I purchased a brand new Ford Explorer limited in December. It had 10 miles when I picked it up. Drove it off the lot, got it home to realize it had transmission issues that would make shifting to reverse very slow, and in some instances shut off the vehicle. Upon contacting our dealer we bought it from, we discovered the nearest dealer with a transmission specialist was an hour and a half away. I contacted ford assist and asked if there were any dealers closer with transmission specialist. She began reading off all dealers in my area. I told her I needed a dealer that could work on our transmission. She stated that she wasn’t going to provide any specifics on dealers rather just help me find a dealer period. Disgruntled I asked if there was any assistance in getting brand new vehicle to this dealer that was over an hour away, OR if there would be any assistance in getting a loaner while this one was being worked on. Both of which, I was told ford would not offer any assistance. Ford customer service has absolutely tanked , and worse, their product quality has also tanked.
During the wait to get an appointment, the radio died in the vehicle and the screen was not operable. In the meantime, the vehicle sat in the dealership for over a week to replace the display.
After spending a month getting an appointment with a dealer for the transmission, and then my vehicle sitting in the dealership for the transmission issue for 3 weeks, I drove an hour and a half to get my vehicle. Picked it up and realized it had the same issue. Absolutely no change. Requested ford buy back this vehicle and they refused.
We are now in the beginning process of suing ford motor company for a lemon law. I warn all who read this—stay away from ford! They aren’t what they used to be.
Case ID CAS-35729588-C5W0Y1
I would have taken it to the local Ford dealer, it’s their problem. Could well be electronic/computer issue. If they had to get outside help, too bad. I’d also have escalated it with Ford in writing.
I dunno but I think they have had issues for a long time. The 54’s were good cars though. Thing is you can’t really take a brand new vehicle off the lot and take it on an extended test drive. Then it becomes a used vehicle and that’s why they have demonstrator vehicles and warrantees.
+1
My brother bought a '54 Ford Mainline, circa 1962, and it burned so much oil that he resorted to buying large jugs of oil from Pep Boys. Overall, it was a decent car–until at state inspection one year, when they hoisted the front end to check for looseness, it fell off the lift. It was never the same after that, and he sold it to another young guy.
If only this forum had existed back then, he could have complained to the world that his 8 year old Ford was “a lemon”.
My father’s '66 Galaxie 500 was a really nice, problem-free car–until it was T-boned and totaled.
I owned an '86 Taurus, and it was the best new car that I had ever owned–up to that time.
However, it paled by comparison with my subsequent Accord and three Outbacks.
I did both of those. The local dealer said I would have to arrange repairs with a dealer that has transmission specialists and they wouldn’t help with that process. Not to mention the other dealer wouldn’t give me a loaner because I wasn’t their problem.
I also called ford corporate and had the ticket escalated to which a decision was made that ford could not assist until the vehicle had been out of commission for more than 30 days. That’s your American made Ford dealership for ya.
Heh heh. We didn’t have ours that long. Since you are in Duluth now, I remember Dad drag racing a kid on Superior street. I 'spose I was 6 or 7 and thought it was a little immature but Dad was not to be trifled with and we wiped his chevy rear with our V8 54 Ford, Skyhaze blue.
Unfortunately, that problem was rampant with essentially all cars back then. I recall my mother sitting on the curb, using fiberglass strips to repair the rusted-out rocker panels on our '55 Plymouth. I was impressed with how well she did it.
My cousin’s '58 Chrysler had rusted out floor panels, just like your '54 Ford.
Studebakers seemed to be very prone to rust damage after just a few years, but I don’t think that any cars of the '50s were immune to that problem.
Don’t know what state you are in, but you need to first check out the lemon laws and make sure to document everything. You will need to go thru the hassle of whatever is legally required by your state, and that usually means giving the dealer the chance to make it right a number of times.
My advice is to never threaten or shout, but to always be firm, polite and nice to the dealer staff involved. And always start with the dealer that sold YOU the vehicle. You want them to be on your side and they can help you get thru the company bureaucracy, if they want to. But they can be your worst enemy if they think you are trouble. Touch base with your sales person too, good sales folks know the value of good word of mouth.
It took my dealer 4 months for FCA to get my truck fixed, but I am convinced that it got fixed because the service manager at my Ram dealer pushed Fiat Chrysler hard to get it fixed. I talked to him after his staff failed to fix it. I never shouted or threatened or complained. I just was persistent and explained that I needed it to get fixed. He admitted he didn’t know what was causing the problem… but he’s the one who got factory reps to come to his dealership to fix it.
Good Luck
I Googled that case ID. You’re cutting and pasting this story in all sorts of forums left and right aren’t you.
What state are you in? Hope you’ve engaged a specialist lemon law attorney, it’ll ensure the best and easiest outcome. In all states, attorney fees are paid by the manufacturer.
Did the service department agree with your assessment of an internal transmission failure or are they trying to wash their hands of a complaint that can’t be satisfied?
Delayed engagement in reverse may not have a remedy. Does this cause the engine to stall while in reverse? The engine is designed to stall while in drive.
He’s made a couple of other posts, but they aren’t getting much in responses. He says he’s beginning the process of suing for lemon. While I’d sure like to hear what happens, any decent attorney will tell him to shut the freck up, as anything he posts can (and will) be used against him, if it should come to that. He can count on it.
