Howdy folks,
It's been several months since I last posted a message here about My "Blue Lemon"
the last time I posted I had hired an atourney to represent Me in trying to get Ford to give me My money back on this piece of KAKA.

A little history here might help.

I purchased the truck new at Thompson Ford In Tullahoma Tennessee in May of 04. I noticed a vibration problem right off the bat, but waited to see if it was teething problems... as it where.

The vibration occours through out the power band. At 40 MPH (city speeds) with cruise off an on an a smooth well paved surface. It has a constant and nagging vibration. It vibrates all the way up to 80mph. That's as fast as I've gotten it.

I had Thompson try and repair it several times, with now luck.
The repairs included two drive shafts, a dampener and a complet new rear end down to the brake rotors... no joy here on the atempted fixes. I tried to get them to trade the truck out and they started playing games with the numbers. They treated it as a trade in and not a lemon swap. Obviously I declined they're deal!

I took it to Alexander Ford in Murfreesboro, Tn. They kept it almost two weeks and could not find a way to fix it. They road forced the tires, re balanced them, placesd sensors around the truck in order to try and isolate the problem.... Again no joy here!

Both service managers told Me that Ford was having a big problem with the vibration issue. Both told Me they thought it was a lemon. Neither would put it in wrighting.... didn't want to jepordise they're jobs... (can't blame them but I don't like it)

My atourney contacted Ford and begain the negotiation process.

I started receiving calls from various people trying to negotiate a setlement with Me!!!!!
Not My atourney!!!!!!
Is this legal!?!?!?!

Any way, they generously offered Me 1K less than My down payment and trade in as a settlement.
When I started trying to explain how much I had in the truck and what the tennessee lemon law requires Ford reemberse Me. The "Lawyer" said they where not going to pay what was owed Me.

I read My copy of the sales contract to the "Lawyer" (More on this in a minuet ....It gets better) and explained the various fees, expencises and additions to the truck He seemed to think I was speaking in tounges. When I asked if He had a copy of My contract he said No. I asked how He could come up with the figures he was offering Me, all He could come up with was He had a work sheet in front of Him.
After several calls I finally asked why He was talking to Me and not My atourney. And was it legal to go behind councels back and talk with Me.
That was the last conversation We had.

Hold on it just keeps getting better!!!!!!!!!!

I contacted My state Senator Office....Steve Choen (great guy by the way... always gets My vote) They in turn contacted Ford and Lo' and Behold they say they're going to either buy Mine back or swap Me out in another one. I chose a Dealership a friend of Mine had purchased two trucks from and went out to get either a truck or a check.

I chose a new F150 extend cab, drove it and felt the vibration right off the bat. Put @ 15-20 miles on it and the vibration stayed constant, just like My Blue Lemon.

I told the sales Manager I want My money back. He arrived a t a figure that was very close to what I had figured using My original bill of sale, signed some papers and was told that they would have a check for Me in a couple of days to a week or so. A couple of weeks go by and I get acall from Ford asking where My truck was. I asked where My Money was. He explained that Ford had payed off My truck and wanted it back. I told Him when I get My money they can have it. (refer back to the work sheet paragraph for clarifacation)

All of This was in Augst of 04.
I still have the truck, they don't want to give Me whats owed.

BUT WAIT IT GETS EVEN BETTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My atourney calls Me one day very excited and some what concerned!!!
He has gotten a phone call from a Ford "Lawyer" telling Him that they where going to file a stolen vehicle report and have Me arrested for Felony Grand Theft Auto.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!FOR STEALING MY OWN D**N TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now aint that a great way to inspire customer loyalty.
Sell Me a Lemon
(They've aknowlaged it by it being payed it off)
Refuse to even give Me what I put down on the truck back.
(Representive did not have a copy of the sales invoice to negotiate from)
Two service managers can't get it fixed
(Both tell Me it's a Lemon)
Threaten to have me arrested for felony grand theft of My own vehicle
(Never seen the inside of a jail from the bad side)
Go behind My lawyers back and try to gyp Me
(Offered less than My down stroke and trade)

Before You Nay sayers get going and try and shoot Me down. All of this is true! I have a stack of letters from My mouth piece documenting this whole debacle.

I'm not going to get into a flame war over this with any one.
(Been there done that with some one who needs Prozak)

I need some help to get this over and done with.

Ford has refused to communicat with My lawyer. I had planned on setteling it in small claims court just to get it over with. When They threatened Me with Jail time I changed My mind and put it in the big dawg court.

Currently I'm driving an 82 F150. It rides like an 82 ought to. But there is no vibration. Only problem is it dosent have the 5 star safety rating, air bags, anti lock brakes, and the other aminitys I payed my hard earned Money for!

Any news on a class action suit out there???
Any idea on how to get this over and done with???
Any wonder Ford is looking at fileing bankruptsy this year????

I've been a loyal Ford fan for over thirty years.
My Brother drives them.
My Father drove them
I have a sister who drives them
I've driven many friends to the parts store in My fords so they can work on they're Chevy's .... Once again.

Brand Loyal...
You BetCha....
Till now!!!!

I talk to a lot of People on a daily basis.
They all have heard My tale of woe about this piece of KAKA.
I try and stear them to the Jap products now!
Every one I know who has had a problem with a Toyota, Nissan.... etc gets it fixed ASAP no problems.... NADA

Me I'm problay going over to Nissan after all this is said and done.

 

Clarification on the "Lawyer" who called My Attourney. Threatening jail time
He told Me it was not a Lawyer that threatened Me with incarseration.
It was some tool who works for Ford trying to collect debts... A Leach as it where.
My Lawyer contacted A "Real" Attourney from Ford and was told the threat was not from Fords legal department!!!!!!
I took the suit out of small claims court 3 days later

 

Barefootslim-I'm trying to get some info on the whole lemon law process-I filed w/ a lawyer about 3 weeks ago for condensation & vibration.Can you tell me how long it took ford to contact you (or lawyer) & make an offer. I brought my 2004f150 scab in for rear noise & they replaced ring & pinion-now I have the vibration. took it back again & they replaced the front tires & driveshaft! Still have problem w/ truck & still hearing can't duplicate problem.

 

This whole thread sounds like the same thing Ford has been experiencing with the 6.0 Power Stroke diesels. Massive problems with that engine. Ford has been ducking and dodging warranty claims all over the country on these too.

I used to own a 2004 Pwer Stroke. Fortunately I did my reseach and knew how to look for a "good" one. Mine was an amazing truck. But, Ford is bleeding badly from all warranty work and buy-backs on the PSD. I'm quite sure they are scared s**tless about going through the same thing on THEIR BEST SELLING VEHICLE, the F150.

Have some patience guys, keep up the pressure, and document EVERYTHING. Wouldn't hurt to have a hand held voice recorder to record the Service Manager's responses either.

CMOS