first off- '04 F150 XLT 4x2 SCAB. 5.4, 32,000 miles.

I put my truck in the shop a week or two ago to have the tail light recall done, fix the leaking third brake light again, check a vibration in the front end (wobbled bad between 40 & 80mph, like a bad tire) as well as replace a window switch, check the brakes (squeal, other noises, pulsating, ect.) and oil change/service.
Well, they tried to make me pay for the brake work... rotors were below spec without even turning them, gouged out, bad off in general. Pads were worn down also. I asked to have Ceramic pads installed. I flat told 'em I was NOT paying for rotors. PERIOD. Rotors don't get to that point in 30,000 miles without other problems... they finally relented, and just asked me to pay for the pads. I reluctantly agreed.

They then refused to flash the PCM, said there were no codes, therefore they wouldn't reflash it. This pissed me off some, but ya know, they gotcha.

Then, they offered to change the air filter for 70bucks... I knew it needed it, but why 70 bucks? Well, I told them to leave it alone, and bought a LIFETIME K&N filter at the parts house after leaving the stealership- for 20 bucks less! Then, to top it off, the third brake light leak is due to the installation of my XM satellite antenna... they can fix it, but I'll have to pay... to the tune of 100-200 bucks. NO, I said... I'll fix it. And, I have.

Now, to the meat of my issue today. They refused to replace the bad tire that they admitted was causing my vibe & shake on the left front, and just rotated it to the left rear. They said it would take care of the shake in the front end. I asked why they would put a trouble tire back on the truck, and was given "well, you'll see- it'll fix your problem! If it don't, bring it on back."

Well, pissed off and dejected, and out 500.00, I took my toys and went home. There is a slight thump from the rear now where the tire is still out of round, I guess. I complained, but to no avail. Yesterday, while washing her down, I found that the left rear tire was showing cords and blisters on the inside tread area! I called- the dealer lady said "Oh yeah, that was like that when we rotated it, but it's okay... you might want to buy new tires though, we won't replace them under warranty as the warranty for tires is 12,000 miles. I kept my cool on the phone, but am so pissed I could spit fireballs out my toenails... they put a WORN OUT AND BLISTERED TIRE BACK ON MY WARRANTIED TRUCK! They saw the cords, and still installed it! WTF?

My wife is pregnant with our first child.. what if I blew that tire at 80mph down the interstate on my daily 110 mile commute? Not much control on three tires I bet. If I hit the wall at 80 mph, is Ford gonna pay her for loss of her husband and my daughter's daddy?

Am I off base? I'm NEVER going back to that dealership again. In fact, I'm 4,000 miles from the end of my warranty, so I guess I can just start paying someone else to fix my truck now, as the warranty ain't worth a ***** anyway!

Please, someone- tell me if I'm wrong to be mad. I'd rather not make an *** of myself when I call customer care lines for the fourth time, but I just can't understand how they can do this!???

The tech said that area isn't part of the contact patch, thus is no big deal. Okay, then smartass... why is it bumping going down the highway at 40mph? Do rear tires have that much neg camber that the inside of the tread doesn't hit the road? I don't THINK so!

Man, Ford better get a handle on these issues soon... there are a lot of upset people out here... and there are going to be alot more by the time it's done with. Me- I'm just sad.
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What kind of tires do you have?? I had the 275/65/18 goodyears and the front one I rotated to the back blew up goin down the highway dont know what from? So I put on some 285/60/18 terra grapplers nittos 2 inch front end lift got her re aligned no more wobble and she drive like a dream now!!!

 

SS450-
Hankook Dynapro AS 235/70-17.

Did it cause fishtailing when it went? How fast were you going? I blew one on a Chevy once and wound up ALMOST hitting the wall and another car... I was doing 60 in a 70 getting on the interstate. Scary stuff, tire blowouts!
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The funny thing is I just put my new magnaflow siso on and was out on the local 1/4 mile highway track racing my buddies 04 Ram 1500 quad cab 4.7l and was going about 90 when she blew and he was right behind me. Luckily got I her stopped quick. No fishtailing

 

not to make the situation worse, but when i blew my left rear going 85 the truck reacted very politely...didnt thrash around, just: pop, goes the tire, thud goes the rim to asphalt, and just slowed it down, truck stayed dang stable- must be all that body weight, good cross bracing for torque, strong frame. anyways, hope you get the issues resolved...sounds pretty negligent of the dealer to remount the poor tire.

 

Try another stealership...that is just poor customer service...I would also call Ford and complain about them...then call the BBB...

 

Pads are wear items; after 12/12, you're on your own for those. Rotors should have been covered under warranty, however.

Did you have a specific complaint that may have been corrected by a calibration update? Rough idle, stall, hesistation, etc.

*snip*
No, it's not. Extended coverage program 04L24 extends tire warranty coverage for vibration concerns and "abnormal wear" to 3 years/36,000 miles. You should have gotten a letter in the mail with a new sticker to update your warranty guide.

No, I think you've got every right to be upset. Your truck isn't right and your dealer isn't doing what needs to be done. I'd contact Ford's customer service division and get them involved.

 

Wasn't there an extension on the tire warranty to 36k? I received a letter a few months back about that, I'm pretty sure. I think there was even a thread on here about it. If you don't find it, let me know. I think I still have the letter, and can post it.

EDIT: Quintin beat me to it. Nicely done, Sir.

 

I whole heartedly agree with this.
Ford, did not refuse you, the d@mn dealership did...I hear this all too often that Ford did this and Ford did this when in reality it is the dealership which is NOT in any way owend by Ford Motor Company. If you feel the dealership has wronged you in any way, PLEASE get ahold of Ford Customer Service and report your issues to them...

 

I would check into the warranty on the tires. I'm not sure it was on all brands, but my BFG's were replaced under warranty at 32,000. Not that it made a difference, she still shakes 'er *** off...Oh well, back to the shop AGAIN!!!

BREW

 

Funny, I've still not gotten my tire warranty extension letter. Is there only certain tire brands covered by this extension? I'd hate to think Ford was trying to screw me.

-Travis

 

I posted manny complaints with hancook tires, so no need to repeat....put a lemmon in the grill and park it across the streat from the dealer lot, once they lose sales they will do anything to make you go away...due to the extra lbs of the f-150 this may lead to brake pad wear...problem rotors.....Ford is good at cost cutting and building half asked trucks that come with half asked excuse's, Ignore Ford custormer service...and hit the dealer with the lemon in the grill...I have shared your frustrations with a 02 f-150 and in the end I walked away from the truck, my 04 f-150 has been good, Best of luck waking up Ford/dealer...Chevy Dodge Nissan want you in thier truck's. I'm loyal to me...not a label..

 

I've got the Goodyear tires and also got a letter a while back saying that the warranty on the tires is now 36,000 miles. You should have received a letter from Ford about this. If not, I'd go back and complain and let them know that the tires ARE under warranty.

 

This is gonna be long...

Marc- I agree with you... it was the stealership. I stand corrected on that point. We'll see what Ford decides to do about this... that'll be the deciding factor on how Ford feels about it's customers as far as I'm concerned. If I find that my attitude about Ford is wrong, I will shout it from the rooftops!!!
So far, this occasion excepted, I've found that Ford's attitude and the dealership's attitude has been identical... sell the cars, move em out, spend as little on repairs as you can, and when they gripe, tell them to get the extended warranty next time.
I was even told on the phone by a customer care rep two weeks ago that Ford had no TSB's or recalls on leaks from the third brake light! I was arguing that Ford knows about the leak problem and should ask that dealer service departments have the gasket and/or third brake light assembly in house to make repairs less time consuming, and cut wait time for the part to arrive. After all, how much space in the warehouse does a set take up? Ford service depts could have them on hand rather than make us wait for a day or three...
This was a "trained, caring representative" at the 1800 number you call to report problems with a dealership or vehicle. Small issue, yes, but small issues become big issues when dealing with customers who pay big money for a product that they depend on.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quintin- I did indeed. I complained about throttle hesitation. I told them that one week before then, I had taken off out of the parking lot at work, and almost been t-boned by a car turning the opposite way because the throttle lagged more than I thought it would. I told them that the throttel difference between my F150 and my wife's Jeep was really aggravating, and I'd like to get the PCM reflashed as I had heard that it would help. They recommended a 70.00 air filter change, said that would cure it, and saw no need to do a PCM flash. I bought a K&N filter at the parts store, and it did help, but did not cure it completely... not even close. I understand throttle by wire and all, but c'mon...


Balog- thank you for that input- and no, you did not aggravate the situation with that. It is a relief somewhat...

To all who reminded me about the tire warranty- TRUE! I have the sticker. THANK YOU FOLKS for that. I forgot all about it... after all, I'd expect the service department to know about that and admit to it...




If this were a lone issue, I wouldn't seem so mad at Ford or the dealership. Unfortunately, I get angry when I think that a 30,000 dollar truck made by the best automaker in America is backed no better than a foreign made yugo.

My dealership- and seemingly Ford Motor Company, have done nothing but cause me frustration since the first time I needed their service department to fix the third brake light leak last year- 3 weeks after buying the truck. No loaner meant I almost missed my brother in law's visitation (he died Sunday, took the truck in Monday at 9am, got it back tuesday at 6pm FOR A THIRD BRAKE LIGHT REPAIR- (how hard can that be? two screws and a plug...) and had to have my brother drive 2 hours to pick me up because I was stranded.
All the dealership- and Ford customer care, for that matter- had to say was (paraphrasing slightly) "well, even though it was a warrantied repair, you get NO loaner! You'll know next time to buy the Extended Warranty!"

I owned a BRAND NEW 30,000 dollar truck, and had to ride in his 86 blazer with rotten seats because I didn't pay for an overpriced extended warranty...That was the beginning. That's why every time I deal with Ford now, be it in a stealership, or on the phone, I have an expectation of being treated fairly. Sadly, it has never happened.
I love the truck, but hate the dealership, and am REALLY beginning to hate the company.
Thanks folks for the words... I'll keep y'all updated.
BTW- I like that lemon in the grill idea!
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I never even got the letter about the tire warranty.