just to let everyone know, I won my DSB case, and the information I got from these forums were very helpfull in the whole process,

Thank You to All

and to give you some details, I was givin every penny back without a mileage surcharge, or another ford vehicle, of equal MSRP. or pay the difference.. one catch is that the vehicle has to go thru the original dealer and it has to be one that he has on the lot or one that is readily accesible to him.

I believe the reason that i won is that I kept a log of everything that transpired with the vehicle, every phone call, every service visit, everything, every time something happened I wrote it down. and sometimes recorded..

I also had a buddy of mine who happens to be a service manager for a major dealership, drive the vehicle and give his opinions, and had another prominent business do an evaluation on the vehicle..

plus I complained about the vibration and other things very early [600 miles] thanks to this site I knew what to look for..

and then I went to the DSB board hearing in person, I think it's important that they see You make the effort to be there, in my case leave at 6 AM and drive 90 miles, then you have to be able to look them in the eyes when You're explaining what You've been thru.. You have to be THERE..

I didn't try to act like a know it all, or demand anything, I don't think they would have responded well to an aggresive aproach.. there not stupid people and should be treated with the utmost respect..

I just told the truth and let My documentation talk for itself, I pointed out a few of the inconsistities in Fords paperwork and the first thing I said was "how much I loved the truck.."

WARNING to all those going thru this, make sure You send basically everything Your going to send with the application, because there is a limit to how much additional information You can send,
another words if Your going to send expert opinions get them early and send them..

My limit was 2 pages, and I believe from a rules standpoint they were barred from reviewing any additional non spoken material..

Thanks to all for all the info

now I have another problem, what do I want to DO !!

I don't know if I want another F150 or a F250, or take the money and go buy something else.. HELP!!

Thanks

Chris S

 

The one "catch" isn't that big a deal. The Original dealer is contact point for the vehicle return process, this makes it easier on you, Ford and the dealer when getting out of the truck you have.

Readily accesible means a dealer to dealer swap. If you find another vehicle at different dealer they will move it to the original selling dealers lot without any problem.
I did this with my replacement as the original dealer does not stock any regular cab F250s.

Long story shortened: I won my case. A few days later my wife and I had a meeting about 100 miles from home. We had an hour to kill so we went to a Ford dealer in the town we were in, found exactly the truck we wanted and the rest is history. Having the dealers swap them was no big deal.

Give the 250 some thought. One thing that really swayed me was reading the super duty forums along with this one. While there are some minor issues with some 250s they don't seem as "unfixable" as the vibration on some F150s. (again, very few F150s seem to have the problem but it is frustrating if yours does)

Congratulations on winning and good luck with whatever you decide to get into. Now go and help someone else that has the same problem. Power to the consumer!

P.S. Now you get to deal with Ford's "Dispute Resolution Specialist" and the "Vehicle Reaquistion Office" so keep the 4 food groups handy-Alcohol, caffine, nicotine and asprin.

 

P.S. Now you get to deal with Ford's "Dispute Resolution Specialist" and the "Vehicle Reaquistion Office" so keep the 4 food groups handy-Alcohol, caffine, nicotine and asprin.[/QUOTE]


I guess Your trying to tell me that the fun is just begining, and that I'm in for a few more battles.

i haven't done all the math yet, but it looks like I'll get the most bang for my buck going with a f250, instead of taking the money and buying something different.

I assume that your happy with your f250, how do you compare the ride and gas mileage with the 150

 

Good job, I know how you feel winning one for the consumer. Last year I lemon-lawed my 03 GT and skipped DSB and went straight to the FL Atty Generals program. I agree 100% about keeping everying documented. I keep a written log for both of my vehicles and all receipts for every penny spent on them.

 

Congrats on your win! Stick with Ford, they are great trucks! On my third one.

 

Yes- Very happy with the 2005 F250.

Ride quality is not as soft as the 2004 F150 I had. Definately feel the road more and has a much "stiffer" ride. I test drove it before I got it so I was aware that this was the case. The "E" range tires and heavier suspension have alot to do with this. It rides more like a truck than a car.

I do feel that the interior is more comfortable seat wise. The 250 also seems to tow much easier than my 150 did even though it is the same motor and rear end (5.4, 3.73 ls). Loaded to the gills it definately shines, no drop in the rear and gets up and goes no problem.

My milage is actually better in the 250. I was getting 11-13 in the 150 and run around 15 in the 250. This probably isn't a fair comparison though as I had stalling and power problems with my 150. When towing they both round out at right around 10.

As far as dealing with Ford after the DSB it is as frustrating as the lead up to the DSB. The Dispute Resolution Specialist (I still choke on that title) I had to deal with was VERY unmotivated, did not return phone calls and blamed everything on the dealer. I was in a 3 way tug of war with the dealer, the Dispute Resolution Specialist (Choke,Choke) and the vehicle reaquistion office. Everyone passed the buck every step of the way. In your judgement it says that "Ford will make every effort to implement the judgement in 30 days" mine took 60. I have seen similar time frames from others that have been through it

But, the same as everything else-This too shall pass.

 

Congrats,

My hearing is next week, but it is in Louisville KY, which is 2-1/2 hours away, I can't attend, so I will have to teleconference.

Any idea who I can take the truck to get an "outside opinion" ? At least I can give them this info. You would think someone would want to drive the truck to feel the vibration and then make a determination.

I was hoping to win and be able to order a new Mustang GT. I don't want to bother with another F150, and I really do not need another pickup. I wonder if they would keep my money as a deposit and let me order. I can get by a couple months without a vehicle.

 

Any idea who I can take the truck to get an "outside opinion" ?

You must have a mechanic or body shop that You've done business with in the past, that's where You start, just make sure that it's a reputable firm..

You can fax in additional pages but I was told that I was limited to 2 or 3,

And thank You Toypuller

that's just the kind of info I was looking for, I met a guy around here that said he was getting 17mpg with his f250, but after reading some forums I was afraid that I'd end up getting 12 or 13.. I get around 15 with My 150, so I can live with that..

and as far as ride I have the reg cab FX4 package , with 18" tires and it rides like a rock so the 250 can't be much worse

again thanx

Chris

 

If I can give any advice Run, Run as fast as you can away from poorly engineered trucks. Experience with F250 / F150 Neither was memorable. My handle says it all for me. As soon as I get my new GMC I will list all the items that were fixed or replaced on my 04 Lariat Screw. Ford has not finished yet replacing and I am taking it to Ford to pass on as much cost to get it right as possible. After all I was told that that what warranty was for. Understand these are not items that I am making up they are legit.
So I say again run run as fast as you can.

 

I just dropped off my truck to a well known transmission place today for an evualation. I need proof to dispute that Ford is saying since their attempted reapirs, that my vibe is in spec as it falls between .4-.5 g.

 

This was my answer to Ford calling my problems normal




I believe the defects in this vehicle will greatly reduce the vehicles lifespan and usability, any mechanic will tell You that a vibration left alone, will over time cause accelerated wear on a number of components,

Also if this vehicle was used regularly for hauling or towing I’m sure that these conditions would be much worse.

Fords answer to these problems seem to be either normal, or can’t dupicate, but a close look at the documents that Ford has supplied You will find evidence of the Vibration still existing, also other problems being unresolved.

And saying a problem is within normal characteristicts still doesn’t make something that’s wrong, RIGHT.

There are many variations on this truck some of which are upscale vehicles that are extremely expensive, including the king ranch with an MSRP of up to approx, 45,000.$ and the new Lincoln which is even more expensive,

I do not believe that purchasers of vehicles in this price range would accept or expect there vehicles to display these tendencies

 

The Transmission place where I took the truck, gave me an estiamte sheet stating the truck has a noticable slight vibration between 45-55.

I hope this helps my case. I may take it to a mechanic where my friend goes. I have had newer cars for so long I have only used dealerships.

 

I got my new 05 scab this week and it is very smooth no vibs. I had to pay about 800.00 mileage charge on the 04 and a little difference on sticker but I have a new truck and so far it is wonderful! My first tank I got 17mpg about 1/2 city and hwy. I am pleased with that. I did consider buying something else but I dont think GM or Dodge compare and nissan has a lot of problems.

 

For those who had a DSB hearing, how long did it take you to hear the results? I had mine on Thursday the 7th. They siad they would decide that day and send out a letter. I thought I would have heard by now.

 

A "couple of months" isn't enough time to come up with a GT in most areas. 4-5 month wait right now is about normal.