I just got home from my FLA lemon law hearing and I won. There was no issue regarding the vibration, even the local dealer admitted to that. The point they were trying to prove was that it was normal for the truck. I asked them if it was normal, why so many TSBs to try and get rid of it. This went over well with the board because 2 of the members mentioned it in their decisions. The other point that helped me was the fact that I was tied to the dealer for the rest of my ownership of the vehicle because of the requirement to Road Force balance the tires every time. I showed the board the TSB and then a web page from Hunter listing only the dealerships as having the machines. I made the argument that this was not normal and limited my options to have my truck serviced. The board members agreed to that also.

Ford has 30 days to file a civil suit, if they don’t I drop the truck off 10 days after that.

Time to shop for another truck. I can’t really say if it will or won’t be a Ford.

 

 

What process did you take to get this all done?

 

Mizz,

My state does not recognize Ford's DSB, so I went straight to the Lemon Law route and followed all the steps with supporting documents.

 

AMEN!!!

The same point that I'm trying to make with my dealer/DSB!

THANK YOU!

Chuck

 

I have a vibrating STX that is the shop for the 4th or 5th time and after rear ends, driveshafts and pinion angles still vibrates. I spoke with the Texas Motor Vehicle division this morning about the lemon law process and I mentioned the DSB option and they said they have heard of it but knew little about it.

They told me to print the lemon law complaint form, send in $ 35.00 along with all of my documentation and a person would begin my case. I could ask for a repair, exchange or a buyback. How does the lemon law differ from the DSB?

I guess my question is really more about your statement concerning Florida not recognizing the DSB. I am very new to all of this and I am really looking for someone to explain the differences and possibly a direction for me to go. The rep at the Texas Motor Vehicle division basically said, send in your paperwork and we will go to work for you. Is it that easy?

 

Stunna,

In Florida, the DSB has to be certified by the state department of consumer affairs to meet certain statutory requirements of arbitration. Ford's program does not, therefore I am not required to go thru that particular process. Other manufacturer's DSB programs are certified and it is a requirement to use them first before going to the lemon law (lemon law uses arbitration to resolve its issues thats why sometimes people refer to it as going to arbitration.)

The Florida Attorney general's Office has a great website, you can even read past decisions, it helped me prepare for what I was up against.

 

First of all congratulations on your win. It appears I am heading down the same path you have taken. My request for arbritation goes to the FL State Atty Gen'l tomorrow. My dealer worked on my truck for 24 days and then on the 25th day they told me the vibration was normal per a TSB that supposedly didn't even apply to my truck.

I was wondering - who was there from Ford to represent them?
Did anyone on the arbritration board drive yoiur truck?

 

gmascellino,

I am in Florida as well and just sent my paperwork to Ford for the DSB. I did NOT send it to the State Of Florida.

Can you shoot me an email with a few details about the steps you took??? Apparently Florida is different as I was talking to another member here and he just went straight through Ford. Not through his states Lemon Law process.

Just click on my profile and send email. I would greatly appreciate it.

I have my 'final' appointment with service this coming Monday.

Todd

 

 

Robnton,

It was only a lawyer and my service manager from the dealership. Interestingly, I watched the case before me (they are open to the public and you can go anytime and watch to help you prepare) and the same attorney did that case and mine even though I was Ford and the other guy was a Honda.

 

awesome... glad to see it worked out for ya..

 

I don't understand why Ford put you through this.

I remember when saturn had a defect problem in the early 90s they took ALL of the cars back before the owners even had a chance to get upset. Saturn showed up at the owners house with new cars and took the old ones.

We're a pretty loyal bunch of customers when it comes down to it. You think they'd treat F-150 owners as more of a 'club member' because of brand loyalty. Why would Ford behave like that? All it does is drive away customers. Ford could take those trucks, use them to figure out the problem, fix it, and sell them as factory authorized used cars and still make out well--and look one hell of alot better than they do.

Good to hear you won, but sorry there was a contest you had to win. It's almost like there's a bunch of dishonest car salesman in management at Ford right now.

-Fatz