Freestar, but I'll tell you it's not worth dealing with those yahoos!

Ahhhhhh..............thanks, I think I feel a little better now!

 

[Microcell]

I could have told you not to buy a Ford! I will tell my friend who works at the Sterling Heights Axle plant. She drives a Hi Lo so I wonder if she was a little too rough on the parts. She used to "throw Rings" before the Hi Lo so she said if you hear strange sounds out of your Axle it is because I nicked the ring, sorry!

I asked her if the job is actually "Throwing rings" and she said, "no you are to gently place the rings according to the job description, but I would have an I love Lucy episode on my hands if I don't throw them." I never bought a Ford again after that!!!

I won't even tell you what she gets paid!

 

[mudnuri]

DH crawls under and the filter (I think) wasn't tight. Fine....except that while he's down there he sees that the filter isn't a new one. We went back to the garage and the guy thought we were stupid or something. Too much to tell, but I don't think they did anything that they charged us for. The oil was clean, but the filter wasn't. One of the other fluids wasn't topped off, was actually about 1/2 empty. Etc, Etc.

You run synthetic or organic oil?

Brandy

 

[missyc]

Originally posted by mudnuri
You run synthetic or organic oil?

Brandy

Whatever the dealership used.

 

[FTWFAN]

I would think we lived in the same town and used the same Ford Dealership!!!!!Our Ford dealership has a reputation for doing the same kind of business. My Dad always told me not to buy a Ford, but I did! Now I regret it! I'm stuck with it though, so I guess I will just have to make the best of it!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Please don't let one bad service department ruin it all. I have owned many cars and the most reliable have been my Toyota and my Fords. I have had less than stellar service from dealers, but excellent from others. I took my husbands Expedition in on Wednesday for it's 5000 mile check up. Oil change, tire rotation and top off of all the stuff. Check the brakes and tire wear. ALl was good. I drove it home and parked in the driveway. As I was closing the garage, I happened to turn around and smoke was pouring out from the hood. I called the dealer, they sent out a technician and a manager to find out what was going on. Seems the guy that changed the oil missed the fill hole and got oil all over the exhaust manifold. So the smoke I saw was harless, but they took the truck back to the service department, steam cleaned the engine, washed the outside of it, brought it back, cleaned up the 3 small oil drips in the driveway and gave me a coupon for the next oil change to be free. The tech that made the mistake should have fixed it to begin with, but they did make it right.

You need to contact your area service managment. There should be someone who has responsibility for all the dealers in the area, they can ususally find out what is going on and help you out. To be accused of changing the filter is a little childish on their part.

 

[nowellsl]

You should check out the Lemon laws for your state - fixing the same problem 5 times in a year should qualify!

 

[HappyMommy2]

What a nightmare, ugh! Sorry you are going through that. I agree with nowellsl--you need to look into your state's lemon laws!

We absolutely love our Ford truck; however, we've found that in two of the places we've lived since buying several years ago, the local dealership/service department has had big problems with "billing errors." They have always done adequate service on the car, but time and again I have had to have them fix major overcharges on our bills (ALWAYS overcharges, by the way--I've never found an undercharge!). I doubt that the people at these places are actually dishonest but they sure do need some work on billing accuracy, and it has made me question whether to buy another Ford in the future.

Car stuff in general just tends to seem a little "shady" to me. Seems like we have run into quite a few dishonest and/or incompetent people in the busines. I hope Ford will make your situation right.

 

[shelbyjosh]

WOW!!! FYI......I have an 04-150 that I got last September. About 2 months ago I had to have a whole new rear end put in. The ring and pinion was bad. Dealership even gave me a free loaner (I don't have rental coverage) and there were a few other things on the truck that needed attention. Otherwise, I love my truck and the dealership was great!

 

[sanddune]

My husband works for Ford Motor Co. Please get pictures and Docs. Ford Motor Co. needs proof that the dealership is cheating or worst ripping off their customers! Ford is really trying to find the dealerships who do this!! (ps Please fill free to pm me. My husbands a manager at Ford. He said he would be willing to turn in any docs. or pictures you have.) Thanks,Chris

 

[mudnuri]

Whatever the dealership used.

It was a serious question. Regular oil- the kind thats the $19.99 oil change- generally WONT look new, after you turn the key... With 15000 miles on it- chances are it'll turn black (old) within a few days/miles.

SYNTHETIC- which is generally about $80-100 an oil change, WILL look BRAND NEW even 7500 miles later. Thats why I asked.

If it's synthetic- chances are they might not have even changed that.

But since you didn't know- its more than likely organic...You'd have to REQUEST synthetic oil...

I hope you dont think I was asking to be a jerk...just offering another answer.

have had less than stellar service from dealers, but excellent from others.

I totally agree- and now that I've found not only a dealer I like- BUT also a Service TECH that is the ONLY one that works on my truck- I'm VERY happy with the SAME place that I use to not really like!

DH's truck- was 1000 miles old- and went in for it's first oil change (its a diesel) paid the $180 for an oil change- later that night the "low oil" light came on....the guy had crushed the O ring on the drain plug. Ran 10 quarts (yes, 10 quarts, its a deisel) of Synthetic oil out on the highway on DH's way home....I called the Dealership the next morning- they came down with a flatbed and picked it up, changed the oil again, replaced the O- Ring, cleaned the undercarraige- and flatbedded it back to my house. Mistakes such as these happen- mistakes such as NOT changing a filter- well..... lets just say I would NOT have left that dealership un-satisfied.

Brandy

 

[RadioNate]

I had the same problem with a Chrysler dealership years ago.
The service manager called me a liar. They had stolen things from the car, swore there was no engine fire (when the 3 firefighters who put it out swear there was) and "replaced" the transmission to the tune of $2500. It was my college boyfriends car, since he was a total wimp and I was driving the car at the time of the fire, I ended up dealing with the dealership. His parents paid the bill so they got away with their scam.

Please call Ford at the national level and report it. I talked to the national Jeep-Chrysler people but it didn't get too far since it wasn't my car and his parents insisted on just paying the bill.

 

[missyc]

Originally posted by RadioNate

Please call Ford at the national level and report it. I talked to the national Jeep-Chrysler people but it didn't get too far since it wasn't my car and his parents insisted on just paying the bill.

I already did but they don't care either. They just noted the complaint and forwarded it to the owner of the dealership, who we had already had it out with. Big Woop.