Does This Warrant Buyback (Replacement)

[MotoWojo]

As some of you know, from the Fuel in Oil thread, I have been having issues with my truck regarding fuel in the oil. I have been dealing with the dealers service department for over 6 months, 7 appointments, 29 days down time at dealer, 15 days down time at home, and they have replaced the injectors twice and have replaced the High Pressure Fuel Pump once. The dealership has taken 2 different samples, one before the hopeful "fix" and one after they replaced the injectors and HPFP the first time. The first sample (~500mi on oil) came back 12% fuel dilution and viscosity out of specified range, the second sample (~2000mi on oil) came back 13% fuel dilution and viscosity out of specified range. After multiple visits, the problem is not resolved. My truck has had 5 oil changes under warranty in the past 5000 miles and one oil change by me, trying to avoid further damage to engine. Now Ford Customer care is recommending I take it to a different dealership and I do not want to start another long journey with another dealership. 6 months and multiple visits with 1 dealership is enough stress for one vehicle. I am planning on requesting a buyback replacement, as i do love the truck, other than this one glaring issue and I would like another Ranger.

I think this should qualify? Has anyone else gone thru a buybacK? What are your thoughts?

Sponsored

 

[Shadowdraxx]

Well based on ur States Lemon Law requirements:

What qualifies as a “lemon”?

Your vehicle may qualify as a “lemon” if all the following are true:

• You bought or leased a new vehicle
• The vehicle is a car, truck, motorcycle, or motor home
• The vehicle developed a defect or defects (a nonconformity) during its first year and before the warranty expired
• The defect seriously harms the vehicle’s use, value, or safety
• One of the following happened during the vehicle’s first year and before the warranty expired:
  • The dealer failed 4 times to fix the same nonconformity
  • The vehicle was unable to be operated (“out of service”) for 30 days or more due to defects

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/cons-protect/lemon-law/lemonlaw.aspx

In CA your experience would have been enough for me to be able to fight for one for sure.

I am sorry you have had such a terrible time

 

[geophb]

@Shadowdraxx

Damn, beat me to it. I was just about to post that link. :/

Im leaning towards a yes. tbh

 

[MotoWojo]

Well based on ur States Lemon Law requirements:

What qualifies as a “lemon”?

Your vehicle may qualify as a “lemon” if all the following are true:

• You bought or leased a new vehicle
• The vehicle is a car, truck, motorcycle, or motor home
• The vehicle developed a defect or defects (a nonconformity) during its first year and before the warranty expired
• The defect seriously harms the vehicle’s use, value, or safety
• One of the following happened during the vehicle’s first year and before the warranty expired:
  • The dealer failed 4 times to fix the same nonconformity
  • The vehicle was unable to be operated (“out of service”) for 30 days or more due to defects

https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/cons-protect/lemon-law/lemonlaw.aspx

In CA your experience would have been enough for me to be able to fight for one for sure.

I am sorry you have had such a terrible time

The requirement below is what I am worried about:

"One of the following happened during the vehicle’s first year and before the warranty expired:"

I bought the truck 4-03-2020 and the problem started 3-22-2020, but the Covid thing was just ramping up here and the dealer could not get me in until 4-10-2020 for the first look at it. I did actually make the appointment in March, but the paperwork does not state when the appointment was actually penciled in, only the day I actually brought it in for service. I do have posts in the "Fuel in Oil" thread that are dated in March with the problem and one post even states the date I got scheduled for my first appointment, but I do not know if that would help if things got sticky?

 

[MotoWojo]

@Shadowdraxx

Damn, beat me to it. I was just about to post that link. :/

Im leaning towards a yes. tbh

I was hoping that I could do it right thru Ford and not have to Lawyer up?

 

[Shadowdraxx]

The requirement below is what I am worried about:

"One of the following happened during the vehicle’s first year and before the warranty expired:"

I'm sure someone alot of knowledge will reply soon but if it was me? I'd be all over fighting for a buyback at this point.

 

[geophb]

Nice catch. Not lookin as good anymore.

Especially because it looks like they have to attempt the 4 fixes within the first year????

 

[MotoWojo]

Oh, and I have not had AC since the dealership replaced the injectors and HPFP the first time back in May. The timing may have been just a coincidence and the AC issue may not have resulted from anything the dealer did, but I have not had AC all summer. I actually just got that approved for warranty work this past Wednesday, but haven't scheduled anything yet, because I was waffling back and forth as to whether to request a buyback.

 

[geophb]

I would be upset if I was in your shoes right now.

Whats the point of new! Leaking gas into crankcase, always in the shop, a/c doesnt work.
Might as well have a $1200 250xxx mile beater. Wtf, c'mon!

Atleast thats how I see it.

 

[MotoWojo]

Nice catch. Not lookin as good anymore.

Especially because it looks like they have to attempt the 4 fixes within the first year????

Well it was in a total of 7 times and 4 times were scheduled for them to repair it. The first visit was the initial visit to change oil and mark the dipstick. The 2nd and 4th visits were to diagnose (ran tests inspected HPFP), the remaining visits were all scheduled for them to fix even though only 2 of the visits did they actually replace anything. For 3 of the visits, I had to take vacation days from work, as back in the spring they suspended their loaner vehicle program during the start of the Covid mania. Those visits I had to sit in the lobby or roam around the dealer lot all day. They did have a cool GT350 and Raptor, but they wouldn't let me test drive either.

Actually, I don't know how they count downtime days? For the service that they did in May, I dropped the truck off on the 12th and picked it up late on the 20th. 9 days? For the service in August. I dropped the truck off on the 14th and picked it up late on September 3rd. 20 days? Do the 3 scheduled services where I had to burn a day of vacation each count as down days? If so, 3 more days. I think the WI law allows for downtime in your possession also, if there are concerns to safety or the value of teh vehicle, or something like that? I don't know how one proves that? I did not drive it for most of July as the oil level was up to the twist and they couldn't even get me in for an oil change, let alone service, and I was worried about ruining my precious Ranger's engine. The first week in July I called to schedule an appointment, and the soonest they could get me in was the 31st for service and the 27th for an oil change. They claimed that the reduced hours and manpower, due to Covid, was the issue. So, weather permitting I drove my motorcycle to preserve what I thought at the time was a vehicle that I would keep for a long time.

 

[MotoWojo]

Well, I went and sent off an email to the Ford Customer Specialist I have been working with, requesting a buyback. I got a quick email reply:

"I will contact you concerning the next steps.

Please make sure that the vehicle is at the dealership before the buyback is processed.

Thank you for being a loyal Ford customer!

Ford Motor Company ®

Customer Relationship Center – Truck Team"

What does it mean "Please make sure that the vehicle is at the dealership before the buyback is processed."?

I hope they don't expect me to leave the truck at the dealership while while I wait on a decision on the buyback? It's getting way too cold in the mornings to be driving my motorcycle to work. I guess I will have to wait until I hear back from the specialist?

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

Wisconsin States Attorney, possibly they have a consumer advocacy contact/program?

 

[AutobotXJ]

Have you told the dealership your intentions to apply for a buyback? That may get them standing at attention.
That really sucks, sorry you have to go through this but good luck moving forward. I hope they do the buyback so you can get an actual well-working vehicle!!!!

 

[MotoWojo]

Have you told the dealership your intentions to apply for a buyback? That may get them standing at attention.
That really sucks, sorry you have to go through this but good luck moving forward. I hope they do the buyback so you can get an actual well-working vehicle!!!!

I have not told the dealership, although when i was there Wednesday for them to verify the AC issue for warranty, they wanted to wait to schedule the service as they suspected Ford may initiate the buyback. Yesterday is when the Specialist contacted me and recommended that I take the truck to a different dealer, but like I said earlier, I do not want to start this process all over again with another dealer. I don't want them to do just a buyback, I would like a buyback replacement. If I have to take my truck to the dealer before being approved, which I have read can take a while, I will need to swap out the wheels/tires back to stock, remove the tonneuo cover and bed rug and swap back the Raptor grill for stock as well as the rear Eibach shocks for stock. I sure do not want to do all that if the buyback replacement is not approved?

 

[Porpoise Hork]

Sucks that all this is going on. One thing that stands out is that they have not replaced the engine or re-flashed/replaced the ECM. It's clear that there is either an issue with the rings or computer problem that's causing the excessive fueling. This needs the attention of a field engineer to test/diagnose so it can be properly repaired. The fact that the current dealership is talking buyback solidifies their ineptitude in handling the issues including ones they have caused.

Since Ford is wanting you to take it to another dealership, unfortunately that may be what you have to do. I would recommend setting up a conference call with the Ford Rep and the service manager of a different dealership that you can take it to so you can go down the laundry list of issues, what's been done and the results of the other service center's "repairs. That way they are fully aware of the ongoing problems and can (hopefully) properly address it. I would also push hard that this is your primary vehicle and that you will need a loaner or for them to cover a rental for the duration while yours is at that dealership for inspection/repaired.

In the event after they have attempted repairs and are either unable/unwilling to resolve it, then pushing for a buyback may be the only option. If that turns out to be the only solution, there's the possibility that you will be able to work with Ford and the dealership about swapping out your custom parts to the new truck.

Sponsored