I purchased a new 2003 F150 Super Crew (two tone silver, 4X2, trailer package, XLT) from Dan Murphy Ford in late November. This replaced my GMC truck short box regular cab.

I love the super crew since it has 4 full size doors and the lach system for the car seat in the rear. With a new baby I had to upgrade the truck it was that or a minivan(yuck!).

After spending my hard earned cash on the truck. I ran into some problems the second week I had it.

1. Air bag sensor needed to be replaced (light was flashing and dash was beeping)
2. Very poor gas milage (10MPG).
3. Door seal on passenger side(at highway speed sounded like the door was open).

I had issues trying to book it in for servicing this just two weeks after I paid cash for the truck. The salesman had told me that if anything goes wrong I could bring it in and have a FREE loaner car. Turns out that Ford had just stopped that offer once I bought. The dealership told me that they would pay half ,but I would have to pay the balance. Also they wouldn't have a rental for me until the next week.

I wanted to know why Ford had stopped this offer and comment on the issues I had with this new truck. I contacted them directly using their Customer Relationship Centre Email on the www.ford.ca web site.

Even according to the call center employee who talked to my wife two days later. Told her they have no real support tools for Ford vehicles other then a couple spec sheets, so they couldn't help me on any of my questions. She was told that I should contact my service manager at the dealership where I bought the truck. If that’s the case why even have a customer relationship centre? I would suggest the money spent on this centre could be better used to improve the quality of their trucks and providing customers with free transportation if they require service work on their brand new vehicle. For the reason why they stopped the free loaner "It was nolonger feasible to offer" great answer for someone who just spent a ton of money on a new truck now they expect me to pay for rental car!!!

I wrote Ford a letter to hopefully prevent the frustration that I went through from happening to another new Ford owner. Still NO answer that was over a month ago. I figure I will tell my story here, maybe venting will make me feel better.


I am completely unsatisfied with the communication and customer relationship management Ford Canada has provided me so far. These E-mail’s requests must be shipped off to some call center that Ford has contracted out. They have no real support tools for Ford vehicles other then a couple spec sheets, and have no real answers.

The good news is that the salesmen who sold me the truck Frank Yam was able to talk to his service manager and arranged to have a “FREE” loaner car. He even drove out to meet me with the loaner car. The Focus wagon was a big step down from a full size truck, but as least I did not have to walk to work!

Dan Murphy Ford worked on the truck for two days replacing an air bag sensor, replacing the passenger’s door seal and testing the fuel mileage. Frank met me with my truck to switch vehicles again.

I am very happy with the Frank and am not sorry I bought a truck from him.

Unfortunately I cannot say the same thing about buying a Ford truck. This is my first Ford Truck. In the past I have owned a S10 and a GMC Sierra which is what I traded in for this truck. The only issue I had with my GMC was I could not fit a car seat in it. The F150 Super Crew seems to fit my needs, but so far the quality and service is not living up to what I expect. I find it hard to defend my new vehicle choice when people ask how the new truck is and after owning it for a couple of weeks it’s been in the shop for 2 days for repairs. I have heard the line FORD ”Fix Or Repair Daily” too many times.

Does FORD really care about it's customers???????

VENTING done!

Thanks for letting me VENT!

 

Sounds like a majority of your grief began with the dealership. In the past when I similar problems with my Dodge dealer, I simply located the name of the district manager, then contacted him by phone. I was promptly directed to another dealership that corrected all my problems.

Now I know Dodge isn't Ford, but the ladder of responsibility still works the same.

Secondly, as for gas mileage, don't forget your break-in period traditionally nets a lower mpg. Have you checked it recently?

 

i've got a 2003 4x4 , 1year & 2 weeks old and the only reason i've been back to the dealer was to look at the new 2004's

Sry bout your problems, my salesman was great, i bought a used Excursion and he helped me with a few things free of charge. and i get 20% off on parts

Gas miliage does suck 12 mpg avg.

2 of my buddies have bought from the same guy, had theres in the shop for D/G software upgrade and got free loaners.

Dont know what to tell you

 

Thanks for the idea about the going to another dealership. I might end up doing that.

I really have a problem with Ford not providing their call centers with the proper resources. Also it's been over a month since I sent in the letter detailing my issues with Ford. You would think they would at least send me a form letter or something! The no reply really has me ticked off. I don't feel like Ford gives a care once they have your money!

The truck has just over 2000KM on it. I am planning a drive down to Florida next month. A long highway drive will be the real test. Hopefully the gas mileage will be better. If not it could be an very expensive trip at 11MPG. I ordered a "ARE" lid for it so the wind drag will be alot less then it is now(that should help).

I did some research on the recalls and complaints with the F150 2003 and some of the issues really have me worried. Driveshaft problems, rear driver's wheel falling off, frezzing ERG (causing gas petal to stick and brakes not to work!), steering shaft pitman loose which causes steering loss...... (I am hoping these are the extremes and only occur very rarely???)

After reading those I am taking it in for a oil change and inspection before the 27 hour drive down to the sunshine state.

 

As far as call centers and customer service centers are concerned..... remember these people are getting paid $7/hr to sit there and answer the phones. It's sad, but a reality that most call centers for any company are worthless. Same goes for the letter, it's probably in file 9.

I've always had better luck with local management. People tend to move very quickly once you've contacted their superior.

Oh, and one more thing... I would be surprised if you found a truck that didn't have that amount of recalls. If you want an example of a bad report, look up a 95 Dodge Ram

Good luck on the trip!

 

C'mon Buddy, calm down...think about it this way: You purchased a truck that had 3 problems with it, you had a hard time getting it into the DEALERSHIP, and even they got it fixed in 2 days. they finally backed down and gave you a loaner car.

what i'm trying to say is; sensors go bad all the time, a door seal could be installed slightly crooked, and you're getting 10mpg on winterized fuel, in a VERY cold country, in a vehicle that has only 1242 miles on it! call centers are a joke...have you ever called a computer call center? if you have, you've probably heard this before: "just turn your computer on and off, and that should fix it!"

i'm not trying to minimize your problem(s) but...HOW big were your problems...REALLY?

robert

 

I was in the same situation...I bought my 2003 F-150 FX4 SCrew on a Friday and was driving it to Galveston, TX on a Saturday. I put 2000 miles on it in my first week...YIKES. Haven't had a lick of problems with it so far. Sometimes life gives you lemons...it sucks to say that but what you make of it is what's important. My only complaint about my truck is that there is something loose in the blower housing (maybe a piece of foam) and it is rattles every once in a while when the AC is cranked up and the fan is on MAX.

Tony

 

Hey Truckman,
I'm guessing that you are in Canada somewhere. I bought my 03 SC in Oct. My average city is 10-13 mpg, average hiway has been as good as 17 and as bad as 10(during our last deep freeze -27 Celcius plus wind, did 600km trip) Right now I have 4200KM on the truck.

I had to take mine in to replace some relays for my trailer pkg that where missing as well as have the rear window seal (outside) replace d/t a crack. I bought my truck from out of town and go to the dealer in my city. They have been great, given the fact that I didn't but it from them.

This is my first Ford as well. I understand your frustration, given that its a NEW truck, but I have come to learn that all things come with some bugs. It's not the vehicle, its the person on the assembly line who maybe doesn't put as much effort into his/her job that hurts us the consumer! This doesn't change your feelings, which are valid, but hope it give you some peace knowing your not the only one.

 

Here's another vote of understanding of your problems however, with anything that is mass manufactured you're going to have an occasional flaw. This would apply from everything like the computer that you're reading this on to foam huggies made for Budweiser. It's just the nature of the beast...

With that in mind, it really sounds like you've had more of a crappy experience with the stealership to me. I'd definately recommend what has been said earlier in that you should find yourself someone else to deal with. They've made it clear that they're all about the sale and not about the service to you and that's what will ultimately make or break them. Service after the sale is what keeps me coming back honestly. Just about any dealer will match another dealer's price because they want the sale but, it takes a solid dealership with a customer in mind to take the bull by the horns and say 'we're going to make your problem go away... we're sorry for your problems...'

Now, take three steps back. Stand and look at your truck. It's an awesome machine... try to enjoy it.

RP

 

Thanks for the support. I wish Ford could be as responsive as this forum.

I will take your advice and take a couple of steps back and enjoy. I think I figured out how to add a picture of it. (see below.

This picture was taken the first day I got it!

A current picture would show it snow covered and frosty. Today it's -35 degrees here.








https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3662

 

hey t-man; Where are you headed down here in the good 'ole south ? if it's near the central west coast, give me a shout...

 

Good luck to you truckman. I wish you the best... that weather must be BRUTAL! I'm cold thinking about it and it's 31+ here.

Here's that picture you were trying to post....



Take care...

RP

 

My parents are snowbirds. I will be heading down to Maple Leaf Estates (Trailer Park) off of Kings Hwy in Port Charlotte.

The weather down there has to be better then the -30 it is up here. I might even get to use the A/C or open the back window in the truck for the first time!

It will be a long trip with our 9 month old, but he likes the car seat in the truck. That was one of the main reasons for going with the 03 Super Crew (LATCH system equiped). He sits high enough to see out the windows. I will likely put alot of miles on at night hopefully he will sleep most of the way down.

I have done a trip down to Florida before in a mini van with four drivers (before kids 1999) in 22 hours stopping only for gas and changing drivers. I figure this trip will likely take 30 hours plus with all the stops for changing/feeding/playtime. My wife and I might need to have and overnight stay depending on how much sleep we can get in the truck.

It's been two years since my last real vacation so I am looking forward to it.

Our plan is to take a short four day cruise while the grandparents look after the little one(and the truck)...

 

Is it possible to have a real vacation with children? Isn't that an oxymoron?

 

These trucks are not the most fuel efficient thing on the road that is for sure! Here are some personal stats from our S'crew - 5.4l, 3:55 axle, 4x4. Its a2001 Lariat that Ive owned since August of 2003.
KM driven - 8375
Total fuel - 1324 liters

= 15.81 l/100 km
= 17 mi/imp gal
=14.7 mi/US gal

Not pretty numbers considering some US people ar predicting $3.00/ US gal. this summer.

We too are driving the S'crew to Florida this winter- Ft Myers- for a break from this cold. Happy motoring!

Dave S