Acceptable dealership behavior?
09-16-2014, 02:54 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: WI
Posts: 27
Acceptable dealership behavior?
A couple week ago I brought my 13'GT in for an oil change and to have a front suspension knock investigated. I've gone to this dealer for a couple years now and they know who I am and that I don't let them run my car through their car wash. They always ask how I like the car...
The front suspension knock/clunk only occurs at low speeds going over speed bumps and I clearly explained that when I made the appointment and when I dropped the car off. They acknowledged and I went on my way.
This all happened not too long after the dealership abuse video surfaced so I reset my trip calculator and track apps (accelerometer) because I had just given them reason to drive my car to inspect the suspension clunk.
They called and had fixed the suspension and I went to pick up my car. The first thing I did was check the trip calculator and track apps to find that they drove my car 10 miles for 30 minutes and achieved 13mpg.
The real story was in the accelerometer, which showed g-forces from acceleration of over 1.3 g's!
I clearly stated that the suspension issue only happened at low speeds over bumps so I wasn't pleased to see that they dealership took my vehicle on joyride where they dumped the clutch and lit up the tires. I don't drive my car like that and I certainly don't think it's appropriate behavior from a dealership.
What are your thoughts? Am I overreacting?
I left without saying something but then they called me to make sure I was completely satisfied with my experience and I calmly shared what I found. They had the manager call me (wasn't the manager) and didn't provide me with any detail about corrective action. I don't feel like I should go back there...
The front suspension knock/clunk only occurs at low speeds going over speed bumps and I clearly explained that when I made the appointment and when I dropped the car off. They acknowledged and I went on my way.
This all happened not too long after the dealership abuse video surfaced so I reset my trip calculator and track apps (accelerometer) because I had just given them reason to drive my car to inspect the suspension clunk.
They called and had fixed the suspension and I went to pick up my car. The first thing I did was check the trip calculator and track apps to find that they drove my car 10 miles for 30 minutes and achieved 13mpg.
The real story was in the accelerometer, which showed g-forces from acceleration of over 1.3 g's!
I clearly stated that the suspension issue only happened at low speeds over bumps so I wasn't pleased to see that they dealership took my vehicle on joyride where they dumped the clutch and lit up the tires. I don't drive my car like that and I certainly don't think it's appropriate behavior from a dealership.
What are your thoughts? Am I overreacting?
I left without saying something but then they called me to make sure I was completely satisfied with my experience and I calmly shared what I found. They had the manager call me (wasn't the manager) and didn't provide me with any detail about corrective action. I don't feel like I should go back there...
09-16-2014, 03:56 PM
#3
A couple week ago I brought my 13'GT in for an oil change and to have a front suspension knock investigated. I've gone to this dealer for a couple years now and they know who I am and that I don't let them run my car through their car wash. They always ask how I like the car...
The front suspension knock/clunk only occurs at low speeds going over speed bumps and I clearly explained that when I made the appointment and when I dropped the car off. They acknowledged and I went on my way.
This all happened not too long after the dealership abuse video surfaced so I reset my trip calculator and track apps (accelerometer) because I had just given them reason to drive my car to inspect the suspension clunk.
They called and had fixed the suspension and I went to pick up my car. The first thing I did was check the trip calculator and track apps to find that they drove my car 10 miles for 30 minutes and achieved 13mpg.
The real story was in the accelerometer, which showed g-forces from acceleration of over 1.3 g's!
I clearly stated that the suspension issue only happened at low speeds over bumps so I wasn't pleased to see that they dealership took my vehicle on joyride where they dumped the clutch and lit up the tires. I don't drive my car like that and I certainly don't think it's appropriate behavior from a dealership.
What are your thoughts? Am I overreacting?
I left without saying something but then they called me to make sure I was completely satisfied with my experience and I calmly shared what I found. They had the manager call me (wasn't the manager) and didn't provide me with any detail about corrective action. I don't feel like I should go back there...
The front suspension knock/clunk only occurs at low speeds going over speed bumps and I clearly explained that when I made the appointment and when I dropped the car off. They acknowledged and I went on my way.
This all happened not too long after the dealership abuse video surfaced so I reset my trip calculator and track apps (accelerometer) because I had just given them reason to drive my car to inspect the suspension clunk.
They called and had fixed the suspension and I went to pick up my car. The first thing I did was check the trip calculator and track apps to find that they drove my car 10 miles for 30 minutes and achieved 13mpg.
The real story was in the accelerometer, which showed g-forces from acceleration of over 1.3 g's!
I clearly stated that the suspension issue only happened at low speeds over bumps so I wasn't pleased to see that they dealership took my vehicle on joyride where they dumped the clutch and lit up the tires. I don't drive my car like that and I certainly don't think it's appropriate behavior from a dealership.
What are your thoughts? Am I overreacting?
I left without saying something but then they called me to make sure I was completely satisfied with my experience and I calmly shared what I found. They had the manager call me (wasn't the manager) and didn't provide me with any detail about corrective action. I don't feel like I should go back there...
I’m happy to get this experience documented for you. Just PM me back with your VIN, dealer, mileage, full name, and best daytime number.
Deysha
09-16-2014, 04:50 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 568
About the only thing you can do is wait whenever you take your car to a shop and do the test drives but then we all don't have that luxury. I hate leaving my car for anything, always think they'll drive it like they stole it!
09-17-2014, 07:47 AM
#7
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 67
That is why you need to get a dash camera or hidden camera.
After I saw the Sunrise Ford Dealer video with the "mechanics" almost blowing the engine on a Mustang. I immediate did research on dash cameras and installed an almost hidden hardwired camera. Mainly just used for when I drop my car at a dealership or something, which I have not yet...
After I saw the Sunrise Ford Dealer video with the "mechanics" almost blowing the engine on a Mustang. I immediate did research on dash cameras and installed an almost hidden hardwired camera. Mainly just used for when I drop my car at a dealership or something, which I have not yet...
09-17-2014, 09:00 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: WI
Posts: 27
I couldn't easily duplicate the g-forces. It was a full hard launch... and impossible to do without dry pavement. It was clearly more than a spirited takeoff. You could only match the forces from a standing launch.
09-18-2014, 12:49 AM
#10
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: mn
Posts: 109
I'd let Deysha run with it for you. Thats one of the benefits of Ford monitoring these forums. Having a dealer hear about this from Ford will have a greater impact than you approaching them about it.