Ford Focus - shall I settle for a warranty repair or push for a new car?

Question

Whilst driving to work today, my Ford Focus began to make strange noises. Once I got to work, it began to make loud clunking noises, and then wouldn't move. The RAC came out and were shocked to discover that my engine had fallen from its mounting - one bolt had come loose and the other snapped. It has now damaged my 'drive shaft' (whatever that is).

I called Ford customer services as the car is just over a year old and has a warranty. They were most unhelpful and REALLY annoyed me. They expected me to arrange for the car to be taken to a dealership (thankfully, The RAC agreed to return and do this) and have refused to provide me with a courtesy car until the dealership have 'diagnosed' my problem (i.e. The engine has dropped off!). This will take around 2 weeks!! One dealer told me that I should just push for a new car as this was such a dangerous problem. Ford have annoyed me so much, I'm now thinking of doing this.

Any advice? What do I say to Ford? Who do I speak to (solicitor?)

Answer 1

Tell the service advisor to stop being such a *****/Asshole....Sell the car and buy a chevy.

Answer 2

"One dealer" Did you take the car to the dealership that you bought the car from? Did you buy the car from a dealership or was it used? If the car is under the base 3 year/36,000 mile warranty, of course it's covered. As for a fixed car or a new car, it depends on the cost of the repair. Ford's not going to authorize a buy-back if the repairs aren't sunstantial. This may sound strange but the repair may not be all that bad. If a couple bolts and a new half-shaft fix the problem, that's not a lot of money.

Work with your dealer first! The Ford people don't know what is wrong with your car and won't know until the dealer assesses the damage.

Also, if you are still in the warranty period, Roadside Assistance should have towed the car to the dealer. Loaner cars are a dealer item- Ford doesn't help you there.

If the result isn't to your liking, Ford has an arbitration program available. Expect resistance but it's you or them so fight back.

Answer 3

They won't give you a new car. If it is under warranty they will simply keep fixing the car. The dealer has no business telling you to push for a new car because it won't happen.

I don't know where you are from but we watched a show on tv a year ago that depicted a story very similar to yours. The poor guy's vehicle was so defective it was in the shop more times than he was driving it. It would crap out on the freeway with his kids inside...and he'd be stranded.

Since it was under warranty Ford said they'd fix it but each time it'd be fixed at the dealership, something else would go wrong. He even got the dealership to tell Ford that the vehicle was a lemon. Eventually a news group got involved and they televised his situation. They even went with him..on camera, to Ford's head office.

With a tv crew and everything, the spokesperson for Ford said they are NOT in the business of handing out new vehicles and would NOT give the man a new SUV.

I think his was just over a year old as well.

So, if the Ford people are going to be jerks with a vehicle owner, live, on television, they certainly aren't going to be accomodating to you.

The TV crew asked the man if he was just going to sell the SUV and he said his conscience wouldn't let him sell it to some other unsuspecting person. He spent is savings on the SUV and couldn't afford another one either.

You need to get everything done while the vehicle is still under warranty and hope for the best. Either that or if the dealership thinks you should have a new car, then ask THEM to give you one. Chances are they won't. It's easier for them to sic you on Ford when they know Ford won't do a darn thing.

BTW, do you know what a lot of previous Ford owners say that Ford stands for?

Fix
Or
Repair
Daily

I just hope your situation isn't as bad as that guy's on TV.
**I just remembered the show...it's called Underdogs and it's where people who've been ripped off by large companies get help to right the wrong****

Maybe you should research his story and see if there's another avenue he didn't try...

Good luck. I mean that sincerely.

Answer 4

Unfortunately Ford is notorious for behaving this way, and I'm afraid pushing for a new car will only cause you more headaches.

I live in Canada and there is a TV show here all about helping people get the big guys like Ford to listen to their problems. There was one episode in particular where this man was having issues with his Ford Windstar van. Almost quite literally, he was having it repaired weekly. He was pushing Ford to just give him a new vehicle and they would not back down, they said all they would do is continue to repair the vehicle until the warranty was up. With camera crew in tow, the host of the show took the man to Ford's corporate headquarters in Canada to speak to someone directly, and they would not budge on their position. Needless to say the man left VERY unhappy and told them that the next time he buys a vehicle, it would surely never be a Ford.

My mother is also having issues with her Focus. Hers is a wagon and the hatchback kept popping open all on its own while she was driving down the road. They would not even repair it! They disabled the function that allows it to be popped instead! Most of her problems are electrical in nature, and they won't even fix them because she bought a demo car.

Answer 5

It all depends on mileage and how you've looked after the car I'm afraid. They'll do anything they can to get out of honouring a major warranty claim (my only gripe over having owned a Ford previously), but if it's a low mileage car and been serviced according to schedule and there have been no other major faults with it that you've allowed them to repair then I would say go in all guns blazing (and you HAVE to be a force to be reckoned with, being a bit "fey" won't cut the mustard) and start making demands for a replacement car (you may have to settle for another Focus of similar age or slightly newer, or pay a premium to get a brand new one as it is, after all, a year old car now). Threaten them with legal action AND exposure to the motoring press (and mean it!) and keep on at them. Don't give them a minute's peace. Do what I did at Curry's over a viseo recorder I had that was faulty - I went and physically sat on the top of their service desk and refused to move until I had a proper resolve to my problems! Demand a replacement while your claim is validated (and don't be over fussy - take a Ka if you have to, it'll at least keep you mobile) and don't be fobbed off by them saying they don't have one - even if it's a low value part-ex, they a;ways have one somewhere. I had hell with my current Mazda and I asked them if they wanted me to start shouting about their abject failure and awful tat they were pedling, and I got results. Don't be wimpy, get some spirit and dander up and go and give then hell. If that doesn't work, come back to me and I'll tell you about plan B!

Answer 6

It is extremely unlikely that you would get a 6 month warranty on a 9 year old car and head gaskets are one of those things that can last the life of the car or go at any time. I have covered over 800,000m now and have never had a head gasket go on any of my cars. My present next door neighbour had the head gasket go both on his own Mondeo and his wife's corolla last year. As you have had the car for 6 months there would have been no indication at all when you got the car that the gasket was likely to fail. Unfortunately this is one of those components that though cheap enough themselves, involve a fair bit of labour time to change.

Answer 7

You can push till you turn blue -- they will NEVER give you a new vehicle for yours. They are NOT afraid of lawyers (solicitors -- all the same -- scum). Dude, all cars break, yours just broke really BAD. If you keep your cool and try working WITH Ford you may just be able to get a courtesy car but you will probably have to got right to the top, (a regional Ford rep.).

Answer 8

In reply to Bad Seed, all cars have drive shafts, it is the bit that goes from the gear box to the wheel.
I suggest you just hassle Ford and really really complain, they will eventually sort it out for you, they would rather deal with you then have you hanging on the phone. As long as you do not swear at them they can not cut you off. You may want to ask to speak to a supervisor - they can not refuse to do this.

Answer 9

you should tell them a car under warranty shouldnt have an engine falling out it and you want the car replaced. you should write a letter to the dealer you bought the car from and constantly phone the manager. if you dont get any joy then get a solisitar to write them a letter. your car will not be the same if you get it repaired. if was arnold clark you bought the car from, good luck they are terrible!!

Answer 10

bad seed of course a focus has a drive shaft what would turn the wheels but dont settle try for a knew car go to a solicitor dont drop it

Answer 11

I would demand a new one, you have a faulty car even if it is fixed chances are something elce will go wrong with it. Do you pay cash? If you brought it on credit threatern to cancel the agrement and dispute the direct debit.