Ongoing Bronco issues, Ford Keeps Denying Buyback

[Roger123]

Sorry you're having this issue.

I'm REALLY resisting going out and testing mine.......

How would you even know if it works or not, the USB charges my phone and CarPlay works but how would you know if it was wireless or wired? Turn off BT on the phone I guess. Nope, not gonna check, LOL.

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[crenca]

If my early 2000s cars had USBs that functioned without any issues for 10+ years, I think it’s pretty reasonable to expect the same.

No it's not reasonable. You got lucky (and/or rarely used it) and everyone who has every had a cell phone or computer or child's toy or fill_in_the_blank (which is everyone reading this forum) knows that cheap cheap cheap usb only lasts a short time before it craps out, and it is what it is and we put up with it because we all want cheap cheap cheap throw away goods from China.

...What is also crazy is that I found out yesterday Ford has not even tried to replace the wiring or the actual outlet, they have just replaced the APIM module twice because that is what diagnostics told them to do. So instead of them buying a new outlet that probably costs them $20 to see if it fixes it, they are just tossing their hands up and saying they have no fix...

Right, this is par for the course. As @HOSSMAN examples clearly illustrate, the $incentives$ between the consumer and the dealer, and the dealer and Ford, are really messed up, and this is understood by anyone paying attention to the car industry. Your average dealer, average service manager, average service tech has no idea how to even begin troubleshooting a usb connection, and the dysfunctional incentives between consumer/dealer/Ford are not close to getting them there or "reforming the system" anytime soon.

You know what to do as your diagnosis is probably correct: pull the dash and rewire a 2 cent female usb port into it (say, six inches from the existing port), or pay your local mechanic (or even batter, local computer repair tech) a very modest sum to do it for you.

You also have already admitted all this really ain't about the usb port. Rather the usb is just the proverbial straw - you have lost confidence in your Bronco and are making a "principled stand" to force Ford/dealer to work with you on a trade-in.

Ok, well good luck to you. I won't be joining you at the 'O.K. Corral' but I would say you should not get another Bronco because it is not the product for you

 

[RTR_Bronco]

No it's not reasonable. You got lucky (and/or rarely used it) and everyone who has every had a cell phone or computer or child's toy or fill_in_the_blank (which is everyone reading this forum) knows that cheap cheap cheap usb only lasts a short time before it craps out, and it is what it is and we put up with it because we all want cheap cheap cheap throw away goods from China.




Right, this is par for the course. As @HOSSMAN examples clearly illustrate, the $incentives$ between the consumer and the dealer, and the dealer and Ford, are really messed up, and this is understood by anyone paying attention to the car industry. Your average dealer, average service manager, average service tech has no idea how to even begin troubleshooting a usb connection, and the dysfunctional incentives between consumer/dealer/Ford are not close to getting them there or "reforming the system" anytime soon.

You know what to do as your diagnosis is probably correct: pull the dash and rewire a 2 cent female usb port into it (say, six inches from the existing port), or pay your local mechanic (or even batter, local computer repair tech) a very modest sum to do it for you.

You also have already admitted all this really ain't about the usb port. Rather the usb is just the proverbial straw - you have lost confidence in your Bronco and are making a "principled stand" to force Ford/dealer to work with you on a trade-in.

Ok, well good luck to you. I won't be joining you at the 'O.K. Corral' but I would say you should not get another Bronco because it is not the product for you

Tech has plenty of issues from cheap china goods you are correct, but I can’t think of a single other USB port on any other device I have had going bad. It is almost always battery or slower performance issues with tech.. not broken USB. And if that is the case that all tech is just bound to fail, it sounds pretty logical that I would want to have the USB connected to the entertainment working so I have it as a backup if the Bluetooth starts to fail

It is clearly about the USB port. I have been waiting months for it to be fixed. Yes my patience is running out from another issue I had to deal with. That doesn’t mean I am just making a stand to prove a point. If they could fix the usb today I would say great and get my car and move on.

Ford loves having customers like you who don’t question any of their issues.

 

[crenca]

Ford loves having customers like you who don’t question any of their issues.

You keep saying something to this effect despite the absurdity of it and seemingly wanting to make it personal.

Yet you have a point in that it is the consumer's "fault" to a certain extent in that we all want cheap cheap China cheap but complain when it is something less then 99.89% reliable. I simply don't believe you when you claim you have had perfect reliability with consumer grade usb.

If you and the average consumer really want Ford to be more reliable and responsive, we would have to get creative. A major plank in "the system" is dealership franchise laws - look up them in your state. As John Lennon would say "Imagine" a state where Ford could and should sell/service directly to the consumer. Besides mavericks like Musk, who is really challenging the status quo?

 

[AZ_Craig]

Anyone see the Ecosports running around? Big issue with the belt on the oil pumps causing engine failure. Parts on backorder. Put a motor in it 5-7K, keep them in a rental 5-7K, $10-14K repair in the end on a car that isn't worth more than $5-6K tops. Customers try for buy backs but that's not an option. Another great example of good money thrown at bad money. Ford would be smarter to offer the customer XXX $ and save their $ on the back end rather than throw it away on a car with little to no value.

I did see that Farley brought in new executive leadership for Quality about a month ago despite already calling out quality as a major problem about a year ago.

You would think someone in Finance was actually looking at how to minimize spends here, but clearly that is asking for too much.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

not here to post cute pics of my Bronco like you buddy

Baby pics !!!???

 

[Imprezive]

No it's not reasonable. You got lucky (and/or rarely used it) and everyone who has every had a cell phone or computer or child's toy or fill_in_the_blank (which is everyone reading this forum) knows that cheap cheap cheap usb only lasts a short time before it craps out, and it is what it is and we put up with it because we all want cheap cheap cheap throw away goods from China.

I dont know what kind of trash can cars you’ve owned but I’ve never had a usb port die in any of my cars.

 

[MayhemMike]

Don’t reside in Texas. Here is how the lemon law works in Maryland. After multiple ” same issue” failures, the vehicle owner fills out the required paperwork. Sends in the lemon law request. Once approved a meeting is set up between the vehicle owner, dealership and a moderator. After both sides present their case the moderator goes over the findings and issues a decision within three days. The vehicle owner can appeal the decision, while the dealership can not. I know this because I went through the lemon law process back in the earlier nineties over a Cutlass that filled with rain water after every storm. I won the case and received 90% percent of my money back. The car had 10 K miles on it and you don’t get back your sales tax. No lawyer was required.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I dont know what kind of trash can cars you’ve owned but I’ve never had a usb port die in any of my cars.

I would guess…….. Fords.

 

[TC1]

If I did that, I have no faith they would ever figure out how to fix it. I was hoping me having a rental car for this long would add some urgency.. and now that I’m pursuing lemon law, I have to leave it at the dealer

I really don’t understand this logic! We had this issue with our Mach E. Took it in for an hour they diagnosed the issue. Ordered the parts ( the Dealer did say there could be a wait) 3 weeks later it was in I took the car in and it was done in a day. Everyone is different but to pay for a rental for months on a drivable issue sounds a bit off. Did you really like you rental.

 

[RTR_Bronco]

I really don’t understand this logic! We had this issue with our Mach E. Took it in for an hour they diagnosed the issue. Ordered the parts ( the Dealer did say there could be a wait) 3 weeks later it was in I took the car in and it was done in a day. Everyone is different but to pay for a rental for months on a drivable issue sounds a bit off. Did you really like you rental.

I already tried that multiple times, this is past that point. Two different dealers ordered parts and the parts didn’t fix it. And then after months without any updates is when I started pursuing the buyback, and at that time I was required to leave my car at the dealership so I needed the rental which is covered by warranty. I didn’t have the option to just keep driving my car while they were reviewing the buyback request.

 

[HuffDaddy]

Hello all,

I am happy you all are enjoying your Broncos, I guess I took one for the team!

I am wondering if anyone has actually had Ford approve their buyback without getting a lemon law attorney involved? My car has been at the dealership for getting close to 3 months since I purchased it in September because Ford has no idea how to fix the USB that connects to the entertainment. While I realize this is a minor issue, it was clear Ford wasn’t going to do anything about getting it fixed unless I pursued a buyback.

I waited patiently hoping Ford would take accountability for this since I clearly meet Texas lemon law requirements with 5+ visits to the dealership and well over 2 months under service so far, but was shocked to hear Ford was denying the buyback. They advised that the vehicle has not been under repair for long enough for Texas lemon law even though I have evidence it has been under repair for much longer, and that there is no one I can talk to to even discuss it to see why they denied it. I am now working with a lemon law attorney….. is this common for Ford to deny buybacks even when they clearly meet every requirement for lemon law? And there is no one I can even talk to about it?… Insane

I can't help but wonder if you can blame all the people in the past who pursued "The Lemon Law" over something as simple as a USB input not working correctly? Does the USB recognize anything? A thumb drive? An i-Phone? Androids don't work with anything half the time, is why I ask.

 

[TXBronco1313]

Can someone explain to me what Ford hotline is? Do dealers reach out to them when they can’t figure out the issue and the engineers at Ford look into it and tell the dealer what to do?

 

[Cameront9]

Did they ever figure out the USB issue? My front USB-C port isn't working now, the USB-A port right next to it does though. I've been using the USB-A port for a couple weeks now I really don't want to take it in if it's going to be a big deal for them to fix. Fuses look fine and I cleaned the port so there's no dirt in it.

 

[adam1991]

I am wondering if anyone has actually had Ford approve their buyback without getting a lemon law attorney involved?

I've been meaning to come back here to ask:

what is your concern regarding having a lemon law attorney involved?

You know you don't pay his fees, right?

And he will happily consult with you up front about your case, specifically to see if it falls within the law so he can win it and get paid by Ford.

There is no downside to you. So what's your concern?

I might add, a lemon law attorney does this many times a day every day, and knows all the players. And they know him. It's WAY different from you trying to do this yourself.

And dealers sell cars and parts and service. They have nothing at all to do with your relationship (as outlined in the lemon law in your state) with the manufacturer and its "glovebox warranty".

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