Am I being too picky?

[RedlandRanger]

So my 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty will expire on Wednesday, so I thought I'd take my truck in to get a few things looked at:

• Get the rear taillight recall done (I knew it wasn't a problem but I got tired of getting bugged about it)
• Have them apply the TSB for the rough shifting when cold (seems simple enough)
• Have them check the transmission fluid - just in case

I called a couple weeks ago, had to wait until today to take it in. Originally he said he would need it overnight which was fine. We took it in today and he tells me "we lost our transmission guy so I'm not sure about the TSB"- I told him it is just software so it should be OK. Anyway, I leave my truck, figuring I'd pick it up tomorrow. A couple hours later I get a call - it is done - they couldn't do the TSB because the "transmission guy" had to do it and they don't have one now. He said the tech drove it and he said it seemed fine. I said it ONLY happens on the first shift of the day when it is COLD. He also said they can't check the trans fluid. I said - "wait, you are telling me you can't check the transmission fluid on a stock Ford vehicle?" He said they could but it is hard to get to and he would have to charge me.

So, we drove a total of 120 miles, wasted 2 hours all to get the sum total of telling me there is nothing wrong with my taillights (which I already knew).

Am I being unreasonable or was that shitty service? The TSB pissed me off, but when he basically told me "we can't check your transmission fluid because it is hard" it REALLY pissed me off.

I will not be returning and I hope they send me a "how did we do" questionnaire.

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[Bob902]

So my 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty will expire on Wednesday, so I thought I'd take my truck in to get a few things looked at:

• Get the rear taillight recall done (I knew it wasn't a problem but I got tired of getting bugged about it)
• Have them apply the TSB for the rough shifting when cold (seems simple enough)
• Have them check the transmission fluid - just in case

I called a couple weeks ago, had to wait until today to take it in. Originally he said he would need it overnight which was fine. We took it in today and he tells me "we lost our transmission guy so I'm not sure about the TSB"- I told him it is just software so it should be OK. Anyway, I leave my truck, figuring I'd pick it up tomorrow. A couple hours later I get a call - it is done - they couldn't do the TSB because the "transmission guy" had to do it and they don't have one now. He said the tech drove it and he said it seemed fine. I said it ONLY happens on the first shift of the day when it is COLD. He also said they can't check the trans fluid. I said - "wait, you are telling me you can't check the transmission fluid on a stock Ford vehicle?" He said they could but it is hard to get to and he would have to charge me.

So, we drove a total of 120 miles, wasted 2 hours all to get the sum total of telling me there is nothing wrong with my taillights (which I already knew).

Am I being unreasonable or was that shitty service? The TSB pissed me off, but when he basically told me "we can't check your transmission fluid because it is hard" it REALLY pissed me off.

I will not be returning and I hope they send me a "how did we do" questionnaire.

I checked my transmission fluid in my garage without a lift. They are either really lazy or the worst mechanics ever.

 

[AzScorpion]

I don't think you're being unreasonable. I would expect they do everything they said they were going to and keep the truck overnight. I had a similar issue with the tranny on my Tacoma and they pulled the same thing calling me back late in the day and saying they couldn't replicate it. I told them several times it has to sit overnight and it only happens first thing in the morning! Finally they did what they should've in the first place and eventually found out it was more than a qt low.

I know it's a pain but maybe if there's another dealership nearby take it to them before the warranty is up just for piece of mind.

 

[AzScorpion]

I checked my transmission fluid in my garage without a lift. They are either really lazy or the worst mechanics ever.

I'm guessing a combo of both.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I just had a thought too - wouldn't the tranny be covered under the 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty?

 

[puckdodger]

You are not being too picky. I would never let them touch my truck again if they can't even check the tranny fluid when they have it that long. Makes me not want to know what else they can't do.

 

[AzScorpion]

I just had a thought too - wouldn't the tranny be covered under the 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty?

True, last time I looked it's part of the powertrain. ?

 

[RedlandRanger]

I had a bad feeling when I scheduled the appointment - I should have gone with my gut.

This is the same dealership posted here a while back with the 60k "Widowmaker" Ranger - I saw two of them on their lot. They used to be a family dealership (with long term employees) and just recently sold out to a local mega dealer.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I don't think you're being unreasonable. I would expect they do everything they said they were going to and keep the truck overnight. I had a similar issue with the tranny on my Tacoma and they pulled the same thing calling me back late in the day and saying they couldn't replicate it. I told them several times it has to sit overnight and it only happens first thing in the morning! Finally they did what they should've in the first place and eventually found out it was more than a qt low.

I know it's a pain but maybe if there's another dealership nearby take it to them before the warranty is up just for piece of mind.

I have other options for dealers that are reasonably close. The trans shift isn't a big deal - it is EXACTLY the symptoms on the TSB and ONLY happens first thing in the morning on a cold morning. Others here have reported the TSB made a big difference in the behavior which is why I wanted to get it done. If I warm up the truck a bit it typically doesn't do it. Part of me wants to just let it be - I'm worried the dealer will mess something up.

 

[AzScorpion]

I have other options for dealers that are reasonably close. The trans shift isn't a big deal - it is EXACTLY the symptoms on the TSB and ONLY happens first thing in the morning on a cold morning. Others here have reported the TSB made a big difference in the behavior which is why I wanted to get it done. If I warm up the truck a bit it typically doesn't do it. Part of me wants to just let it be - I'm worried the dealer will mess something up.

Seeing as you have time now I would wait and bring it to another. It sounds like the same issue I was having and while not a huge deal I still didn't like the way and feel that it was shifting while cold. If there's a fix why not get it done but at least now there's no rush.

 

[RedlandRanger]

You are not being too picky. I would never let them touch my truck again if they can't even check the tranny fluid when they have it that long. Makes me not want to know what else they can't do.

Trust me - I will never set foot in that dealer again.....

Its kind of sad. One of our forum members used to work there - he replaced my mirror light when it leaked - seems like it was a great place until the longtime owners sold it.

 

[AzScorpion]

I did a quick search and found out why they lost their transmission guy. ?

 

[BiilyJones]

Google reviews are powerful. Leave them one.

 

[landiscarrier]

Sadly there are many bad dealers. And dealers that are tech understaffed.
Anyone who can use a laptop could have done the transmission reflash. I had mine done awhile ago and the service writer did it. Checking the fluid is a pain but really anyone can do it. They were being lazy.

 

[paval3]

I just had a thought too - wouldn't the tranny be covered under the 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty?

"Check the transmisison fluid" should be covered under warranty IF you told them of a suspected problem so they would have to diagnose. If not they consider it "maintenance" and not covered. That's what I was told by the service department when I asked them to just check the transmission fluid. In the end, I just waited until my first oil change and got "The Works", supposed to include checking the transmission fluid on the list of things they do.

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