Problem with the focus...

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
12,752
Riteo.

The Background

about a week and a half ago, my car had its 3rd service (its 3 year, 'major' service) and as well as the service, the garage were going to look into the problem with my front passenger eletric window 'clunking' on close.

On collection of the car, I was advised they had located the problem with the window and they needed to order in a new window motor regulator, fair enough.. and they told me they would call me as soon as it was in.

The next day, they called to advise it was in, and that I could organise getting it to them, we agreed on Thursday (just gone) and it was booked in.

The next day I noticed that the car just wasnt running right, there was no power until about 3500-3700 rpm, and then the engine just went wild and seemingly had more power than it has ever had before. I called ford about this and they said they could take a look on thursday.

Thursday.

Car goes in, I get a Ka Courtesy car (potentially the worst car ever... but thats another thread) and im on my way... later on that day as I had heard nothing I called the garage to ask how the work was going. Unfotunately it seems ford have changed the part slightly since my 2003 focus was built, and it now has a different plug. They advised me they had another one due in tomorrow (friday) and could I wait till then. I agreed, and they advised me that they would cover the cost of the car insurance (as im under 25 or whatever) on the courtesy car until then.

Friday.

I call up at 12 to find out how things are going, and it doesnt sound good, the part has come but again its the wrong fitment, my car is in bits, and they are seeing what can be done, they advise me to call back at 2.

2pm.

I call back, and there has been no joy, im advised however that my car wont be back together till around 4:30. I tell them that is unacceptable as I am off to worcester at 3:15, and I need either my car, or a bigger courtesy car as I am taking some things up to my girlfriends house at uni. They say they will try to get my car fixed for then, but if not they have a focus courtesy car that I can have.

3:20.

I arrive at the dealership to find that my car is still in bits, and that the focus courtesy car is out over the weekend. Im late for getting to worcester so we agree that I will have my car rebuilt for me for saturday (today) and that I will drop the Ka off then, and collect my rebuilt (and unfixed) car then. I question about the engine issue, but there are no notes available, and im advised ill be called later with info.

4:10.

Im called just as I come off the motorway in worcester by the garage, advising me that nothign was done with the engine as they were focusing on the window, and they wnat to know if I can bring back the courtesy car. I explain the situation and they agree I can drop it back on saturday, and they will call me on saturday to find out when I can drop it back

Saturday, 10:50 ish am

Ford call as promised, and I inform them im not happy to take back my car in its current state. Im reluctant to take away a car that is days away from warentee expiry with an unknown, undiagnosed engine fault, which could well be anything (from a split boost pipe to an engine awaiting to detonate like hiroshima) They can see what im saying, and I say im happy to accept my car back on the condition I have a written letter with my keys from the service manager guarenteeing that any further damage to the engine that might be caused will be paid for by ford. I agree on about a 4:30 pm swap of cars.

4:00

I arrive at ford, and ask for my keys... a salesman (as service is closed) looks blank, and goes to search. On return I ask to see the letter before I hand over the Ka Keys. he looks confused and explains the keys were just in an envelope on their own. I ask to speak to whoever might be in charge (believe he was the sales manager) and explain the situation. He totally understands and offers me the choice of taking my car and calling service on monday, or keeping the courtesy car and calling service on monday. I choose the latter, informing him I am reluctant to accept my car back unless I either have it fixed, or the letter II speak of, he agrees with me totally, appologises for the inconvience, and bids me good day.

.....

Now... two questions

1 - what the hell is wrong with the engine :confused:
2 - Have I done anything unreasonable so far? My plan is to refuse to return the courtesy car now until they repair my car, or give me my car and this letter with the guarentee ford will pay any costs for engine damage that might be occuring.

discuss !
 
cheers for opinions so far guys :) ill keep you all updated...

I think the garage might try and give me a rollocking on monday, as I know for a fact they dont have enough courtesy cars now.... here we go...
 
the latest....

I get into work at 7:40 ish, and wait for the call... 9am comes and no call, so I pop out to my courtesy car at about 9:20 to see 1 missed call from ford 2 minutes eariler. I pop back into work, and call back the person who has left the message.

He asks me how im doing, and im totally honest. Im not a happy person. I explain what happened on saturday and he goes quiet...

'.... but they checked the engine out on friday afternoon....'

im absolutely gobsmacked at this point. and I ask for further information..

' ... yeah, the engineer checked it on the computer system, and there were no fault codes, so he took it out for a quick drive, and felt it was as he expected it to perfom'

I explain that im somewhat concerned that I hadnt been told that, and explain that im rather miffed about the whole affair.

we agree that I can collect my car at 12:30 and I carry on with work.

12 comes and I leave work for the dealership. I get to the car and my phone is buzzing with missed calls from ford. I have 1 answerphone message from 9:35. ... must be the guy from ford I think.

Its another service person from ford. in quite a stern voice she tells me that they are concerned at where my courtesy car is, as I should have returned it on saturday, and that there is an irate customer wanting to know where it is :eek:

EXCUSE ME ! I dont think you will find thats my problem, dont dare try and pass that on to me !

I get to ford, and decide its best to stay calm, and chat to the guy from earlier, and ignore this phone call for now (its going in my letter of complaint to head office)

the guy explains whats going on, and apparently, the part that they are waiting for, the suppliers have checked all their boxes, and they are all wrong. (apparently, all the left hand window regulator boxes have right hand regulators in !... and to think I thought ford were a sucessful multinational !)

I sigh, take the paperwork, and explain that if the car is still having engine problems, that I will want it looked into further, chris agrees, and after further discussion on the matter seems confused at to what on earth is going on, we agree that I will monitor the situation, as he is going to call me in a few days when the window regulator has come in.

I leave the dealership and guess what.. the engine is JUST as bad as when it went in.

ive got mum and dad to have a go, and they cant believe the difference to before the service, and are going to assist in sorting this out..

will keep you all updated as to progress.....

Plan at the moment is to draft a letter to go to ford head office customer complaints.. as sadly I have lost total faith in a brand I was bloody happy with
 
tis indeed... im gutted, as after this got fixed I was going to look at what motors they had on offer, and the gf was interested in a new fiesta.. now well.. I just have no confidence !
 
riteo...

car went back in this morning for a closer inspection (and replacement of the left front electric window)

took the engineer out in it beforehand.. and to be honest, he didnt seem to give a **** .. said absolutely nothing all trip whilst I tried to explaint he problem to him...

guess it'll be a 'theres nothing wrong with it guv' phonecall later :(
 
HURRAHHHHHHH!!

its fixed!!

apparently, the fuel injector pressure was wrong and they reset the computer that controlled it... if anything, its performing better ;)
 
thebrasso said:
Glad you got it sorted :)

I'd still put something in writing to Ford telling them about your experiences.

I work in a customer service environment and a lot of people just don't want to take things further because it involves some effort (i.e. sending a letter) and as a result problems go unreported. Whereas if you write in the manager of that branch will probably get a talking to.

trust me, theres a large letter going to the head of the dealership and ford customer care...
 
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