GM in Canada is closing its truck plant, even after the government gave them money to stay. Ford is reducing their labour force as well. But Ford saves money in other ways.
I own a 2002 F150 (bought from Kennedy Ford) that I maintained as per the manufacturers schedule. After the warranty was over I noticed my electronics failing (blower, door locks, anti-theft lock, fuse panel, etc). All were replaced at my cost. By the way, that is 2 fuse boxes. When the fuse box failed again, it was noted that I might have a leaky front window. The dealer sent me to Speedy Auto Glass where I had the window repaired at my cost. Now, what really hurts is, the window was not primed when it was installed at the factory. This caused it to work itself lose over time (and after warranty of course) and cause a leak, which fried my electronics, not once but 3 times.
Ford refuses to touch this claim and will give me nothing in writing. Now, they did verbally offer me $500 off my next Ford. Mmmmm. They offer anyone with a GM or Toyota $1000 to buy a Ford – so much for client loyalty.
I did some research and found out there are at least 10 incidents of this leaky window problem lodged with the U.S. Department of Transport. The same problems but even more - wipers not working properly and electronics failing while the truck is being driven and, Ford has had fires but, no one has actually stated that the failing electronics caused the fire. I understand from the complaints that Ford issued a bulletin to their dealers but nothing to the consumers. I haven’t verified the bulletin though (Technical Service Bulletin 98-9-13 to the dealers about this and also Ford special message #15773 for this problem). But, I wonder how many people have fixed their electronics without knowing the problem and just keep fixing the electronics and not the window, especially those that go to garages, not dealers.
I reported my problem to the Canadian Department of Transport and basically was told, tough, but we won’t do anything because it isn’t really a serious problem.
Now, Ford has had some recalls but this won’t be one of them. I guess that is one way to stay in business. Build a truck with a leaky window, don’t notify the consumer and fix the electronics when the vehicles come in. How many windows are not fixed and the problem continues?
I don’t mind paying for normal wear and tear and understand that once off warranty, you’re on your own. I can live with that but, when it is shown that the part was improperly installed at the factory, I think the manufacturer has some responsibility. If anyone is aware of these problems, please let me know. If anyone is aware of an accident that caused death or injury that might have had this electronic/leaky window problem, please let me know. Maybe with a death or injury, the government, newspapers, press, and Ford, might publically notify owners they have been paying for repairs caused by an improperly installed window.
I wrote this originally elsewhere and have even written to the Toronto Star for assistance in notifying the public about this potentially dangerous problem. As noted, I know of at least 10 other people who have this problem and have put it in writing with the government. If you have this problem, I would be interested in knowing as I feel that this should be brought forward as at least a recall. Toyota has recognized that their 1995-2000 Tacoma trucks have a rust problem and are either repairing or replacing the trucks. If no rust visible now, they are extending the warrant to 15 years… Something needs to be done but Ford is trying to bury this problem.
Yes we are experiencing the same leaky window problem right now. Our electrical system would act crazy after every rain. After doing some research, we found out about the window problem. We replaced the window and are now fighting with the repair shop. Supposedly they fixed the GEM module & circuit panel, but the truck stll did not work. Then they replaced a Transmission something or other and again the truck broke down. It is back in the shop again. My husband cannot work without his truck and we are not only paying big monies to try to get the truck fixed, but he is loosing money by not being able to work in the process. HELP!!!! jeanneobrien@bellsouth.net
Comment by Jeanne — August 2, 2008 @ 8:42 pm |
Ford is a good car
Comment by ÀâòîËþáèòåëü — April 2, 2009 @ 2:17 pm |
Mine is down with a cracked radiator. At the site I work, their same year f-150 has had three radiators. Since it is under warranty I took it to the nearest dealership, and now I am playing the waiting game. Sometime between now and July they will have it fixed.It seems that the radiators are not made like they used to be, and they are not supported well, so they move a lot in off road, or rough road use. What I managed to do was contact someone in customer relations, and they generously rented me a vehicle for 10 days. Of course it was an 09 f-150. I can honestly say the seats are more comfortable, but their safety devices for traction control, stability control, and roll over control are a pain in the…. Hell I could not even get the damn thing to disengage.
Among other issues, and I hope you will address this, is the General Ameritrac tires the shoe their trucks with. I am sorry, when I get into a truck, I do not want to reenact the scene from Herbie the Love Bug where the tire flies off. That is not a fun thing when you are running sixty five miles an hour and the tread separates from the tire. This is not a “ford issue” but it is, considering that a truck should not have a lite duty p-metric tire.
This is the second ford I have owned, and will be the last. If ford happened to be the only car maker on the road, I would walk, ride a bike, or a horse rather than buy another one. I said it before, and I will say it again, it is a shame that Chrysler and GM are in bankruptcy. They only good thing is they might pull out of it.
As for the second comment, the only good ford is the one sitting on a trailer going to the scrap metal sale.
Comment by John — June 3, 2009 @ 3:55 am |