2021 Ford Escape - first big problem
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Most automakers will deny warranty repair after the warranty expires, not just Ford. You hear stories of "good will" repairs, but those types of repairs will be less likely on really pricey jobs. It definitely sucks when a pricey component fails just outside of the warranty period, but automakers cannot warranty products forever. That's why the extended warranty companies and programs exist. They feed off of people's fear of having expensive repairs and then sell people expensive coverage (that many times is also denied when claims are submitted.) That's just car ownership. I would never expect an automaker to cover something outside of the warranty period, unless it was a safety related recall.
Having a problem documented before the warranty period is over also does not guarantee that it will be fixed for free after the warranty ends. It gives you ammunition to approach the manufacturer about a "good will" repair of a recurring problem, but does not obligate the manufacturer to actually cover it outside of warranty.
I have personally had automakers refuse to fix problems on new cars while under warranty. In the early 90's I had a Plymouth Sundance Duster. The "stainless steel" exhaust needed replacement after only 12 months. Not covered under warranty due to the corrosion supposedly being "environmental". When I questioned why a 12mo old car would need a whole new exhaust, the dealer agreed to cover labor if I paid for the parts. Only other issues I had while I owned it were a bad radio, a loose squirrel cage around the blower motor, and a bad coil. All covered under warranty.
In the late 90's I bought a new Pontiac Grand Prix. It had an intermittent no-start condition. I called the dealer to schedule an appointment, and they asked if I had a service engine light. I said no. They literally said "We don't want to see it unless there is a light. Until then, there is nothing we can do." The car developed other major electrical problems but never threw a code, so I traded it after only owning it for 6 months.
I also had a Ford Explorer that Ford spent thousands under warranty repairing a structural/frame deficiency from the factory (missed welds during assembly.) Got it back after several weeks only to have a brake caliper seize. The caliper was replaced, then seized again 1,000 miles later. It was replaced again with the warning that if it seized again it would no longer be covered under warranty and I would have to pay out of pocket. The vehicle only had 17,000 miles on it at the time. Got rid of the Explorer a few months later when the same brake started having issues again.
Chevy denied turning the warped rotors on my Impala under warranty, even though I had a copy of a TSB that stated that turning rotors was covered under the 3yr/36K mile warranty at the time. Dealer acknowledged the legitimacy of the TSB but refused to warranty the work despite what the TSB stated.
I purchased a new Hyundai that had a scenario where the drive belt would squeal and the battery light on the dash would come in when driving in heavy rain. During the 30,000 mile service (car had a 5yr/60K mile warranty, and a 10yr/100K mile powertrain warranty) I explained the situation to the dealer. They said it wouldn't be covered under warranty. When I asked why, they said since it was a possible drive belt issue that is a wear item and not covered. They looked at it, said the belt was fine and the light was "normal", and not to worry about it. Car did that for the whole 5 years I owned it. Traded the car when it started using (not burning or leaking) 1qt of oil every 800 miles.
I'd be calling corporate. We don't know what damage is being caused. A fluid change a month or so from now (or whenever they get around to it) may remedy the problem but the damage done may not be manifested until after warranty is up. Then it's on you.
Again-Why is the guy even referenced? Sorry-Didn't even click on the videos because Scotty has zero credibility with me.
You are correct.
But, other manufacturers often offer warranty extensions on components with known high failure rates. Toyota and Honda are two manufacturers that routinely do this. Not Ford. I'll give one example... on the 2002-2004 Explorers they had a big problem with diff failures, typically occurring by 40k miles, sometimes as early as 30k miles, sometimes as late as 50k miles, and they had a LOT of them. At that time, their warranty ended at 36k miles. If the diff failed at 36010 miles or 2 days past 36 months, Ford would refuse to warranty it. Even if a customer complained about "some" noise coming from the rear end at 32K miles (documenting the problem), they would still refuse to warranty the repair once the 36/36000 warranty had been exceeded. Many other manufacturers would have taken care of the problem, NOT Ford. The only time in recent memory that Ford has offered a warranty extension was on the auto-stick clutches in the Fiestas and Focuses, and I personally believe that they did this ONLY because they were still trying to sell new ones. Even though I don't believe in purchasing extended warranties, I would NOT purchase a Ford product without one.
I would have not accepted anything less than a newer loaner. That tends to help lubricate the process.
The 6.0 diesels were the PRIME EXAMPLES of Ford knowing there were MAJOR issues and at best limited coverage/help. SOMETIMES-they would replace the defective motor, and when it blew up the second time they wouldn't.
I can sight several examples of Hyundai/KIA stepping up with their issues.
Another stupid Ford thing - "one time use" differential plugs. If the shop can't clean up the threads and put some sealant or Teflon tape on the threads and re-use the old ones, then they should probably get into another occupation, lol.
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This thread is just another example of why I won't be buying a Bronco, to replace our trail exploring 4Runner.
New vehicle shortage suggests that this is not going to happen.
Depends on the AWD technology, no? If it's a full time AWD system, then sure. But I want to say many of the faux AWD setups are actually FWD the majority of the time, and can tolerate "large" tire diam differences. I would think some of the latest hybrids using e-AWD would tolerate even more (since they are even less capable, ironically).
At least for me, I've only had one tire go bad on me in 20 years and probably that many sets of tires. Low odds of having a bad tire ruin my day. Easy to keep tires rotated for even wear.
On my old part time 4WD I would have worried less about it, since it was rarely in 4WD, and when it was, by definition it was on terrain that would tolerate "wrong" size tires.
The issue being is that when you need AWD/4WD your REALLY NEED IT. And yes-the tires have to be within 2 or 3/32nd or so within each other. It goes along with not being stuck going up a hill when it snows. Utah does GREAT job plowing the roads-so ALL season tires on AWD will get you by just fine. Here where I live AWD/4WD vehciles are in the far vast majority. Otherwise others run snow tires on their vehicles in the winter. The issue with "Scotty" is he is so wrong in the vast majority of his "rants" . There are far better sources for you to site in your argument.
I refuse (anymore) to provided him with any "hits" to add to his income.
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The dealer is constrained by what Ford allows them to do. For example, Ford will not reimburse them for any work they do such as change the differential fluid unless it is done according to procedure which requires new drain and fill plugs to be purchased and installed.
Ford would rather let the differential destroy itself than think outside the box when it's time to do so. If the Ford engineers/TSB writets had their act together, they would put a statement in the TSB to clean-up and reuse the drain and fill plugs with xyz sealant if new plugs are unavailable or on back order.
Sounds like a job for Flex Seal.
My experience as a tech is the opposite.
If the 4wd/awd is user selectable, sure do what you want. If it's not, and there's no centre diff they are very intolerant of different diameters front and back. I changed multiple rear diffs, clutch packs, transfer cases and front diffs (where the pick up for the transfer case is) for no other reason than the owner/service centre neglected to do tyre rotations.
Electric AWD won't break but depending on proigrammiong it can be tolerant or not. I've had some that behaved badly with slightly different diameter tyres. Same size but different brands front and back.
Since when do mechanics clean and reuse stuff?
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