Well ford has to buy my lemon back, no mileage charge.

Can anyone help me with the time frame? The letter says that Ford has to do this within 30 days of the letter.

I sent my acceptance letter and my paperwork overnight, yesterday.

When can I expect Ford to contact me, to discuss this?

Any enlightenment would be appreciated.

 

I don't know about that...but what are you going to buy after this transaction is complete??

T

 

I'm thinking the new F250.

 

Just curious,



What happen to your other truck to cause this situation?

 

From what i have heard (and it just what i have read about other peoples experience) They will ussually wait until the last day (30th).

 

My letter said that "upon notice of acceptance a dispute resolution specialist will contact you to make necessary arrangements. Ford will make every effort to complete the described action within 30 days of our receipt of the acceptance form." That is kind of a vague time frame for Ford.

I can only tell you what happened to me:

I accepted the decision imediately and had a replacement lined up and ready to transfer. I did the legwork to the dealer that had the truck I wanted and moved it forward to the point were they told me that all the original dealer had to do was call them up and get it.

I was contacted by the "Dispute Resolution Specialist" and found her to be less helpful than the Customer Care Hotline folks if that tells you anything. She imediately told me the dealer would handle everything. Her favorite line was "that's not my job" and "Ford leaves that to the local dealer" She was not motivated to return phone calls or follow through on anything she said.

The dealer maintained that he could not do anything until the Dispute Resolution Specialist sent the paperwork to the "Reaquired Vehicle Office", she in turn said that the dealer was responsible for this. I went back and forth and back and forth for more than 30 days.

Throughout the entire vibration, transmission, rear axle replacement, dampner kit, new tire and driveshaft replacement fiasco I have tried to maintain my composure. It finally came to a point that I was threating legal action and even recontacted a lemon law attorney about the refusal of the dealer and Ford to complete these transactions.

I received notice that I had won my case the first week of October. I have been driving the new F-250 for about a month and am still trying to get the dealer and Ford to send through the last paperwork on the new truck(substitution of collateral and the cash back from the differance in the price of the 2 vehicles)

I chose a replacement vehicle as I was probably going to get another Ford anyways and thought that would be easier-WRONG! I am happy with the new truck but this entire process has been like pulling teeth very slowly with rusty tools.

The Dispute Resolution Specialist currently has a voice mail saying her office will be closed until 3 January. My attorney told me in November that the Reaquired Vehicle Office was backed up past 60 days. (Take that for what it is worth)

You may have better luck since you are taking a refund rather than a replacement. I don't mean to tell you that your experience will be the same as mine, I was definately dealing with the slow boat to China crowd. Same as the mechanical process you have already been through-keep pushing and pushing until it gets done.

On the brighter side of things you will like the 250. After driving this one for a while I'm not looking back.

Congratulations on your success with the DSB, most of the hard stuff is now over. I know what it felt like to see the envelope in the mailbox, rip it open and read it right in the driveway that the months of service visits, TSBs, and vibration issues were almost done. That Ford Engineers and others that told you it was "a truck and its gonna vibrate" were not right and all those payments you made on a lemon were coming back to you.

Good luck to all the citizens of Vibration Nation-keep up the good fight.

 

How do you start the process once you get the DSB application in the mail?

 

Once you submit the DSB paperwork the next step will be generated by the Dispute Settlement Board itself. You will receive a letter in the mail either accepting your case and assigning you a case # or you will receive a rejection notice.

If you are assigned a case # the board will again contact you just prior to your hearing with an exact date, time and location when you will be heard. This can be done in person, by phone or you can submit a written statement. If you request to make a personal appearance it is not quaranteed, the hearing may be held regionally rather than locally.

The hearing for me was a breeze. The members of the board were very nice and polite. The hearing went as scheduled to the minute. I did mine by phone in Atlanta becuase there was no local hearing. I had a presentation already to go and it was not needed. I had no idea what to expect prior to the hearing and was pleasantly surpised at just how easy it was.

Ford may contact you prior to the hearing to try to settle. Hear them out and make sure you understand fully what they are offering prior to accepting. The Dispute Settlement Board is not Ford, they are an independant party that can intercede at the consumers request prior to lemon law action so don't flame them for problems you are having with your truck.

Bottom line is if you are having problems, have done the required number of service visits, and sent whatever notice (or not) to Ford required by your state, start the DSB process. You can always stop if you reach a settlement prior to your hearing.

Two other pieces of useless advise:

1) Document, document, document and document!!!!!

2) Carefully read and understand the advantages and disadvantages of the DSB vs Lemon Law. No one solution is right for every person.

 

Amen Toypuller.

The other thing I wish I would have known was to send all back-up with the original DSB paperwork. I was told I was only allowed 2 sheets to rebut ford's statement.

I also stated in my paperwork that I noticed the problem immediately, told the salesman, and they said to let the truck break in. So, I have no mileage charge.

Send ALL back-up, intenet articles, letter, everything with the intial package.

I hope it goes smoothly. I sent my acceptance letter yesterday, and today I went and talked to the General Sales Manager at the local dealership. Told him I want the refund since it makes more sense financially. So that when everything clears, that is when I will talk about the new deal. So I am hoping he will push it to get the new deal.

 

Geno,

Now close your eyes, click your heels together 3 times and say "theres no place like the driver's seat of a 250.........theres no place like the driver's seat of a 250.........theres no place like..................................."

 

Toypuller,

I have read with great interest your postings because I am just starting the documentation phase of my vibration problems as well as other minor ones. I have a feeling my own future will be with the DSB. I have gained much knowledge about DSB process except for how to get it started. Is there a number to call or does it start at the dealership?

Thanks. Tony

 

The DSB:

Dispute Settlement Board
P.O. Box 1424
Waukesha, WI. 53187-1424

1-800-428-3718

You can contact them directly to obtain an application.

You can also get one from the selling dealer or you can contact the North
American Customer Relation Center @ 1-800-392-3673.

Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
P.O. Box 6248
Dearborn, Michigan 48121

There is a section in your owners manual to about the DSB under "Customer Assistance" (page 232 in the 05 F-250 Manual). They don't make it real obvious-imagine that.

Keep in mind the "Customer Relationship Center" is not worth the oxegen they use. They are little more than a human answering machine, but they will forward a DSB application to you. Just don't waste your time engaging them in any more conversation than is required. They will tell you that someone will contact you and how sorry they are for your problems. It won't ever happen.

Good Luck

 

HI, I just bought a 2005 Screw and have the vibration. I'm jumping through hoops now at the dealer and trying to plan my course for down the road if it's not fixed right. The vibration is eough to qualify for a buy back through the Lemon law? I'll be happy to hear it if it's so. Thanks!

 

Call the Ford Customer Relationship Center first, file a complaint about your problems, name and VIN required. (maybe someone from Ford will call you back) You can request a DSB form from your local dealer.
Ford Customer Relationship Center 1.800.392.3673

If you have any questions about the DSB here is the number:
Dispute Settlement Board 1.800.688.2429
P.O Box 5120
Southfield, MI 48086-5120
BTW this number is hard to find.

 

Noolacam,

While I had other issues the vibration was the primary one. The DSB letter I got was specific that the vibration issue was a primary reason for the buy back.

The scope of the DSB's authority is:

1) Any condition that affects the value of the vehicle. (vibration does)
2) The noted condition must be covered by the manufacurers warranty. (vibration is)
3) The same condition must still be unresolved after the required number of repair attempts.

There is alot of good info here and other places- do your homework.

Remember- document, document, document and document.

Learn the differances between what "Lemon Law" and DSB will do for you. There are signifigant advantages and disadvantages with each.

Good luck, I hope you get it resolved before you need help!