Ford Performance Tune towing issue / lawsuit

[r1ch999999]

So what if I have a Ford Performance Tune and I decide to drag race my truck 50 times in a row and the engine goes boom on run 50! Should I go back to Ford and say "hey, you never said I couldn't drag race it 50 times in a row".

Just thinking....how can ANY manufacturer cover every single base? There needs to be some "buyer beware" or personal responsibility.

Your example is nothing like what OP is saying. OP bought a tune, which they planned on towing with, and nothing said that they couldn't. Suddenly they have a problem and Ford says 'oh, don't tow with a tune.', despite never saying that before. Ford dropped the ball here, they should have had the warning up from day one, and since they didn't at the very least they need to cover OP's cost to return the tune and honor their warranty.

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[r1ch999999]

oh FFS

my next ford is now going to cost me an additional $5000.

you feeling ok? Some of your recent posts seem kind of grumpy.

 

[Frenchy]

you feeling ok? Some of your recent posts seem kind of grumpy.

Lol he is always like this. Nothing to be too concerned about

 

[landiscarrier]

Your example is nothing like what OP is saying. OP bought a tune, which they planned on towing with, and nothing said that they couldn't. Suddenly they have a problem and Ford says 'oh, don't tow with a tune.', despite never saying that before. Ford dropped the ball here, they should have had the warning up from day one, and since they didn't at the very least they need to cover OP's cost to return the tune and honor their warranty.

I disagree with you, but that ok.

 

[dtech]

So what if I have a Ford Performance Tune and I decide to drag race my truck 50 times in a row and the engine goes boom on run 50! Should I go back to Ford and say "hey, you never said I couldn't drag race it 50 times in a row".

No I would think you would go back to Ford and say "replace my engine" , the onus is on them to honor the warranty unless you have violated the t&c , most warranties say that a warranty gives the end user certain legal rights . I can see the OP reason for complaining if when the purchase was made there was no address to towing and then subsequently Ford changed there documentation language to indicate towing isn't recommended - but that still isn't a declaration that towing would void the warranty, however in these posts it seems to be unclear whether or not Ford actually has a legal warranty document as it pertain to their tune.
I would think if Ford wants to stand by the towing statement they would offer a refund on the tune, but the labor refund may be another issue.

 

[r1ch999999]

I disagree with you, but that ok.

Convince me I'm wrong.

My thought is that a truck is designed for two main purposes, hauling things and towing. Anything that limits those two things, and sold by the manufacturer as an add on, needs to be clarified. In this case the tune is not only sold by the manufacturer, but billed as not voiding the factory warranty. Something that people are wiling to spend the extra money on to ensure they won't have a problem. Ford changed the rules after the fact, making them responsible for taking care of any issues that people had prior to the rule change that is in violation of the current rules. Ethically they should also be allowing people a refund, unless they change the tune to allow for towing.

 

[Verhiz]

Just to be clear, they could very well help you and screw everyone else

Convince me I'm wrong.

My thought is that a truck is designed for two main purposes, hauling things and towing. Anything that limits those two things, and sold by the manufacturer as an add on, needs to be clarified. In this case the tune is not only sold by the manufacturer, but billed as not voiding the factory warranty. Something that people are wiling to spend the extra money on to ensure they won't have a problem. Ford changed the rules after the fact, making them responsible for taking care of any issues that people had prior to the rule change that is in violation of the current rules. Ethically they should also be allowing people a refund, unless they change the tune to allow for towing.

This is exactly my thought.

 

[landiscarrier]

Convince me I'm wrong.

My thought is that a truck is designed for two main purposes, hauling things and towing. Anything that limits those two things, and sold by the manufacturer as an add on, needs to be clarified. In this case the tune is not only sold by the manufacturer, but billed as not voiding the factory warranty. Something that people are wiling to spend the extra money on to ensure they won't have a problem. Ford changed the rules after the fact, making them responsible for taking care of any issues that people had prior to the rule change that is in violation of the current rules. Ethically they should also be allowing people a refund, unless they change the tune to allow for towing.

Ha! Thankfully I am an adult and don't argue with people online. You have your opinion and I have mine. I was just injecting my thoughts.....I never said you had to agree with me.

 

[t4thfavor]

They have a legal obligation to have a correct door sticker, so if they sell you a tune that lowers your GVWR/GCWR, etc, they should be liable for updating the door sticker to be compatible with the vehicle.
Since it's ford, it's different than the user as they have different legal obligations when vehicle modifications are in play.

Their Stage 2 and 3 kits still say they can tow 7500#, so if they include the tune as well, then it's either negligence, or someone just wants to pass the buck.

 

[Verhiz]

They have a legal obligation to have a correct door sticker, so if they sell you a tune that lowers your GVWR/GCWR, etc, they should be liable for updating the door sticker to be compatible with the vehicle.
Since it's ford, it's different than the user as they have different legal obligations when vehicle modifications are in play.

Their Stage 2 and 3 kits still say they can tow 7500#, so if they include the tune as well, then it's either negligence, or someone just wants to pass the buck.

I will now pass on an email from them. Read it in reverse. I just copy and pasted it from my email. I only deleted my personal info.

Matt,

The initial article I saw was coming from fourwheeler.com which is directly linked from Ford Performance.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/

Then scroll down the headlines and click on this link.

https://www.fourwheeler.com/features/ford-performance-2020-ranger-level-3-performance-package/

Then if you scroll down towards the bottom you’ll see this.

So that’s being linked directly by you guys.

Evan

On Feb 10, 2021, at 12:19, Techline, FordPerformance (.) <[email protected]> wrote:

Evan-

Just out of curiosity, where did you see that the Ranger level 2 and 3 kits have a 7,500 lb towing capacity? I just checked our site, as well as media.ford.com, and multiple articles published by various publications (Autoblog, Car and Driver) and I did not see any mention of towing capacity whatsoever. I searched the entire pages for the keyword "tow" and only saw mention of the tow hooks.

Matt Korczyk
Ford Performance Parts Vehicle Coordinator
Ford Performance Parts Tech LIne
(800) 367-3788


-----Original Message-----
From: Evan
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 1:16 PM
To: Techline, FordPerformance (.) <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: M-9603-REB reimbursement.

Matt,

I have other individuals following our progress here and we all want to know what Ford is going to do. I would definitely love to speak to management over this issue. Thanks! In addition I asked the tech like to speak with engineering to find out what my tow rating is with this tune. Your Ford Performance Level 2 and 3 Rangers state 7500lbs. Just looking for guidance and or compensation for this tune.



On Feb 10, 2021, at 12:08, Techline, FordPerformance (.) <[email protected]> wrote:

Evan-

Your email has been forwarded along to management. Please understand that the Tech Line is not the group who makes decisions on situations like this. The employees on the Tech Line (I believe you spoke to Chris and Noah) are doing all they have the power to do- pass your concerns along to management.

Matt Korczyk
Ford Performance Parts Vehicle Coordinator Ford Performance Parts Tech
LIne
(800) 367-3788


-----Original Message-----
From: Evan
Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 10:50 AM
To: Techline, FordPerformance (.) <[email protected]>
Subject: M-9603-REB reimbursement.

I need someone to contact me via phone in regards to the performance tune M-9603-REB. This is for reimbursement/ compensation.

Evan

 

[dtech]

Sounds like you are taking the correct steps, like many times getting satisfactory results is a process and the more you are prepared with correct information to state your case typically the better the outcome.

 

[Verhiz]

Sounds like you are taking the correct steps, like many times getting satisfactory results is a process and the more you are prepared with correct information to state your case typically the better the outcome.

I’m genuinely trying to do the right things here. I’m not just trying to cause problems here.

 

[dtech]

I’m genuinely trying to do the right things here. I’m not just trying to cause problems here.

Yeah dealing with a big corporation - it can be a process which requires patience as often it has to work it's way through several layers and in this case may involve review by Ford's legal department. Good luck.

 

[Verhiz]

Yeah dealing with a big corporation - it can be a process which requires patience as often it has to work it's way through several layers and in this case may involve review by Ford's legal department. Good luck.

As long as I’m updated and informed I will be patient.

 

[dtech]

As long as I’m updated and informed I will be patient.

I have 2 brothers who are attorneys - through the yrs I always consulted with them as to how best approach contentious situations - they provided advice which is geared toward a reasonable settlement without having to rely on billed legal service , but they offered to write letters to the company if my attempts were in vain, on one occasion that worked like a charm:

going back into the early 90s I did win a victory with Ford on only prior Ford product I owned- a 1991 SHO that the build quality was simply horrendous and it had a year warranty. The freon 2x leaked out and all Ford would do was recharge it and tell me it was fixed, but the 2nd summer it failed out of warranty and they wouldn't do anything for me. My younger bro earned his law degree from Georgetown, went to work for the FDA and knew a schoolmate who went to work for the EPA, congress at the time had passed the laws that outlawed freon. and made improper handling a crime. My brother put me in touch with the EPA attorney who was eager to pursue legal issues and he wrote a letter to Ford essentially indicating that he would work on my behalf as there was evidence Fords refusal to fix my leaky AC was violating environmental laws. Never had a company respond as fast as Ford to actually fix my AC - the assembly worker had crossed threaded one of the bolts that fasten the lines to the compressor.
Unbelievably Ford had stickers on that car that said "quality is job one" and "built with pride in Atlanta." Was a total crock, I should have sued them for blatant misrepresentation of their product.

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