I know Ford and SVT watch this board, so am posting this letter for your consideration.

There have been a number of warranty issues with these vehicles which has caused Ford a number of claims, and as a profit making business that probably causes some concern.

On the other hand if you look at the benefits of having Lightnings in the public sector, you must agree that the benefits far outweigh the costs. For example, I have driven Chevrolets for over 35 years, and because of the Lightning, I now own three (3) new Ford Trucks! Had there not been a Lightning , I can assure that the trucks at our Farm would have been Chevrolet.

The problems we have been experiencing with these trucks can somewhat be expected from a high performance vehicle. For the most part, we have been very understanding and enjoy the trucks in spite of the problems.

In some cases, we push these trucks to the limit, and in so doing undercover the design flaws or problems which were not encountered in testing. I understand how this can occur --- but the positive side is you can receive the benefits of a lot of testers in almost all situations which can provide you with significant feedback on how to make things better.

The Lightning sells for a significant premium over baseline F-150s, and each owner has invested the money to participate in the joys of owning such a unique vehicle. I feel few of us would complain it the trucks were slightly higher in price as long as the addition would provide all the premium components (transmission clutches, transmission throttle bodies, etc) which would minimize failure of the components. The fact is we are doing this with components not warranted by Ford because Ford does not offer them. In most cases we are investing significantly more than Ford would have to make because of your buying power.

If you were to look at us a testers of Ford components, wouldn’t it make the warranty issues extremely cost effective, because we will find things you won’t!

When we push these trucks and beat Corvettes, Camaros, Firebirds, etc. I can assure you that those people who can afford this type of vehicle step up and take notice --- win on Sunday, sell on Monday. I know this is true because I am one of the converts – 3 vettes, 3 camaros, and a hemi Charger – now it is Ford, and the Last Ford I owned before this was a 1940!

I think I can speak for most of us in saying we would work with you to make these vehicles better which in turn reduces your warranty issues, promotes Ford, and everyone wins.

Just my two cents worth.

 

I second that. I've owned all GM's until now. There are still two Chevy's in the driveway. One will be replaced with the new Thunderbird or another Vette. Whatever the outcome is of my "normal" piston slap issue will be the deciding factor.

------------------
Jim
Black '00
#1,757 built 3/30/00
Clear corners
JDM street program
JDM 2# blower pulley (ordered)
J.L. Stage II ram-air
90mm MAF
FRPP Oval throttle body
Twin 40 series Flowmasters
3.5" chrome tips

 

Ford take notice! I'm obviously NOT alone in my feelings. I for one am buying a Nissan Maxima for my wife and NOT a Ford product. The reason is obvious.
https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/013318.html


Gforce, I think you may be on to something with your theory posted at NLOC.

http://nloc.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/001891.html

 

I agree totally, some of these issues have gone forgotten by Ford or ignored. I knew before I bought one of these trucks of the potenial problems that might arise (intercooler leaks, burnt pistons, etc) but I still bought it for the performance and attention you get when you drive it around and HIT THE GAS. If a group of people get together and make their voices known then a lot can get done with the warrenty issues. I would first confront SVT and ask what they think can be done with Fords tough skinned way of dealing with this. I don't think SVT and Ford Motor Company are directly related. If they are then that will be a little more difficult that first thought. Well, I hope this doesn't go unnoticed by Ford and SOMETHING is done soon.

------------------
2000 Black Lightning
01' tail lights
Borla cat-back system

 

I agree completely. You guys need to buy one of Sals lower pulleys. It gets rid of that heavy piece of junk and brackets on the bottom and allows for the ability to change belts on the rear on the side of the road. Why didn't all those high dollar engineers you employ think of this. Oh yea, its faster too.
noelvm

PS I'd be glad to test any new L for ya.


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

"ANYTHING OTHER THAN 1ST, SUCKS" (D.Earnhardt)
99.5 Red Ligntning, Mobil 1, PRO-M 80 MM MAF/filter, Custom Superchip, Eldebrock 5512 muffler, CAL TRACS, MT ET Streets, best time (1/8) 8.19, Bugflector II, G&H Lens covers head & fog, 200 WT Pioneer 4 CH AMP, BOSE 301 SERIES IV SPEAKERS (IN BACK)LONESTAR RACEWAY 2000 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, STREET STOCK CHAMPION 01-01 TO 06-01 LONESTAR RACEWAY

 

Sorry, but I'm a pecimist on any manufacturer taking notice of this letter much less doing anything about it. Ford is such a huge company; It's just too big to listen to our needs. Imagine we L owners as a few gnats flying around holding up little signs to read and that Ford is a huge 3 trailer semi hauler doing 70 mph as we cross their path on the highway; the whole chain of individuals that make our vehicles is just too long and just too big and political to have the power to stop and take notice of our concernes. That's about the best description I could come up with about what Ford could do additionally other than provide the truck to us. I guess the only thing we can hope for when we post open letters to Ford is that they don't try and record our names and addresses for future warranty reference for all the stuff we do, good or otherwise.

 

My single biggest concern is out-of-warranty intercooler failure. I'm on my third intercooler now and when this one goes I hope ford will step up and replace it with a fixed unit at little or no charge. If I get hit with a $2500 service bill for a Ford design/manufacturing problem I can guarantee this will be the last Ford I own. (at this point, its my third ford and my second F150). Conversely, if the problem is fixed in a reasonable manner you can rest assured I'll remain a Ford customer for many years.

 

Good let 'em! I'm buying a new Maxima instead of ANY Ford product. Can you imagine paying $35k++ for a new Jaguar X-type after the treatment Ford has given us L owners? Maybe the extra $4k gets you better service,.... I don't think I'll find out!
If you decide to continue dealing with companies that treat you this way
ITS YOUR OWN FAULT.
The marketplace is very competitive and as I said earlier, for $30k I can make ALOT of different type of vehicles faster than the L. Ford has lost a LONG time customer.

 

these things take care of themselves over time. it was announced today, that for the first time in US history, the Big3 is not who you think it is. Ford is #1, GM #2, Toyota #3 in US sales. no one is immune, and shoddy design and workmanship will ultimately cost manufacturers, and quality will be rewarded

 

Well, I don't think they can really hold any of what is put on the internet as legal or true info. Any one of us can write whatever we want to about what we've done or ran and can be totally false. Who are they to say it's true or not?!
Ford obviously realized my problems I had with 3 leaky intercoolers on my '99 L, with help from my dealer they put in a complaint and Ford gave in for my problems, to a sum of $4,000 towards a new F/L/M vehicle of my choice. Not to mention the door crack, seat bolster, and transmission.
They should step up and take care of their problem areas instead of letting them continue to be built.



------------------
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
PFA
2001 WHITE LIGHTNIN'
353.4 HP STOCK
Best of 3 runs--13.87--700 miles
2001 Windstar Sport

SOLD-with $4K from FORD!
'99 WHITE LIGHTNIN'
#0873--1 of 866--

 

Another part of the problem is that each and every Ford dealership is indepentantly owned. They do not have to do any work on your cars or trucks if they choose not to. i had a run in with a local deal here on a previous non-L F-150. We as far as the owner of the dealership and he told me to take my warranty issue else where. Contacted the regional Rep and he said that his hands were tied. he has to support the dealerships position. The more they can frustrate the customer on warranty issues the less we will bring them back. Which is exactly what they want. I wish BMW would build a truck.

------------------
2000 Silver Lightning 13.16 (so far)
PSP 4-way
PSP Filter Kit
PSP Lower Pulley
Level 10 Shift kit
F-250 Trans pan
MagnaFlow 12468
Snug-Lid

I feel a 12.xx coming on.

Team PSP West

 

As I write this 60 minutes is blasting Ford

The most valuable asset a Corporation has is its reputation and Ford is quickly giving its reputation away like it is worthless.

What I can't understand is why the neglect of
its Premium Truck Product?

My opinion is that Ford should take away the privlige of selling SVT products away from these substandard Dealers that abuse the Corporate Trust between them and their customers. There are good Dealers with excellent Service Departments that would make Ford Proud. Why not reward these excellent dearlers with the exclusive right to Showcase and Sell SVT. And further, give SVT the authority to fix our problems.

And... I don't have much hope for my engine after three months of consuming anti-freeze,
Jim

 

I agree. Ford has lost me as a customer. I have owned 16 new vehicles in the last 15 years with many being Fords but after this warranty thing with the L never again. I am already making plans to trade the wifes' Stang on either a BMW or a C5. Screw Ford!!

 

Thank you Ford for producing the maybe not so perfect but totally awesome Lightning.

------------------
Red '00 Lightning,
Power Surge Performance enhanced,
375 RWHP,
445 RWTQ,
12.974@104.818
Track Videos

 

Every manufacturer has its problems

http://www.donotbuyabmw.com/pages/m3problems.htm

The difference is in how your dealer treats you

Doug