Is Ford Service really this bad?!

[Montana Bronco]

The world is coming in for a crash landing and its not a gradual dive, its a nose dive and on fire. We are in some real trouble.

LOL, chill dude, the world will be just fine.

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[telenerd]

The chef can make or break a restaurant. What’s new?

 

[Brutal-Force]

LOL, chill dude, the world will be just fine.

Lol, no. I was an automotive tech in 2007, and it was pretty bad then. Although it looked a little different, people were outright not bringing cars in for work. The dealership was letting people go left and right because there was no work. Now, there parts availability is abysmal (in all industries) and techs have gotten smarter and have found better work (you can't fix a car without parts, i.e. make money). Its going to be pretty bad. I guess we will see.

 

[PSUTE]

Results will vary from dealer to dealer. I've found that if you tell them what's up when you make the appointment, they tend to be fast...

 

[RustysBronco]

My first car 40+ years ago was a Ford but this is my first one since. I took it in for its first service and a short list of a few post-sale items to have checked out. They said they were really stacked so could I come back next week to schedule service (mainly oil change and balance). So, I did. A few days later, I came in for my service and was told it would take 45 minutes for the oil change (seriously?!) but the other stuff might take a few days. It's my first dealership experience in some time without loaners or comp'd rentals (as long as you're willing to schedule in advance based on their availability). So, I was a little shocked by this. It's unacceptable to be without your car for several days because you need something slightly adjusted to spec. The oil change ended up taking an hour and a half.

I understand bad days, but the service advisor told me it was just the way things are and it's the norm and was the same at pretty much any Ford dealer due to volume. That's what reservations are for.... But, I digress. Then I had a couple of questions to find out if the issues I have are even service addressable and he had no idea - couldn't ask a tech - I would have to leave it and wait a couple of days for it to be documented and so forth. Then, I asked if they could install Ford Performance Tune since I read that this had been discontinued for 2023 2.3L and he had no idea and directed me to parts who had no idea. I asked how I could find out and they had no idea.

This is an unacceptable level of service for any business. Is this typical for Ford today? Any good service dealers in Houston area? This was Joe Myers in Jersey Village (unfortunately I live and work less than a mile from it). I understand this is a Berkshire Hathaway business. I can't imagine that's an acceptable business model for Warren Buffett.

It's bad. You better really like your car/truck to deal with it.

 

[Tricky Mike]

Yes, they're awful. Tech shortage mostly likely. I have several things I need warrantied and I'm putting them off worse than the dentist. I'd stick a fork in my eye before going in for just an oil change.

 

[SuperFord]

I would be more than happy to provide you with a list of my issues and my VIN number so you can call all the local Ford dealers in metro Detroit to arrange for service with a loaner car if you would like to verify for yourself. My Bronco is my only vehicle and it is literally brand new. I need to get to and from work and cannot go without a loaner car, especially when dealers have no idea when they will be able to look at it or how long they will need to keep it for.

you are not entitled to a “loaner” car. & There is nowhere in your warranty that says otherwise.

 

[robo]

I paid for the extended service when I bought mine, (The Ford Store Morgan Hill, Ca).
I got a text message from them saying it looked like I was due for service. I said I wasn't sure I wanted to take a whole day to bring it back to their dealership 30 mi away.
They suggested their mobile service. I didn't think they would travel 30 mi to do a service, but the young lady assured me they would.
I made the appointment.
At the appointed time, a big Ford Transit hightop van pulled up with two techs inside.
Within 45 min they had completed the oil change, tire rotation, (all 5 upon req), and removed some white stains from the plastic fender flares which were from the paint protection application. I was quite happy with the whole thing.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

Being a service manager for Ford for over 20 years I love reading comments. Some complaints are valid, some are far fetched and some people expect the world but sometimes you go to their business it really isn't much different, they just think the dealer(s) owe them something. We all put our pants on the same way every morning, just some start with the right foot and some with the left.

Following....

Can you comment on what I was told by the service manager at Jones, specially that a recall does necessarily fix a problem? I'd also like to hear if you think I was unreasonable. I can go into more specifics, if you need them.

Also, this is an honest question, here. I'm actually looking for perspective from someone who DOES this job.

JR

 

[DetroitChris]

you are not entitled to a “loaner” car. & There is nowhere in your warranty that says otherwise.

A brand new car is also expected to come in proper working order. Especially when you spend over $60,000 on it and the problems all start at less than 1,000 miles. I wish all the same problems on you since you’re fine with spending a lot of money on a defective truck without recourse from the manufacturer.

 

[Joez60421]

My first car 40+ years ago was a Ford but this is my first one since. I took it in for its first service and a short list of a few post-sale items to have checked out. They said they were really stacked so could I come back next week to schedule service (mainly oil change and balance). So, I did. A few days later, I came in for my service and was told it would take 45 minutes for the oil change (seriously?!) but the other stuff might take a few days. It's my first dealership experience in some time without loaners or comp'd rentals (as long as you're willing to schedule in advance based on their availability). So, I was a little shocked by this. It's unacceptable to be without your car for several days because you need something slightly adjusted to spec. The oil change ended up taking an hour and a half.

I understand bad days, but the service advisor told me it was just the way things are and it's the norm and was the same at pretty much any Ford dealer due to volume. That's what reservations are for.... But, I digress. Then I had a couple of questions to find out if the issues I have are even service addressable and he had no idea - couldn't ask a tech - I would have to leave it and wait a couple of days for it to be documented and so forth. Then, I asked if they could install Ford Performance Tune since I read that this had been discontinued for 2023 2.3L and he had no idea and directed me to parts who had no idea. I asked how I could find out and they had no idea.

This is an unacceptable level of service for any business. Is this typical for Ford today? Any good service dealers in Houston area? This was Joe Myers in Jersey Village (unfortunately I live and work less than a mile from it). I understand this is a Berkshire Hathaway business. I can't imagine that's an acceptable business model for Warren Buffett.

It's mind blowing how atrocious Fords service is compared to Toyota. I'm sure 20 fanboys will post up how I'm wrong, but It's been my experience. No loaner was a shock, toyota still gave me one when they did the airbag and voluntary fuel pump recall long after the warranty expired. It has been quite the shock as I have to do all of the follow up and legwork with ford tracking down my parts, even warranty work. Been waiting on my new passenger seat back for over 9 weeks now, no ETA, no communication. It's a joke.

 

[HOSSMAN]

Since I’m on my phone I’ll wait till I get to a desktop tomorrow to respond to everyone who quoted me.

what I find interesting though and sort of validates my comment is I didn’t mention anyone directly, didn’t say anything negative (or positive) to anyone yet I get the “oh yeah, well” coming at me.

 

[DetroitChris]

It's mind blowing how atrocious Fords service is compared to Toyota. I'm sure 20 fanboys will post up how I'm wrong, but It's been my experience. No loaner was a shock, toyota still gave me one when they did the airbag and voluntary fuel pump recall long after the warranty expired. It has been quite the shock as I have to do all of the follow up and legwork with ford tracking down my parts, even warranty work. Been waiting on my new passenger seat back for over 9 weeks now, no ETA, no communication. It's a joke.

I completely agree with you. And there are people out there like SuperDouch above in the comments that think it’s completely fine for Ford to have all these issues with brand new cars and not provide loaner cars. My truck is literally brand new had problems before it even reached 1,000 miles and it’s my only vehicle. At the very least a manufacturer should provide loaner cars when they are selling faulty vehicles.

 

[HOSSMAN]

My first car 40+ years ago was a Ford but this is my first one since. I took it in for its first service and a short list of a few post-sale items to have checked out. They said they were really stacked so could I come back next week to schedule service (mainly oil change and balance). So, I did. A few days later, I came in for my service and was told it would take 45 minutes for the oil change (seriously?!) but the other stuff might take a few days. It's my first dealership experience in some time without loaners or comp'd rentals (as long as you're willing to schedule in advance based on their availability). So, I was a little shocked by this. It's unacceptable to be without your car for several days because you need something slightly adjusted to spec. The oil change ended up taking an hour and a half.

I understand bad days, but the service advisor told me it was just the way things are and it's the norm and was the same at pretty much any Ford dealer due to volume. That's what reservations are for.... But, I digress. Then I had a couple of questions to find out if the issues I have are even service addressable and he had no idea - couldn't ask a tech - I would have to leave it and wait a couple of days for it to be documented and so forth. Then, I asked if they could install Ford Performance Tune since I read that this had been discontinued for 2023 2.3L and he had no idea and directed me to parts who had no idea. I asked how I could find out and they had no idea.

This is an unacceptable level of service for any business. Is this typical for Ford today? Any good service dealers in Houston area? This was Joe Myers in Jersey Village (unfortunately I live and work less than a mile from it). I understand this is a Berkshire Hathaway business. I can't imagine that's an acceptable business model for Warren Buffett.

I worked at Tomball Ford for almost 13 years. I can’t speak for them now but I still know a lot of people there, they were pretty good when I was there.

 

[NORCALGXP]

I paid for the extended service when I bought mine, (The Ford Store Morgan Hill, Ca).
I got a text message from them saying it looked like I was due for service. I said I wasn't sure I wanted to take a whole day to bring it back to their dealership 30 mi away.
They suggested their mobile service. I didn't think they would travel 30 mi to do a service, but the young lady assured me they would.
I made the appointment.
At the appointed time, a big Ford Transit hightop van pulled up with two techs inside.
Within 45 min they had completed the oil change, tire rotation, (all 5 upon req), and removed some white stains from the plastic fender flares which were from the paint protection application. I was quite happy with the whole thing.

I to purchased my Bronco from The Ford Store Morgan Hill one of the best dealerships in the bay area. Great pricing Bronco's at MSRP or below.

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