Rant about Ford

[jsfinn]

I took my 2003 Ford Escape with 38000 miles on it to the dealership yesterday because it was making a rubbing sound when turning the wheel. I figured because it's only 2000 miles out of warranty, maybe they would cover whatever repair it needed. <br /><br />The service manager called me this afternoon to tell me that my tie rod ends were worn out and needed to be replaced. I asked him to see what he could do about getting the warranty to cover it. He pretty much told me he wasn't even going to check because they wouldn't cover it. <br /><br />I called Ford directly who told me that if the dealership says it's worn out, it's normal and they won't cover it. If it was "defective", they might do something. We go back and forth for a while about how a tie rod that's worn in 38000 miles IS defective, because it shouldn't have worn that quick... still, she won't do anything for me.<br /><br />I talk to the service director at the dealership, he won't do anything for me either.<br /><br />Now I'm stuck with a repair bill on something that shouldn't have worn out.<br /><br />Why can't they make good cars anymore!??!

 

[Pony]

Re: Rant about Ford

I hear ya jsfinn...that stuff shouldnt happen<br /><br />BUT if they made things that never broke and didnt wear out.....and you know they probably can, than how would they make any money on aftermarket parts.<br /><br />Think of how much it would cost to build a vehicle strictly with aftermarket stuff.

 

[QC]

Re: Rant about Ford

I am having a similar problem with their independent rear suspension on an '03 Expedition. It needs its 4th clutch pack in 63,000 miles. So far I have paid a percentage of one as they do believe it is a defect type thing, but pretty ridiculous that I have paid anything. It is a rear end for god's sake!!! You'd think they would have that stuff figured out.

 

[deeep water]

Re: Rant about Ford

hang on to that bill ,,if there is a recall in the future about excessive wear you will be rembersed,,, my 2004 toy tacoma just got recalled for pos scrached ball joints at the fac,,started back in 2001 up till now and i got less than 18000 on my trk so go fig

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Rant about Ford

Hey JS, are the tie rods a known problem with Ford Escapes in general because I have a 2004 with 27,000 miles on it right now. I'll research this on the Ford Escape forum. I'd better take mine in before the 36,000 mile warranty and have a thorough check for all the known problems. So far it has been a dream of a rig for us. My wife wants another one.

 

[JB]

Re: Rant about Ford

Hmmmm. If tie rods (actually tie rod ends) wear out in 38K there is something else wrong. Bad alignment, defective materials, improper service.<br /><br />They do wear out, but that is normal for 80-120K, not 38K.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Rant about Ford

Ford tried something similar to me when an emission part went out... and of course.. it was 'just outside of that particular warranty'..<br />They wanted over $200 to fix it. <br /><br />Long story short... I sent in the 'negotiator' (my Wife)... and all I had to pay in the end was the $19 part. Ford came back and said there was a 'silent recall' on that item, but my mileage was just outside the time period... Yea right... if I had known about the recall, I would have taken it in... <br /><br />As the old saying goes... The squeaky-wheel gets the grease. I would raise holy-hell about it. Radio stations, newspapers... everything. One thing Ford doesn't like is bad PR.<br /><br />There is NOTHING normal about a tie rod going out at 38k. Either the parts were defective, or there was some sort of improper alignment or other work done.<br /><br /><br />H.

 

[gatorboaterUF]

Re: Rant about Ford

well they do have to cut it off sometime 3y/36000 is fair. At the sheriff's office we have alot of impallas and most of the time the tie rod goes out on RF befor the warranty runs out because guys are runnin up on curbs when they work accidents, and dealer will not cover it because they know exactly whats goin on. Speaking as some1 who worked as a tech at a dealership for a few years yes they could push it trough if they really wanted to but a tech who makes a living repairing vehicles only gets payed 80% of what he would normaly make on a coustomer pay job. I would be honest when it comes to warranty jobs but i know some techs who would find something starting to go at the end of a warranty and let it ride till it was out of warranty.

 

[Friz]

Re: Rant about Ford

I know this may sound biased, but I and two of my friends' have had nothing but trouble with Ford dealerships and repairs.<br />Two different dealers, different parts of the country.<br />All the GM dealers that I have dealt with have treated me like a king.<br />No more Fords at this house - EVER!!

 

[Homerr]

Re: Rant about Ford

Now that I think of it... I wonder if the tie-rod problems goes beyond the Escape?<br /><br />I put new tires on my Ranger about 2 years ago, and shortly after I did, I noticed the insides of them were wearing.<br />I took it to be aligned, and it sure enough.. the alignment was out.<br />I didn't change tires sizes, so that wasn't it.<br />I figured I had just hit something while up hunting in the high country, but now I don't know. The tech didn't say anything about the tie-rods being bad.<br /><br />I'm due for another set of tires in the next few months, so I think I'll have them check those tie-rods very carefully.<br /><br />H.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Rant about Ford

Thanks for the posts, guys. <br /><br />The more I think about this, the more angry I get.<br /><br />Technically, they don't owe me anything. It's out of warranty, and they don't have to fix it, but if it were my shop, I'd want a happy customer.<br /><br />The other thing that gets me so angry is when I dropped it off, I asked them to check the front brakes also because they squeal pretty bad. I know they aren't worn because they aren't that old (I'm a little upset the brakes wore out so fast too...) and the service manager told me it was normal for them to squeal. I'm going to let them fix it this time but I won't bring it back there.<br /><br />This is all too bad because my family has been buying and servicing their Fords there for 20 years.<br /><br />EZLoader, no, I don't think it's a common problem. At least I didn't see anything with a quick google search but I'm going to look around on the forums later on.. Other than that, my only complaint is the brakes wore out after 20,000 miles. The same dealership brought that to my attention and of course when I asked to see the parts I asked them to save, they had forgot and they were thrown out. I think they took 50% off for that one.. Generally though, I really like the Escape. <br /><br /><br />JB, I agree that something else must be wrong which I think is defective material. The tires are worn normally and the ride is fine so I don't know what else it could be.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Rant about Ford

Ford Escapes are known to have a short brake life (20,000 or so) and it is wise to have them checked regularly. I asked for mine to be checked at 19,000 and they told me I had another 10,000 at least. I'm due for another brake check I guess at 27k. The squeak isn't normal. It usually is cheap replacement pads. When my warranty is up at 36k I will take my Escape to my local independent mechanic who has done all my auto work for the last 15 years. He said he will put on a premium brake system for me at about 1/2 the dealer cost.<br /><br />My family has had Fords for over 70 years. My grandfather was an original Ford dealer mechanic back in the teens and roaring 20s. He assembled the Model Ts as they came only partially assembled to the dealership off the train. All my many past Ford products and my current ones (Lincoln, Ford Escape & F250) are great rigs without any problems at all). <br /><br />I've had bad experiences with dealer service centers and try to avoid using them whenever possible.

 

[JB]

Re: Rant about Ford

Just to keep thing balanced. . . .<br /><br />I have had four Ford trucks and seven Ford cars, My daughter (#1) has had three Ford Trucks.<br /><br />Mileage ranged from around 60K to 285K.<br /><br />The closest I ever had to trouble outside my idea of normal usage was the '68 Bronco V8. Had a shimmy that alignment couldn't fix. Ford put a damper on it and all was fine. . .no charge.<br /><br />Ford Dealers have always treated me and my family very well.<br /><br />On a Saturday morning I pulled into a Ford Dealer in Colorado. I asked them to look at a headlight bulb replacement on my ML430 that I had bungled in the dark in a parking lot. Three guys got on my Mercedes and stripped the front end off to find the little spring clip I had dropped into an inaccessible spot. They then did the replacement for me.<br /><br />I was a stranger from Texas driving a Mercedes, yet they refused to charge me a cent.<br /><br />You always hear from a dissatisfied customer and rarely from a happy customer.<br /><br />Here is one Ford customer that has always been happy to do business with Ford. FWIW, I also get treated like a king at Mercedes dealerships.

 

[deeep water]

Re: Rant about Ford

hey friz,, i feel the same way ,, my wife and i baught 6 new mazdas over 10 years ,,we were treated very well,, than ford got in bed with mazda in 89 or 90,, i got a new 95 mazda 2300 trk bigger than my last trk ,, more power ?? that trk would not pull my whaler on level ground ,,it was ball less the dealer said they could not fix it cause it was well within factory specs ,,we went back and forth for a month ,, i finley said i bet i can make this trk pull that boat,, im working 7 days a week right now 100+ round trip everyday,,just how many drivetrains and trans and moters not to mention the tow bills do you want to put up with,,i want to see the mazda rep ,,when does he get here ,, 2 weeks later ,,and a new rear and 2 universals,tailstalk seal and 3800 miles i talked to the rep,, we will give you another trk ,,only the same make and style ,,,i drove it on to the toyota lot ,,they gave me 500 more than i paid for it ,215000 tonight i replaced both the radiator hoses,clutch pressureplate throughout bering still OEM,waterpump OEM,, some times ya just got to turn your back and walk away to some place better

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Rant about Ford

I guess I don't disagree that Ford makes a good product, my rant is that they won't stand behind it.

 

[deeep water]

Re: Rant about Ford

good cars and trks are on every lot by every maker ...service is wat keeps ppl behind the wheels of thoes cars and trks,, if the maker wont back the dealer,,,find a better maker

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Rant about Ford

I just picked up the Escape at the dealer. They replaced the right side tie rod end. I asked them to keep the old part for me, which I looked at and the bushing is torn.<br /><br />The steering is better now but I thought they were going to replace both tie rod ends, not just one.<br /><br />Whatever. I give up. That dealership is off my list.

 

[EZLoader]

Re: Rant about Ford

JS, can you take a picture of that for me and post it here? I want to the photo when I go to the dealer for my final once over prior to end of 36k warranty period. Thanks.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Rant about Ford

The last new Ford i bought was in 1985. It had a rod knocking from the day i bought it, and it kept popping A/C fuses. After the fourth visit to the shop, i let my girfriend follow me. I parked the thing to obstruct as much of the repair entrance as possible, and threw the keys as far as i could into the lot...Got in with the girlfriend, never to return.<br />And all over slow, dishonest, inconsiderate ,and generally-speaking, rotten service.<br />All machines break. But when the manufacturer refuses to stand behind their product, it makes a bad situation intolerable.

 

[tommays]

Re: Rant about Ford

its not like they WERE NOT WORN OUT AT 35999 which they were<br /><br />i guess you just have to take it in before 36000 and go on a rant<br /><br /><br />do they have grease fittings ? the GM trucks do<br /><br /><br />tommays