What Ever Happened To Bleeding Ford Blue?????

[RBatson]

The main problem I have with Ford is their service, it sucks. I dropped the mustang off to get an oil change, align the front end, fix the power window and check for a noise coming from the rear.. a week later I called to see how it was going, I hadn't heard from them and they said they lost my number. I asked if everything was finished and they said yes. I said oil change, front end, window and the noise? They said "Oh, umm.. you wanted the oil changed too?" Yeah, the oil changed too. They called back the next week and said it was ready to pick up. I dropped my Avalanche off at the dealership to check for an oil leak and change the oil. A salesman gave me a ride, in a new car, to the Ford dealership. I paid the bill and went to get in the car, my window was scratched. I go back inside and someone comes out and looks at the window and says they will cover it under warranty. I'm thinking, that was easy, maybe they finally fixed their service issues(I'd consider a new F250 if they had). I have to ride in a van with 4 other people, all over town, before I finally get home. The Chevy dealership called the next day, the oil leak was a simple fix and the truck was ready. I told them to go ahead and change the tranny fluid and wash it. They call the next day, the truck is ready and its washed inside and out for $20 more. I get the truck. Meanwhile the Ford dealership calls and says they won't cover the window and say its because its dirty is why its scratched. This is after the service rep has told me they would cover it and called to see if the window was in stock(while I was standing there). I'm hot by this point and tell them I want to talk to the manager, they end up getting a Ford rep to look at it.. again, they won't cover it. So I go to pick it up and they try to charge me again for the service I already paid. I tell the service rep that this is why I won't be buying an F250, crap like this. We argue about it and I asked "did someone have to take that door panel off to fix that window regulator?" I get a 'deer in the headlights' look and they say "ummm, yes". I say "It seems kinda funny to me that the window is fine when I bring it in, you work on the window and now its scratched!" They said, "you have a point". I said, "its the felt on the end of the guide that holds the window steady, it needs to be replaced. It must have come off." Something I already told them a few times. They finally say they will replace the felt. They call back a couple days later and its ready. The window is slightly etched but its not scratching the window while sliding up and down. I tell them I will be selling the car and Ford will get a letter. They call back and say they will replace the window, I haven't returned that call.. the car is sold. I'm not sending a letter, I just won't be buying a new Ford until they do something about their service or lack thereof. I have other stories but I won't bore you with them and while I know this dealership sucks, its not just this one. The Chevy dealership always gave or offered a free rental when I took the Avalanche in for service under warranty(and I bought the truck in Orlando). Ford, never. Chevy will usually call or send a letter wanting to know how the recent service went. Ford, never. So if Ford wants to know why they are losing business, this is why. Service cost money but its the price of keeping loyal customers, something Chevy seems to have picked up on. I know a couple of diehard Ford people that recently switched to Chevy because of this. Who wants to spent $50k on a truck and not get good service? Not me. I don't care how good the truck is.. at some point it will need service. I hope someone from Ford reads this; You guys have some serious service and integrity issues at your dealerships.

I will probably never sell my 89 mustang and I may buy another Ford product, I've always wanted an 68 Cougar but I will not be buying a new Ford vehicle anytime soon unless they make some serious changes in their service dept.

[Unit 5302]

I won't be buying another new Ford because of my piece of crap 2002 Mustang GT.

I've owned the following Ford vehicles:

1977 Mustang II V8 Fastback
1988 Mustang LX Hatch
1988 Mustang LX Hatch
1988 Mustang GT Hatch
1985 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
1993 Escort GT
1987 Mustang GT
2001 Mustang GT
2002 Mustang GT

I've had an engine failure, 6 transmission failures including the 2002 GT which was babied for 17k until the 3rd gear syncronizer failed, and the entire transaxle exploding on the '93 Escort with only 90k on it. I've also become very aquainted with removing entire dashes to replace heater cores, but that's only happened 5 times.

On the 2001, I discovered the dealer had sold me a car that had been through a major accident and didn't disclose the information to me only a day after I bought it, when the power window motor failed and another dealer was looking at it. The new dealer found all the signs I had missed on the 12k car. The old dealer then tried to screw me on their money back guarantee/exchange policy and they attempted to avoid giving me the rebate on a new car which is why I purchased the 2002 off the new dealer's lot.

On the 2002, the power window motor failed, the transmission failed, the stereo failed, the engine had a random no-start condition related to some sort of bad connection in the transmission, the car would occationally start and chug for about 1min spewing heavy smoke. The 2002 still had the plastic on the seats when I bought it, and I took excellent care of it. I sold this heap of crap with 17k on it. By the way, when it was in the shop, the dealer's "rental car" was already being used so they couldn't offer one to me. Luckily, it wasn't supposed to rain, and I could ride my motorcycle everywhere I needed to go.

A side note, my sister's 2000 Ford Focus. The engine just blew up a couple months ago... with under 100k on it. This wonderful little vehicle has seen at least a 1/2 dozen recalls, and the recall work was often botched by the dealer resulting in the car going right back. The fuel pump failed 3x leaving her stranded and fighting for repair under warranty. She's now concerned that her transmission is failing.

You also might want to talk to Capri 306 about how GREAT Ford trucks and dealer service are. I can't remember if his family experienced the massive 5.4L crank failure problem or something else. The friggen CRANKSHAFT was failing. How do you not find that in proving grounds testing????? Maybe it was another cheapass move by Ford like the 1999 Cobra incident where they made a change to save $1 per unit at the last minute and didn't test it?

Why am I here? Because I would like to be able to bleed Ford blue again, and because I still love my old Mustangs. My 1987 and 1988 GT's were very reliable considering how I and their previous owners drove them. They had more problems than I would have expected from some soulless Toyota, but with a transmission that wasn't even rated to handle the engine produced in stock trim, failure was going to happen.

Don't give me the BS line that I should shove my head in the sand like an ostrich and pretend everything is a-okay. That's what got Ford into the trouble they're in now. Hopefully, if enough people that care about Ford finally start speaking up, Ford will be able to deal with these issues and start producing vehicles and dealerships that make Ford owners proud to have the blue oval in their driveway. If I didn't care, I wouldn't be here.

[rwhite65]

I am torn on this one, but will say this.
Most of the complaints are in regards to the dealer’s service. My old home town Ford dealer gave me great service, including on the used Grand Cherokee I bought from them.

I will not sit here and tell you that Ford makes the best products in every category. But I will say this. I am impressed with the new stang so far. However, I do not own one nor have I driven one, so I can only go off what I have seen, heard, or read. Their trucks however, I can attest too.

I have personally beat a 77 f150 for 10 plus years, 79 f250 (mine since I turned 14) and also have extensive experience with a 97 power stroke f-250 and a have yet once again tortured a 96 f-350 with a 460. All these trucks ride like tanks, but they were bought to work and they have done that time and time again. If I wanted a car ride, I would buy a Chevy, or better yet just get a caddy and not work at all. Their reliability has been great and I would never buy a truck other then the Ford if I ever planned on anything other then getting groceries with them. Ford has been good when it comes to their trucks, plain and simple.

You may see in my signature that I drive Jeep. I am not a Chrysler fan, dislike dodge or anything else mopar as far as that is concerned. But, I wanted a vehicle with a nice ride and serious four wheel capabilities with rock solid reliability. My family has owned 7 Jeep vehicles in the last ten years and they all have proven that they are good for what they were designed for. Ford's explorers just never added up.

My point is this, Ford does not make the best of everything nor do I expect them too. Will there be failures? Absolutely...they are machines and machines will fail. If Ford ever loses their credible truck line, I will still bleed blue on my trucks....just may always be driving older ones is all.
Ryan