What would you do?

[Soulja4187]

I'm torn so would like you guys input.

I bought the car April 28th, 2020 and so far its seen the dealer 4 times, first time was back in May 7th, for a broken passenger seat track, broken passenger seat trim, chipped paint on the trunk (between trunk and rear glass) and unable to open the trunk open with the button above the tag when doors locked. Car was there for 8 days, the only thing they fixed was the chipped paint and broken passenger seat trim. The trunk issues and the passenger seat track could not be fixed because of parts were on back order. Dealer told me that once they received the parts they would be calling me back.
After mutiple calls and a few months later the dealer tells me to bring back the car on August 19th the only think they were able to fix was the trunk issue by replacing the BCM and car sat there for 7 days when asked what about the seat track they told me that the part was still back order and that they would be calling me back. So around the middle of September I started having issues with the car, I started getting errors on the dash, parking fault, adaptive cruise control errors and then the TPMS stopped reading the tire pressure, I couldnt take traction control off or change driving modes.
I took the car back on October 3rd for an oil change and for them to look at the issues, they did a reset and everything started working as I should but still I could not get TPMS readings. Dealer again told me that they are going to order more parts and thay they will be calling me back, car sat for 3 days.
At this point I was like I'm not waiting months to get another call so I contacted Ford's customer relations line and told them how upset I was at this whole situation. They escalated the issue and appointed me a regional rep. On October 28th in the AM I got a call from the dealer that the seat track and other modules came in so to bring the car in. I took the car in and the car has been there since that day. Well the seat track was installed but they cant seem to get the TPMS readings to show on the dash or the Ford Pass App. As of now they dont have a resolution. The car is still at the dealer so far 11 days and counting.

If I add all the days the car has been at the dealer a total of 29 days and still no site on when I will get it back. So my question is what would you guys do in my situation? Should I request a buyback? Should I ask for something? Like money off? Any advice would be appreciated.

I tried enjoying the car but things like this just sours my experience.

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[3rdRGR]

I'd do a buyback. If it's at the Reg Rep, that's who I'd work through as I believe they can authorize it or get going. For them to have had it for that long and still can't fix the TPMS issues, plus all the other issues, I'd be pushing for a new one. Ask yourself this, if they get every single thing fixed for you, do you believe that's going to be it with this car? Or do you view it as a ticking time bomb with a fast fuse?

I expect "some" niggles that I can overlook because of what you do get for the money. But mine has been pretty rock solid other than the automatic start has never worked since I bought it used with 5,700 miles. Tried a KAM reset and it didn't work, so I'll eventually take it in for that. Shifts are pretty rough in Sport mode, so will ask for a software update as well. Other than that, 2018 w 10K miles and it's been great. They "can" build a good car, I just don't think you got one of the good ones unfortunately. Good luck.

 

[lacanteen]

After a buyback, I'd find a better dealer.

 

[Cobra Jet]

First, you need to log onto your Home State’s DMV or Attorney General website - it HAS to be the “.gov” sites - do not use third party BS sites that have misinformation and inaccuracies.

You need to understand your Home State’s Lemon Laws and see where your vehicle fits in with the issues and accumulated down time. Every single State has Lemon Laws, but each varies in degrees of procedures, policies and Consumer Protection.

There are also limitations on what qualifies for a Buy Back. Just because you’re at (29) days doesn’t mean your case would instantly qualify, because sometimes there’s also prerequisites to that process.

Ford follows each State’s Lemon Laws - they don’t make up internal laws or some other process - everything is done to the “T” to that State’s Lemon Laws and they will not deviate from those laws.

Also be aware that when doing a Buy Back, there is the “Vehicle Replacement” and the “Refund”. Depending on your State’s LL, the Owner may also be responsible for usage fees (which is a State formula used based on the first reported mileage instance of the initial problem - NOT total accumulated miles).

IF based on your State LL findings yoiu believe your vehicle qualifies, then proceed with the Buy Back.

Before initiating a Lemon Law claim, be aware that any Owner MUST allow the Vehicle Manufacturer to make things right regardless of how long the repair order takes! This is noted in many LL docs and BBB Autoline. If the final repairs are still not to your discretion, proceed with Buy Back.


The Buy Back is not cut and dry. It is tedious, you have to have patience, it’s not a fast process and yes you as a Citizen can initiate and go through the whole process yourself without an Attorney. You can opt to go with a Lemon Law Attorney. If you go with an Attorney be aware it could be an added expense (all Attorneys are different in how they handle LL cases) AND you could end up waiting quite a while as your case would not be “priority”, you’re in that Attorney’s bucket of all other LL cases.

Been there, done it myself - helped many on this site.

If you want tons of reading, search “RAV”, “Buy Back”, “Lemon Law” and “Vehicle Replacement” on this site and you’re going to find A LOT of good factual info.

 

[NGOT8R]

I had the dealer buy back my 1997 Cobra with just 3200 miles on it. They also cut me a check for the modifications that I had done to the car and ordered me a brand new 1998 GT with a Vortech Supercharger. This particular dealer was an authorized Saleen dealer and that’s how I got the supercharger thrown in with free installation. My car had been at the dealership for a total of 49 days for defective serpentine belt tensioner and I had only had the car for 3-4 months. That was a long time ago, but I do remember that the buyback went very smoothly. The service manager/dealership never once tried to fight me on it. Things may have changed a lot since then, but it can’t hurt to ask your dealer to buy it back. It may help too, if they know you’re going to buy another car from them.

 

[Soulja4187]

I'm in no way preventing the dealer from fixing the car but come on after 5 months of waiting for parts its ridiculous dont you think? I want everything to be completed so we can go down the path of what are my options. Okay if I cant lemon the car then what could I ask ford to compensate me for this. (Money? If so how much? Supercharger? Warranty? For how long?)

For 5 months I could barely drive the car with passenger as the broken track was a safety issue. When someone sat on the car and rested their back the seat the metals would bang real hard when going over uneven roads or speed bumps. I tried keeping this from ruining my experience and I wasnt going to post but after yesterday's call about they cant figure out whats wrong with the car it just left me puzzle and upset.

 

[NGOT8R]

You could try telling them that you have lost confidence in that particular car being reliable and would like to escalate the matter in terms of initiating a buyback procedure. Maybe even ask if they would take that car back on a trade and put you into another GT (sounds better than being called a lemon) and ask that they reimburse you for the sales tax and any mods that you have done to the car (or at least let you remove your parts to reuse on a new car). I think that is more than fair, especially since you’ve had the car for seven months now and would essentially be starting over with a new car note. If they offer resistance, kindly remind them that you are being more than fair and reasonable with your request. They can find extra incentive cash or even an A-plan price for you if they really want to keep you as a customer. Don’t let them tell you they can’t do it either. In 2016, my wife and I bought a brand new loaded Z06 and they gave us the employee discount by way of using someone working at that particular dealership, who was a family member of a GM employee.

 

[Cobra Jet]

I'm in no way preventing the dealer from fixing the car but come on after 5 months of waiting for parts its ridiculous dont you think? I want everything to be completed so we can go down the path of what are my options. Okay if I cant lemon the car then what could I ask ford to compensate me for this. (Money? If so how much? Supercharger? Warranty? For how long?)

For 5 months I could barely drive the car with passenger as the broken track was a safety issue. When someone sat on the car and rested their back the seat the metals would bang real hard when going over uneven roads or speed bumps. I tried keeping this from ruining my experience and I wasnt going to post but after yesterday's call about they cant figure out whats wrong with the car it just left me puzzle and upset.

No one has said you CAN’T “lemon the car”... what was said is you need to check your State’s Lemon Laws, the laws stipulate and will clearly state in black and white what you can or can’t do and what would qualify your vehicle as a potential lemon claim.

5 mos of back and forth with Ford during a Pandemic is nothing. EVERYTHING is back logged due to the Pandemic, repairs, parts, actual service times, etc etc.

How about trying a damn near year of new car ownership, having at times the car at the Dealer for almost 2 months consecutively... and having driven THOUSANDS of miles on nearly every single new Ford product that was given as a loaner... let alone 3 FSE’s who had to be involved, Ford’s Engineering Team, 3 Ford CSR’s, 2 Dealerships (1st was incompetent), 2 Ford RAV Reps and a RAV Supervisor.... I bought my prior 2016 in Dec 2015 and my fun new car ownership of Warranty BS was from Jan 2016 through to September 2017, with me not even getting my replacement 2018 S550 until Feb 2018.

And yes, I’m a VERY patient person, but I tried my best to keep my prior 2016 I originally bought new but eventually after many attempted failed warranty repairs, I demanded it be replaced.... I had NO help whatsoever because any Buy Back info online was BS, inaccurate and there was not even enough info on this site alone to guide me through the proper steps of a Ford Buy Back.

As far as compensation from Ford, if you’re professional in your tone and explain how you feel as a new car Owner, the Ford CSR *might* offer you ONE of the following (you have to make a choice):

1) 45k Ford Maintenance Plan. Basically it covers most maintenance you would normally pay out of pocket.

OR

2) Ford ESP Plan up to 75k. As all ESP Plans do, it runs concurrentwith your 3/36 and then 5/60... IMO, not much of a “deal”, but it is what it is...

You’re not going to be compensated with anything like Superchargers.... LMFAO....

Compensated with money? No, it does not happen unless there is a compelling case or other factors where that decision is made at a higher level above the Ford CSR. And no, it’s not “got me lotto money”... Usually it may be a single month car payment is what I’ve seen discussed. Again, there has to be a compelling reason for Ford to even consider, they won’t just do it “just because” and the vehicle warranty repair history is thoroughly reviewed.

I know where you’re coming from with the frustrations. Yes, it sucks to have your car in the shop or to have problems.

Convince your current Ford CSR how Ford has failed you as a new vehicle owner.

One more thing to mention:
If you do have a Ford CSR who has assigned you a Case number, stay on top of him/her. That means, email or call them every 3 days and ask for status dates as to when to expect your vehicle repair to be completed. It’s THEIR job to push the Service Center for repair process and expediting of any parts in the repair chain. Their job is to make you whole. If you’re not satisfied with the current Service Center, request from your Ford CSR to take the car to another Ford Dealer.

 

[Soulja4187]

Man I appreciate your feedback, it will for sure help me with this situation. I will request for the car to be transferred to a new deal as a start.
To be honest I would rather keep the car if all issues get resolved and I know we still got the brake pedal recall which doesnt bother me as I know stuff happens.

 

[Stage_3]

Man, this sucks.
Good luck!

 

[Troutwrangler]

Wishing you the best, David.
Owning our Mustangs should be a fun experience and not the bullshit you're experiencing.

 

[Soulja4187]

Wishing you the best, David.
Owning our Mustangs should be a fun experience and not the bullshit you're experiencing.

Indeed, thanks. Even through all this I still miss the car. The 2020 Explorer they gave me to drive around is fun but its miles away from the enjoyment and satisfaction the Mustang gave me.

 

[Soulja4187]

So yesterday I got the car back after 17 days being at the dealer. The seat track was replaced but I still hear something tapping when I have a passenger. I notice that when I touch the door handles to open the car I have to try about 3 to 4 times before the doors open (annoying), got the camera recall done and to top it off they chipped my paint on the passenger side door.

When I was at the dealer I notice that all 4 rotors had heavy rust on them but the passenger front was very pitted. I will post pictures. After a 30 mile ride the passenger front still had rust on it, what could cause this?

 

[Soulja4187]

The first picture is the passenger side rotor which look really bad for only 9700 miles. The other one is the driver side which look weird bit it feels smooth. What causes this issue?

These pictures were taken after the car being driven 100 miles

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