Ford Dealerships refusing service to Ford lightnings.

[Bwanapete]

The problem with winning a lawsuit to compel a dealer to sevice a Lightning is, do you really want your truck to be serviced by that dealer anyway. Not me.

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[Robert1380]

The problem with winning a lawsuit to compel a dealer to sevice a Lightning is, do you really want your truck to be serviced by that dealer anyway. Not me.

That may be but if you’re in the unfortunate position of living 2 hours from a dealer that WILL service it, I’d take the chance. They don’t do the job right you take it back. They purposely jack up your truck, you take it back. Building a document trail helps when it comes time to Lemon Law it.

 

[watts/up]

I am guessing the @Ford Motor Company AI license expired.

I dunno, I just received my monthly check in from Brian last week!

 

[Hammick]

Even though Ford bought back my Lightning yesterday I've had nothing but exceptional service from Rob Sight Ford in South Kansas City, Missouri. The service department and their head EV tech are great!

 

[RocketGhost]

Yep. I don’t believe (and I may be wrong) that a Ford dealer can deny service simply cuz they don’t want to. I’d go as far as contacting an attorney in the matter and see what they say. If this is in fact illegal and they have pulled this shit on severa people that purchased the Lightning, there may be a class action here. Any attorneys in the house???

The vehicle owner probably does not have a cause of action because there is no contractual relationship between the dealer and owner. There was never an agreement between the dealer and owner to service the vehicle, and a private business can legally refuse to serve a customer for all sorts of reasons (or maybe no reason at all). There are limits, such as refusing customers in a protected class (e.g. based on race). I really don't know any particulars and I may be off base, but that's what all comes to mind.

The one with a valid legal cause of action would be Ford, as the dealer (likely) is violating their contract with Ford. But Ford wouldn't be suing, they have remedies already in place (e.g. reduced allocations, pulling franchise, etc.).

 

[Yellow Buddy]

@Ford Motor Company just another straw on the camels back, at some point the loss of loyal customers is going to hurt you.

I’m going to strongly echo this.

I purchased 2 Lightnings. One from a local dealer, one from out of state. The local dealer had been servicing my newer, out of state one since I purchased it. Recently the dealership changed ownership and since then, they have not been willing to service my truck.

I was fortunate to have another dealer nearby who was willing to service it, but if I didn’t I would have likely sold the truck. The constant what-if, where do I go? would have drove me insane.

 

[chl]

Many states have consumer protection laws that might help in such a situation.
A lawyer who specializes/has experience in that area of the law in your state should be consulted.

Many lawyer give a free first consultation.

In some states if a dealership refuses to honor a warranty, it is considered consumer fraud.

A warranty is a contract, and they [FORD] are obligated to honor that contract when issues arise. In fact, refusing to do warranty work on a car with a valid warranty could be construed as a form of fraud. ... a dealership that refuses to honor such warranties when they are valid is guilty auto fraud, and the consumer’s best recourse is to seek legal action against the fraudulent act. In situations of auto fraud, the act can easily be proven to be willful and thus treble damages can often be sought.

A legal argument can be made that a Ford dealership is an agent of Ford and therefore subject to the same requirements as Ford.

Also contact the state consumer protection office or atty general of the state.

Report them to the Better Business Bureau.

There may also be Federal Law protection - so the FTC should be consulted as well (ftc.gov).

For example, "it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else...."

"...the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work..."

Would this also apply to a case where you purchased the vehicle from a different dealership? I don't know.

From a Ford Dealership website:

When asking, “Can I service my Ford at any dealership?” the answer is yes! However, there are a few limitations to be aware of before making your way to the nearest Ford dealer. While all Ford dealership service centers are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technology to care for your vehicle with precision, only certain Ford dealers are authorized to provide warranty repairs.

So it may be the dealerships you talked to aren't authorized to perform warranty repairs but that may be the only valid excuse they can raise.

Ford Motor Company could be required to send a qualified team to do the warranty work to a dealership in your area, or pay to have your vehicle shipped to a place that can do it.

 

[RickLightning]

Many states have consumer protection laws that might help in such a situation.
A lawyer who specializes/has experience in that area of the law in your state should be consulted.

Many lawyer give a free first consultation.

In some states if a dealership refuses to honor a warranty, it is considered consumer fraud.

A warranty is a contract, and they [FORD] are obligated to honor that contract when issues arise. In fact, refusing to do warranty work on a car with a valid warranty could be construed as a form of fraud. ... a dealership that refuses to honor such warranties when they are valid is guilty auto fraud, and the consumer’s best recourse is to seek legal action against the fraudulent act. In situations of auto fraud, the act can easily be proven to be willful and thus treble damages can often be sought.

A legal argument can be made that a Ford dealership is an agent of Ford and therefore subject to the same requirements as Ford.

Also contact the state consumer protection office or atty general of the state.

Report them to the Better Business Bureau.

There may also be Federal Law protection - so the FTC should be consulted as well (ftc.gov).

For example, "it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else...."

"...the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is enforced by the FTC, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void or to deny coverage under your warranty simply because someone other than the dealer did the work..."

Would this also apply to a case where you purchased the vehicle from a different dealership? I don't know.

From a Ford Dealership website:

When asking, “Can I service my Ford at any dealership?” the answer is yes! However, there are a few limitations to be aware of before making your way to the nearest Ford dealer. While all Ford dealership service centers are equipped with state-of-the-art tools and technology to care for your vehicle with precision, only certain Ford dealers are authorized to provide warranty repairs.

So it may be the dealerships you talked to aren't authorized to perform warranty repairs but that may be the only valid excuse they can raise.

Ford Motor Company could be required to send a qualified team to do the warranty work to a dealership in your area, or pay to have your vehicle shipped to a place that can do it.

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.

 

[Raphlen]

Clarification post. Both dealers mentioned are EV dealers also EV certified. I did get a hold of Corporate and through them I have upcoming appointment. My biggest issue is the amount of time you have to wait for an appointment 10 to 15 days for anyone to see you. Watertown Ford was nice enough to tell me to pound sand right away. Danvers Ford waited 7 days after the appointment was made to tell me to pound sand. 2 days before the scheduled date..

 

[Robert1380]

Clarification post. Both dealers mentioned are EV dealers also EV certified. I did get a hold of Corporate and through them I have upcoming appointment. My biggest issue is the amount of time you have to wait for an appointment 10 to 15 days for anyone to see you. Watertown Ford was nice enough to tell me to pound sand right away. Danvers Ford waited 7 days after the appointment was made to tell me to pound sand. 2 days before the scheduled date..

It’ll be interesting to see what sort of resolution you get. Keep us updated. What state do you live in? Might seek Lemon Law info

 

[Raphlen]

It’ll be interesting to see what sort of resolution you get. Keep us updated. What state do you live in? Might seek Lemon Law info

I'm in Massachusetts in order for the lemon law to apply for me they have to see the truck 3 times for the same issue or spend 30 days or more...I can't even get them to see the the damn thing .

 

[FloridaMan655321]

So what happens if you're traveling and this happens? This is nuts that they possibly can refuse service, specifically warranty service.

I understand refusing non-warranty service, heck I had to call around quite a bit to find someone to work on my 73 Ford

 

[Robert1380]

I'm in Massachusetts in order for the lemon law to apply for me they have to see the truck 3 times for the same issue or spend 30 days or more...I can't even get them to see the the damn thing .

Wow. That’s a load of shit brother. Has to be something that can be done.

 

[trev5150]

Wow. That’s a load of shit brother. Has to be something that can be done.

Lemon law is similar in AZ.

For the Arizona lemon law to take effect, during the covered period, the manufacturer must be provided with four attempts to repair the vehicle. As stated previously, the repair attempt must be for the same mechanical failing.


If all four attempts prove to be unsuccessful, or if the vehicle is out of service due to repairs for 30 or more cumulative days, the manufacturer will be required to accept the return of the vehicle as a refund, or replace the vehicle with a new car.


For the used car laws, the manufacturer must be given the same four attempts or a cumulative 30 days or more before the manufacturer will be required to accept the return of the vehicle and refund the buyer the purchase price of the vehicle.

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