Just wanted some opinions here... My wifes 2006 F-150 (5.4) has a bad noise at about 1900 RPM. Not really the issue, its probably just an idler or something I havent really checked it out closely because it is under warranty. I usually do all my own work to my vehicles unless they are under warranty, so I am not used to dealing with dealer service depts. From what I read in the 6.4 Diesel Forum, and from past experience with my F-250 being in the shop the dealer usually provides you with a loaner vehicle to drive while yours is in the shop. (This was a differant dealership)

I took her truck up to the dealer I bought it from, just got it in January. They said they couldnt give me something to drive and couldnt get to it until monday, but I was welcome to leave it there.... and walk home I guess. I asked him if they could give me something to drive and he pretty much laughed at me... I called yesterday and they said they could work on it today and if it was nothing major they would be able to fix it.

I guess my question is whats everybody elses experience on this? I drove an hour away on some $3.20/gal gas to give the dealer I bought it from a chance to fix it and they pretty much, if they knew it or not, turned away my business. I just think that when I have got $70,000 worth of Ford trucks in the driveway they should keep a set of wheels under me, at least if its under warranty.

 

Yes, they treated you pretty crappy. They could have given you a loaner to drive. The dealer here does.

 

I guess I also wanted to know too is there any Ford policy on that?? I skimmed through the warranty manual and didnt see anything, but I didnt just study it either....

 

Not that I know of. I know they have the roadside assistance for 3 years now, but nothing about a loaner car.

 

I figured as much, I guess Im just gonna have to find a local dealer that I trust to work on my trucks. The one here where I live I am scared of. Anybody know any good dealerships in Central AR??

 

there is nothing in the 3/36 warranty about a loaner car. most dealers will give you a reduced rate rental. If you have a premiem care extended warranty you are eligable for a loaner.. Jason

 

Back in my younger days when I was stupid, I had a brand new GEO Prizm. When the power window went out (among other things) still under warranty, I took it to the dealer who not only would not loan me anything, they said that they didn't want to work on the vehicle. I turned it in right there and said I would not make another payment and never buy a GM product again and have bought Fords ever since. The whole thing ruined my credit for a while because it went down as a voluntary repossession. I wouldn't do it today, (credit is excellent) but I did have the satisfaction never buying a GM product again. Recently the Ford dealer here asked me if I needed a loaner when they detailed my 2008 F150. Policy or not, you should contact Ford directly and see if you can get some satisfaction. Sorry this happened to you and good luck.

 

The dealer I took mine too when I still had warranty had an Enterprise or something in the waiting area...wasn't ever offered a rental or anything while the truck stayed overnight, etc..

 

the only way to get a loaner is if you bought the Premium Care ESP. otherwise, it's up to the kindness of that dealership.

 

This is the absolute gosphel on dealership loaners and FMC refuses to get caught in the middle of it. I've been down that road a few times myself and it's madening as hell when you establish a 20 year buying history and have shown absolute loyalty to a dealer and then they say, "you didn't buy the ESP warranty". If you finance the warranty, your talking an extra $25-$40 per month in the car payment just for and additional few thousand miles of coverage. I don't think it's worth it, likewise, I've also found a more accomodating Ford dealer.

Tim

 

So what happens when you buy a used truck w/the ESP from a private owner...would (any) dealer provide a loaner, or is there a loophole for that also?

 

If you buy a used truck the esp is transferable for a fee. I think its like 50 dollars. Jason

 

In my experience only the dealer I bought from supplied a loaner.

 

I've never had a problem with loaners...they might not be the newest or nicest on the market, but dealerships have been pretty good to me. Even when I was taking my 10 yr old truck in for repairs, they gave me a car off the Used lot to drive for several days until my truck was fixed.

I bought the Premium ESP for my truck because I wanted peace of mind. Sure you can just save the money and invest it. If it works for you. In my mind, the extra $$$ I spent will pay for itself the first time I make a warranty claim. Those things are typically over $1k for each repair.

Hopefully I'll never take the Truck in for warranty. If so, it'll only cost me $50...no matter what the repair

 

I personally haven't had to deal with ford for a warranty issue yet (and hope I never have to), but my experiences with other dealers is, if they were checking my vehicle for a problem, they wouldn't supply a loaner until they found what the problem was, and determined the problem was under warranty. They would however provide local shuttle service. Once they checked the vehicle and determined that the problem was under warranty, they would then provide either a loaner or rental while they fixed it.

Maybe they wouldn't provide a loaner or rental until they had a chance to confirmed the problem was under warranty.