To anyone experiencing problems with their `97 F150. I leased one just over a year ago. Yes it
was used when I leased it. I traded my 95 F150 because there were so many problems with it that it would have cost me in excess of $3000 to fix everything wrong with it. When I started looking at other trucks everybody told me that my payment would be much higher than the original truck because of the rollover. I understood that but decided to do it anyway. Well, I shopped around, and thought I was getting the best deal I could get with my current truck. The dealership led me to believe that I would be covered for servicing under the lease, even though the truck was used. So I signed on the dotted line and agreed to a payment almost 2 times the amount of my original payment for 3 years. In the year since I got it, it has been in for repairs a total of 1 or 2 months for various problems that cropped up on it. On of the problems was a pulsation in the brake pedal which the dealer said was a warped rotor. They turned the rotor and told me that the pads were worn down about 50% and did not need to be replaced. What they didn't tell me was that the pads should have been replaced because of this. All this took place in October 1999. This week I paid out $338.00 to replace my pads and the rotors, just 9 months after the dealership supposedly "fixed" the pulsation problem. When I called the dealership about this the person I spoke to said they would get back with me, but, of course, never returned my call. I couldn't wait for this problem to be fixed so I took it to a brake shop and paid to have it fixed. After that I sent an email to Ford Customer Service at their website and told them that I was fed up with all the problems that existed with this vehicle and that I was considering talking to a lawyer about filing a lemon lawsuit against them. Anyway, a representative called me and said that there was nothing she could do about it because I had it fixed by an outside source but asked if I was having any other problems with it. I told her about the squeak in my steering wheel and said that I believed it was from the pitman arm. She sent an email to the dealer of my choice and the problem will be fixed next week free of charge. I am very upset at how the dealer I got this truck from totally misrepresented the repair services available under the lease. I have filed numerous complaints against them as a result of this. Anyway, I just wanted to let people on here know that, perhaps all us Ford truck owners should start ganging up on Ford about all the problems that exist with their trucks. Maybe if we all get together on this then Ford will have to start building a truck that is actually worth the monstrous amount of money we pay for them.

 

Every manufacturer has problems not just ford there all the same. Warped rotors isn't a reason to act like fords are junk this happens to every car and truck. If the service dept. you take your truck to wouldn't fix your problem there must be more to the story. After you take your truck to an aftermarket shop all warranty on that item worked on is off.Next time you take it to the dealer if your not satisfied talk to the service manager let him know how you feel ( as calmly as possible ) it is his job to make you happy. Good Luck

 

Thanks for the reply but my brakes were worked on in October of 1999. The dealer turned the rotors but said that the pads did not need to be replaced. Well, I took them at their word, and let it go. About a month ago the pulsation in the pedal came back and I called the dealer again and they said that it was probably the pads and that it was not covered under my extended service plan. I took the truck and paid to have the pads and rotors replaced and that's when I found out that the pads should have been replaced when the rotors were turned because the pads were probably warped as well. Needless to say, I was not terribly pleased with this, and I contacted Ford customer service. The rep told me that she couldn't do anything about the brakes but asked if I was having any other problems. I told her that I thought my pitman arm was bad because of a squeak coming from the steering wheel when I turned the wheel. She told me to make an appointment and that she would email the service manager at the dealer to fix the problem at no cost to me. Well, she never did send the email and I ended up paying $53.00 as per my extended service plan. Besides that, the truck had allready had the pads replaced once by the former owner and I have only put on 11,000 miles since leasing the vehicle. If the dealer had done the job properly the first time I had it in then I would never have been placed in that spot to begin with. I also think I have the right to expect someone to follow through after making a promise to me. You should also know that this truck currently has only 44,500 miles on the odometer, which, to me, is very low mileage for a vehicle that has now had the pads replaced twice on it. I have also had numerous other problems with this truck that would take me all day to mention here. I just feel like I have been ripped off on this truck and that most of the problems I have had are in the design of the vehicle. When you consider that I will pay about $25,000 for this vehicle by the end of the lease, I think I deserve a much better vehicle than the one I got.

 

If you have had that much trouble with it, then it should fall under a lemon law. You mention a lot of problems but don't go into detail. I would use the forum and descibe your problems. I'll read it.

I know it's hard some times but talking to a dealership (service) without losing your temper goes a long way. And if you can talk to the service manager when they are not dealing with 3000 problems at once, they will listen and see what they can do. Not all Ford dealerships are perfect and are an easy whipping boy. But the same came be said for Chevy and Dodge. It can test your loyalty.

 

rotors can be warped very easily depending on your driving habits this would not fall under a lemon law it is not a safety issue just a annoying problem. I am a tech at a ford dealer just friday I replaced front pads and one rotor on a 2000 expedition the truck had 13467 miles on it. Brakes are a heavy wear item warranty is only 12/12000 on brake pads. The owner was upset at first about having to pay but after a little talking to he understood a little better. He admits he does all city driving and is forced to ride the brake allot.If ford covered brakes to 36000 some vehiles would have numerous brake jobs done by then. The 2000 focus ecspecially hard on brakes I have had about three cars with less than 10000 miles that needed brakes one only with 4000 . You just have to understand all manufactures are the same, my wife owns a pontiac firebird v8 I don't even want to go into the problems we have had with the car, the problems are not even comparably to the problems I have had with the dealer. Vehicles these days cost allot some have problems some don't just the luck of the draw unfortunately. Still in my opinion ford trucks are the best on the market , no one even stands close. Hopefully you will have better luck in the future.

 

Bad brakes and a squeaky steering wheel....ok. These are not Lemon Law issues. You leased a used vehicle and you got what you paid for. The previous owner probably drove it hard, now you are paying to fix what he did. My advice would be to get out of your lease or deal with it until its over then lease a new one.