Ford – still shafting the veterans

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Received the following comment from Bobcat on my June 17th blog. (2008).

“Going throught the same problem. Short was happening after rain. My only hope was to be able to park on a down slope, seemed to help some. Already had to replace the trany, hoping the fuse box and Gem module isn’t damaged beyond repair. Thought I could fix the problem with some window caulk, but have decided to take it to Glass Master and have window repaired. I have not had good luck with the dealerships in the past and don’t even want to go through the hastle. What makes me the maddest is that this was my Retirement truck. I bought it after my last tour in Iraq which lead to my retirement. Now my dream truck is a my nightmare.”

I know what he is going through.  Mine was my retirement truck as well and I had hoped it would last awhile without any major faults.  Normal wear and tear, I think Bobcat and I can accept as life but, when they build the fault into the truck and then don’t tell anyone, then you know the low ethics Ford has. 

As you know, I have pointed out how Ford help Germany in WW II in building trucks etc used against the allies.  I guess they are still shafting the military and veterans with these built-in problems.  So much for the “All American” company and our patriotic unions.  Guess it all comes down to personal greed, unwarranted bonuses and looking after Number 1.  Unfortunately, Number 1 isn’t the customer as so many think the ads allude to.

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Ford hides behind the skirts of advertising

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In the Business section of the November 27th Toronto Star on pages B1 and B2 there is a lot of ink used to notify the public that Toyota is doing a recall on the floor mats. Ink you haven’t seen used to notify the driving public about their Ford F150’s with the problems of leaking front windows, blowing spark plugs and leaking rear windows.

Well, I know nothing will happen but, I felt that with Toyota taking the high road and doing the recall and Ford hiding behind advertising dollars, I have to send a letter to the editor (plus the Toronto Sun).

Here is a copy:

I find it interesting the amount of ink you used to disclose/inform about the floor mat problem Toyota is doing a recall on. Here we have a company that takes full responsibility for a product that MAY cause injury. In Canada, as your article points out, there is no defect but Toyota will still address the problem with a recall. And, unlike our bail-out buddies here, Toyota is reducing managerial bonuses to reflect this decline in quality.

Meanwhile, back at Ford, they still hide behind the skirts of advertising and you see no media hype on Ford’s lack of disclosure/recall on the leaking front window, blowing spark plugs and leaking rear window. The former two can cause injury/death depending on the circumstances. But Ford refuses to do anything about it. They send out a notice to the dealers but don’t inform the public – who carries on with multiple repairs, not knowing the real cause.

You have been made aware of these faults yet do no investigative reporting to ensure the public is made aware of the risk. There are documented cases to the U.S. and Canadian government showing these faults yet we see no ink used to help the public. Only silence that allows Ford to come across as squeaky clean while poor old Toyota faces up to its errors in construction and looks after the consumer.

Ford creates revenue flow by not disclosing these faults and the driving public must pay for repairs out of their pockets, some amount to the $1000’s of dollars. Toyota picks up the tap for this recall and reduces the bonuses of those who were responsible. Accountability that is being shown to us by a foreign company and seems to lack in our car industry and maybe our print industry.

Are your bonuses tied to Ford advertising? It’s called ethics and the Atkinson Principles.

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Ethics – unknown to Ford executives.

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Well, Toyota is showing its true colours again – and I mean high ethics. Unlike our friends at Ford, Toyota has done another recall on their rust problem. According to the autoblog site: “Toyota has extended that recall to include the 2002-03 model years, saying that a small number of trucks could suffer from frame corrosion that could cause the spare tire to detach from its underbody housing.”

You’ll notice that it states “a small number”.  Meanwhile, back at Ford, they remain silent on the leaky front window issue, along with the blowing spark plug and leaking rear window problem.  No, they haven’t the guts to stand up and say they have a problem.  No, they don’t tell you to go out and fix it before the damage to other components is done and you would save money.  No, they don’t tell you a thing.

But then, what would you expect from a company that used slave labour in WW II to build vehicles in Germany to fight the British, Canadians and Americas.  True patriots!!!!

Ethics is a non-entity in Ford land.

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Toyota gets hit for admitting problem

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In today’s Toronto Star there is an article titled: “Canadians left in the dark”, where the Automobile Protection Association is complaining that Canadians did not get a letter telling them about the floor mat problem. Yeah, right, as if the whole world doesn’t know about it. Toyota was very open and the media made a big splash about it.

Meanwhile, back at Ford, they are hiding behind the bushes like school-yard perverts and hoping no one will notice the plethora of blowing spark plugs, leaking rear windows and the all time favourite – leaking front windows.

I mean, if you put the floor mat in as instructed – no problem. And if it does stick, turn off the ignition (without locking it) or jam the gear shift into neutral)

You buy a Ford F150, you don’t even know the front window is leaking until you start to replace electronics. Ever have the wipers fail in a downpour? I know one mother did and it could have ended in a tragic moment.

Ever been stalled in a vehicle in the middle of nowhere and it won’t start in sub-zero weather? Hope you have matches to burn the manual for heat.

Electronic door locks burn out and you can’t start the vehicle? Hope you’re not trying to get someone to the hospital.

Who has the balls? Sneaky Pete Ford who doesn’t come out and explain the problem or, Toyota who was very open.

Its called ethics and our Ford buddies lack this in big time. Maybe the CAW/UAW will come out of the closet and help the consumer out. No!!!. Oh yes, might spoil those big benefit packages.

Who ever heard of employees not paying into a pension fund – at least part of it and then expect the government to bail them out with tax dollars. The same guys who put in the leaky windows and say: buy local not foreign and buy union. Tell me why?

Here is the letter I sent to the Automobile Protection Association. I expect to hear the delete button any minute.

- – - – - – - -

I have noted that Toyota is doing, in the U.S., a recall on the loose floor mat problem that can interfere with the accelerator pedals of their vehicles. I notice that your organization has gone public with the idea that Toyota should have sent letters to the Canadian owners of Toyota vehicles. I agree with your argument on this issue.

What I can’t understand is that Ford has sold numerous vehicles that have spark plugs blowing out and rear windows leaking. I find the spark plug issue potentially dangerous but nothing has been done. No recall, no notification of the public and certainly no reimbursement for this faulty part.

In addition, there are numerous complaints (most to U.S. government) that the front window was improperly installed by Ford on F150 trucks. They have acknowledged this internally but have done nothing for the consumer – no recall, no formal notification, nothing.

There are numerous instances where this faulty leaking window will cause the electronics to fail, sometimes at dangerous times such as downpours and below freezing weather. I feel that you should look into this and make this problem public for many reasons.

Many of us replaced expensive electronic equipment due to this faulty window, at our cost, including the window. These vehicles are being sold as roadworthy to others, who find that they have to replace corroded electronics on the used vehicles. Ford is making money on the repairs without telling the public about the problem, a problem they designed into the vehicle with faulty material. If the electronics fail at a certain point in time, the vehicle could lose control due to wipers failing, lights flicking on and off, etc. As well, the electronic door locks can create a problem and if the electronics short out, the vehicle won’t start – this could be fatal in our northern climate.

Loose floor mats (if the owner puts them in right, there is no problem) is one thing but a product design that allows electronic corrosion that costs the consumer money and potentially injury, is another. I feel that your association, if you feel floor mats are a problem, should also investigate the leaking front window problem on F150’s.

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Ford – CAW cuts and Ford makes the big bucks

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This just in……

Ford announces a $1 BILLION Q3 profit, right after the CAW voted to make concessions to help out the company.  Here is a company that made $1Billion in one quarter of the year, can’t help out the consumers with leaky windows and then gets the CAW to cut back.

Now, this is even better than the Nazi history in Ford.  Instead of using slave labour, like it did in WW II, it just shafts the consumer with poorly built products, doesn’t do recalls on potentially dangerous manufacturing errors and then to top it off, gets the CAW to cut back on its demands.

Talk about cojones…. the executives must all be bowlegged with their sets.  And, they wonder why workers and consumers get pissed off and move on.

Hey, Toyota, I questioned you joining the CAW in the last blog.  You really want to join this kind of outfit and get involved in this type of business.

Hope not.

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Toyota – why would you go to the CAW?

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I see where Ford and the CAW have come to an agreement and concessions were made.  At least the union woke up and smelled the coffee but aren’t happy about the rollbacks – but then who is?

But what bothers me is the up to $100,000 settlements for those being laid off and the vehicle vouchers.  Who the hell pays for that?  Probably the consumer who will have to pay the bill through charges to the vehicles they buy – vehicles which have leaky windows, blowing spark plugs and burning speed controls.

Why are we rewarding these guys with so much money when they can’t build a decent vehicle?  And, don’t even help those consumers shafted with vehicles like that mentioned in my last blog.

And Toyota, I hear is thinking of joining the CAW.  Wake up guys.  You will have to start paying dues and look what happened to the CAW workers in St. Thomas – no work.  Yeah, they are getting big packages but at the cost to the consumer who not only pays for these packages but also pays to repair poorly built vehicles.  You want to be part of that crowd?

At least at Toyota you are doing the right thing.  Just think – join the union and get the big deductions off your new salary.  I saw one group join a union and they made less per week due to the union dues and their company lost the contract to another company who gave all the old workers a 50 cent raise right off the bat. Hmmmm.  Oh, did I mention the new company was non-union?

And, if you join the CAW, will all those CAW workers who are now laid off get an advantage at your plant and claim seniority and get your job?  Just a thought.  I saw guys at GM losing their job at one plant and claiming seniority and moving to another plant and some poor guy got dumped.

So Toyota, you can join the CAW, which are losing members and jobs and help pay the union executives their large salaries and benefits and build sub-standard vehicles or, keep working at Toyota and produce vehicles with some pride in workmanship and know you still have a job. 

Your choice.

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Ford – where shafting is No. 1. Safety? Who needs safety?

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I haven’t really been spending much time on this blog.  Why?  I guess the realization that Ford continues its Nazi type thinking and the chances of Ford doing anything for the consumer is next to nil so I spend my time more productively elsewhere – like scratching that itch on my butt.  Kind of like the CAW/UAW workers that put our F150 together with the faulty window – their minds must have been elsewhere.

Anyways, I received the following letter which only shows there are others out there suffering the same crap from Ford.  You’ll notice the fact the wipers don’t work in the rain - kind of a safety issue in my book but I guess not much in Ford’s mind.  I guess at Ford – “Safety isn’t No. 1″.

Well, here is the letter and I have dropped the person’s name for their own safety – don’t need some Ford guy getting upset at this woman and maybe offering to repair her damages.  Yeah, right.

I am really frustrated.  My windshield wipers quit working in the rain and my 4 wheel drive light kept flashing off and on.  I took it to the  dealer and the first thing to service guy said to me was probably a windshield leak causing a short.  This is a common problem with Ford F-150’s.  When they checked it they said it was not covered by my extended warranty even though my warranty covers electrical parts.  Because it was caused by a leaking windshield they said maybe my car insurance would pay for it.  They sent somebody out and he said they would,t cover it because it in their opinion it is a manufacturers defect since alot of people have the same problem.  If any one can help me PLEASE let me know what to do.  I’ll join anybody to get them to pay for this. 

Thanks

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Toyota Workers look out – you’re being scammed

In the business section of today’s Toronto Star, I read very disappointing news. After years of screwing the auto industry with overzealous labour demands and eventually costing the Canadian taxpayer millions and in a world of reducing labour force, the CAW is trying to get Toyota workers to come over to the dark side.

Lets face it – the CAW paying membership is being reduced on a steady basis as plants close, shifts are reduced and production moved out of Canada and, in order to support the lifestyle they have gotten used to, they are trying to get Toyota workers to get on board a union.  Hey, if it wasn’t for the taxpayer bailout, the union auto industry would be sucking lemons right now.  Your non-union plant has been doing great.

They say it is because Toyota has scheduled extra production, reduced some paid holidays and increased daily production. Wake up Toyota worker – this is what the UAW has agreed to in the US to get production rolling and the CAWhas also make concessions.

In order to protect your company, these things had to be done but it seems that the CAW wants to bring you guys down to the lowest common dominator.  I’d tell you stories but I think it is common knowledge – union = protection of worst worker. 

It was a union plant that built my F150 with the leaky window and this so-called voice of the people, the CAW didn’t help me, even though it was one of their guys who made the mistake.  So much for responsibility and accountability.  Their guy made the mistake but they tell me it’s Ford’s problem.  Each pass the buck and nothing gets done.

So, Toyota it is up to you.  You’ve got good workers and maybe they need something to help out.  But, you Toyota worker have a responsibility as well to put out a quality product and work towards making sure you are competitive. 

Unless of course, you want to join the CAW/UAW union method of sucking on the taxpayer’s tit for help.  Nothing like union welfare.

You need to burn your Ford for action

Ford has announced another recall on their infamous speed control switches.  Reported at MSN Autos, the following was stated:

“All new recalls are from model years 1992 to 2003, and, it should be noted, no fires have been reported. The measure is a preventive one to stem “possible ongoing customer lack of confidence in vehicles with the switch,” a Ford representative said.) The Texas Instrument-made switches may leak, overheat, smoke and burn. “

You’ll note that no fires have been reported and a “possible ongoing customer lack of confidence” has led to this latest recall.  So much for those of us who suffered thousands of dollars of repairs to our vehicles due to a leaky front window and the fact that the failing electronics could cause an accident.  Guess if a few Fords burn up you get action. 

All I know is that I’m telling everyone I know about my problems and I intend to buy Toyota for my next truck.  At least they are honest and do the recalls on all their problems and don’t pick and choose like Ford.  After learning about Ford’s work during WW II and how they supported the Nazis, why on earth would I support a company like that.  I kind of wonder why the CAW and UAW support a company with that history.  Lot of union boys got killed fighting against Ford vehicles.

Ford vs Toyota – who has the best ethics?

Recently, Lexus and Toyota ordered a recall on 55,000 floor mats.  Seems that if the owner of the vehicle does not properly hook up the supplied door mats or, adds another floor mat to the driver’s side, there is a possibility they will slide forward and lodge under the accelerator, thus causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably.

Now, two points here are important.  One is that Toyota is doing this recall at no cost to the public, and the problem was not caused by Toyota but by owners who either took the mats off the provided safety hooks or, added a second mat which was not properly hooked.

And we should note the following from Consumer’s Report:

“Although this recall affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles, improper mat usage can pose risks in any vehicle. When installing factory or aftermarket mats, follow the directions. If your vehicle has them, utilize the mat anchors; they provide a real safety benefit of keeping the mats secure and out of the way of the pedals. And do not stack a new mat on the old one. The combined height of the two mats or a loose upper mat may interfere with pedal operation.”

Yes folks, Toyota realises there is a POTENTIAL problem caused by the owners and is making alterations to minimize this owner initiated problem.  A problem that can occur in any vehicle.

Now Ford, on the other hand, builds F150 trucks with a leaky front window that can fry the electronics and potentially cause a vehicle to go out of control.  Do they say anything?  No, they keep repairing the electronics and don’t even notify the owners of this problem, let alone have a recall.

ETHICS!!!

Toyota takes the high road and minimizes the risk to the owner while Ford hides the problem and doesn’t even come clean with the owners and repair the damage – window, electronics, nada.

But then, what do you expect from a company that not only built machinery for the Allies but also helped out the Nazis in Germany with Ford plants and then sued the American government for bomb damage to their Nazi plants.

And we still support Ford by buying a product that could be built wrong but Ford won’t do anything about it.  Maybe if there was a death or two that results in law suits.  Seems their ethic level only responds to lawyers.  Both at the same low level.