Ford won't cover paint?
John Smith
Cobra. About 3 months ago I discovered a bunch of these little marks on
my hood. They look like someone threw rice on my hood. I didn't know
what it was but more kept popping up and then spread to my roof. So I
finally took it to the dealer where I bought it and they said that it
was a problem called "checking" and it happens during crappy
applications. They said they have never seen it on a Ford, but it
happens on GMs all the time. Right. The problem is when I finally took
it in, the factory warranty had been expired for 1 month. They said that
it shouldn't be a problem because it was obviously a factory paint job,
and had occurred before the warranty expired, but they would have to run
it by the Ford rep. Well 1 month later they finally get back to me and
tell me that Ford says no way it was past the warranty, but the dealer
will work with me on the cost of new paint. This is bullshit. Is there
anything I can do. Has anyone ever sued Ford. I am a paralegal and could
do it for free, but it is a pain in the ass and I'm not sure I could
even get close to winning, but at least I could make some noise. Does
anyone know of an alternative? The paint just keeps getting worse.
ASmall9494
Here is a suggestion. Call Ford's 1-800 number and report the problem. Then
ask them to send you one of their "arbitration" forms. Ford has an arbitration
program to resolve issues where consumers disagree with Ford's decision. You
also should go to www.alternativeauto.com and read about implied and written
warranties. Your paint should legally be covered as an implied warranty. You
will probably then need to contact the Federal Trade Commission for implied
warranty support.
The sad part is that dealers get away with this garbage all the time. They
will do anything in their power to keep from losing money on a warranty repair.
Never mind how much profit they made on the initial sale.
I'm absolutely positive that if you do go through the trouble, you will get a
free paint job. Arbitration usually takes 6 months from start to completion.
I hope this helps. If you need more of my assistance, please e-mail at
SVO23...@aol.com.
Anthony, '97 Cobra #301
<a href="http://members.aol.com/asmall9494/index.html">The Cobra Lair</a>
"put your message in a modem, and throw it in the cyber sea" ~ Niel Peart
Bill S.
regional rep as well....my advice, contact the regional sales office for
Ford(ie: District office listed in back of owners manual), ask to speak
with a senior customer service executive/supervisor, and peacefully
explain the problem with your cars paint...if that does not bring you
satisfaction, then contact Fords home office, speak with the north
American Customer Service executive, and make your case to him as
well......Worst case scenerio, you'll end up going to arbitration with
the dealer/regional rep.....Document your findings, see if you can get
something in writing from your local dealer, and go from there.....Since
your a paralegal, you should klnow how the litigation game is
played....use it to your advantage.
Yours In fords,
Bill S.
Brent
it's past. You, as a paralegal, should know that. Secondly, as far as the
warranty was written on my 98, paint is covered for the first 12 months or
12k miles, ONLY. Fortunately for me, I found a couple chips in the paint
that were clearly defects and they were fixed by the bodyshop within that
period. If the dealer wants to eat the cost, that's up to them. My advice to
you is to chalk it up to experience, and spring for a new paint job.
Brent
Martin Palenik
would need a new paint job in 3 years.
BTagomori
think much of it but then it started to fade to a spotted white. The dealership
took care of it no problem. Also, they're fixing my clutch later this week,
again, no problem. After all the hooror stories, I guess I consider myself
pretty lucky. Just goes to show you how much a crappy dealership can screw with
you, as well as a good one can take care of you.
NoOption5L
<bin...@nospam.inexus.com> writes:
>Frankly, you have no case. First of all, if it's past the warranty period,
>it's past. You, as a paralegal, should know that.
Don't give up so easily. My wife's '95 Accord has the same paint problem and
Honda has agreed to pay the entire cost of completely stripping and repainting
the car. Bottom line - If the manufacturer wants a repeat buyer they'll fix
the problem.
Tell them if they screw you over that you won't buy another Ford...and do this
loudly on a busy showroom floor if necessary.
*keep reading*
>Secondly, as far as the warranty was written on my 98, paint is covered for
the >first 12 months or 12k miles, ONLY. Fortunately for me, I found a couple
chips in >the paint that were clearly defects and they were fixed by the
bodyshop within >that period. If the dealer wants to eat the cost, that's up to
them. My advice to
>you is to chalk it up to experience, and spring for a new paint job.
>> What can I do? The dealership won't cover a paint problem on my 96
>> Cobra. About 3 months ago I discovered a bunch of these little marks on
>> my hood. They look like someone threw rice on my hood. I didn't know
>> what it was but more kept popping up and then spread to my roof. So I
>> finally took it to the dealer where I bought it and they said that it
>> was a problem called "checking" and it happens during crappy
>> applications. They said they have never seen it on a Ford, but it
>> happens on GMs all the time. Right.
And Hondas. In fact, it's an epidemic with late model Hondas.
>The problem is when I finally took it in, the factory warranty had been
expired for >1 month. They said that it shouldn't be a problem because it was
obviously a >factory paint job, and had occurred before the warranty expired,
but they would >have to run it by the Ford rep. Well 1 month later they finally
get back to me and
>> tell me that Ford says no way it was past the warranty,
The problem occured way before the warranty ran out. The problem occurred when
Ford painted your car. Tell them this because it's the truth.
>but the dealer
>> will work with me on the cost of new paint. This is bullshit. Is there
>> anything I can do. Has anyone ever sued Ford. I am a paralegal and could
>> do it for free, but it is a pain in the ass and I'm not sure I could
>> even get close to winning, but at least I could make some noise. Does
>> anyone know of an alternative? The paint just keeps getting worse.
Yes, the paint will continue to get worse and worse. The car has to be
COMPLETELY stripped down - all the glass, moldings, badges, and trim have to
removed. If they just try to do a quick job the paint problem will soon
return.
Good Luck.
Patrick
'93 Cobra
14.60 @ 96.1 < These numbers will be better next time!
Former original owner of a '87 5-liter 5-speed LX
14.2 @ 98 stock - 13.8 @ 101 lightly modded.
ASmall9494
>Frankly, you have no case. First of all, if it's past the warranty period,
>it's past.
You should inform yourself as to how the Federal Trade Commision defines the
term implied warranty.
Brent
within the period stated (36/36,000 etc.) If implications include the length,
then that's great! I would love to see someone try to go into a parts shop,
though, after the 30 day return policy has expired, and try to get their money
back. Sure, if the guy behind the counter is cool, he might do it. But, he has
no real liability to. That's why they post the 30-day policies, or the 36/36k
warranties. However, like I said, if length of time is implied, as well as
what's covered, then I would love to know.
Brent
Glen Upp
Don't know if this will help, but GM is required to garuntee paint for 6
year against enviroment/pollution damage and defects caused by workmanship.
All my Fords are well over 10 years old so, I've never seen their waranty
info. but if GM covers it, I can't imagine that Ford won't. GM is
notorious for having the worst baseline waranty.
Bruce A. Pope
the sticker price... :)
But seriously, I went up against ford through arbitration while my car
was brand new last year. Nothing. They don't care one bit about
their customers. (dealers might, but corporate doesn't.) Ford's view
is that the buyer is LYING unless he can prove beyond a shadow of a
doubt that the problem was caused at the factory and by defective
workmanship. I've been down this road 3 times with my cobra already
for a variety of problems.
I'd grab a lawyer right off the bat. I know I should have. You'll
just end up needing one anyway after they blow you off. If people can
get awarded tons-o-cash for spilling hot coffee on themselves, you've
got a shot at getting your car repainted.
good luck.
-bap
On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 16:12:33 -0700, John Smith <guit...@prodigy.com>
wrote:
>What can I do? The dealership won't cover a paint problem on my 96
>Cobra. About 3 months ago I discovered a bunch of these little marks on
>my hood. They look like someone threw rice on my hood. I didn't know
>what it was but more kept popping up and then spread to my roof. So I
>finally took it to the dealer where I bought it and they said that it
>was a problem called "checking" and it happens during crappy
>applications. They said they have never seen it on a Ford, but it
>happens on GMs all the time. Right. The problem is when I finally took
>it in, the factory warranty had been expired for 1 month. They said that
>it shouldn't be a problem because it was obviously a factory paint job,
>and had occurred before the warranty expired, but they would have to run
>it by the Ford rep. Well 1 month later they finally get back to me and
>tell me that Ford says no way it was past the warranty, but the dealer
ASmall9494
>Boy I sure am glad I paid the extra $1000 for "paint protectant" over
>the sticker price... :)
>
>But seriously, I went up against ford through arbitration while my car
>was brand new last year. Nothing. They don't care one bit about
>their customers. (dealers might, but corporate doesn't.) Ford's view
>is that the buyer is LYING unless he can prove beyond a shadow of a
>doubt that the problem was caused at the factory and by defective
>workmanship. I've been down this road 3 times with my cobra already
>for a variety of problems.
Dealers don't care too much either. This is one of many reasons I'll never buy
another new Ford. If I do buy a '99 Cobra, it'll be used in a few years.
People sell used Cobra's all the time. I guess the fun factor wears off for
them, and they decide to go get a new Jeep Cherokee or something else. Either
way, for most people buying a used car is best especially if you are
mechanically inclined.
chie...@geekland.com
and waited a month for it to be built. During the 9 months I owned it the
following happened to it:
1. Rear view mirror fell out of the housing.
2. Front rotors warped because the lugs were overtightned at the factory.
3. Brakes failed one night as I went across a railroad track because of the
warped rotors.
4. CD player devoured CD and would not give it back. I had to listen to the
same CD on a road trip for the next ten hours or just road noise. Player
would not even switch back over to the radio.
5. Paint began to crack and peel off of the front and rear bumpers.
6. Motor mount separated.
After talking with the union boss at Saturn and the senior plant manager on
a conference call. I knew that did not give a crap about the car they made.
I was told to go back to the dealer to "make good" on the deal. After
arguing with the dealer and putting up with the car being in the shop for
one month out of the ten I had it. That was the last straw. I filed Georgia
Lemon Law papers on the dealership and made a point to let them know I would
make it my mission in life to make their lives hell, until they bought the
car back at full value. It never went to court after the papers were served.
The dealership not only took the car back, but they took it as a trade in on
my now deceased 95' Z28, that way I avoided paying sales tax again. (The
Saturn dealership was one of those owned by a family that had one of each GM
dealership.) I raised hell for hours while buying that Z28. I left the
dealership at 11:30 at night and $7,000.00 under the sticker on a car that
was officially announced two days before I bought it. The salesman gave me
the compliment of "You are the most hard nosed SOB I have ever known." I
thanked him for the compliment and drove off the lot.
The moral of the story is to raise hell and keep raising hell. Demand
satisfaction until you the consumer, not the seller, is satisfied.
OK, I'm tired now. I think I will get off my soap box and go to bed.
Jason William Ivany
On 31 Mar 1999, NoOption5L wrote:
> In article <37016566...@nospam.inexus.com>, Brent
> <bin...@nospam.inexus.com> writes:
>
> >Frankly, you have no case. First of all, if it's past the warranty period,
> >it's past. You, as a paralegal, should know that.
>
> Don't give up so easily. My wife's '95 Accord has the same paint problem and
> Honda has agreed to pay the entire cost of completely stripping and repainting
> the car. Bottom line - If the manufacturer wants a repeat buyer they'll fix
> the problem.
> Tell them if they screw you over that you won't buy another Ford...and do this
> loudly on a busy showroom floor if necessary.
>
> *keep reading*
>
> >Secondly, as far as the warranty was written on my 98, paint is covered for
> the >first 12 months or 12k miles, ONLY. Fortunately for me, I found a couple
> chips in >the paint that were clearly defects and they were fixed by the
> bodyshop within >that period. If the dealer wants to eat the cost, that's up to
> them.. My advice to
> >you is to chalk it up to experience, and spring for a new paint job.
>
> >> What can I do? The dealership won't cover a paint problem on my 96
> >> Cobra. About 3 months ago I discovered a bunch of these little marks on
> >> my hood. They look like someone threw rice on my hood. I didn't know
> >> what it was but more kept popping up and then spread to my roof. So I
> >> finally took it to the dealer where I bought it and they said that it
> >> was a problem called "checking" and it happens during crappy
> >> applications. They said they have never seen it on a Ford, but it
> >> happens on GMs all the time. Right.
>
> And Hondas. In fact, it's an epidemic with late model Hondas.
>
> >The problem is when I finally took it in, the factory warranty had been
> expired for >1 month. They said that it shouldn't be a problem because it was
> obviously a >factory paint job, and had occurred before the warranty expired,
> but they would >have to run it by the Ford rep. Well 1 month later they finally
> get back to me and
> >> tell me that Ford says no way it was past the warranty,
>
> The problem occured way before the warranty ran out. The problem occurred when
> Ford painted your car. Tell them this because it's the truth.
>
> >but the dealer
> >> will work with me on the cost of new paint. This is bullshit. Is there
> >> anything I can do. Has anyone ever sued Ford. I am a paralegal and could
> >> do it for free, but it is a pain in the ass and I'm not sure I could
> >> even get close to winning, but at least I could make some noise. Does
> >> anyone know of an alternative? The paint just keeps getting worse.
>
> Yes, the paint will continue to get worse and worse. The car has to be
> COMPLETELY stripped down - all the glass, moldings, badges, and trim have to
> removed. If they just try to do a quick job the paint problem will soon
> return.
Yup this is true!! I had a 88 Z24 that had paint problems from day
1!! It was put in about 5 times to have the problem fixed and they
never got it right! Bastards!!