The truck was running fine for a few weeks, now it is in the 90s and it runs like crap again.

I took it in for an oil change and the tech discovered that I have the recalled seat belt buckles. they had to be ordered, which is fine. However, that recall came out months ago and they could have done that repair during the 30 f*&king plus days they had it in trying to fix the engine. They never bothered to check for recalls even though they had the time.

I asked the service manager why they did not stock buckles for my truck if they are recalled and he said because of all of the different colors. I also asked him why it wasn't done before and he does not know.

GO look at your buckles, they are all black if you have a 01 or newer. At least every other one I looked at are all black. He did not mention the belt itself, just the buckles.

I just got back from Georgia the other day I let the truck sit for a day and went to unhook the trailer I towed back. I moved the truck and discovered a huge puddle of transmission fluid on the driveway. I called my salesman and told him I need something done. He told me to call the general manager and schedule an appointment, he never called back in a week. I went to talk to the service manager and he said he would speak to the area rep and call me back ASAP. He was gonna help me get out of the truck and get a new one. I have not heard from him in about two days. He did tell me my seatbelts were in. No one ever called to let me know.

Now the truck is not shifting down to first gear at every stop, the brakes squeak, the drivers window still bangs around in the door, and it still doesn't run right. I have recalled seatbelts and a stong coolant smell when I have the window down. Also, a possible tranny leak.

I just called the state and ordered arbitration papers, I am unloading my crap out of the Lariat and parking it in the back yard. I refuse to drive it the way it is.

If any of those bastards at my dealer call me back they can eat ***** and die. I am finished dealing with inept people.

This totally sucks, I finally get the truck I always wanted and this happens.

 

I'd find a new dealer-service dept. Tell them whats happened at the other place. Who knows, maybe they'll give you a loaner while they fix your pos.

option 2:
Get a lawyer and sue FoMOCo. They like to buy stuff back rather than pay 300k in legal fees and lose all kinds of dough.

*ducks down preparing for flack*

 

yeah whats up with that not being in first gear at a dead stop mines done that before too.

 

otterbob, I have noticed that before a few times and thought nothing of it. The other day I drove across town and it did it around every corner and at every stop. I would take off and have to floor it to downshift to first, then it would shift right back to second. I drove it down the street to get gas for the mower yesterday and it did not do it. The more I let this truck sit the better it runs.


Everyone else, the only other dealer within 30 minutes of my house is just as bad. That is where we had our Explorer adventure, at least they tried to fix it.

I know that everyone is sick of hearing about this crap. I have been nice and patient with them, I even asked them to help me replace the truck, very nicely. Nice doesn't work.

when you back out of your driveway in the morning, shift to D and the truck stalls right in front of kids walking to the bus stop, or when you pull in to busy traffic with your family in the truck and it stalls, what can that say about Ford. My wife refuses to ride in it as it is. We have to take her Highlander everywhere. Her Highlander has not one flaw anywhere. Is her $30K any better than my $30K?

Like I told the service manager, the window banging around I can deal with. Bad paint, squeaks and rattles, etc. and other minor vehicle problems I can deal with. It is engine and transmission problems that I can't deal with. It is the mentality of the dealership saying "WE know that it doesn't run right but we don't know what it is so there must not be a problem" BS.

When this is over, Ford has lost my business for a few years. I will buy any other truck, probably a Tundra, which I really don't like as well but at least I can bet on it not stalling.

 

You have every right to be pissed off. I think anyone who has gone what you have gone through would get rid of the truck and stay as far away from Ford as possible. I wouldn't blame you one bit.
Yes, we love our Ford trucks but enough is enough. I hope that you are able to get out of that truck with as little a hassle as you can.
You've tried to be nice about it and it didn't work? So sock it to them. They seem to have put you through more than enough BS.
I wish you the best in getting out of that truck and hope that your ordeal isn't one that we see repeted here often.
Please keep us posted!

 

First: I would say this would have to fall under the lemon law, which will make getting reimbursment a lot easier.
Second: It doesn't matter who I deal with whether it is Midas, Ford dealer(s), or any other shop I swear they never call you. I always end up calling them and they give me either: 1. It just got done (yeah right I know it has been done for hours) or 2. Yeah its been done for hours, we called earlier (thats interesting the caller ID says other wise). I have leatrned to just keep caling about every 3 or 4 hours the day it is suppose to be done.
Third: My '97 hates first gear as well, it is like it is scared of it I am always starting in 2nd unless I floor it.

Hope you have better luck, and if that truck is under the factory warranty and you are over 25 you should get a loaner no questions asked--even if it is in for a day.

 

Seacrow-- you need to get working on getting the Dispute Settlement Board involved in this ASAP. They have a 800 number if you need it let me know. This is a arbitration board that Ford has set up to do settlements in sticky cases. I have been thru them -- with some success -- I think !!-- If you need the 800 # -- ask your dealer -- If not -- I can get it for you Let me know

 

ONe other thing guys, I have completed all of the steps necessary under Florida's Lemon Law. Their final repair attempt was in late February. The truck started running better when the weather got warmer after that. I was afraid that the truck would not misbehave at a hearing. Now that it is hot it runs bad again. I have the arbitration papers being sent to me today. It would take about three months at the most for the hearing and for Ford to take action after the hearing.

Mark, that dispute settlement board number would come in handy for me. If you don't mind giving it to me.

I hate having to go through all of this. It makes me sick to my stomach. I have loved my Ford trucks in the past. I hate having to be so abrasive. I really wanted the truck fixed from the get-go and I would have been happy.

I am about to mail my payment off and hop in my trusty 95 Dodge Cargo van to work today. It squeaks, rattles and stinks but it runs great with 103,000 miles on it.

 

seacrow:
ordering arbitration papers was probably the right thing to do, getting the dispute number may be the right thing to do, but definitely now is the time to stop being nice and find a lemon law atty. one who charges only if he wins, also make sure his fees come from ford and let him get to work on it. this thing is gonna kill you either from mechanical failure or from a heart attack dealing with it.
if i were you i'd buy a chevy, only because ford thinks of them as their major competitor. then send photos of it to the reg. rep and tell them how pleased you are. hopefully you would be. i haven't heard to many bad things about the '01-'02 chevies.
again good luck, hope it works out for you.

 

Like my mom always says....."This too shall pass." In no time you will be in your brand new Chevytoyotadodgenewfordwhatever and you will be happy as a lark.

The only problem with that new vehicle is, if you are like me you will be hypersensitive to every noise, creak, sputter etc. just because you are waiting for your problems to happen all over again. Try to just enjoy the new one whatever it will be.

You definitely got a lemon and although a PITA it will work out. They will buy your truck back and all will be well.

Good luck

Chris

 

I'd be doing the same thing. I love Ford and wouldn't want to have to buy a different truck, but when it comes down to it....you gotta do what you gotta do.

When you spend $30+K on a vehicle you would THINK that it would be a quality vehicle. I mean *****...my dads 323 BMW was only $36K fully loaded.

 

Thanks for the support guys. Today was the first day of letting the truck sit. It's gonna be a long wait in that van. Vans are totally useful but man they will wear you out.

wildchild, I called every attorney that deals in consumer law. NONE of them handle lemon law cases since it is easier to do yourself in Florida they said.

 

Seacrow,
If you contact me direct at my email -- markmizzou@hotmail.com, I will give you more details. I would rather not publish everything till my case is complete. Thanks -- Mark