Let me start by saying thanks to everyone who helped me along the way with my BBB Autoline case. All the help, info and tips are greatly appreciated.

And now for the bad news. The Arbitraitor denied my case. He said he didn’t feel the problems were “bad enough” to diminish the safety or the value of the truck. Obviously I’m pretty pissed about the outcome. But I just wanted to let you guys know a little about what happened. I’ll keep it short, because every time I even think about it, my blood starts to boil. This whole process has been the worst thing I have ever been thru. And I feel it is totally unfair. The BBB is 100% on the manufacturers side and NOT on the consumers side as they say they are.

After 18 months of trying to fix my truck and a total of 4 months in the shop I decided to go with the BBB. I filed on Sept 7th 2005 and never got to arbitration until 2 weeks ago. Ford decided to send an engineer and then on the day he was supposed to be here, they told me they didn’t have enough engineers at that time to come out to work on my truck and they had to push me off for a few weeks. When he finally did show up, he took a 20 minute ride, hung out at the dealership for an hour and then left, never to come back or drive the truck again. After the rear was rebuilt twice, tires rotated and balanced more than I can count, drive train components checked, checked, and rechecked, tires replaced, frame dampner installed, shim put on rear axle and who knows what else, I was told it was fixed as best they could get it and Ford will not work on it anymore. That’s when It went to arbitration.

After all that I had been thru for the 18 months, I would have thought Ford would show up to the hearing. If nothing else, at least call in. But they didn’t, they sent in a report which I got to see for 5 minutes before the hearing started. It was basically a bunch of lies from Ford which the arbitraitor agreed that they were lies in the report he sent me. So he knew they were lieing(sp) When we took the truck for a ride, the arbitraitor didn’t even drive the truck. I went for a 20 minute ( if that ) test ride as he talked on his cell phone about his dog that was in for surgery. Ford agreed there was a problem with my truck and tried to blame it on everything but them. Aggressive tires, aftermarket exhaust, not enough tire rotation. I cant believe after all that, my case was still denied because some guy who knows nothing about cars or trucks feels that the problem isn’t “bad enough” That, to me is just plain B.S.

So, my advice to anyone who ever has to go thru this, is don’t. The BBB Autoline is a long, drawn out joke of a process. They could care less about you and never call you back. I would go straight to the lemon law process as soon as the truck qualifies. I waited too long because I was assured they would fix my truck. I would also get a lawyer if possible. If you do get to arbitration, I would tell them that whatever problems you have are so bad you have to pull off the road sometimes, or whatever it takes..Lie if you have to. It sucks that the big companies do whatever they want to and get away with it.

So now I’m on my trek to finding a new vehicle. I’ve been loyal to Ford for the past 17 years. And now I’m not so sure my next vehicle will be a Ford after the way they treated me. I started my search already and have looked at a Mustang and priced out a few new F150’s. I’m gonna hit the other dealers this weekend. At this point, since I am forced to take a hit on my trade, the one with the best deal wins. So any dealers out there that want to help me out and give me a good deal let me know. I’m willing to travel a reasonable distance to get it.


BREW

 

That sucks, good luck on what ever new truck you get.

 

Sorry to hear that, but why couldn't you just sell your truck outright instead of trade it? I know you may feel bad about selling someone a POS, but if you don't, whoever you trade it to will.

 

True, but to be honest, I hate selling vehicles. It has always been a hassle for me on the past. Plus, since its not paid off it makes it harder to do the transfer and all, so I think guys would shy away from it...?? I don't know.


BREW

 

Hey BREWDUDE,

My deepest sympathy for what you've had to go through and the pain that it has been.

I flat out can't believe you would even consider another Ford after this. Any company who would treat a customer like this and really pull one over on them doesn’t deserve to have that customer back. I’m not saying this so that you stray away, but honestly think about it. Your odds are so much better somewhere else.

Personally, this will be my only domestic vehicle until I buy an old muscle car, or if I get a Vette some day in the future. But not another domestic daily driver. The build quality and included features just are not there for domestic manufacturers. It’s getting better, but still not up to par with the industry. It’s not a slam, just a pure observation.

I would think now is a good time to sever all ties from Ford for you. I mean why support the executives who have pushed for larger profit margins to cut the losses they have incurred from poor build quality which leads to decreased sales? This only supports the behavior. Best of luck to you in your new vehicle purchase.

Duke

 

Every car I've ever sold has not been paid off, but it can be kind of a hassle. You just have to get their money and then get the title from whoever has it and then sign it over to whoever bought it.
It can be a pain, but most of the time it hurts a lot worse when you get bent over at the dealership on a trade.

 

You know what i think Tom.

Dont let one bad apple ruin your loyalty to ford. I guess i dont know what its like to be in your shoes but the thing that would have pushed me away from ford the most is the lack of customer service. Lemons are out there, but if you get one its the dealers and ford themselves that need to take responsibilty for it and treat you right. In your case you didnt get that. So i can see how it would be tough to buy another ford.

Go test drive some, ford, chevy, dodge, who knows maybe you will find something else you like. Im just telling you if you end up buying a chebby i wont be talking to you any longer

BTW...I hear Honda makes a nice ridgeline...........................LOL

 

Brewdude.. That really sucks.I cant believe they denied your case after everthing you been though.I agree with the other post why would you go back to ford after this?I didnt, even though mine was a better outcome without too much trouble.I too was a ford man for 16 yrs.but no more at least til then next gen.of f 150 comes out.I love the tundra...I hope you have better luck in your next truck ford or not.Again sorry to hear about the outcome!! Good luck P.S I may get bashed for buying a tundra but thats ok,i love the truck

 

All;

FYI

You do realize the the BBB is a membership organization, the the various businesses pay to join. Any business can join, with little or no checking done. It really is not a consumer protection organization as you would like to think it is. The fee to join is pretty high to try to keep the riff-raff out. The BBB is definitely slanted to the businesses.

BJ

 

That sucks Brew. I hate to hear that they denied it. I would have thought with all the problems, and even with those problems verified they would have taken care of you. But, I guess it's time to move on. Personally, that would steer me away from Ford, at least for a very long time. Are you looking at the Toy's any? Don't know when the '07's are coming out, but they do look like nice trucks.

 

Some of you act like Ford is the Lone Ranger out there with build problems and crappy customer service.

Dig around very much and you'll see people that own any and every make saying the same thing about what they're experiencing... even the beloved Toyota. I was just reading last week from a loyal Dodge guy that bought into the hype and thought his new Toy was the best thing since sliced bread.. until it started falling apart about 6 months later. He is having one heck of a time getting it straightened out. He got rid of his V-8 Dodge in favor of the much touted Toy when gas shot through the roof because of the mileage he has to drive weekly.

I personally know two die hard Chevrolet truck guys that are driving other vehicles now because of the same issues.

This stuff happens with all of them. You're kidding yourself if you think it doesn't.

Sorry yours turned out this way BD. My dealer swapped the entire drivetrain out of an '06 off their lot into mine to solve my issues because it was taking too long going through all the official Ford red tape.

 

Sorry about your problems. Is there anything else you can do? Can this go to a higher court? Buy anything but just don’t go foreign. I hear that part of the paperwork to buy a Ridgeline is an agreement to never be a “man” (or “women”) again. I believe after the purchase you fall somewhere in the middle. Go USA!!!

 

I hear you guys...and trust me, it's going to be a hard decision to get back into a Ford. I dont hold a grudge against the vehicle. But I do, against the company and the way I was treated. Summers almost here and a nice car would be sweet right about now ( see my thread in general ) The BMW and Lexus are beautiful cars and something I may take a look at. On the other hand, I absolutely love the style of my truck, inside and out and theres not another truck out there I could see me driving right now.

Like I said, I'm going shopping and the best deal is gonna win...


BREW

 

I'm with the Duke on this one. There's no way I'd ever buy another Ford if they did me this way. I'd drive anything else besides a Ford.

 

I hear ya, man, but one thing that keeps me coming back to Ford is that I get D-Plan. So i'm not so sure I could get as much vehicle for the price I can get a Ford for, unless someones doing some reall awesome deals out there I dont know about.


BREW