Well... this seems like quite an old thread of messages, but I wanted to add something for the 2002 model year. I purchased a 2002 F-150 SuperCrew Lariat approximately 1 week ago. The next morning, when I went to start the truck, my engine died when shifting out of park. After repeated stalls, I finally was able to get it to a dealer. It's been over a week now, and I still don't have my truck back. I owned it for less than 12 hours when my first problem cropped up. The dealer is telling me that it's a sticky solenoid in the transfer case. This is my first non-import vehicle, and I'm regretting it already. To top it off, the treatment I've received from the dealer in my town has been absolutely horrific. I know it's because I bought the truck from a competing dealer nearby (where I would have taken it for service also, had I been able to drive it there). The service manager even had the gall to tell me that since I didn't buy the truck from them, he couldn't make any special effort to get it fixed. I would think that FORD wouldn't want dealers like this. Bottom line to me is that it's a Ford truck and any Ford dealer should be able to fix it the same, especially when you don't have a choice. I couldn't even get a loaner because the service manager was being a jerk. My next step is to find information about the National Ford Customer Service hotline or whatever to lodge a formal complaint about my treatment. Anyone with this information, please feel free to send it my way.

My first payment is coming due soon and I've only driven my truck for less than 100 miles. I'm already waiting for my lemon laws in my state to take effect...

 

Where are these problem trucks being built??

Might be a problem in a particular factory that has to be addressed!

Please post your factory originations if you know them

 

Wow! I just read thru your ordeal and am re-thinking purchasing a new Super Crew. Its too bad that you've been given the run around by your dealership. Ford Corporate should step in and make things right. I guess customer service means nothing to them. Thanks for posting your comments to this site, its been a real eye-opened. I have been trying to decide between the Lariat SC or a Chev 1500 HD or 2500 HD. Although the styling and curb-appeal is much greater with the Ford, I just don't want to deal with all the problems that seem to be rampant with this product. I have been doing my homework on this truck and it seems that too many people have had too many problems that they shouldn't have. Unless I find an incredible deal on a Super Crew, I'll be buying a Chev. You've helped me make up my mind. If Ford Execs do read these postings, please be aware that potential purchasers take these sites seriously and bad press like this reflects very badly on Ford and will adversely effect sales. Ford has probably lost this sale.

 

In my experience there have been problems attributed to all manufacturers so having problems with a Ford/Chevy/Dodge/Toyota is not a surprise. I used to work for Peterbilt Motors, and we had them too.

From my appraisal of the various problems listed from the fellow posters, it seems strange that the paint booth in the factory would allow dust and specks in. Peterbilt was subject to incredible air purity standards. The rest of it sounds like possible assembly problems (which do happen), but more importantly it sounds like a bad dealer. The dealer in my town is a small-town dealer but they really do try to take care of their customers (maybe the small-town thing is why). In fact they have gone out of their way to make sure it was an enjoyable wxperience. My sales guy recently defected from 25 years of GM sales because of the declining quality. He said he wouldn't sell anything he wouldn't drive himself. That told me volumes, in addition to what I was reading on Edmunds.com.

As far as buying another brand goes, my dad who is a die-hard Chevy fan just recently purchased a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado LS 2500. His mileage is atrocious, he gets around 10 mpg. Things are already rattling and buzzing at 18,000 miles. When he rode in my SCrew for 5 minutes, he actually preferred the ride, seats, view, etc... His was a $33,000 truck and he hates it, and has already been talking about getting a SCrew 4x4 as a replacement. The only problem that I have had with my truck is that, just after I got my plates I was
rear-ended. I had less that 4,000 miles on the truck. I have it back from the repair shop and it seems as good as new. I had about $3,000 damage, and I was able to drive home. I hadn't even used my trailer-ball yet. The car that hit me was totaled on the spot. "Build Ford Tough" indeed.

 

You guys have to realize that Ford sold 800,000+ trucks last year and if you think that every single truck will not have any problems when you buy it and drive it you guys have got to be crazy.(sorry if I sound mean) There are numerous things that cause this from bad factory componets to test drivers damaging something on the truck. Just remember that Ford sold 800,000+ trucks last not every truck is going to be perfect.

 

I think its important to remember here that regardless of make all vehicles are mass-produced in various assembly plants around the country. Some of these plants may have worker,management,coordinator or assembly maintainence problems that may result in poor build quality.I think the only solution is to thoroughly go over the vehicle you`re going to buy and take your time.This goes for all makes including chevrolet or even imports.This is BS that americans have to settle for american vehicles made by overweight,disenchanted and undisciplined autoworkers or plant managers who have no pride in work well done.

 

I worked as a designer in the automobile industry for years and can tell you first hand that a manufacturer deserves every bit of the SMACK or POSITIVE FEEDBACK they get from customers based on their own experience with their own vehicle.
It's not a matter of building a product that will not break.....THEY ALL FAIL.
The issue is FIXING the frickin thing.
I too purchased a 97 new and I have a complete design FLAW that cannot be fixed with ford components. Ford will look at it and conclude it should not break but it does again...again...again. My truck is too old to take back so I'm stuck with because I have spent so much of MY money (after warranty) to fix that which cannot be fixed.
Without going into detail my truck is too rigid, to the point that it will not flex properly causing bolts to fail, which cause other things to fail (ripple effect).
I have even had stress engineers (licensed) look at mine and with one look say it will fail again, again etc.
All of this can be summed up into one word....MONEY, MONEY, MONEY.
They are in the business to make money, not please you/me.....that's secondary.
I'm sick of hearing my boss tell me to shut the !?&K up and just get the design out...even when I point out design flaws on the computer.
It's more important to them to be the first to get the designs out and deliver the product before everyone else. They will worry about how it functions later.
Ask me if I will but another one??????

 

z97Ford1,I hear you and I sympathize,its true it is all about money and getting the product out first.:-(