I received a call last Friday from the SVT office in Mich. I was told SVT was holding an SVT "Focus Group Meeting" in my area and was asked to attend. Well I called this moring to get details and was told that it is an open discussion about how SVT can improve their customer satisfaction. This will be hosted by Barry Grant(#2 in charge of SVT). The kicker is I am getting $100 cash to attend. Hell I would have went for free but I didn't tell them that!! Maybe SVT is attempting to LISTEN to it's customers after all. OK now let me have some of your gripes. I know I have some of my own but I want to be sure we are heard. Let me have it guys, I know everyone likes to Bit** so now is our chance. Has anyone else received a call like this?

 

soooooo 33 views and no responses? I guess everyone thinks SVT's customer service is just fine?

 

MY .02

SVT puts out a superior product until it gets in the hands of some SVt Dealers.
The way SVT Dealers handle their Customers Suck.

1. If a Dealer wants to price over MSRP then pull their rights to Sell SVT.

2. Dealer Service Managers and their Mechanics know little about SVT Products.
If they Can't do their Homework then pull their rights to sell SVT.

3. If a Service Manager can not treat a SVT Owner with Common Courtesy, then pull their rights to sell SVT.

4. What's all this B.S. about a few Mods and warranty? Ford spends millions on its Ford Racing and gets the SVT enthusiast for Free.

5. Someone at SVT should have the authority to tell a Dealer to "Fix It"

6. I am fortunate to have a Good, Non-SVT Dealer Service Department to go to, however, most do not. Two SVT Dealers in my area and I wouldn't let either touch a Dog House.

7. Make SVT Dealers take a course or two in Ethics.

 

I have alot.
1. Ask what their stance on aftermarket parts on svt vehicles in regards to warranty coverage. Their are alot of parts that Ford performance sells that should be ok to install during the warranty period. If Ford works with tuners, the community will be aware and more svt vehicles would be purchased. example: At sema ther was a svt focus all done up with a jackson racing supercharger and tons of suspension mods. The focus was given out to a crap load of tuners before it's release. If i drove into a dealer with a supercharger on a zx3, my warranty would be voided. WHY!
2. Make a better more dependable product and release them on time.
When i bought my 01' L i was told i would get special treatment while in for service. SVT techs only would work on my vehice. I would be able to tell the svt mech by dress alone. Has never happened. Never got my promised carwash for service either.
3. Make us aware of all TSB and recalls so we have no problems.

 

My biggest complaints on my 2002 are the horse**** paint job and the clunk. To let this known problem go on for all these years w/o fixing it is inexcuseable.

Would also like to see true bucket seats and a console; an in-dash CD changer (which I understand is coming in 2003...doesn't help me any).

Ford really needs to address dealership compliance with Ford customer service "ideal." Based on some of the horror stories on this board, some of these dealerships should NOT be selling cars to people. Also, too much voiding of warranties based on whims of service staff. SVT should demand more of their dealerships than just coughing up the fee to become SVT dealer.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Lightning and my other F150, but there is always room for improvement. I have enjoyed seeing the evolution of this product (Lightning) and look forward to "more and better" in the future.

 

1) My paint quality is BELOW avg. There is a lot of junk that got in there. (lint, dirt. ect..) Mostly on the roof.

2) My ground effects were ALL loose.

3)(really minor) the tonou cover sticks up at the rear corners. It's a distraction when looking in the rear view.

4) The rearview mirror is not wide enough. maybe a nascar style one?

5) The tranny fluid was significantly overfilled (assuming from factory)

6) No "SVT" brochures were avail at the dealer and none came with the truck.

7) I really think the very light/light throttle type of driving ought to yeild better gas milage.
19-20mpg range (I'm currently at 17 avg which seems to be quite a bit higher than most peoples?)


BUt overall, it's an awsome truck and I'd gladly buy another at the x-plan price.

WOT 2002 Silver 2k miles (driven 500miles per week)

 

Is that possible

--Joe

 

Overall, I am pretty happy with SVT stuff so far. If I had to make some suggestions, they would be....

1) dealer service. Even at "SVT" dealers, the service isn't so hot sometimes.

2) Factory stereo systems suck in the Lightning. If the Mustang can get the MACH systems, why can't the Lightning atleast get an upgraded stereo system over the F-150?? Heck, we can't even get an MP3 player yet.

3) Overall paint quality. My truck isn't too bad, luckily!!! There are a few spots and imperfections. This has been the case on every single new Ford I have owned also, so this may be an across the board problem.

I have called SVT a couple times and the people there were great, very polite, and extremely knowledgable!!!

Unfortunately, it seems that a very large percent of the complaints are with the dealers and not SVT, which is no suprise to me at all. I don't know how much SVT can change the dealers. But, ultimately, the dealers are representatives of Ford and SVT, so maybe they will listen.

 

Ask if there's going to be an SVT Focus wagon, seeing as they answered the question that was never asked with the 5 door. It would be nice to work towards the whole set.

 

My two cents:

Better paint: as posted above, there was alot of flaws in it.

Make the ground effects TIGHT to the body.

Fix the damn rear window seal issues already! Mine had rubber pinched in along with the air/water leak.

Fix the bed from getting out of square.

Offer a kick butt stereo option - but don't do it if it won't be 1st class.

improve the a/c, it's weak.

color match the tailgate handle from the factory like they do on the doors

Offer high quality floormats.

send all buyers COPIES OF BROCHURES!

 

My two cents:

Better paint: as posted above, there was alot of flaws in it.

Make the ground effects TIGHT to the body.

Fix the damn rear window seal issues already! Mine had rubber pinched in along with the air/water leak.

Fix the bed from getting out of square.

Offer a kick butt stereo option - but don't do it if it won't be 1st class.

improve the a/c, it's weak.

color match the tailgate handle from the factory like they do on the doors

Offer high quality floormats.

send all buyers COPIES OF BROCHURES!

 

Do us all a favor:

Take in a recording device and tape the meeting.

 

Good one bfb. I wonder if they are going to frisk me before I go in?

 

1- tell SVT to install Herb's washers on the assembly line.

2- mark the gages with actual numbers not just low and high etc..

3- offer something besides a grey primer colored interior.

4- a manual tranny would be nice!

 

1) Find out when the new (read more hp) motor 3 or 4 valves per cylinder is coming out.

2) The clunk issue has been going on for 4 friggin years now, lets get a grip on it.

3) I won't mention the ****ty paint

4) And yes, how bout a stereo system to match a 30K vehicle

5)Brakes to match the performance of the Lightning

6) If the Harley truck gets our engine, how bout we get their bucket seats, or something in full leather w/ side bolsters

7) Less gas milage....That means more POWER

8)And it DOES seem like the so called "SVT Dealers" need better training, not just some more flags to hang in the dealership

9)When is the 5 speed auto going in the Lightnings?

10) Last but not least, If you buy two Lightnings for sticker, shouldn't you get the third for free?