All,

My 2011 F-350 was broken into at a hotel in San Antonio at 6:21am. I was parked where I could see and hear the truck. They punched the key lock, but it did not go in??? They then pried under the door handle and got in that way I guess. Now, my door is going to require body work and paint.

The issue is once the door is opened (without the keyfob), the dash displays a countdown till the alarm goes off. They used this time to steal my stuff. The alarm (horn honking) went off, I woke up, and saw them driving away.

Is there anyway to disable the security countdown? I understand the purpose, but this is really stupid. If the alarm would have gone off immediately, I feel they would have just left.

 

You make a very valid point. Having that count down timer for a criminal to use is a nice feature for the bastages. Being able to disarm the visual display or have it go off immediately when tampered with would be nice and should be done. I think your insurance has a valid lawsuit if they wanted to raise a stink.

 

Do we really want the alarm going off instantly any time we open the door with a key?

 

Who would you sue? and for what?

 

I don't think I've ever used the key to unlock the door. I would like to to go off instantly and this is why.

 

All of the solenoids on my 2001 were non functional. I had to use the key. If (when) my 2012 ever gets to the point where things like this happen, and it's no longer worth the trouble of fixing it, I'd sure hate to be forced to fix it because of an alarm going off - ultimately preventing me from starting the truck. I can think of other scenarios where I'd like to be able to open the door without the remote.

 

Think about that answer a little further.

Yes, this instance being the reason why. Maybe the dash display should also mention where my valuables are being hid.

 

Yes, please do. I asked a question to which your response means nothing. It is not an answer. Are you going to sue Ford? For what? Building a lock with an alarm hooked to it? Class action law suit for all the victims of a car prowl? You going to sue the criminal for breaking in too fast? It's a legitimate question. There is nothing to sue for. The best alarm in the world would not stop a thief from breaking in, grabbing and running.

 

They must have found what they wanted really quick. I just tried mine and it only gives you about 10 seconds. I guess that is why they put locks on the console and underseat storage compartments....

 

I think the best course of action is to remove everything from the truck and leave it unlocked... I'm only a little kidding here. I believe that if my console and/or glovebox were locked, they would just be broken now.

I unhooked my iPod and left it in the glovebox. Gone... The alarm did keep them from spending further time digging through the console. My gps was in there (and my bible...) but the didn't see the gps as it was hidden under some papers. I had some tools in the backseat they also stole. That's probably what tempted them.

I'm also tempted to go down tomorrow morning before I expect them and sit in the truck waiting for them...

Any idea what it's gona cost to fix the door? The lock was punched, but didn't give. They then shoved a screwdriver between the handle and the door. The door is mangled underneath the lock. My insurance deductible is 500, so I'm at least out that. They want to file under the homeowners insurance for the items stolen. So, the insurance company gets two deductibles and I get hosed...

 

You do realize you can create a lawsuit (Class Action or even Civil) for pretty much anything don't you!? I will give you one lawsuit of a single woman taking on Honda in small claims court (she can represent herself up to a certain dollar amount specified by the State)Small-Claims 2.0: Calif. Woman Sues Honda, Mounts Online Campaign Against Class Actions - ABC News.

One could take all of the data out there about Super Duty's and their theft rate etc and complete the proper paperwork and bam, you have a lawsuit.

My grounds would be stating that the Defendant (Ford) has been aware of their product design flaw which has costed tax payers $$$$$$ over the years without redesigning/improving the the product. This could be broken down into several components of the lawsuit to include the vehicle lock design and the "security system" with dash information which would work more against Ford than with them.

Would one (or several win in a Class Action)? Someone would need to raise a stink first and bring it to the next level.

There have been burglars who have broken into houses, been beaten, shot and lived etc that have countersued and have won. Anything can happen in the American legal system.

 

A few problems with that.

First, Ford never "claimed" it's security system would stop a burglar. Honda did claim it got x many miles per gallon and doesn't.

Second, the alarm on a Ford is a convience feature added to help enhance "percieved" security, not ensure it. Would every car owner with no factory alarm be able to get in on this lawsuit? Every car manufacturer has known forever that someone, at some point, will break into their vehicles. That is a thief's job. Ford could make their door and locks like bank vaults but guess what...banks get burgled too. They could add bullet resistant glass all the way around but your SuperDuty will exceed GVWR before you dirve it off the lot.

Speaking of glass, an automatic nail punch will "open" any window on your truck faster than you can with your remote and if they use the broken window as a "door" the timer never even starts.

And what do "taxpayers" have at all to do with this? The .gov has nothing to do with the security of your stuff in the backseat of your truck.

Yes, Ms. Peters is from the granola State where you can sue for anything, but she does have a bit of a leg to stand on. False advertising. A law suit against Ford for this would just cost Ford money to defend, Ford most likely would prevail, as most frivolous law suits against big corporations do, and win or lose they would then pass the costs of the lawsuit down to the consumer...us. Is that what you want? Your $60K truck now costs $180K but look at the bright side...your CD collection is safe(r) in the back seat of your armored personell carrier.

Yes, I realize you can sue for anything nowadays but should you? This country is WAY too litigious and it makes me sick. And it is all the lawyers' fault.

You did see where Ms. Peters might get $200 and the lawyers make $8M. You wouldn't be an attorney by chance now would you?

PS...hope your shoulder feels better.

 

You guys are gonna get this thread closed.

 

Why? Is civil discourse, mild debate, and facts not welcome on this forum?

Look, I am not trying to be a Richard Cranium, and I like Steve and enjoy his posts. I am just curious why he thought this was some how a legal issue and why he thought an insurance company would sue Ford over a +/-$500 issue.

 

I wish someone would close this thread. I'm not even subscribed to it, however; I keep clicking on it.

P.I.T.S, thanks for the thoughts on the shoulder. I am not an attorney (yet.........) however; I deal with them quite often and have a few in the family and as friends. If someone wanted to create a stir, it would be easy. Media attention means everything today. I'm quite sure Ford could do a program update and take the delay away. I have only heard (and seen the message once) while messing around with the truck. It should be an option like selecting warm up time. (Hint Ford). With that being said, I am done clicking on this thread. NO MORE!!