I have been a strong supporter of the Ford Motor Company for many years. My family work for Ford in a plant in Dearborn. I am from the Detroit area and frankly could not imagine purchasing a foreign vehicle. Just a note for background reference, so one does not think that I am given to hostility toward Ford or toward the Tuttle Click Ford dealer in Irvine, CA, I provide a list of my Ford vehicles, all purchased new, over the past several years:
1985 Ford Tempo
1986 Ford F-150
1988 Ford Tempo
1990 Ford F-150
1992 Ford Tempo
1995 Ford T-Bird
1997 Ford T-Bird
1998 Ford Ranger
1999 Ford Ranger
2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac XLT
2005 Lincoln Aviator
2009 Ford Ranger
2011 Ford Ranger
At present, although I am certainly rethinking this position, Tuttle Click Ford in Irvine, CA has been my service provider, for all service, including routine service, minor/major repairs, and collision repairs. In short, I am not only a faithful Ford customer, I am or at least I have been a faithful Tuttle Click Ford customer.
My most recent Ranger truck purchases the 2009 and 2011 included the purchase of a complete service contract, covering service for up to 100,000 miles. I do not recall if my 2009 Ranger had the Partners Platinum extended coverage, but I think it did. I am certain that my 2011 Ranger included the purchase of the Partners Platinum plan.
My most recent service dates, I stress dates for a reason, were in May 2015 for routine service at slightly less than 90,000 miles, and an unusual instrument panel problem. Specifically, my instrument panel lights came on and stayed on for no apparent reason, e.g. the skid indicator, the tire pressure indicator, etc.
During May 2015, I left my 2011 Ranger with Tuttle Click Ford in Irvine, CA for a few days and ultimately when I picked up the vehicle, I was told they could not understand why the instrument panel lights came on but they repair the issue to the extent they could. I was however assured that the problem was noted, prior to the expiration of the Partners coverage period and if it recurred there would not be a problem.
My next routine service date was on August 31, 2015, at about 95,000 miles. I told the service advisor that my instrument panel lights were once again coming on and remaining on for no apparent reason. I needed the problem fixed along with my routine service. I was assured the problem would be handled.
After a few days, the service advisor phoned me and said that the problem with the lights appeared to be in some sort of pressure sensitive “hydraulic” problem. The repair was approved by Partners but the part would not be available for a few days. Then on or about September 10, 2015, I was once again phoned by the service advisor and told my rear brakes needed replacement including a resurface of the rotors. I was told that the repair would be about $290. Then I was asked whether I wanted the repair performed. I replied yes, of course, I want it repaired. However, since I paid for the Partner Platinum Plan, and since I was being charged for the repair, it seemed only proper that my very expensive pay for the Partners plan should be refunded. Otherwise, I expected the repair to be a covered repair.
The service advisor checked for Partners coverage and discovered that in fact the repair was a covered repair; the lack of knowledge regarding my Partners plan, which by inference I assume extends to knowledge of me and my vehicle, somewhat surprised me. Happily the brake repair was handled, as was the routine service, a seatbelt repair was completed, and allegedly my instrument panel light problem was fixed. Therefore, on Saturday, September 12, 2015, I picked up my vehicle, albeit 12 days after I left it at the dealership. I drove home 4 miles and did not drive my truck again until Monday morning, September 14, 2015, when I drove to the City of Vista, CA about 47 miles south of my home. Therein hangs the tale.
About 20 miles into my drive, the instrument panel lights came on and stayed on yet again. Imagine my surprise, since I thought or assumed the second attempt at repair would have solved the problem. I phoned the service advisor and made arrangements to return the truck the following morning.
The next day, Tuesday, September 15, 2015, I met with the service advisor and left my car, once again detailing the problems with the instrument panel previously noted herein. I assured her that at start up the problem does not appear, but after about 20 minutes of driving the lights turn on and stay on.
The same day, near close of business, the service advisor phoned me and told me that the problem with the instrument panel lights had been diagnosed [I would hope so this was the third trip], the repair would not be covered by Partners and therefore, if I wanted the repair done, the cost was about $300. I authorized the repair and assured the service advisor that I would pursue a legal remedy for this problem.
As of this morning I await completion of my vehicle and will thereafter reconsider my fondness for Ford and more importantly my relationship with the Tuttle Click Ford Dealer.
Regards
MICHAEL D. W