Idle Issue, car nearly keeps dying

[Cascadia_302]

I would like to frustratingly update you all on what is going on.

I have contacted Ford Customer service, and after 2 business days, received a call back. The call had simply said that if the dealership cannot replicate the issue, there is nothing Ford can do about it.

This car just sits in my garage cause I'm afraid to drive it. It loses power and shakes. I could easily die taking a left turn or changing lanes. BUT, nothing will be done about it from Ford's side. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST FORD!

I'm going to start a process with Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan (CAMVAP), something similar to a lemon law (but not as strong).

P.S. this is just one of the several problems I am having with the car, this being the most serious. Again, I'm completely unhappy.

Not doubting you but this seems like a problem that should be very replicable by the service dept. Sounds like they flat out don't want to address your issue.
I would take the car back in and make a tech go for a drive with you and not let him out of the car until he experiences the problem.

Sponsored

 

[CherubAbaddon]

Not doubting you but this seems like a problem that should be very replicable by the service dept. Sounds like they flat out don't want to address your issue.
I would take the car back in and make a tech go for a drive with you and not let him out of the car until he experiences the problem.

Only problem is it only happens maybe one day out of a 600 miles/1000 kms.

I've just received Ford's response to the arbitration process:

Ford of Canada has honored the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service documents provided support that the vehicle was inspected and repairs were performed at no charge to the consumer.

There are two disputes that can be arbitrated. They are the interpretation, application or administration of the warranty. The consumer has the burden of establishing their case, based on probabilities that the manufacturer has failed, either in the provisions of its warranty obligations specifically including the administration of such warranty, or in providing a defective vehicle. A vehicle is manufactured with many components, and they may fail occasionally. This is why a warranty is provided with the vehicle from the manufacturer.

The buyback remedy is the most serious of the remedies available to a consumer and should therefore only be used for the most serious of situations of a defect and/or warranty failure. There is no evidence to conclude that the vehicle is so unreliable or inadequate that the consumer did not receive the good they bargained for, and method of transport they sought at their purchase, such that they are justified in seeking a buyback of their purchase.

For the reasons stated above, Ford does not feel that a vehicle buyback award is warranted in this matter.

If you don't want to fix the car, give me my money back, simple. And the severity, how is power loss to the point of near stall not a major issue?

These guys seriously kill me (not in a funny way).

I'm having my meeting on Dec 17th, and a decision will be decided by the arbitrator then. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[speedfrk]

Only problem is it only happens maybe one day out of a 600 miles/1000 kms.

I've just received Ford's response to the arbitration process:

Ford of Canada has honored the terms of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The service documents provided support that the vehicle was inspected and repairs were performed at no charge to the consumer.

There are two disputes that can be arbitrated. They are the interpretation, application or administration of the warranty. The consumer has the burden of establishing their case, based on probabilities that the manufacturer has failed, either in the provisions of its warranty obligations specifically including the administration of such warranty, or in providing a defective vehicle. A vehicle is manufactured with many components, and they may fail occasionally. This is why a warranty is provided with the vehicle from the manufacturer.

The buyback remedy is the most serious of the remedies available to a consumer and should therefore only be used for the most serious of situations of a defect and/or warranty failure. There is no evidence to conclude that the vehicle is so unreliable or inadequate that the consumer did not receive the good they bargained for, and method of transport they sought at their purchase, such that they are justified in seeking a buyback of their purchase.

For the reasons stated above, Ford does not feel that a vehicle buyback award is warranted in this matter.

Umm, if you don't to fix the car, give me my money back, simple. And the severity, how is power loss to the point of near stall not a major issue?

These guys seriously kill me (not in a funny way).

I'm having my meeting on Dec 17th, and a decision will be decided by the arbitrator then. I'll keep you guys posted.

It is probably a faulty sensor, but without a code, modern service depts are helpless and useless. Next time the car does it, pull over, leave it on the side of the road, call roadside assistance, explain that the car stalled and you are afraid to drive it due to safety concerns. Make Ford tow it to a dealer. They will scan it for codes, maybe say there is nothing wrong and give it back. Do it again the next time it stalls. If you have records of that from towing, it will be hard for them to say there is nothing wrong with the car.

 

[CherubAbaddon]

It is probably a faulty sensor, but without a code, modern service depts are helpless and useless. Next time the car does it, pull over, leave it on the side of the road, call roadside assistance, explain that the car stalled and you are afraid to drive it due to safety concerns. Make Ford tow it to a dealer. They will scan it for codes, maybe say there is nothing wrong and give it back. Do it again the next time it stalls. If you have records of that from towing, it will be hard for them to say there is nothing wrong with the car.

This is a great idea! Few thing: It doesn't reach a stall. The arbitration is due next week, I doubt I'd be "lucky" for it to happen before that. If only if I had done this during the times it has happened before.

 

[GT Pony]

It is probably a faulty sensor, but without a code, modern service depts are helpless and useless. Next time the car does it, pull over, leave it on the side of the road, call roadside assistance, explain that the car stalled and you are afraid to drive it due to safety concerns. Make Ford tow it to a dealer. They will scan it for codes, maybe say there is nothing wrong and give it back. Do it again the next time it stalls. If you have records of that from towing, it will be hard for them to say there is nothing wrong with the car.

If a trouble-code gets set, it should be able to be seen in the computer with a scan. If there is never a trouble-code set, then it makes it a lot harder to diagnose.

OP - have you tried switching gas stations? Maybe you get gas at the same station all the time, and they get a batch of bad gas now an then. Maybe run a couple tanks with some real good fuel system cleaner might help.

 

[RevvdMedia]

First, I highly suggest you buy an inexpensive dash cam and record it. See if you can mount it somewhere that shows the gauges, and keep the footage from when it stalls. My mom had an issue with her Ford Edge and the ACC, and also had to go through arbitration. Her repeat trips to the dealer with no resolution, plus dashcam footage helped win her case, she has a replacement (2015) Edge being built.

Secondly, I thought I'd throw in I also have experienced surging and near stalling on a V6 Mustang I rented back in March. I found in my particular case, I took the car up to redline, then drove about 2 minutes into a parking lot, parked it, started it about 10 minutes later, and for the whole drive it would nearly stall when going low speeds or stopped (it was an automatic). It did this repeatedly until it was parked and turned off for 1/2 an hour. After we started it again, it didn't seem to replicate the problem again.

 

[CherubAbaddon]

I do have a dash cam in there, and I have many videos of it happening.

I just had my CAMVAP arbitration meeting a few minutes ago. The arbitrator said the same thing: if he cant see the problem, he cant do anything about it. He offered to get a technical inspection outside of Ford, but I doubt anything will be found if Ford couldnt themselves. And if nothing is found, nothing will be done.

Its unbelievable that my many video evidences of this occurring means nothing. For it to happen in front of them is just an excuse that sides with the motor companies, its sad to see that consumers dont mean anything to them even though my issue is a huge safety concern.

 

[speedfrk]

Crazy that courts use video all the time to convict people of crimes and they won't look at your video as evidence. I'd keep taking it to different dealers and showing them the video and explaining that it is intermittent and hope that eventually one of them has a competent service dept.

 

[Chameleon]

Just watched the video. That is crazy.

Sounds horrible!

 

[gov cheese]

have you tried disconnecting the battery for 15-20 minutes? Should clear the computer and make the car re-learn it's settings.

 

[CherubAbaddon]

I've disconnected the battery twice for a long period of time during the life of my car (10 months) for installing a speaker amp, and it had happened after that.

 

[CherubAbaddon]

Great news everyone, a buyback has been ordered by my government, and Ford will have to pay me almost all of the money back, except ~$1500 for usage (8500 km).

After this entire experience with Ford, I am skeptical on whether I should order a stang again or go with another manufacturer.

 

[Cascadia_302]

Good for you!
The way this has gone I still won't believe it until the check is in hand or deposited in your bank account.

 

[CherubAbaddon]

Hey guys!

I think this will be my last update for the thread. I have returned the car to the dealership with the exact amount outlined by CAMVAP ($1200 less than what I paid for the car due to usage). The transaction went very quick and smooth, I luckily dealt with the nice sales manager. No offers were made to me about buying a new car, but that's okay.

I think I might go for a camaro next ;) Cheers!

Sponsored