I am about to start a small claims action against my dealer who sold me something I didn't get(a supercooling radiator).

Has anyone sued their dealer? If so why did you win or lose and what did the dealer bring in their defense?

I realize that this suit is not worth the time (monitary value) but people need to stand on the principle of the subject.
I believe Henry Ford would roll in his grave about this problem.

If theres one thing I hate is spending over 30,000.00 on a truck and being told by Ford dealers to bad we have your money we know we advertized that you get the supercooling radiator with the class 3 towing package and we care about you ....but we are not going to give you what you paid for because we can!!!
WE will continue to screw anybody who will not put up a fight, and even if you do we have enough money to screw you.

It's stupid if your going to change specs do it but cordinate your literature and don't say you get this for that if you don't get that for this.

Mark

 

Please post your name if you got your standard radiator replaced with the supercoolig radiator.


Mark

[This message has been edited by Supercrew2001red5.4 (edited 03-30-2001).]

 

those are some strong words my friend. I am disguested with the whole thing. The service manager is trying to tell me that the 1.02" is the correct raditor for class III package. Then were the f is the upgrade. Pissed me off. Next visit isn't going to be a good one if they don't give me the right raditor which I know they probaly won't. Ill keep you posted when I get the answer.

------------------
2001 F-150 5.4L trition,
Regular cab with 8' bed
XLT with Black Clearcoat
4x4 3.55 limited slip
factory cab steps
class III tow package
Factory ordered: 12/5
recieved: 2/22

Current Mods: Ford Plastic bedliner, Bug Deflector II

 

Hi Dave,


I don't believe Ford is going to replace any of these radiators if they do one they will have to do all...and theres to many to replace.

If anybody replaces them it will be the dealers and they will eat it. Now if you got a lousy deal when you bought it then mabey your dealer will replace it but if you squeezed him when you bought it ....

When I go to a dealer around Mid MI and explain that I paid for something I didn't get the conversation is about over.

Mark



[This message has been edited by Supercrew2001red5.4 (edited 03-30-2001).]

 

I agree there not going to replace because then they will have to do to all and they won't do that. Like I said in post he poped hood on another F-150 with tow package and said "Look its same as yours and ford could of changed specs" When he said that I was shocked but expected that. He tried giving me crap about cores may be more efficent. It was bs. I told him I want what I paid for and that was the 1.42" raditor upgrade end of sentence. Waiting for him to call me and say That mine is right one. I really don't know how I will react. If he says they will replace it then that would be a complete shocker.

 

If you go to small claims its a loser for Ford. Not a single person here has seen any documentation that spec's have changed!, nothing!Yet everyone can produce several documents that show what was specified for the truck, you can also note that the option price has not changed.Civil cases are won on compililation of evidence,what will Ford bring to the table, the little words that say "we have the right to change spec's" thats fine change them, but how do you think a judge will look upon at least 2 years worth of documents, inculing owners manuals, the source books, printed parts books, website information and sale liteture? they have the right to changes spec's, not mislead you into thinking you are getting something you don't.Either on purpose or by accident, all of these items should have been changed to refect the new spec's,and yet today with dealers being bombarded with concerns, not a single dealer has produced anything in writing to back their side. Bottom line "LOSER" for Ford!!Demand in writing a meeting with the Area customer service rep, or you will proceed with a civil action against the dealership, you really need to show the court that you tried all avenues before bringing this into court. That makes you case that much stronger.

------------------
2001 F-150 XLT S-CAB 4.6 "the full ride"
96 Taurus GL
93 Kenne-Bell Supercharged Mustang
"Injection is nice, but I perfer being blown!"

[This message has been edited by jstang (edited 03-28-2001).]

 

Seems like I've read a few other threads that stated Ford's rad supplier developed a new process etc. that allowed a std. 1.02" rad to cool equivalent to the thicker ones. I believe that better be verified very well first before proceeding. If that is the case then you may well be getting 'a super cooling radiator' an not know it by just measuring thickness. Would not be a nice thing to find out in court. Just best to have ALL the ducks in a row.

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- Soon to be 2001 F150 Harley Davidson Special
- 1993 Mazda Miata, wifes car
- 1994 Harley Davidson Heritage
- 1976 Honda CB750K, Original
- 1965 Honda 305 Dream, Original
- 1971 Triumph Trophy 650, Original
- 1971 Norton Commando
- 1970 Honda Trail 90, Original
- Yamaha 500 Short Tracker, racing #69
- 1984 Yamaha Virago 1000, wifes bike
- 1981 Honda Passport 70, wifes bike

 

That would be nice, but if that's true, then why wouldn't Ford just state that? It would save them wasted $$$ in replacements. Also, I have seen reference to stock numbers for each size, and there was only one stock number for the 1.02".

 

Dealer called me back today. The Sales manager said he called ford and talked to engineer. He was told that there was a production change(looks like upgrade and raditor won't be offered with towpackage I don't know) but anyways he said since all the current specs and literature does not show the change that they will replace mine. I was shocked and very pleased. He said they ordered 1.42" today and he will call me or a letter will be sent out when it is in. I was very persistent when I went so I think that helped. Also when he popped hood of a screw it also had 1.02" with the tow package that is, he then said they might of made the cores more efficent. I then said this truck to has the wrong raditor and I clearly know the 1.42" is the right one. Thats when he said he would do some reasearch and get back to me. So so far dealer has stood behind me and am very pleased. Before I give you name of dealer and address I want to wait before I get it put in you know. I will keep everyone posted

------------------
2001 F-150 5.4L trition,
Regular cab with 8' bed
XLT with Black Clearcoat
4x4 3.55 limited slip
factory cab steps
class III tow package
Factory ordered: 12/5
recieved: 2/22

Current Mods: Ford Plastic bedliner, Bug Deflector II

 

I cannot say what radiator I have in my truck, I have never looked to see how big it is. What I can tell you is this... I special ordered a F150 7700, basically it is a 3/4 ton F150 with the big towing package. You could say it is a 150 body on a 250 frame, suspension and drive train. I have a 29 foot travel trailer that I have towed over half the state in July and August, and never once has the temp gauge gone past half way. Do I have a larger radiator who knows who cares, the truck does not overheat, or even get hot for that matter. If your truck does not overheat then quit whining, if it does take it back.

 

I would just name the dealer, they are the ones that took your money. If a change in spec's occured( still have seen no documentation), then they had an obligation to at least inform you. If they say Ford didn't tell them, well......then I would think, both you and your dealer should have expected to see a 1.42" radiator in that truck.So at the time of the order/purchase both you and the dealer belived a HD raditor was included, or they knew it was not and hid the fact. A stand up dealership would swap it out, to make sure you got what you were expecting,reguardless if they paid for it or Ford did. Make sure you exhaust all avenues before filing a civil action, the courts are busy, and don't look favorablly on a suit that may have been resolved elsewhere.Just a little Ha Ha for you...I was rear ended, the kids insurance company Allstate, paid me for my rear damage, but not the front(forced into car in front of me),saying "a little Escort could not move a big truck with enough force to cause it to strike the car in front of it, and cause a moderate amount of frontal damage to the truck." using documents I found on the web, I got dollar amounts from 5 mph crashs for different makes and models, From Allstates website, When Allstates lawer objected to the use of "hearsay documents" I told the Judge they where from Allstate, he looked them over and gave her a Huge "Overruled"..... "councilor, these are from the company you are here representing!!! another document I presented was from the National Highway Traffic and Safety administration, explaining that trucks and SUV's are exempt from 5 mph crash standards, She got overruled objecting to that one also.Bottom line don't think you can't take on a lawer in court.Just be able to back your case with evidence.

------------------
2001 F-150 XLT S-CAB 4.6 "the full ride"
96 Taurus GL
93 Kenne-Bell Supercharged Mustang
"Injection is nice, but I perfer being blown!"

 

Who cares R1Newton if you don't care if you have the right one or not. Just because you haven't overheated doesn't mean anything. If you pay for something most people want what they paid for and that was the larger raditor whether the 2.2"core in 2000 models or the 1.42" in 2001 models. If your happy with your raditor than fine whether its the right one or not. Alot of people here are standing up for themselves and thats the way to go. Whos to say if your towing a heavy trailer say 3,000+lbs and you are running the a/c on high because the temp is 95degrees that you arent running a chance of overheating with smaller raditor.

------------------
2001 F-150 5.4L trition,
Regular cab with 8' bed
XLT with Black Clearcoat
4x4 3.55 limited slip
factory cab steps
class III tow package
Factory ordered: 12/5
recieved: 2/22

Current Mods: Ford Plastic bedliner, Bug Deflector II

 

Here is the latest,

I talked to the owner today he told me to talk to his service manager. He called ford talked to a Joan Lohrer (some bigwig) to see what steps need to be taken to get me my 1.42 inch radiator. She (FORD) says that the 1.02 radiator cools just as well as the 1.42 inch and that the cost of the class 3 towing package reflecs this.If Ford was to put the 1.42 inch in the package would have cost 200.00 more.
Ford will be coming out middle of next month to explain this.
I said then are you ( my dealer) going to give me the super cooling radiator...He said No.
She is supposed to call me back today.

Help Jim Wright

Mark

[This message has been edited by Supercrew2001red5.4 (edited 03-28-2001).]

 

I believe Ford when they say they were able to develop a radiator that was just as efficient as a lager one. That's why they were able to go from the 2.2" 2 core to the 1.42" single core for the super cooling radiator. I believe the problem is when they updated there build sheets, they put in the wrong part number. They are putting the 1.42" in Expeditions with the Class III tow package. If they put the 1.02" in on purpose they would have done it to the Expeditions as well.

I thought at least one person had seen a 2001 F150 on a dealer lot that had the correct 1.42" radiator for the super cool. I thought they had said that the sticker had the heavy duty electic/cooling package but not the towing package! I think it all a big screw up and they are trying to cover they're A$$. Good dealers will find a way to take care of you. Mine found a coolant leak. What's interesting is nobody ever measured my radiator, they just ordered the correct one.

If your dealer is uncooperative I would ask them how many people they want knocking their door asking about their radiator. I'm sure alot of F150 owners could be found at the local hardware store, grocery store and shopping malls that would like to know about the problem. It would be easy to print up a 1 page flyer to place on people's windshields that details the problem. Just be careful about the wording, let the owner draw their own conclusions. They may get real cooperative if they start thinking about how many trucks they have sold in the last two years in your area.

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2000 XLT Sport 4X4 supercab
5.4 Auto, 3.55 ls, Class III Towing Package with correct radiator!!, 17" ORP tires/wheels

Mods: Rhino Liner, Extang tonneau cover, 9005 fog lights, airbox removed
Wish list: Gibson SS, Rancho RS9000s

 

Suing the dealer is like suing the grocer for selling a box of Frosted Flakes that had Corn Flakes in it instead.

The manufacturer is who you are supposed to be suing. Not the dealer.