So I finally bought my new truck Friday. It had been sitting on the lot for several months and nobody had shown any interest. That's fine with me since it increased the amount the gave me for the trade in. The first time I tried to take the truck for a drive the battery was dead. The salesman didn't know how long it had been dead. As a result we left the dealership and came back later. It does have the 2.7l and I'm quite happy with the performance, with one exception. The auto stop does not work. The truck says "vehicle charging" when I stop. I'm thinking this is due to the battery dying several times and not holding a charge properly. I pointed it out to the salesman when I picked up the truck. I took it on a longer drive yesterday hoping it would clear the problem, nope. So back to the dealer Monday to get it looked at. Other than that I like the truck.

Details of the truck: Black 2015 Lariat FX4 SCAB with 2.7l ecoboost and 3.55 gears.

 

That battery needs to be fully charged with a charger and load tested. In the interest of goodwill, I'd ask about getting a fresh new battery.

 

wow, not sure I would have signed until the truck was 100% functioning. As glc states, I agree a new battery at the very least. Now you have to go back and wait for service. Wish you the best. Nice truck.

 

If I didn't have a long relationship with this dealership and they have never done me wrong I would agree with you. Since I've been dealing with this dealership for several years and they have always done me right I didn't have any problem taking the truck as is. Even if they try to prorate my battery how much is three days? I'd wager less than $3. They can eat that easily. I was thinking it is a battery charge problem.

 

As glc states, it's correct. I'd have it fully charged, and then have the battery resistance checked or load tested. I'm sure they can put a new battery in it for free too if you complain.

 

We asked about that when we bought it, since we knew the battery had been fully discharged. The salesman, said it was charged and tested, but what does he know. I think it was probably just charged and called good.

 

Congrats on the truck, 1depd! How did things go at the dealership today? I'll be happy to step in and assist, if needed. What's the current mileage on it?

Crystal

 

Got down there and it turns out the guys they have who are trained on the 2.7l were out. One was sick and the other on vacation. So I have to go back Wednesday. I'll be there in the morning to see if they can look at it. I would hope it would go in quick since I just bought it. Currently I have around 440 on the odo.

 

Thanks for responding, 1depd. If you'd like, I can escalate this to your regional customer service manager. Just PM me your details (full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership), and I'll take care of the rest.

Crystal

 

now that they have your money for the truck, lets see how fast your get it fixed. by my count this will be trip 2 for something that should fixed before it left the dealership. They should give you a loaner and call when its fixed. I would hate to return to the dealership so quickly with a new vehicle. Time is money. Spend it wisely.

 

Like I already stated, if I didn't have a long standing relationship with this dealership I would agree with you. I am a very reasonable person. Is it reasonable that someone would be on vacation this time of year? I think so. Is it reasonable that someone would be out sick this time of year? I think so. I could have left the truck with the dealership yesterday, however only the service department was open when I was there, so a loaner was not available because the person who does that wasn't in for another hour. I would have had to wait around to find out if one was available. I could have absolutely been a richard and started demanding this or that, but in the end I would be demanding the dealership provide me things that could wind up shorting my customer service. I can't tell you how many times I've gone in for service and been advised there is a rebate online I didn't know about. Do you think they will do that for a richard? Either the truck will be fixed in short order or they will take back a $49k lemon that becomes very difficult to sell. The issue will get resolved one way or another, so I see no need to get demanding or upset. The good thing from my perspective is I know right away that the truck is or isn't working properly. With a lemon law return (I'm sure it won't get to that) I can always get a cheaper vehicle that would result in the dealership having to refund a portion of my money. Even with the auto start/stop not working and the truck still breaking in, I'm getting better mileage than I was with my 3.5l, so I can't wait until it is working properly and broken in and start getting even better economy.

If I had bought the truck from the dealership closest to me, it would not have left the lot until everything was working correctly. Their customer service is horrible. As bad as some detailed on here. My first dealings with the dealership where I bought my truck were over 5 years ago and I have been going there ever since. Every interaction after my first has been a good interaction.

The first interaction resulted in letters being sent to Ford and the dealership about how as shareholder, I was very angry about the lack of service and dealerships like theirs are why I am not receiving dividends from my decades old investment in Ford. I literally walked the entire lot and showroom and didn't have anybody even greet me. The only time I was even acknowledged was when I left the showroom floor and loudly announced that since nobody wanted to help me I'm leaving. I went back to the dealership a few months later to look at a truck on the lot (not intending to buy one there) and the customer service has been outstanding ever since.

 

Thanks. I will keep you in mind, but I'm sure Astro Ford will get the issue corrected quickly. To make things easier all around we will have access to a family car starting Friday, so we are waiting until then to take the truck in. I figure it will be in for at least a day, so that will probably be the best option for us.

 

Sounds good to me, 1depd! I'll continue to monitor this thread to see when you have any news.

Crystal

 

I applaud your attitude! That is absolutely the best way to get things accomplished, and the way I try to go about it all the time. You can always be a Richard later if the need arises (which I doubt in this case), but it's impossible to take back that first impression.

Best of luck getting it resolved.

 

I wouldnt worry about the battery issue. They will figure it out. I wouldnt be bashful about asking for a loaner if you need it though. Having a good relationship with the dealer and not being a pain is a good thing. Example, I cracked the windshield in my 2015 Monday and the dealer is going to hook me up with a new one way cheaper than anywhere else or what I've seen on the internet.


Congrats on the new truck.