Finally took it in for it's first service this past saturday (mileage was 3202), figured I'd let them do it to avoid any warranty issues in the future. Just changed the oil and filter and "checked things over".

Well, get the truck back, there is mud all over the driver's side running board and caked under the front and rear wheel wells on that side. I figured no problem since the dealer lot has an unpaved section by the service dept and only 2 miles were put on the truck. Then i noticed an off centered steering wheel (never before) and a slight pull to the right. Figured it was road surface. Today (sunday) I noticed more of a pull to the right and heard small clinking from under the left front end. Front wheels are not pointing in the same direction (left wheel "toes out" with steering wheel centered), and (noticed while washing it) a very nice scuff under the front bumper on the black plastic front fascia and on the bottom of the license plate bracket. These so & so lot attendants must have took my truck through some nice muddy potholes in their lot, just to have some fun.

What would you guys do in this situation, besides call the dealer and let him have it first thing? I can't be without the truck but now i have to bring it in again for this. And I know they'll tell me it was like that before hand. There's still plenty of mud visible all over the driver's side frame, gas tank, and the spare tire. This annoys me, the truck is brand new and the front end has been screwed up by some pee brained lot attendant!!

 

Get'em to fix it, and get them to give you a rental car. They probably won't do a rental truck.

 

Call and ask to talk to the service manager. Explain what happened calmly.
A alignment will be covered under warrenty so that will not be a problem.
I would obviously ask that truck be washed/detailed. I would not think this
should be a problem alot of dealers do this automatically. Take it in for alignment tell the manager what happened last time it was in
and ask that he make sure the truck is cleaned when they are done with it.
As far as the scuffed bumper cover that will be up to the dealer.
Ford will not cover it under warrenty so if they do any thing they will be paying for it. It would be very easy to just say it was allready there but if they want to keep a cust they will take care of you. As a dealer employee
I know first hand asking in a professional manner will get you 10 times
farther then coming in screaming as i'm sure will be suggested in this
thread. Its a shame employees cant take more pride in there work and the
way they treat cust vehicle. I know in shop things get broke or damaged
I have broken many a part myself. But if a accident happens take care of
it. It will keep cust coming back If you don't believe me we have custs who
drive 50 miles out of state to come to us. Also as far as the retal car
call ahead we have about 10 cars and there booked 4wk in advance.
Good luck and if they wont help go somewhere else and leave a negitive
feedback with FORD. dealers do pay attention to this.

P.s Its only 1000 miles if you want to come over here, we will take care of you.

 

Thanks Ranger,

I called the advisor who I saw on Saturday today, and did exactly what you said. Calm, collected, with all the facts and he said nothing. Which isn't a bad thing. It's like he wasn't surprised at all by my claims. I'm sure he's aware of how the lot attendants "take care" of peoples vehicles. I also informed him that they only put 5 qts of oil in my 5.4L (which calls for 7), as per the service order I signed. Went out this morning and checked, wouldn't you know it was down at the lower dot on the dipstick. He was apologetic about that and didn't know why the technician did it.

I told him he couldn't have the truck until this weekend, unless he arranged further transportation from the dealer, but he agreed to test drive the truck himself on lunch tomorrow. Let's see how this pans out.

 

This summer break from college I was a lot attendant for an acura dealer. I take care of all my cars and pride myself on a clean car. If "I" ever drove a customer's car I would treat it as if it was gold. I sometimes had to deliver cars 200 miles away. As for some of the other lot attendants, service advisors and mechanics, some of them beat the living **** out of some customer's cars. Peelouts, e-brake pulls, hard cornering and acceleration.....needless to say many of them were fired. The dealer should do everything you ask and having a few words with the lot attendant who drove your truck wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

I agree that the calm cool aproach should be used first and if you can't get anything out of the service advisor then i would move up the food chain until I got to the top or got results. quite frankly they would have absolutely no problem telling just how hot and upset i was.I have never had a issue getting a loaner or a rental car from my dealer and if this one doesn't bend over backwards to keep you happy i would kinda be suprised

 

Ken, your respect for the cars is probably the reason they let you take them on the long trips. These lot attendants here almost had an F250 on two wheels, right in front of the owner. He didn't look happy.

The advisor seemed okay on the phone but we'll see. I'm not after an all out "undoing" of what was done. That scuff on the plastic front fascia is only noticeable by me and doesn't need to be replaced, but it is good evidence of how hard the lot attendant beat my baby up. There's mud all over the spare tire, gas tank, frame, etc. More than just a puddle would do. I had to wash it myself, so most of the really visible evidence is gone.

They know i can't leave the truck unless i get a car, and the advisor did not say "no" when i suggested it (didn't say "yes" either). But this I know, the steering is screwed, either a tie rod is ruined or the steering rack itself was damaged. There is no on-center feel at all, constantly have to adjust the wheel to keep it straight, and it pulls HARD to the right at 45+ mph. My fingers are crossed that the calm, cool approach will prevail.

 

Did you complete the dealer survey from your purchase yet that Ford sends to new buyers? If you have not use that as an ace in the hole...they really want those to go to ford with high marks...my sales guy has been hounding me about giving him all A+'s on his.

 

man if i was that F250 owner i would have been raising cain it would have been all i could do not to grab that guy by the ear and march him in to his boss

 

Dont under estimate the power of the pen.

I was looking to buy a used 01 Mustang. I was at the table, the deal had been verbally agreed on, and was getting ready to sign the paperwork when the used car manager came in and said the car was being sold to a prefered customer. I had bought 3 cars from this dealer in the past 3 years. I told him that was BS and he gave me a lame story about "Company Policy". Ok, I went home. That evening I sent a e-mail to the corporate office. I explained what had happened and stated that another nearby Ford dealer would be my local dealer in the future.

I received a call at 9:00 the next morning from the manager at the dealership. He sent a car over to get me at 9:30. He met me at the lot and told me I could have any vehicle on the lot at his cost, he would not make 1 cent off the deal.

I bought a 05 Mustang that had a 24K sticker for 19K.

The next day the owner of the dealership called and asked me if I was satisifed.

Thats how you screw a guy then make it right. I had always had good service from the dealer before and to tell the truth, I would have been satisifed with an apolgy and a free oil change.

Anyway, remember that you are the injured party, dont settle for anything less than having your truck returned to the same condition as when you dropped it off.