Getting madder, and MADDER, AND...
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Houston, TX
Getting madder, and MADDER, AND...
Please allow me to cry in my beer a little here, and by all means, I'll take anyone's advice who has successfully dealt with their service department, Ford, and Factory Service Engineers. Apologies upfront to anyone who had to read my previous bit**ing.
Less than 3 weeks after buying my F150 it went to the service dept. for alignment and vibration problems (result = 2 new tires). The following day it went back since after road force balancing the vibration was worse (result = 4 new wheels, 4 new tires).
Back to the dealer less than two weeks later for the same issues (result = 4 new wheels). Less than a month after that the service manager drove it and concluded the truck had a problem (DOH!).
Now it's taken another month to even get a call to an FSE, who happens to be in Detroit for a week following his two weeks of vacation. Next Monday, exactly one month since the service manager had his revelation, we're supposed to finally find out the FSE's schedule so we can all be graced by his presence and get my truck looked at (mind you he won't be looking at the truck next Monday, just able to tell us when we can expect to see him). The only reason we're getting that far is because today I got tired of the service department's excuses and called Ford Customer Service directly. Surprise!...return phone call from the dealer within 15 minutes.
To make matters worse, when I pushed on the service manager about sitting on his hands for a month and not even making use of the existing TSBs he assured me that he could tell a driveline vibration when he saw one and that wasn't the problem. He expected that we'll get some new body mounts and everything will be fine.
I've just about HAD IT with these people. DSB paperwork is in hand and Texas lemon law says after 4 attempts to fix the same problem I've got a bona fide case. Without a last minute miracle fix I expect the DSB will have my application before the end of the month.
Less than 3 weeks after buying my F150 it went to the service dept. for alignment and vibration problems (result = 2 new tires). The following day it went back since after road force balancing the vibration was worse (result = 4 new wheels, 4 new tires).
Back to the dealer less than two weeks later for the same issues (result = 4 new wheels). Less than a month after that the service manager drove it and concluded the truck had a problem (DOH!).
Now it's taken another month to even get a call to an FSE, who happens to be in Detroit for a week following his two weeks of vacation. Next Monday, exactly one month since the service manager had his revelation, we're supposed to finally find out the FSE's schedule so we can all be graced by his presence and get my truck looked at (mind you he won't be looking at the truck next Monday, just able to tell us when we can expect to see him). The only reason we're getting that far is because today I got tired of the service department's excuses and called Ford Customer Service directly. Surprise!...return phone call from the dealer within 15 minutes.
To make matters worse, when I pushed on the service manager about sitting on his hands for a month and not even making use of the existing TSBs he assured me that he could tell a driveline vibration when he saw one and that wasn't the problem. He expected that we'll get some new body mounts and everything will be fine.
I've just about HAD IT with these people. DSB paperwork is in hand and Texas lemon law says after 4 attempts to fix the same problem I've got a bona fide case. Without a last minute miracle fix I expect the DSB will have my application before the end of the month.
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 499
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From: Oklahoma
Good luck taw1126! I know what your going through. I turned in my papers last week. I do have something else in the works. Not sure it will help.
The co. I work for is owned by FMC so I emailed our great CEO. To make a long story short, I got a call from the Ford guy assigned to our company. He's going to make a few calls. I'll see what happens. Suprised me a peon like me got a reply from our CEO. Glad we have a great big cheese looking out for the little people.
The co. I work for is owned by FMC so I emailed our great CEO. To make a long story short, I got a call from the Ford guy assigned to our company. He's going to make a few calls. I'll see what happens. Suprised me a peon like me got a reply from our CEO. Glad we have a great big cheese looking out for the little people.
Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 70
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From: Austin, TX.
Sorry about your troubles taw, I hope you get it resolved. I had an issue 10 years ago with an F250 that could not be repaired after 7 or 8 attempts. The dealer finally told me they just plain couldn't fix it. I know how frustrated you are. Anyway, at that time I found the Texas lemon law to be difficult and to have no real teeth. I hope it's better now for your sake. By plain luck I met an attorney in SA that had a lot of experience dealing with the big 3. All it took was a letter from him and one meeting between him and the Ford attorney (probably in a topless bar) and viola! Ford bought the truck back, returned my down payment, and paid the attorney's fees. I have no idea why I trusted Ford again and bought my 04 lariat screw 4x4. If I would have found this forum the day before I bought it instead of the day after I definately would not have purchased it. Chevy's have treated me very well for ten years and I would have kept my 02 Z71. Anyway, good luck to you!
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Pembroke Pines, FL
Re: Getting madder, and MADDER, AND...
Originally posted by taw1126
Please allow me to cry in my beer a little here, and by all means, I'll take anyone's advice who has successfully dealt with their service department, Ford, and Factory Service Engineers. Apologies upfront to anyone who had to read my previous bit**ing.
Less than 3 weeks after buying my F150 it went to the service dept. for alignment and vibration problems (result = 2 new tires). The following day it went back since after road force balancing the vibration was worse (result = 4 new wheels, 4 new tires).
Back to the dealer less than two weeks later for the same issues (result = 4 new wheels). Less than a month after that the service manager drove it and concluded the truck had a problem (DOH!).
Now it's taken another month to even get a call to an FSE, who happens to be in Detroit for a week following his two weeks of vacation. Next Monday, exactly one month since the service manager had his revelation, we're supposed to finally find out the FSE's schedule so we can all be graced by his presence and get my truck looked at (mind you he won't be looking at the truck next Monday, just able to tell us when we can expect to see him). The only reason we're getting that far is because today I got tired of the service department's excuses and called Ford Customer Service directly. Surprise!...return phone call from the dealer within 15 minutes.
To make matters worse, when I pushed on the service manager about sitting on his hands for a month and not even making use of the existing TSBs he assured me that he could tell a driveline vibration when he saw one and that wasn't the problem. He expected that we'll get some new body mounts and everything will be fine.
I've just about HAD IT with these people. DSB paperwork is in hand and Texas lemon law says after 4 attempts to fix the same problem I've got a bona fide case. Without a last minute miracle fix I expect the DSB will have my application before the end of the month.
Please allow me to cry in my beer a little here, and by all means, I'll take anyone's advice who has successfully dealt with their service department, Ford, and Factory Service Engineers. Apologies upfront to anyone who had to read my previous bit**ing.
Less than 3 weeks after buying my F150 it went to the service dept. for alignment and vibration problems (result = 2 new tires). The following day it went back since after road force balancing the vibration was worse (result = 4 new wheels, 4 new tires).
Back to the dealer less than two weeks later for the same issues (result = 4 new wheels). Less than a month after that the service manager drove it and concluded the truck had a problem (DOH!).
Now it's taken another month to even get a call to an FSE, who happens to be in Detroit for a week following his two weeks of vacation. Next Monday, exactly one month since the service manager had his revelation, we're supposed to finally find out the FSE's schedule so we can all be graced by his presence and get my truck looked at (mind you he won't be looking at the truck next Monday, just able to tell us when we can expect to see him). The only reason we're getting that far is because today I got tired of the service department's excuses and called Ford Customer Service directly. Surprise!...return phone call from the dealer within 15 minutes.
To make matters worse, when I pushed on the service manager about sitting on his hands for a month and not even making use of the existing TSBs he assured me that he could tell a driveline vibration when he saw one and that wasn't the problem. He expected that we'll get some new body mounts and everything will be fine.
I've just about HAD IT with these people. DSB paperwork is in hand and Texas lemon law says after 4 attempts to fix the same problem I've got a bona fide case. Without a last minute miracle fix I expect the DSB will have my application before the end of the month.
I ask b/c once I got my truck I had a steering wheel nibble. As soon as I rotated the tires (~5000 miles), the nibble went away. So I figure it's the two tires. It's now time to rotate the tires again and I am not looking forward to the steering wheel nibble. I figure I am going to have to go to the dealer and have them replace those two tires or re-align them or road force test them.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Houston, TX
Ron:
Can the DSB force my dealer to go through the TSB steps? That's what I've been trying to get done for a month. The service manager won't perform them because he's "sure" it can't be a driveline issue, and he skipped ahead in the TSB flow chart to the new body mounts.
Can the DSB force my dealer to go through the TSB steps? That's what I've been trying to get done for a month. The service manager won't perform them because he's "sure" it can't be a driveline issue, and he skipped ahead in the TSB flow chart to the new body mounts.
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 156
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From: Maryland
taw1126
Go to a different dealer if your not satisfied, you can use any Ford dealer you want for warrenty work.
Go to a different dealer if your not satisfied, you can use any Ford dealer you want for warrenty work.
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TAW1126,
Your story almost mirrors mine.
Bought Oct. 7, 2004.
-3 miles from the dealership truck was shaking, wheel was nibbling.
-I called on the cell to service, brought the truck back next day. Tires were balanced and rotated, nibble was gone, but the truck still shook.
-Took it back 3 days later, one tire replaced, rotated and balanced again. Truck still shook.
-Told to wait till mid November by the service department, they said Ford promised a repair soon. I received no call from my dealer.
-On December 11, I downloaded the new TSB from some good person on this site and called my dealer, he said, "let me check," I said, "I can bring you your TSB."
-On December 15, I returned my truck, they still have it. I recieved a call on Dec. 23 and was told that they had not fixed the problem yet, and that they needed my truck for several more days.
-I called on January 4 and inquired about the progress. I was told that body mounts, transmission mounts, and a new driveshaft were replaced, and that they still had a vibration. The service rep told me that he hoped to have my truck repaired by the end of this week.
My dealer is trying, I have no complaints with their attempts to repair my 19 foot long, 3 ton vibrator.
I asked if I could get the DSB and Lemon Law info from them and they said sure, but give us a chance to fix it. I will, how long is long enough?
Just a note. The loaner I am driving is a 2004 Supercrew 2wd with 17" wheels, it shakes just like my 04 4wd FX4.
Good Luck
Your story almost mirrors mine.
Bought Oct. 7, 2004.
-3 miles from the dealership truck was shaking, wheel was nibbling.
-I called on the cell to service, brought the truck back next day. Tires were balanced and rotated, nibble was gone, but the truck still shook.
-Took it back 3 days later, one tire replaced, rotated and balanced again. Truck still shook.
-Told to wait till mid November by the service department, they said Ford promised a repair soon. I received no call from my dealer.
-On December 11, I downloaded the new TSB from some good person on this site and called my dealer, he said, "let me check," I said, "I can bring you your TSB."
-On December 15, I returned my truck, they still have it. I recieved a call on Dec. 23 and was told that they had not fixed the problem yet, and that they needed my truck for several more days.
-I called on January 4 and inquired about the progress. I was told that body mounts, transmission mounts, and a new driveshaft were replaced, and that they still had a vibration. The service rep told me that he hoped to have my truck repaired by the end of this week.
My dealer is trying, I have no complaints with their attempts to repair my 19 foot long, 3 ton vibrator.
I asked if I could get the DSB and Lemon Law info from them and they said sure, but give us a chance to fix it. I will, how long is long enough?
Just a note. The loaner I am driving is a 2004 Supercrew 2wd with 17" wheels, it shakes just like my 04 4wd FX4.
Good Luck
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Houston, TX
Scubadivur-
I noticed the 2004 2WD XL extended cab loaner they gave me had the shakes too.
I'm envious that you at least have a dealer who's trying to fix the problem. Like I've said- my service manager is apparently convinced he's smarter than the TSBs. Hopefully the FSE will be willing to step through the process (assuming we ever get one...).
I noticed the 2004 2WD XL extended cab loaner they gave me had the shakes too.
I'm envious that you at least have a dealer who's trying to fix the problem. Like I've said- my service manager is apparently convinced he's smarter than the TSBs. Hopefully the FSE will be willing to step through the process (assuming we ever get one...).
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 36
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From: Eastern PA
Scubadivur, in most states 30 days is enough... The lemon laws require them to buy it back once it's been in the shop that long. You're pretty close. Since it's only a few more days, I'd let them work on it, and ask to see the dealership owner once the 30 day clock ticks. Tell him that if he want's your business, he should help you out of the truck BEFORE you have to go to arbitration or lemon law. Most will then get on the horn and try to get authority to work it out amicably, to keep your business. They know you have them after the 30 days. (In some states, the 30 days doesn't apply if they give you a loaner).
A few years back, I had problems with an H1 and used the folks at www.lemonlaw.com. Didn't cost me a penny, and they did a great job. Their website has a list of lemon law lawyers in other jurisdctions too. BTW, if you bought your truck X-Plan, there is a contractural obligation to arbitrate......
A few years back, I had problems with an H1 and used the folks at www.lemonlaw.com. Didn't cost me a penny, and they did a great job. Their website has a list of lemon law lawyers in other jurisdctions too. BTW, if you bought your truck X-Plan, there is a contractural obligation to arbitrate......