Ford / Dealer will not release my Ranger due to recall

[billwinkle]

I recently retired working for dealers for 42 years. I know your situation sucks but the dealers hands are tied. Federal law prevents any dealer from releasing a vehicle that has any recall on it no matter how small an insignificant. We had vehicles that were held for up to 4 months. It cost the dealers tons of money in interest as most dealer finance the cars and trucks. I think that if the customer could sign a release that they should get their vehicle. I hate the feds for some (most) of the things they do to us.

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[Langwilliams]

IF you have paperwork with the VIN on it run the VIN on Ford's recall page. Wonder if they're hoping you take a refund an go elsewhere thinking they can sell it for a bigger profit (they now think they undercharged you).

Just a thought

 

[Silver]

Lawyer up. A letter from one should get a "loaner" considering this issue of need v want. They are obligated to correct issue in a reasonable amount of time and then, well the lemon law, however it works in Canada might have some teeth. My extended warranty provides a 'loaner' at their expense while in for repairs or recalls... Best of luck!

 

[AzScorpion]

Lawyer up. A letter from one should get a "loaner" considering this issue of need v want. They are obligated to correct issue in a reasonable amount of time and then, well the lemon law, however it works in Canada might have some teeth. My extended warranty provides a 'loaner' at their expense while in for repairs or recalls... Best of luck!

The problem is there's a national backorder so "correcting the issue in a reasonable amount of time" is beyond their control. The dealer would love for him to back out as they would just resell it at a higher markup. The lemon law only applies to a person if they've brought their vehicle back so many times and the problem hasn't been corrected, that's not the problem here.

You're lucky the loaner is in your warranty because dealers are under no obligation to provide you one. It's just a courtesy some will do. But there's a shortage of those too.

 

[Langwilliams]

You're lucky the loaner is in your warranty because dealers are under no obligation to provide you one. It's just a courtesy some will do. But there's a shortage of those too.

Some dealers use "demos" as loaners. I worked at one dealership that used plain economy cars off their used lot that were slow sellers. Guess there's no "slow sellers" right now.

 

[jsphlynch]

Let me add some more detail to make sure I'm stating it all clear.

In October I was told hey your truck is all good to go, just go ahead get insurance on it and come in this week to get it. So I went ahead and got that all sorted, the insurance company contacted the dealer and got it insured. (I have canceled this now)

The day or day before (I cant remember), I was scheduled to come get the truck I was informed about the safety recall. Therefore I did not go into the dealership. I assume that the title must be in my name by this point, however yes with a lien holder on it since I am financing.

So the truck is sitting in the dealers lot, they have all the keys and paperwork. I assume the last step is completed at the dealer ship which starts the payment cycle. So no gone in 60 seconds heist for me lol.

The current market is so bad that if I take my name off this truck I will be in an even more truck-less scenario. There doesn't seems to be another Supercab XL trim in the whole country. Right now in Canada, a 2019 with 50-60K Kms on it is the same price as a new truck. Leaving my down payment on it secures the vehicle. The dealer said I can cancel it if I want, but that's just getting me out of their hair. Right now getting the vehicle is much more important to me than getting my down payment back.

If my daily didn't just die, I would have just continued waiting, but this puts me in a crappy spot. Sadly I think you are right and I am screwed. I will try and to get a "good-will" loaner. Otherwise I think I'll be stuck waiting.

Appreciate all the replies.

Based on this update, here's my speculation: I'm guessing it has not yet been titled. Your "down payment" is serving as a deposit to hold the truck for you. Financing has been all drawn up, but the final "submit" button hasn't yet been pushed since the truck is not ready for the customer.

The good news is this should mean that the warranty clock hasn't started yet.

The not so good news is that there's probably absolutely nothing you can do except back out of the deal and get your deposit back, or simply wait it out. You wouldn't be eligible for lemon law (not that it's needed, since you can back out) since you haven't yet bought the truck. Likewise you won't get a loaner since you're waiting for them to get a truck ready for sale, not waiting for them to fix your truck (just like they aren't going to give a loaner to somebody who ordered a truck, and their delivery has been delayed by a lack of chips).

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Things aren’t that different here in Canada but let’s get a few things taken care of up front….

1. This is a civil matter - the police would laugh.
2. A letter from a lawyer would be $200-$300 and useless because it would be a small claims court issue to recoup the deposit - the dealer and the lawyer would both laugh.
3. The recall would likely be completed by the time the small claims court case was registered, the dealer served, and the case made it to court for a judgement - the dealer, the service technician and the service advisor would all laugh.
4. If he‘s leasing, the lease company will be the registered owner and will hold “title”.
5. If he borrows, he will be the owner and the vehicle will be registered in his name. The lender will register a Chattel Mortgage (lien) on the truck so the owner can’t sell the truck until they release the Chattel Mortgage.

After reading the OP’s newer posts, I’m almost certain the OP is not even the registered owner and that he only has a deposit on a vehicle that belongs to Ford or the dealer. He may have thought the copy of the bill of sale somehow gives him title and I can understand how he might think that. It’s a truck, man - a guy’s gonna get emotionally attached.

Loaner vehicles are rare here - well, at least for me - maybe I’m a pushover. ? I’ve lived in four different provinces - only my BMW dealer would give me a loaner - not Ford, not VW, not Lexus, not Mercedes - okay, that was because it was a Smart and I asked for an S class. ?

 

[nolan62]

Part of the issue is that there is basically no vehicles available that suit my budget / requirements on the lots here in Canada. I found this truck on the lot which one another big factor on why I pulled the trigger. I am sure they will cancel the deal no problem, but that still leaves me with out a vehicle and just on a different waiting list.

Have you spoken to the Dealership Owner? Not a sales person.

 

[Trigganometry]

Circling back to this thread after thinking about it some. If dealer doesn’t have the truck ready to drive off the lot in the 2021 year and it rolls into next year I would ask for a reduced price for the wait. Let them battle it out with the factory who’s taking that hit. You have far more patience for this type of thing than I do.

 

[D Fresh]

Have you spoken to the Dealership Owner? Not a sales person.

This could help.

I had issues with the dealership I purchased my Ranger from. Long story short, they miscalculated my sales tax holding up the title work @ the county.

The one thing I did which finally got me some traction was contacting the owner of the dealership. It took a little bit of internet sleuthing and a message on his home voicemail, because nobody would share his information. But it got the job done.

 

[Khalinatek]

I have been talking with the Sales manager, and he's honestly fairly honest. Like you said he wants to get rid of the truck because he's paying interest on it. He is being told he can't release it from Ford. He said he's meeting with a Ford rep tomorrow. See if any thing comes out of it, but I feel like I am just stuck waiting. I also called Ford corporate, and they will follow up with the dealer.

I just asked about the title, he said the title would not be in my name until the day they hand me the keys. He said they leave it in the dealership name for their insurance until that very day. So my mistake for assuming that.

So as you guys have stated I am pretty sure I am screwed lol. It's like the recall became active right after I was approved for everything.

A frustrating situation, but it is sounding like it is what it is.

 

[thewhiteranger]

so we have a recall so dangerous that the vehicle you paid for cannot be delivered yet there are how many already out on the road with the same issue??????? if its so dangerous everyone with one of the affected trucks should be in a free loaner until the parts and fix are available right???? makes little sense to hold yours for this if thats the case.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Circling back to this thread after thinking about it some. If dealer doesn’t have the truck ready to drive off the lot in the 2021 year and it rolls into next year I would ask for a reduced price for the wait. Let them battle it out with the factory who’s taking that hit. You have far more patience for this type of thing than I do.

I’m pretty sure it was dealership inventory - OP says the dealer is still paying interest on it.

I have been talking with the Sales manager, and he's honestly fairly honest. Like you said he wants to get rid of the truck because he's paying interest on it. He is being told he can't release it from Ford. He said he's meeting with a Ford rep tomorrow. See if any thing comes out of it, but I feel like I am just stuck waiting. I also called Ford corporate, and they will follow up with the dealer.

I just asked about the title, he said the title would not be in my name until the day they hand me the keys. He said they leave it in the dealership name for their insurance until that very day. So my mistake for assuming that.

So as you guys have stated I am pretty sure I am screwed lol. It's like the recall became active right after I was approved for everything.

A frustrating situation, but it is sounding like it is what it is.

It sounds very frustrating - my recall letter was dated Nov. 12 - timing is everything, I guess. ?

Maybe if you’re you’re near Vancouver, @RANGER PRIDE will come by and park his truck in your driveway so you can look out the window and stare at it every once in a while. It’s not as great as looking out at your own truck, but it’ll still make you smile. ?

 

[Motorpsychology]

Let me add some more detail to make sure I'm stating it all clear.

In October I was told hey your truck is all good to go, just go ahead get insurance on it and come in this week to get it. So I went ahead and got that all sorted, the insurance company contacted the dealer and got it insured. (I have canceled this now)Good! Smart!

The day or day before (I cant remember), I was scheduled to come get the truck I was informed about the safety recall. Therefore I did not go into the dealership. I assume that the title must be in my name by this point, however yes with a lien holder on it since I am financing.
You have a truck RESERVED. You do not own the truck unless you have SIGNED a certificate of title and registered the vehicle within the state (province) it will be kept. In my state (WI) and many others, proof of insurance must also be verified.

So the truck is sitting in the dealers lot, they have all the keys and paperwork. I assume the last step is completed at the dealer ship which starts the payment cycle.
It sounds to me like you are approved for a loan, the dealership may have the loan agreement ready, but unless you have signed it, selected a due date and method of payment (check by mail or electronic withdrawal etc) and received confirmation from the lender, the loan has not started.
So no gone in 60 seconds heist for me lol.

The current market is so bad that if I take my name off this truck I will be in an even more truck-less scenario. There doesn't seems to be another Supercab XL trim in the whole country. Right now in Canada, a 2019 with 50-60K Kms on it is the same price as a new truck. Leaving my down payment on it secures the vehicle. The dealer said I can cancel it if I want, but that's just getting me out of their hair. Right now getting the vehicle is much more important to me than getting my down payment back.

If my daily didn't just die, I would have just continued waiting, but this puts me in a crappy spot. Sadly I think you are right and I am screwed. I will try and to get a "good-will" loaner. Otherwise I think I'll be stuck waiting.
You might ask them for a used vehicle they could let you use, or buy now & sell when your truck is ready: e.g. buy a beater for $1000 now and "trade it in" for $800-$950 when your truck is ready.

Appreciate all the replies.

Get everything in writing and be absolutely sure that you are confident you know where you stand. ASSUME NOTHING!

Trust me. I sold cars for 11 years.

 

[Motorpsychology]

so we have a recall so dangerous that the vehicle you paid for cannot be delivered yet there are how many already out on the road with the same issue??????? if its so dangerous everyone with one of the affected trucks should be in a free loaner until the parts and fix are available right???? makes little sense to hold yours for this if thats the case.

It is sounding more and more like there is a stop sale directive from Ford or Canada's DOT. Liability for injury caused by the non-compliant parts, rests with Ford right now, so naturally they want to limit the number of vehicles out there to those that were sold before this was discovered.

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