I know it is a long read, but PLEASE I need help. Basic Info: I have a 2007 Automatic Mustang, in which its warranty will expire this May of 2010.

I brought it into my dealer (Frontier Ford) earlier this month to have warranty issues addressed, which was a rattle in near the light switch and a static/whirling sound coming from the radio area, and a few other minor rattles/annoyances. The only thing modified when I brought the car in the first time was the exhaust, a Pypes Street-Pro axleback, just a muffler. So I take one of the mechanics out for a test drive, and he verifies the problems and tells the service rep. The service rep tells me to come back next week because they are really busy that week, but I couldn't bring it in the next week so I brought it the week after that.

So I dropped my car off Saturday night at the dealer, and wrote down a list of warranty issues. I left the car there because I wasn't going to be back in town till Wednesday night. While I was out of town, I didn't even get one call from the service rep, not even a quick call to let me know they acknowledged the existence of my car. I eventually called Tuesday afternoon and they said they were working on the car, and fixed as many rattles as they could find. So far so good... so I thought.

When I came back home, I went to the dealer to pick up the car and take it for a test drive. The rattles were still there. A couple minor ones were fixed and addressed but the main ones (rattle from light switch/radio noise) were still present. I told the service rep this and he brought out the mechanic who worked on my car. What I am about to say was exactly what he said. He told me to my face that "I was hearing things," and that "my exhaust was the problem for all my rattles and they should of charged me for all this labor." I was tempted to leave the guy in the middle of the intersection, but I didn't show the same rudeness he showed me. I told the service rep that they weren't fixed, and the mechanic starts arguing with the rep. I told them "Fine, I will put the OEM muffler on, and bring it back."

I even contacted Ford's Relationship Center about this incident and they unloaded a new one onto the dealer. So my previous exhaust was a GT Muffler, single, AT Muffler. I replaced that one with my stock one. I don't have the stock muffler so I put the OEM Muffler on. I didn't have time that week to bring it to the dealer, so I was going to bring it in next week. Right off the bat I notice that the car is vibrating all over when idle at stop lights. Also, when I turn on the AC the whole car starts shaking even more vibrantly. My car shouldn't be able to give my girlfriend a massage while she is in the passenger seat...

So today I bring the car in, tell them the problems and told them that the OEM exhaust is on. I get a call later today that they compared my car to an '09 Mustang and that the "radio noise is normal." I'm sorry, but I have driven 4 other S197's. That is not a normal noise, and I'm sure none of you guys have experienced this problem. They also said that my exhaust issue won't be fixed because I have the wrong muffler on still. Last time I checked, it is a muffler off a Mustang. They are claiming that a GT muffler is causing resonance problems on my V6 because it "is the wrong part for the car."

So, they are basically voiding my warranty because of one single muffler. Now on these forums, this question is asked many times, "Will a GT Muffler void my warranty?" The answer is always no. But, this dealer is arguing that this is causing all my problems.. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A VIBRATING ISSUE BEFORE I BROUGHT IT TO THEM! They caused even more problems to the car since I brought it in. They formed these new problem.. only to then blame it on a muffler?

Now, I am at a loss of words and am astounded at their claims. I really need help here, because I don't want this battle to continue and have my warranty be expired, and end up paying big bucks for a dealer's mistake.

Edit: They voided warranty on my exhaust, not the whole car (sorry if that confused you).

 

Bad news Avalanch, once a dealership (right or wrong) decides they don't want to help you for whatever reason you are pretty much screwed unless you have deep pockets for a lawyer. Your car is nearly 4 years old and has some rattles, it's not that uncommon no matter who makes the car. These are machines and over time they wear out and parts have to be replaced. A friend of mine has an 06 Pony Package and it has interior rattles. The dealership isn't going to spend a lot time and money chasing down something that is pretty much normal wear and tear. I know that sucks and I know you don't want to hear it but I'm looking at it from the dealerships point of view. If it is a busy dealership they probably have hundreds of cars a day that they have to service or repair. They don't have time to spend a lot of time chasing down an annoying rattle in your light switch. This is where you get to start really learning about your car. Get a service manual and see if you can chase the problem down. You know the old saying, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Good luck with it. If it was my car I would just look at it as a reason to either wrench on it or modify it.

 

my car rattles, but i dont pay any attention to it. my car is basically 6 years old and ive put it through hell and back. i agree with the above post, to the dealership this is probably looking for ways to make money not fix things for free, sorry bud i know it sucks.

 

I know it was just a couple rattles. But after they tinkered with it, they caused a whole slew of new problems, problems that they refuse to take responsibility for.

The car shakes uncontrollably now, especially when the AC is on. It feels like the chair is giving me a full body massage at stop lights.

 

Well the radio issue they should fix, 100%.

The rattles, not really their problem. As soon as I did my dual conversion the rattles were born. If you upgrade the exhaust for better sound, yes it's gonna shake some things loose if they did it right lol.

It's up to you to hunt them down and stop them however you can. A little dynamat/hushmat/little rubber rounds with sticky backs go a long way in resolving the rattles... I look at it as the price you pay for performance sound.

Oh and mistake bringing it back there after swapping exhaust back. If the mechanic and dealer will sit there and argue in front of a customer, the mechanic will tell you to your face "you're hearing things" , that pretty much tells you what you're dealing with. I wouldn't let them touch my car.

Also if they won't fix the radio under warranty, take it to an audio installer, even Best Buy, etc... They can diagnose/fix it alot faster than Ford and it won't cost ya much.

 

Click on the link below...it may help you out;

https://mustangforums.com/forum/4-0l...s-at-idle.html

 

Ok first of all, your car is STILL under warranty. Remember this.

The first thing you need to do is take it to another dealership, and only tell them you had some issues with your old dealership and they made it worse than it was before. Tell them what your problems are and let them fix it under warranty.

As far as the shaking/vibration, look under your car under where your shifter would be, and see if there are 2 exhaust hangers there and connected to your exhaust. If there are, unhook them and see if the rattle/vibration goes away. You should be able to do this easy with a jack/jack stands and simple hand tools. (I had this problem the dealship fixed it, with my FRPP exhaust on the car btw)

If that does not fix the problem, and you cannot get another dealership to fix the problem, call Ford customer care, and get their help in fixing it. If you are unable to go that route, talk to the general manager at the dealership. Contact the Better Business Bureu.

And most importantly, if you continue to deal with the same POS dealership, take a pad and paper and write down EVERY name of EVERY person you talk to, the time you went in there, and everything they said. Make sure you get everything in writing, and keep all your service tickets.

A muffler can NOT void your warranty, and if the car did NOT vibrate/rattle before you took it in, they are responsible (although I would try my solution). It sounds like they just think your exhaust caused it and tried to tighten it up.

Hope that helps.

 

Odyssey- they took out the two isolators that were under the car near my shifter, that was what caused the vibrations to start.

 

So the hangers are just there and not attached? If so, take down the exhaust hanger on the rear of your car off so your entire exhaust is basically just hanging, start your car put it in gear and see if the vibration gets worse or better. It sounds like the same problem I had, and that is the exhaust is causing the vibration.

I had to take my hangers off (the ones near the transmission) totally in order for my problem to resolve itself, but it sounds like you may need a little different fix.

As far as the squeaks/rattles, that is probably going to be a job you will have to do. And as far as the noise coming near your radio, it sounds like a fan on the back of the shaker.

 

They took off the hangers completely so I can't put on the rubber hangers from the muffler.

As for the radio problem, how could I fix that problem mysef?