My 2023 F350 Lariat has been in a dealer's service department for 28 days (since Jan 13. 2026) without a resolution to my repair. The truck has not had an OTA update since last May 25' when an OTA update BRICKED trucks internal/external communication and shut down connectivity. A rear camera recall software update at dealer on Oct 25' also could not be completed as a result of communication system down. The TCU and APIM modules have been replaced and did not resolve the truck communication problem. Ford global technical support has not been able to provide the dealer with a solution and dealer tells me they are waiting on Ford to guide them with next steps. Dealer has over 40 labor hours into this service repair with no end in sight. Dealer tells me there are many other vehicles in the shop with the same or similar issue as mine.

So my question is for those that have attempted to use the Ford Buyback Program, what can I expect to happen under my situation, if I attempt to use the "Lemon Law Buyback Program? Any advice is appreciated. I like the truck but have lost all confidence in Ford Field Service's method of trial and error repairs. Thank goodness it is still under the 3/36 warranty.

 

A lot is going to depend on your state.

What state Is the truck registered in?

 

Registered in Montana

 

For a buy back, Ford will follow the lemon law rules mandated in your state (to the letter) nothing more. You shouldn’t require an attorney, just a well written letter with history of repairs and timelines that meet the buy back requirements outlined by the states lemon law rules. Start with searching Montana lemon law.

Lemon law varies widely by state, and additionally in some cases limited by the GVWR of the truck (AZ for example exempts manufacturers from buy back on trucks with GVWR over 10,000 lbs) .

Good luck

I found this site lists by state - https://www.lemonlawamerica.com/montana-lemon-law/

 

Thanks for that info. I have looked into Montana's Lemon Law criteria based on my situation.

 

Start writing down a good record for a paper trail. When you dropped it off, who told you what, follow up calls, etc. Updated reports, etc. Mention if anyone from the dealership ever updated you. After the 30 days start the process.

 

A quick scan and some guesses and I'm going to say he's outside the window of a buyback.

 

Are they keeping it in the shop because it is not drivable?

 

Montana Law limits the buyback program to 2 years from date of delivery or 18000 miles, whichever comes first. I am outside of the 2 year window so I am not eligible in my state.

 

Truck is drivable and runs fine. They have the truck at the dealership for diagnostics. Ford engineering has had the shop run test after test and some parts replaced (TCU & APIM) then more tests. As of today it is 31 days and the shop is no closer to a fix today than when I brought the truck in on Jan 13th.

 

You can sue for breach of warranty to get back money lost when it has been in the shop. If you have a loan, that is money you are losing since its not in your possession. This is not Lemon Law, but Magnuson-Moss Warranty breach of Contract that you sue with. As long as you have good data records showing it out of service for 30 days or more, with at least 3 attempts to repair the same thing and failed, then you have a good case and usually can settle for $10-15K, enough to offset the loss if you decided to trade it.