Dealer hate me? PLEASE READ

[Shora]

My dealer basically refuses to honor warranty work on my car. I have been trying to get the cylinder heads replaced for the blue smoke on start up and because of the oil consumption but they have not been able to get Ford Hot line to OK the fix. In fact, they keep telling me that Ford is telling them to not touch the engine and those are normal characteristics for this engine. I have provided them with the Vin numbers of 2 people who have had the cylinder heads replaced for those exact reasons and they still cannot get the job done. This has been going on for 6 straight months.

This time, I figured that while I was there that I would have them fix some of the problems that my car has which I have a TSB for. For example, TSB number 16663 for POWER STEERING LOWER ASSIST AT LOW SPEEDS / STEERING LIGHT FEEL AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

Also, TSB number 16712 for FUEL GAGE THAT COMES OFF FULL TOO QUICKLY OR READS LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK LEVEL (ELECTRONIC OR ANALOG CLUSTER).

And a broken driver's door lock.

They fixed the door lock since it was clearly broken. They changed my oil at my expanse and said that they will do an oil consumption test to see if the oil consumption is within Ford's limits. Then they drove the car and said that they could not verify the power steering problem and would not even look at the fuel gage problem before calling me and informing me that from now on they are going to charge me $75 for every warranty issue that I bring to them which they cannot verify. They explained that the money is for the technician's time. I told them that I strongly believe that I have a power steering problem but that I am not an expert and do not know who to prove it to them. I also told them that I know that I have a fuel gage problem because my low fuel light comes on but when I go to fill it the tank only takes around 15 gallons. They said "fine, but if we cannot verify it then it will cost you $75. I said that I will speak with the service manager when he gets in tomorrow morning.

Is it normal that a dealer cannot get my cylinder heads replaced under warranty for the blue smoke on start up and oil consumption even though I gave then two Vin numbers from people who have had the cylinder heads replaced for the same problem?

Is it normal for a dealer to give someone such a hard time getting warranty work done even on items that have a TSB?

Is it normal for a dealer to charge me $75 for every issue that I bring them a TSB for and ask them to check and they say that they cannot verify?

Please help me since I meet with the Warranty Manager tomorrow and he is a "ball breaker." That is how the service writer described him. Once, when I asked him to at least take a look at my cylinder heads and see if they can see damage causing the smoke on start up and oil consumption he replied "I won't waste Ford's money that way."

Please arm me with information that I can take to my meeting there tomorrow.

[Blackened300a]

Take your Vehicle to another Dealership! This is there Way of telling you that they either Do not Know how to repair your Vehicle or they just don't want to tie up their shop doing the Job. You supplied the Proof that your issue is NOT normal and that it has been repaired by Ford. Considering that your Vehicle is under Warranty, The Cost of Labor and Parts for your Vehicle are all covered. Whether they Verify or not, When a Customer comes in with a Problem, They have to troubleshoot the problem and perform whatever tests to find it. There is no Reason why you should have to pay for it.

The Dealer is the Problem here. He may not be able to Afford to eat the cost of this Repair until Ford Re-emburses them. I suggest finding a SVT dealer and Bring your Car to them. They know these Engines Better then the typical Lincoln Mercury Dealership.
Hope this helped

[CRUZTAKER]

Yup...your dealer hates you.:P

There are those types of dealers out there. It's all about the money.

BTW: Update your location in your profile for those who do not know where you're at.
You might get some referals.;)

[Mikeenh]

I think you should post the dealer's name and address, so we can ALL hate them back with never buying a Ford product from them.

[RF Overlord]

Take your Vehicle to another Dealership!...
The Dealer is the Problem here.^^^what he said^^^

Your dealer sounds like an an asshat (sorry...)

I know my opinions don't exactly help you, but from your description of your dealer's terrible attitude, I don't think you're going to get any satisfaction from them...

BTW, if they complete the oil consumption test as outlined in the service manual, be prepared for them to tell you there's no problem. The manual says 1 quart per 900 miles (or better) is normal. Yes, you read it right...900 miles.

Don't even screw around with those clowns anymore...go right to the Regional Rep.

[Shora]

I think you should post the dealer's name and address, so we can ALL hate them back with never buying a Ford product from them.I would appreciate that but not as much as just finding a good and honest dealer.

Any info for me to give/ tell the Service Manager?

By the way, this dealer is in South Florida

[Shora]

^^^what he said^^^

Your dealer sounds like an an asshat (sorry...)

I know my opinions don't exactly help you, but from your description of your dealer's terrible attitude, I don't think you're going to get any satisfaction from them...

BTW, if they complete the oil consumption test as outlined in the service manual, be prepared for them to tell you there's no problem. The manual says 1 quart per 900 miles (or better) is normal. Yes, you read it right...900 miles.

Don't even screw around with those clowns anymore...go right to the Regional Rep.I asked about the Regional Rep and the service writer told me that there is no such thing. He explained that Ford just sends someone to verify certain details before big jobs such as an engine replacement. He clearly explained that they would not be able to get me in touch with a regional rep. to complain about this lack of service.

[RF Overlord]

I asked about the Regional Rep and the service writer told me that there is no such thing. He clearly explained that they would not be able to get me in touch with a regional rep. to complain about this lack of service.THAT, my friend, is total :bs: ...when The Bunny Lady comes home with the Blackbird, I'll look in the owner's manual and quote you the page where it gives that information.

I would RUN, not walk, away from those morons...

[duhtroll]

Bull honkus. Call the Ford 800# and get a name. Unfortunately I don't have this # here.


I asked about the Regional Rep and the service writer told me that there is no such thing. He explained that Ford just sends someone to verify certain details before big jobs such as an engine replacement. He clearly explained that they would not be able to get me in touch with a regional rep. to complain about this lack of service.

[Cobra25]

I think you should post the dealer's name and address, so we can ALL hate them back with never buying a Ford product from them. Being your Marauder is in South florida it would be nice if you posted the name of the dealer.

[Shora]

Being your Marauder is in South florida it would be nice if you posted the name of the dealer.Well Cobra, since you were so nice to me at my first Sunshine State Marauder's meet I will give this info (Hollywood Lincoln and Mercury). I am doing it just so that nobody else has to waste so much of their time at this dealer like I have (6 months). I always gave them all of my service work and that is how they repay me?

Oh well. I guess that I have to go and try another dealer. But the way, the Sunshine State Marauders are a big group. Does any body have a dealer that is aware of the smoke on start-up/ oil consumption and actually cares enough to get it fixed?

What do I tell the Service Manager tomorrow? Any advice will be helpful.

[BruteForce]

Make sure you let Ford know how unhappy you are with the dealer. It does have an effect. Any rating other than Outstanding is a failing grade to Ford.

[Dan]

I have the same problem. It is coming from the right side tailpipe.

The dealer is looking at it now. I don't have any word on it yet.

Best,

Dan

[Cobra25]

Well Cobra, since you were so nice to me at my first Sunshine State Marauder's meet I will give this info (Hollywood Lincoln and Mercury). I am doing it just so that nobody else has to waste so much of their time at this dealer like I have (6 months). I always gave them all of my service work and that is how they repay me?

Oh well. I guess that I have to go and try another dealer. But the way, the Sunshine State Marauders are a big group. Does any body have a dealer that is aware of the smoke on start-up/ oil consumption and actually cares enough to get it fixed?

What do I tell the Service Manager tomorrow? Any advice will be helpful. If I'm correct the service manager's Name should be Joe C. He is a easy guy to talk too. You can also ask him to set up a appointment with the District Rep from Ford to discuss your problem, that might help.

[FordNut]

My dealer basically refuses to honor warranty work on my car. I have been trying to get the cylinder heads replaced for the blue smoke on start up and because of the oil consumption but they have not been able to get Ford Hot line to OK the fix. In fact, they keep telling me that Ford is telling them to not touch the engine and those are normal characteristics for this engine. I have provided them with the Vin numbers of 2 people who have had the cylinder heads replaced for those exact reasons and they still cannot get the job done. This has been going on for 6 straight months.

This time, I figured that while I was there that I would have them fix some of the problems that my car has which I have a TSB for. For example, TSB number 16663 for POWER STEERING LOWER ASSIST AT LOW SPEEDS / STEERING LIGHT FEEL AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

Also, TSB number 16712 for FUEL GAGE THAT COMES OFF FULL TOO QUICKLY OR READS LOWER THAN THE ACTUAL FUEL TANK LEVEL (ELECTRONIC OR ANALOG CLUSTER).

And a broken driver's door lock.

They fixed the door lock since it was clearly broken. They changed my oil at my expanse and said that they will do an oil consumption test to see if the oil consumption is within Ford's limits. Then they drove the car and said that they could not verify the power steering problem and would not even look at the fuel gage problem before calling me and informing me that from now on they are going to charge me $75 for every warranty issue that I bring to them which they cannot verify. They explained that the money is for the technician's time. I told them that I strongly believe that I have a power steering problem but that I am not an expert and do not know who to prove it to them. I also told them that I know that I have a fuel gage problem because my low fuel light comes on but when I go to fill it the tank only takes around 15 gallons. They said "fine, but if we cannot verify it then it will cost you $75. I said that I will speak with the service manager when he gets in tomorrow morning.

Is it normal that a dealer cannot get my cylinder heads replaced under warranty for the blue smoke on start up and oil consumption even though I gave then two Vin numbers from people who have had the cylinder heads replaced for the same problem?

Is it normal for a dealer to give someone such a hard time getting warranty work done even on items that have a TSB?

Is it normal for a dealer to charge me $75 for every issue that I bring them a TSB for and ask them to check and they say that they cannot verify?

Please help me since I meet with the Warranty Manager tomorrow and he is a "ball breaker." That is how the service writer described him. Once, when I asked him to at least take a look at my cylinder heads and see if they can see damage causing the smoke on start up and oil consumption he replied "I won't waste Ford's money that way."

Please arm me with information that I can take to my meeting there tomorrow.Bunch of BS. Find another dealer and let EVERYBODY know what scumbags they are there. Most any dealer is happy for the work, the techs get paid based on what they do, not hourly wages. Warranty work may be at a lower rate than cash customers, but it's better than nothing.

That being said, I doubt that you'll have much trouble getting the sending unit or steering rack taken care of at a good dealer, but the blue smoke may be more troublesome. I've only heard of a few being successful getting action on it.

[Shora]

If I'm correct the service manager's Name should be Joe C. He is a easy guy to talk too. You can also ask him to set up a appointment with the District Rep from Ford to discuss your problem, that might help.
No, his name is Warren Stewart

[MarauderMike]

How far are you from Carfixer?????????????????????? At the least he might get you going in the right direction.

Ford Customer Relations...800-392-3673. Let them know you are unhappy with your dealer and would like to be put in contact with a District Representative. Ford is in the process of reducing the number of field offices around the country but there are still representatives available.

Good luck!

[Shora]

How far are you from Carfixer?????????????????????? At the least he might get you going in the right direction.

Ford Customer Relations...800-392-3673. Let them know you are unhappy with your dealer and would like to be put in contact with a District Representative. Ford is in the process of reducing the number of field offices around the country but there are still representatives available.

Good luck!I contacted Carfixer a while back and he told me that unless the car was bought at his dealership that they refuse any engine work. What a shame because I have heard only good things about him and would love to drop off my car in his hands. If he could get it worked out I would even buy new tires and allow him to work his magic. I would even buy a Trilogy and have him install it (ok that last one was just a wish :) ).

[Shora]

Well, I am off to the Dealer. I guess that I will just have to live with the smoke on start-up and oil consumption. If any of you have any suggestions on what you would do in my case please post it. I know that a lot of us would be ripped off and cheated (even at the dealership) if it was not for the many good people of this club.

I have attempted to ignore the smoke on start-up but I cannot ignore the oil consumption. Worse, like I mentioned before, the dealership is also threatening to charge me $75 every time I bring the car in for a problem (even a TSB) and they "cannot verify it."

[Bradley G]

not sure what the current policy is for excessive oil consumption.

It was, one quart in 1000 miles.
I would try the Ford hotline. 1-800-241-FORD (2673)
They will arrange another dealer to try and help.
I have never heard of charging to diagnose if the warranty is in tact.

[wchain]

Shora,
Sorry to hear about your issues. I imagine being in FL, you have great resources for getting your car repaired, there are several members here that are Master Marauder technicians, and if you had to drive a while to get to them I'd do it. Definitely think your dealer is giving you a hard time. Good luck!

[MarauderMarc]

Hey Shora,


I bought my car at Hollywood LM also. My wifes boss' father is the General Manager there. He is the reason I got my car. If you need anything, let me know and Ill see what I can do for you. Ive gotten nothing but good service there. Let me know if I can help......Marc

[Ross]

As far as oil consumtion goes, I have 73K on my MM and have never burned a drop (thank the Lord), in spite of other issues that I have had.

[metroplex]

the dealer doesn't hate you. This is SOP for almost every Ford dealership we have gone to and its the same in NJ and SE MI.

The only Ford I will buy in the future will be a cheap new Ford or a used Ford.

[FastMerc]

As rare as the Marauder is we all stick together reporting problems,and exchange info.We can give dealers like this a black eye.Find a new one and report the old one.Luckily I have no problems with mine.