Anyone use BBB's Autoline yet? (Update: Need Advice)
 

I had a thread opened a while ago asking if anyone had any recommendations for Ford's DSB board. Came to find out that the DSB is gone and has been replaced with The BBB and this was confirmed lastnite.

Is anyone going thru the process right now? What are your expirences thus far?

I'm asking because I think I'm going to take my 04 into arbitration to get it replaced. I've taken the necessary steps thus far. I've called Ford's Customer Relations Dept and expressed my concerns. I met with the Service Manager at my dealership lastnite and expressed my frustrations with him and he just kept trying to blow smoke up my ass (telling me Ford never replaces vehicles and that he "might" be able to get me an extended warrenty).

I have one glimmer of hope which is my saleslady is REALLY at bat for me. She basically said she'd take it to the owner of the dealership if nobody was going to do anything for me (she's in the top 10 for sales in the country). However, I'd still like to know if someone is in the Autoline process currently.

FYI, I have an 04 with 12,000 miles. I have had the:
clutch packs replaced (and it still slips, but its "normal")
a new drive shaft
o-rings and freon replaced on the A/C unit
a new turn signal. and new flasher unit because my signals died on me 2 times
rotors turned and new pads @ 9000 miles
numerous rattles from the I/P
the fuel door replaced

the trucks currently in the shop for:
3rd brake light leaking and soaking the back seat
warped rotors again
the shimmy in the steering wheel
a terrible belt squeel when it's wet outside
a banging sound when the rear end is compressed (like going over a v-shaped dip in the road)
and the big issue of my brake pedal going to the floor on 2 occasions in the last 2 weeks.

Well, you have an F150online brother here who is currently in this process. Like you, my saleaman is backing me 100%. He has driven my truck more that anyone but me and has experienced my problems. Their service department is kind of taking the neutral positon, but we all know there is something wrong that they can't fix. Service has looked at it, the local Rep has looked at it and even some engineer from Ford has looked at it. I don't have a problem with Ford or my dealer, but MY truck is another issue. My dealer has bent over backwards trying to fix it - finding TSB's and even listening to stuff I have found here that has worked for other folks. My salesman had already started the process of talking to the local rep about replacing it, but due to Ford's lack of returning calls I was forced to file the paperwork as I'm currently past the 1 year mark. Right now Ford is talking to the BBB about it and doing the research??? on my truck. I hope to have some good news by weeks end. The lady that is handling my case with the BBB told me that the manufacturer's usually end up settling any claims about 75% of the time without arbitration. So far it's been an easy process, but we'll see what happens from here.

Awesome. Please keep me in the loop as to what happens!!

I'm not going to walk away from this with an extended warrenty that will supposedly "restore my confidence in the truck" as the service manager thinks. I'm sick of taking it into the dealership every 3 weeks for some new issue and an extended warrenty isn't going to stop that.

If my saleslady can't do anything, then I'll be following up right behind you and calling the BBB. BTW, did you call them or enter all the info via BBB's web site?

Thanks!

I filed through the BBB website. A few days later they mailed me all of the paperwork that explains the process and what you are required to send back to them. When they receive it, a case worker will review and contact you. My problems were for the steering wheel nibble, the bed-shaking vibe at 58mph and the new vibe they created around 45-50mph after replacing the clutch packs. I hate it because I really love the truck. If Ford will make it right I'll stay with them. Maybe not another F150 though. If I'm forced to pursue legal action, my money will unfortuneatly go overseas from now on.

i got a lawyer for my problems. i filed the papers for the lemon law they had 10 day to make a fix the vibration and diden't. the feild engineer did not even drive it after the repairs service mgr did. service mgr and thr ford rep. came to the conclusion that it is a characteristic of these trucks and they would not replace my truck. they did try to offer a 5 year extended warr. to keep me from getting a lawyer and going through with the lemon law. they know there is a prob with these trucks but just wont go public with it.my truck has been it the shop for 50 total days.my last truck 5days in 5 years

Justice has been served!!!! Just got off the phone with the BBB and Ford has offered to do an exchange of collateral on my truck, plus upgrades, minus $1300 for mileage. Now I have to wait for the paperwork to go through. Like I mentioned before, I really like the truck but I'm leary about getting another one. I guess I'll have to look around and see what's out there. Maybe an Expy or F250? I just hate to think about replacing it and having to go through this again. I know Ford builds good trucks, just not the one I bought (along with some others).

Anyway, thanks to everyone that has posted here... mods, troubles, everything. This site is truely a valuable resource for Ford owners.

how long did the whole process take? did they drive your truck? i don't know what i would do either? i like the truck alot but? could it happen again? :confused:

The BBB received my paperwork on July 8. Someone from Ford's complaint dept. called my salesman on Monday telling him that they had received the paperwork from the BBB. He also called them out on dragging this on (the repairs, etc.) for so long and told them they need to make something happen. Nobody drove my truck since I filed the complaint, but half the service dept., the local rep, my salesman, the dealership owner and even some engineer from Ford has driven it at some point in time. It seemed to me that Ford was dragging their feet until the BBB got involved. Then they had to make something happen, good or bad for me. They could no longer ignore it.

If you have your salesman on your side, they can be your best friend in this. Mine had already contacted the local rep prior to me filing, but I had no choice as my 1 year was about over. I think hearing the complaints come from the dealership carries more weight than if they hear it from us. Good luck with yours and hopefully they will take care of you as well.

Javelin- what problems were you having with your truck?

Congrats on the buy back!! I'm hoping something will happen with mine. I got a call from the assistant service manager today asking how to replicate some of the problems I've been having. At least the dealership is working it's best to correct my issues.

If I don't hear any good news tomorrow, I'm calling up The BBB to get this rolling.

Mine had the bed shakes at 58mph. This slowly reduced until it just dissapeared one day. But it came back at around 55mph, like it is doing now. I also have the steering wheel nibble, most of the time, even after they replaced the BFG's with a set of Michelin's. And I have a vibe around 45-47mph. This one didn't show up until they replaced the clutch packs back in the winter. And, even though it wasn't on the complaint, I recently starting experiencing the "thunk" from the rearend when pulling out in traffic and turning right.

You can fill out the complaint on the web. It took me about 4 or 5 days til I had the packet in my hands. The BBB seems to be on top of things.

Sorry I am behind in this discussion, but what is the BBB? I was in the service managers office two days ago and he gave me the info to start the DSB procedure. No mention of the BBB. The service manager has been very helpfull and seems to be on my side, but the district manager is just the opposite. She and the engineer both said the vibration is normal, even though Ford has issued three TSB's on just the steering vibration.

The BBB is the Better Buisness Bureau and has taken the place of the DSB for Ford. The actual division is called BBB's Autoline.

The service manager should have a small pamphlet that has Ford's "committment" to do the best they can to take care of the problem, but then lists the 1-800 number to call the BBB if you feel it necessary. They must have just recieved them because the stack of papers were still wrapped in plastic!!

The engineer told me the exact samething today.

I filed my request on the bbb site 2 hours ago.

Just curious...How many miles do you have?
Did they charge mileage from when you first took it in or todays current mileage?

Mine only had 8,000 miles on it. I don't remember where I read it, but I think they can charge you for all the miles when using the BBB. The DSB only charged for the time before the problem was reported. That's no problem with me. It's not like the truck sat there for a year. I did get some use out of it and have no problem paying that mileage charge.

RMJEFF go get them. i had it with there crap thats why i went after them. since getting my paper work in i have had new problems. i have the nibble in the sterring wheel between 45-50 which the can't get out.(but is better) now you can feel a vib(in the seat) on deceleration at 45mph and just got a call that the new ring and pinion are in. the other is last time it was is they replaced the upper control arm and tie rod ends and aligned it and the tires got chopped up with in 2000 miles. they replaced the tires(on top of the other 2 sets) realigned it and it pulls to the left. never ends keep us posted