Ford Dealerships refusing service to Ford lightnings.

[NCevGuyF150]

The 2023 Lightning I bought a year ago has been a great vehicle for 20,000 miles. No complaints until now. I didn't purchase it locally; as a matter of fact, I had to purchase my Ford truck out of state. However, I do live near other Ford dealerships, so I had no concerns with warranty service. But now I've gotten the dreaded powertrain malfunction/reduce power error, which limits my truck to 57% power and 60% charge. The experience at the dealership has been dreadful. I called one dealer, Watertown Ford, and they said they weren't taking new appointments because I didn't purchase the vehicle there. Then I received a call from Danvers Ford telling me that my appointment was canceled and they refuse to work on any Lightnings unless you buy them there. How can Ford sell a vehicle and then have dealerships refuse to honor its warranty? I've bought many vehicles over the years, and none have experienced dealership service as bad as this.

I think what really sucks with this situation. Is what happens if you’re out of town on a road trip. 500 miles from home.

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[jackdeaoux]

Hum, since this subject has been brought up, and I'm reading the thread, the dealer (Fremont Ford) that I bought the truck from just sent me a txt message. "Factory recommended maintenance on my Lightning is due today". I've had it 18 months, just under 6k. They seem to be very proactive, BUT they are 70 minutes (45m) away in morning traffic (Arg). There is another closer Dealer, Walnut Creek Ford about 30 Min, 20 m away. They say on their website "#1 Ford EV Store in Northern California" They have 14 Lightning's in stock. May end up giving them my business instead, IF they are as helpful as the dealer I bought it off of (and service other dealer's sales). The dealer in town Hilltop Ford, who did NOT want to haggle with the price has 4 lightnings in stock, But I'm leery of trying them, they don't have the best of reputation locally.

Bought my 24 Flash from and I live in Walnut Creek. They are amazing. They matched a great deal I had made with Morgan hill ford. WC Ford has just been impressive with service with sales with follow up with being proactive. I can not recommend them enough. My 1st Ford and have to say again I’m very impressed!I’ve had Saab Volvo Mercedes BMW Hyundai. And Walnut Creek Ford is by far the best dealership I’ve ever dealt with.

 

[MaintGrl]

Bought my 24 Flash from and I live in Walnut Creek. They are amazing. They matched a great deal I had made with Morgan hill ford. WC Ford has just been impressive with service with sales with follow up with being proactive. I can not recommend them enough. My 1st Ford and have to say again I’m very impressed!I’ve had Saab Volvo Mercedes BMW Hyundai. And Walnut Creek Ford is by far the best dealership I’ve ever dealt with.

I just got a txt message from? Fremont ford? "We noticed the factory-recommended main for your F-150 Lightning may be past due" Have had the truck for 20 months have 6k mileage, not sure what they are talking about....
I may look into WC Ford, a lot closer, that's for sure...

 

[Robert1380]

I just got a txt message from? Fremont ford? "We noticed the factory-recommended main for your F-150 Lightning may be past due" Have had the truck for 20 months have 6k mileage, not sure what they are talking about....
I may look into WC Ford, a lot closer, that's for sure...

My dealer told me at purchase that the truck needs maintenance every year or so 10k miles, whichever occurs first. It’s probably a scam but I don’t need any warranty denials if something happens.

 

[MaintGrl]

My dealer told me at purchase that the truck needs maintenance every year or so 10k miles, whichever occurs first. It’s probably a scam but I don’t need any warranty denials if something happens.

Ok, I was NOT informed of that. I know of the 10k service, some of which is just rotate tires, inspection, maybe top off fluids, but No real service work.

 

[Robert1380]

Ok, I was NOT informed of that. I know of the 10k service, some of which is just rotate tires, inspection, maybe top off fluids, but No real service work.

Personally I think it’s a way for them to make money but in reality it’s not a bad idea if they actually inspect vital components. Make sure something’s not leaking or maybe throwing codes. Do they actually do the work? Who knows

 

[Piquette]

I generally take it to my dealer’s service department every 6 months or 5,000 miles, just as I did for my old F-150 ICE. These days the main thing they do is rotate the tires, but they also give it a good check over. Doing so provides me with good peace of mind.

 

[Robert1380]

I generally take it to my dealer’s service department every 6 months or 5,000 miles, just as I did for my old F-150 ICE. These days the main thing they do is rotate the tires, but they also give it a good check over. Doing so provides me with good peace of mind.

I agree with you that it’s money well spent IF they actually do it. I’ve had several incidents where I have marked the tires before taking my vehicle in for service (tire rotations) and guess what, tires never moved but they sure charged me for it. I guess it’s the cynical cop in me but I trust no one.

 

[chl]

A franchisee is not an agent. No, a legal argument cannot be made that they are. Simple contract law definitions.

Dealership is not refusing to honor the warranty, they are refusing to service the vehicle. There is no fraud.

The dealerships being discussed are EV dealerships.

Therefore, everything you posted is not applicable.

No I think it is ALL applicable and correct.
Here's why - I think you misunderstood something.

I thought the OP said this was a warranty repair, no?
Sounds like a warranty repair issue to me when a 20,000 mile 2023 Lightning has this kind of problem:

" The 2023 Lightning I bought a year ago has been a great vehicle for 20,000 miles. No complaints until now. I didn't purchase it locally; as a matter of fact, I had to purchase my Ford truck out of state. However, I do live near other Ford dealerships, so I had no concerns with warranty service. But now I've gotten the dreaded powertrain malfunction/reduce power error, which limits my truck to 57% power and 60% charge... "

Yes they are a franchise when selling vehicles, but...
When they do warranty work, I think they are in effect agents as authorized service providers hired by Ford, like independent contractors, if you will, so:

"An independent contractor can be considered an agent when the hiring party (the principal) gives them the authority to act on their behalf, and the contractor's actions can create legal obligations for the principal. This often involves the principal explicitly or implicitly giving the contractor the appearance of authority to act on their behalf, which a third party reasonably relies upon."

Ford authorizes them and compensates the dealership to do the work.

And even if only a franchise, even then, I'd want to see what the franchise contract says about WARRANTY work before I decided there was no cause of action for refusing to do the WARRANTY work.

There are very few reasons why a dealership can refuse to do warranty work legally.
State laws may vary of course.

Ford must fulfill the warranty under most state laws (I live in Va and that is true here) and that means Ford must cause the repairs to be made. To do this, they "hire" the dealership as their independent contractor and authorize them to do the work. If the contractor refuses to do it, it follows that they and Ford should be on the hook for the failure to fulfill the warranty.

In Virginia, under those circumstances, I could file a complaint with the state Attorney General and that office can decide how to proceed if they find a violation of state consumer laws, but I could also hire an attorney and proceed with a claim myself.

Other states may differ so one should always consult an attorney in their relevant state.

 

[jetfixr1]

I agree with you that it’s money well spent IF they actually do it. I’ve had several incidents where I have marked the tires before taking my vehicle in for service (tire rotations) and guess what, tires never moved but they sure charged me for it. I guess it’s the cynical cop in me but I trust no one.

In aircraft maintenance, we have a saying: trust but verify.

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

Someone please help me out. Im not too well versed in battery tech and what is considered bad.

Is the battery that is reading 3.66 the one that is bad?

 

[TaxmanHog]

Someone please help me out. Im not too well versed in battery tech and what is considered bad.

Is the battery that is reading 3.66 the one that is bad?

what are the values for {Allowed Deviation} your battery?

See an example that is relatively healthy

 

[Jesse-Infotainment]

what are the values for {Allowed Deviation} your battery?

See an example that is relatively healthy

Thanks

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