I thought I would post this since usually only the bad news about dealers gets posted.

I just purchased a 98 F-150 4x4 ORP with 45kmiles on it from a local used car lot. After I purchased it, of course, I find the infamous door crack and sliding rear window leak, not to mention the power steering pump is making a whining noise when turning and the passenger door lock is busted Used car lot says its not their problem, go see a Ford dealer.

Dropped by the local dealer to see what they can do. They told me to come back in one week and leave the truck with them for one day and they will see "what they can do." I'm thinking their stalling on me to make up excuses about the repairs.

One week later, today, I dropped the truck off in the am and called them around 5pm. Service Manager tells me, "hey no freaking problem, we'll replace your rear window, seals and all for FREE, we'll send you to our local body shop to repair your door crack for FREE and see if we can't stop the passenger side from cracking. We checked out the power steering pump and don't see any problems, but I tell ya what, we'll flush that system for ya and replace the fluid. The door lock? That one we are going to have to charge ya for but I'll cut ya deal on the labor to install."

By this time I'm so dam happy I could kiss the service manager!!

I thought I was going to be in for a long battle after reading all the posts on dealer issues. Not the case at all. This really gave me a good feeling about buying a Ford. I'll see how they do on the repairs as far a quality, but since its free I'm not sure I can complain too much.

 

The power steering systems are noisy! I replaced all my power steering fluid with Mobil 1 Synthetic Tranny Fluid. The noise level is greatly reduced.

Good Luck.

 

I feel the same way about my dealer, Tommie Vaughn Ford in Houston. Great SVC. I was buying the truck used and the a/c was out. They replaced everything, FREE!! I couldn't believe it. The a/c has been trouble free for over two years now, I feel confident with their svc. dept. after that As for the p/s noise, I've gotten so use to it I don't even hear it anymore. All of the late models have a low speed pump whine, Good luck,,,,98

 

As long we're talking about dealers, I have give props to Mullinax ford in Cleveland. The first Lariat Screw they put me in didn't have a moonroof. To close the deal they thew one in. When it came back from the installer, it was an aftermarket piece of crap that looked like a home install javascript:smilie('').

I complained and made it very clear that I wanted a factory roof (because they look better than any aftermarket moonroof). They took me out of that Screw and put me in a fully loaded (and I mean FULLY LOADED) Lariat that has all the bells and whistles Ford offers except for the rear entertainment system. It was a complete upgrade and although initial experience was disturbing, the end result will bring back for my next vehicle javascript:smilie('').

 

Thought I'd update and ask a Q.

So far so good.

Dealer installed a brand-new rear sliding window and seals this past Friday. It has been raining here all day and when I took it out this morning I saw no leaks ! I plan on getting out the water hose and turning it on full blast later this weekend to double-check everything. Although I did find bits of seal dropped in the bed, but hey that why I have a bedliner.

The dealer is sending me to a local body shop on Monday to do the "door" repairs and repaint the door. I'm thinking about having the body shop repaint the entire truck since I have a few "minor" scratches. I am wondering how well new paint will match the old "Toreador Red" if I decide not to paint the entire truck. I know white is almost impossible to match up, but what about the lovely Toreador?

Thanks for the help!

 

It's good to hear there are good dealers out there. When I bought my truck I had no idea about door cracks. The dealer warned me and had already fixed the used truck I was about to buy. He also had it buffed and threw in some new tires. I bought it for well under bluebook value, and it's running great.

 

Huh didn't know that you could run tranny fluid in your power steering. What type mercon/dexron III? Of course if I did it it would be with a synthetic. Thanks

 

The power steering system uses ATF. Not sure what type. I put in Mobil 1 synthetic ATF since I already use the oil and ATF. It has been in there over a year, and is almost silent. It did fill and drain three times to get all of the old stuff out.

Good Luck

 

I know there are engine and radiator flushes, but can you get a power steering flush?

thanks

 

Thought I'd update this fyi.

Finally got my truck back today and boy am I happy! On top of the dealer replacing my rear-sliding window and seals for free, the local body shop repaired my drivers side crack and installed the "preventive" fix on both the drivers and passengers doors and repainted the entire drivers side door. All expenses paid by Ford. While I had it there I had them try to buff out some "pitting" on the hood and fix my passengers side door lock. They ended up having to strip the hood and repaint it and they fixed the lock. When I picked it up, guy only charged me $198.00 for the paint job and I couldn't tell where the new paint ended and the old paint started. Most excellent job. Although now I have to wait a month to Zaino-it !

For anyone in the Charlotte area, I highly recommend Keith Hawthorne Ford and Austins Body Shop, both located in Belmont.

 

SWEET!! Good to hear when someone gets the decent svc. they deserve,,,,,,98