Ford refusing to honor Bumper to Bumper Warranty

[Chris M]

Perhaps this is an object lesson for those of you that do flat tow....VIDEO what you're doing each and every time you do it so as to be able to back up your claim should something go terribly wrong like OP's case.

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[JesseS]

I tow my Ranger a lot. I have a tow procedure list behind the visor I follow step by step every time, I take a geo-stamped photo of the dash read out showing 'Tow Mode Engaged', before starting and at every check stop, and I installed a tow vehicle charger to keep the Ranger battery topped off. So in case of an issue I have proof I was in tow mode at all times, and they can't say the battery was low or I didn't follow procedure as the dash read out will NOT show a flat tow message unless it was done correctly. CYA People!!

 

[msrhame]

i feel bad for you. i have a hunch the dealer has a lot to do with the claim being denied. the worst part of owning a ford is the ford dealers. in my mind unless your one of the lucky few with a fair and honest dealer nearby, then you have no warranty. im in the no warranty crowd. is it possible that the truck computer logs events like being put in flat tow mode or not? or a dtc related to the incident? if you could present some sort of proof you did it by the book i think ford would have to reimburse you. any chance you have a dash cam in the truck or one on the rear of the rv that may have caught any footage?

Not in this case. I have filmed, since then

After reading the GSB, I can see why the dealer would reject the warranty claim. Ford is essentially telling him that this damage can only occur due to operator error. Of course that doesn't mean that Ford is correct, but as a dealer, he can't afford to do the work and then not get his reimbursement when Ford denies the claim.

Sounds like dealer made their determination by codes stored possibly? I would like to see the readout from the module to set the record straight. In other threads owners did follow the instructions. It seems transmission grenades if battery voltage falls below a certain threshold.

Two codes were discovered by the Ford Service Tech- a Turbine Speed Sensor and an Input Shat Sensor A. The service manager could not explain what they meant and how they applied to the damage. All I know is we followed the manual on placing the truck in neutral tow and the instrument display indicated the vehicle was still in neutral tow when we arrived at our destination. My failure was not taking a picture of the dash showing this before and after the tow, something I have done sense.

 

[gryder]

I know it might be added weight, but it seems like the Ranger is better off being towed on a trailer.

I wonder if Jeeps have the same problem, most of the time i see a motorhome pulling a vehicle, it’s usually a Jeep.

 

[NotBudule]

I tow my Ranger a lot. I have a tow procedure list behind the visor I follow step by step every time, I take a geo-stamped photo of the dash read out showing 'Tow Mode Engaged', before starting and at every check stop, and I installed a tow vehicle charger to keep the Ranger battery topped off. So in case of an issue I have proof I was in tow mode at all times, and they can't say the battery was low or I didn't follow procedure as the dash read out will NOT show a flat tow message unless it was done correctly. CYA People!!

Doesn't look like that memo cares about that , IF you have that damage, it's not covered , now still looks like it's still a necessity to keep track , but that's probably only useful if it gets to a lawsuit with Ford , dealer is being told not to cover THAT damage no matter if you did it right or not... kinda sneaky but they all probably do it...

 

[Augie81]

They definitely did their homework on that memo.
good luck getting a lawyer to fight for it on your behalf.

Perhaps if the OP is 100% sure they followed procedure, small claims court might be an option. No need for a lawyer in that case as it is an informal court. Ford may not even bother to send someone to defend in that case as lawyers are expensive, who knows? But I'm no lawyer. I just play one on this forum.

 

[Frenchy]

I purchased my 2021 Ford Ranger 4x4 for my primary transportation and to tow behind my Class A diesel pusher RV. After a recent trip from Nashville Tenn to Little Rock Ark (approximately 400 miles flat towing the Ranger) we were unable to remove the Ranger from the "Neutral Tow" mode. I called the Ford roadside service number and a contracted (Ford) tow truck responded to the campsite and (flatbed) transported the Ranger to a local Little Rock Ford dealership. After the service department examined the Ranger, the service tech advised me the transmission was damaged beyond repair and based upon the damage Ford was not going to honor the "bumper to bumper warranty" that was still in effect. Their claim and position was based upon a memo from Ford stating that if you observe this damage (in this case, my transmission damage) to deny all warranty claims. Throughout this process both myself and my traveling partner maintained the vehicle was in "neutral tow (as indicated on the dash)". I have spoken to 4 individuals via the Ford Customer Service number and all 4 stated it was the local dealerships responsibility to accept or deny a claim. The Little Rock Ford dealership stated their hands were tied because Ford gave direction to deny the claim. I ended up paying for the replacement of a new transmission on my one year old Ranger at the tune of $6,300.

Has anyone else had this experience of a vehicle placed into "neutral tow" and damage occurred?

Has anyone else had Ford deny a warranty that was active?

Good thing this would.be covered under the Powertrain Warranty and not the Bumper to Bumper. The Dealer should know better especially since the vehicle is designed for Flat tow.

 

[rcairflr]

Good thing this would.be covered under the Powertrain Warranty and not the Bumper to Bumper. The Dealer should know better especially since the vehicle is designed for Flat tow.

I'm trying to figure out what the "Good thing" is, since Ford outright denied the claim and refuses to cover the cost... doesn't matter what part of the warranty....

 

[Frenchy]

I'm trying to figure out what the "Good thing" is, since Ford outright denied the claim and refuses to cover the cost... doesn't matter what part of the warranty....

The dealer needs to show you the document and prove that Ford said such. Without Proff I would tow it somwhere else

 

[9zero1790]

not to fuel any fires here but the flat tow Neutral setup on a ranger needs to be investigated closer. part of the process in getting into flat tow mode uses battery and computer junk. and then while being towed in that mode its not charging battery since the alternator is not running. so im thinking is it possible that the truck may still be using battery power in flat tow until the battery gets too low to keep the computer system happy. no juice no more neutral and then poof crispy transmission?? i admit up front im not an expert at all on flat tow or the new rangers computer witchcraft lol. if it is a power fail issue id say several folks have a strong case as they may have done exactly as the manual says but still had things go bad.

 

[Rp930]

The dealer needs to show you the document and prove that Ford said such. Without Proff I would tow it somwhere else

? They did show the document

 

[AdamHarris]

Well you’ve already paid out-of-pocket for this. The only thing harder than getting it covered under warranty would be getting reimbursed for it after a completed out of pocket repair.

That Ford memo basically says “If folks can afford to pull our vehicles behind half million dollar + motorhomes, then they can put a new transmission in themselves if needed.”

 

[Augie81]

would be an option, but i'm sure Ford wont let it go unchallenged just an matter of principle to them. They wont send a high priced lawyer to defend it, but the mechanic who was tasked with the inspection might be the representative. could go either way in that case

True but it would still be a bit costly for Ford having to pay to set that up that up and for the mechanic to go to court. Lawyers would most certainly be somewhat involved to coach the mechanic on what to say and not to say. Because if the mechanic said something wrong then it would be a public court record and open things up for possible other lawsuits for similar instances.

Plus hours of billing time lost while the mechanic could be performing service on Fords instead of going to court. Also they would have to show exactly how the OP didn't follow procedure with proof. That would be an interesting outcome. And given all the topics of bad towing experiences it would certainly be interesting to see some proof aside from some memo blaming the customer.

 

[JasonTremor]

I too am curious what happens electronically when the battery gets low. Does it take it out of tow mode at that point. Guess one could place truck in neutral tow mode then disconnect the battery and see what happens?

 

[JasonTremor]

Based on what I know now, if I had the means to have a motorhome and a ranger to tow behind it, I'd hop over to my featherlight dealer and get a car hauler trailer to round out the package.

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