Instrument Panel Dent

[nelsonrock]

First, as a newer member, let me say how much I enjoy this site and all the great commentary and advice.

I have a little issue to settle with my dealer. When I picked up my '04 MM in August, I didn't notice a small depression on the edge of the soft plastic top of the instrument panel. However, when I got it into the light, it was somewhat obvious, especially from the driver's seat.

To make a long story short, the dealer hasn't been able to fix it and has agreed to replace the part but is warning me that there could be rattles as they have to take the whole instrument panel apart. They are suggesting I live with the dent. Based on past experience, I'm wondering if its really not that complex and they just don't want to do it or if they're offering sound advice.

I'd appreciate any advice I can get. :confused:

[SergntMac]

Sounds like they are trying to persuade you to not push for the repair. I've had my dash apart numerous times, there's no mystery to it. Get the dash fixed, deal with any rattles that may follow, IMHO.

[RoyLPita]

1st off, welcome to the site. If the dealer gives you the run around about the job, then take it to another dealer. Rattles and squeaks may follow but they go with the territory. Plus, Ford's work is covered for 12 months or 12000 miles.

Just my .02 and then some.

[carfixer]

To make a long story short, the dealer hasn't been able to fix it and has agreed to replace the part but is warning me that there could be rattles as they have to take the whole instrument panel apart. They are suggesting I live with the dent. Based on past experience, I'm wondering if its really not that complex and they just don't want to do it or if they're offering sound advice.

Find another dealer. Maybe they don't think their guys are capable of doing the job correctly. Squeeks and rattles are not acceptable if all the nuts and screws are reinstalled and tightened, so don't expect or accept any. It is a big job, but certainly not monumental. It should take about a day to complete. Maybe they don't want to tie up a guy for a whole day for 1 car??? Whatever their motives are, it's not fair to ask a customer who just bought a $35000 to accept a defect.

BTW, update you profile to show what part of the country you are located. It will be easier to for us to lead you in the right direction.

[jgc61sr2002]

Nelson - Welcome aboard. :welcome: Enjoy your new ride. :D

[Marauder8]

welcome aboard........find a REAL dealer

[2003DOHC]

welcome aboard........find a REAL dealer


What he said.

[rumble]

I'd appreciate any advice I can get. :confused:

Nelson,
Welcome to the site and the Marauder community.
Evidently your dealer's service department does not have confidence in their techs. This is a classic warning sign.

As Carfixer said if the job is done properly you won't have any
problems.

You really should start looking for another servicing dealer.

My advice would be to stay away from this one like a steer from
a branding iron.

[David Morton]

Steer? Branding iron? Rumble, you made a funny. :D

That's exactly how his dealer looks at the customer!

[nelsonrock]

Steer? Branding iron? Rumble, you made a funny. :D

That's exactly how his dealer looks at the customer!
Thanks for all your support! Oddly enough I went out of my way to go to this dealer because, five years ago, when I bought my last new car they had a great service department. I live in Troy, Michigan. If anyone knows of a good dealer out my way, I'd appreciate hearing about it. :)

[txdpsp71]

Back in the mid-90's I was a service advisor for a L/M dealership. There was a certain color dash on the Town Car that had the same problem as yours (from what you're describing.) Everytime one of those came in I pointed it out to the owner and asked them if they wanted it fixed. It paid $3000 warranty. Not bad for a quick 7% commision. But there were problems with doing it. The dash shell had to be ordered. When it came in the next month it was a FULL one day job. The technician only got paid for 3-4 hours to R/R EVERY piece on/in the dash. Every nut, bolt, wire, hose, module, trim piece, etc. From the factory it was all nicely put together. At the delaership, any dealership, all the parts are spread out on the bay floor around the car. Then hopefully it'll all go back together. Someone made the comment that for a $35000 car they should do it. I was doing it to custom $50000 Lincolns. Most went okay, others had problems. It's up to you. No matter what dealership you go to, anywhere, it just depends on finding a technician that will basically work for free that day, be happy about such a large job, and being willing to put every nut, bolt, and screw back in. After 10 years in the Ford and L/M dealerships, even the best guys will not do as good of a job as from the factory (unless you got a Monday morning/Friday evening car :rolleyes: ).

Just my 2 cents...

Tony

[nelsonrock]

I thought you might enjoy a little update on what I decided to do about my little dent.

After carefully considering all the good advice, I decided I couldn't live with it and asked the dealer to replace the dented part of the instrument panel. I took it in November 1.

It took them one week to actually decide nothing else could be done so they would replace the part. Then, on November 11 they called to say my car was vandelized while in their lot and would I please call my insurance agent.

Turns out someone broke out a window with a concrete block, got the key to my lock nuts and stole the wheels. Unfortunately, it took several attempts with the cement block to break the window. It damaged three windows and scratched the car in several places.

Its now almost two weeks later and the dealer's telling me it'll have to be another week because they had to back order the wheels.

They did give me an '04 Sable to drive, but I want my car back. I keep telling myself real men don't cry. :bigcry:

[the_pack_rat]

Man that :depress: SUCKS :depress:

MM & the state of Michigan don't seem to be mixing too well lately.

You didn't have your car at Varsity did you ?.

Eric

[Paul T. Casey]

Wow, I have a little dent in that faux carbon fiber dash trim piece. Came that way. Glad I chose to live with it. I'd find a dealer with a secure lot next time.

[Paul T. Casey]

BTW, welcome to the site, and I'm sorry about your misfortune. Let me know if you find the vandals, I have a few things I'd like to try out on that type.

[CRUZTAKER]

Holy crap NR....that is truley a painfull story. :(

I have never left my Marauder, nor my Lincoln overnight with any service agent. Well, once, but I made sure it was kept inside every evening. I know that's alot to ask, but I generally try to plan these service events so that all the material is in order before I drop off the car. If the car cannot be stored, I'll drive it home.....or damnit....I'm sleeping in the sucker!:rolleyes:

[Hawaii 5-0]

First, as a newer member, let me say how much I enjoy this site and all the great commentary and advice.

I have a little issue to settle with my dealer. When I picked up my '04 MM in August, I didn't notice a small depression on the edge of the soft plastic top of the instrument panel. However, when I got it into the light, it was somewhat obvious, especially from the driver's seat.

To make a long story short, the dealer hasn't been able to fix it and has agreed to replace the part but is warning me that there could be rattles as they have to take the whole instrument panel apart. They are suggesting I live with the dent. Based on past experience, I'm wondering if its really not that complex and they just don't want to do it or if they're offering sound advice.

I'd appreciate any advice I can get. :confused:I had to have my dash replaced on my 2001 Ford CV, they told me the same thing about rattles ect. I got it fixed and told them that they should make sure there are no rattles because they are going to have to fix any that come up, well they did fix the dash and it never rattled..... :cool:

[SergntMac]

Now I feel bad for suggesting you get it fixed. I'm sorry about all this garbage, Nelson, hope everything works out.

[Bluerauder]

Then, on November 11 they called to say my car was vandelized while in their lot and would I please call my insurance agent.

Its now almost two weeks later and the dealer's telling me it'll have to be another week because they had to back order the wheels.

They did give me an '04 Sable to drive, but I want my car back. I keep telling myself real men don't cry. :bigcry:
Seems to me that it is the dealer's insurance that ought to be covering this damage. This was not your fault nor under your control. Why should your insurance rates go up because of their lax security?

I think that I would have held out for a Lincoln LS for a loaner. :D You gotta keep that grin in working order while your MM is in the shop and a Sable just doesn't cut it. Bet they gave you a low end GS, too??

Hope this all gets resolved to your satisfaction .... but I'd be finding me another dealer.

[jgc61sr2002]

Nelson - That's a bummer. :( You think the dealer would own up to the fact they failed to safeguard your Marauder. Any way welcome aboard and hope the repairs work out to your satisfaction.

[David Morton]

Oh, call your insurance agent by all means. I guarantee the minute you tell him the details and say, "I want my car fixed.", he will have his legal eagles all over that dealership like white on rice! :D

And while you're at it, tell him you want it fixed elsewhere. Then you can give the prize repairs to a new dealership where you will be the man of the hour! ;)

The relationship you have with this place is permanently damaged, in my opinion. If you continue to do business with them, it's your own fault. You might as well get "sucker" tattooed on your forehead. :rolleyes:

[Donny Carlson]

Oh, call your insurance agent by all means. I guarantee the minute you tell him the details and say, "I want my car fixed.", he will have his legal eagles all over that dealership like white on rice! :D

And while you're at it, tell him you want it fixed elsewhere. Then you can give the prize repairs to a new dealership where you will be the man of the hour! ;)

The relationship you have with this place is permanently damaged, in my opinion. If you continue to do business with them, it's your own fault. You might as well get "sucker" tattooed on your forehead. :rolleyes:
I agree with David to a certain extent - your insurance company should pursue the dealer's insurance company for reimbursement. What bothers me is that by making a claim you could see higher rates in the future, so the dealer should take care of everything without the need for you to have your insurance company intervene. And give you a free loaner while they repair the damage.

Incidentally, I've seen the dash taken out of two member's cars here - Todd and Marty - and they had no problem getting them out and back in. Just takes a pro.

[fastblackmerc]

I agree with David to a certain extent - your insurance company should pursue the dealer's insurance company for reimbursement. What bothers me is that by making a claim you could see higher rates in the future, so the dealer should take care of everything without the need for you to have your insurance company intervene. And give you a free loaner while they repair the damage.

Incidentally, I've seen the dash taken out of two member's cars here - Todd and Marty - and they had no problem getting them out and back in. Just takes a pro.

Welcome to the site....

I was a FORD - L/M mechanic (Wayne L/M, Wayne, N.J.) for 8 years and Terry Ford (Pompon Beach, Fla.) for 2 years and have replaced / repaired many many dashboards. After doing the work the car was test driven by me and the service writer (now I think they are called advisors) on the bumpest roads and over the railroad tracks. If there were any rattles or squeaks I fixed them before the car was delivered.

As for the vandalism / damage to your MM - the dealership should be responsible for anything that happened while the car was on their lot. Don't even tell your insurance company because your rates will surely rise. After your MM is repaired to yur satisifaction, never return to that dealership. I'd find another dealership, even a Ford / SVT dealer.

Just my $0.02.

[David Morton]

I disagree with this notion that getting your insurance company involved will make your rates go up. Notice I said to tell the insurance company the details and then give them that magic statement, "I want my car fixed."

I live in a "no-fault" state and I've never heard of any loophole in the Florida law that says they can raise your rates for repairs being paid for by another insurer, or that by rights are not your responsibility and could be pursued by your insurance companys' legal department. They can't bill you or raise their rates for their legal expenses, and it's their responsibility to pursue reimbursement, either from the dealership or their insurer.

In Florida, they can only raise your rates if they pay for your repairs and your at fault, or if they can't pursue reimbursement, as in the case of an uninsured or underinsured driver, and then only in certain cases. But in any case, they must see to it that your car gets fixed, it's their resposibility once you say those magic words.

Talk to your insurance agent. Your states laws may vary, but I think you might be suprised to see how supportive he will be. After all, he wants your business, there's plenty of other insurers out there.

[nelsonrock]

Now I feel bad for suggesting you get it fixed. I'm sorry about all this garbage, Nelson, hope everything works out.
I got my car back with everything repaired. It looks mint.... no rattles from the instrument panel. The only remaining issue is replacement of the CDs in my CD holder which was lifted. The insurance company (Citizens) has been very good about covering the cost up front. They tell me they will be collecting from the dealership.

Not considering the vandalism, I'm glad I got the instrument panel fixed. It would have always bothered me... something which I'm sure most participants here can relate to.

Needless to say, this site has a great bunch of MM owners and the advice I got was on target. Thanks for your help and support. :o

P.S. If anyone can recommend a new dealership around Troy, MI, I would appreciate it.