My hybrid F-150 has been at the dealer since the end of November. I am pretty unsure on what next move I want to make.
Since new, when turning lock-to-lock, the front tires would rub on something in the front. I had the truck into the dealer three times before this last time.
- Once in May 2021 for exhaust rattle, this mentioned rubbing sound, and a front camera malfunction. First service attempt was at the purchasing dealer and they fixed literally nothing. They essentially said they couldn't find anything and said here's the truck. I begrudgingly took the truck back and hoped for the best.
- The second time the truck went in, I took it to a dealer closer to my house and a larger volume dealer. I figured they may have a better equipped service department. I had them correct the still malfunctioning front camera, take a look at the exhaust rattle, front end rubbing sound, trailer light module fault, navigation on the screen had an error and the trans. had a harsh 1st to 3rd shift. They were able to correct the camera and navi with an update, had to order parts for the transmission and scheduled me a week out. They didn't see anything with the exhaust rattle and I could confirm it was still present. While I was there, they did reset the adaptive tables for the trans. The rubbing sound, they didn't find anything wrong with the truck. The trailer light module fault, they said they reset it and it was OK. Backing up a little in the story -- I had a trailer connected a few weekends prior and the truck kept erroring on the lighting module, presenting a Trailer Lighting Module fault error every few minutes, and the trailer lights kept going out (kinda SCARY on a long trip away from home). The trailer is a 3 year old car hauler and known good wiring, well at least Dad's 2500HD likes the trailer wiring.
- The third time, I was bringing in the truck for the trans. part/repair. I received a call later in the day asking "Hey, what was wrong with the truck, it is as shifting fine". I referred to the part they had me scheduled to come in for. They said "yeah it seems fine you can pick it up, call us if you have any other problems with it, we don't need that part". Sure, OK no problem (weird though!).
This most recent time around, I made an appointment to again have the front end rubbing sound looked at, and have a TSB update performed for my heated steering wheel. The update corrects a condition where the heating element turns off after 10 minutes. They diagnosed the front end rubbing as an incorrectly moulded splash shield, ordered one and replaced it. They also applied the update for the wheel. The truck went in late November. They called me a few days late and said it was ready for pickup. Great.
I go to pick up the truck. When I get in it, I receive a Trailer Lighting Module fault error. OK, whatever, so I restart the truck.... same error. I also notice the interior turn signal lights are hyper flashing on the dash. They seemed to flash OK on the outside, but inside is hyper flash. Very disorienting. So I walk back into the dealer, explain, sweet talk my way back into my loaner and leave the truck with them (they wanted to re-schedule another appointment). I get a call the next day, they claim the truck is fine, ready for pickup. I go out to the truck, same issue. They claimed they reset the trailer light module. So I walk in again, explain, get my loaner back, etc and leave the truck. They call me a few days later, telling me that they reset the module, pulled fuses and it seems fine now and it's ready for pickup. OK, sure. I get my keys, get into my truck, same error. So I leave the truck again. I am a little annoyed at this point but am professional, it isn't the service guys fault.
Didn't hear anything for a few days, I called the dealer, they said they have a new trailer lighting module on order and that it should be in this Friday or Tuesday No problem. I call the Friday after that Tuesday and didn't get a call back. I call the week after and my service advisor says that the part is on order with no ETA and a backorder. They told me that the truck should be safe to drive but I can keep the rental if I want. I asked about how the turn signals are flashing and how do I know the lights won't fail/trailer lights won't fail. They don't have an answer for me beyond saying "they flash fine". So I choose to keep the rental. I don't want lights failing on me, and this module failing the trailer light -- why did I buy a truck? I decided to call Ford Corporate Customer Care to document the case and see if they can help expedite something. Ford Corporate was able to establish dealer communication better than I.
Fast forward to today. I have been in contact with Ford Corporate Customer Care quite a few times. They are estimating me an ETA of part availably, earliest shipping March 18, 2022 with no guarantee. I asked how new vehicles can have these same parts and are produced everyday but none allocated to servicing the trucks already bought -- radio silence. I would not be shocked if that allotment for new vehicles is scared, after all, truck production and sale is Priority #1.
My rental throughout all of this has been a newer 2.0T Ecoboost Ford Edge AWD with terrible summer-oriented tires. They are HORRIBLE in the Buffalo 2-4" snow we had a couple weeks ago. I will not drive it in the snow, its dangerous. This Edge is terrible, no power, slow, not great fuel economy, uncomfortable -- really makes my sciatica go bonkers, cramped. I have inquired about a different loaner but they will not exchange it claiming they have no others.
I am a bit beside myself. I can understand the parts shortages, but I feel like this is an example where Ford should be doing something more in offering compensation or assisting with finding another rental -- or at least be mentioning something about making this right. It is infuriating to be paying truck money to drive an Edge. I couldn't take my quad to my buddy's hunting camp and I am hoping snowmobile season doesn't pan out at this point. I am also curious if this will be the ongoing trend for newer more complex vehicles -- no parts. Warranties and potential extended warranties, which I would be inclined to carry for any longer term ownership of the PowerBoost might be irrelevant if they can't get any parts timely.
So I don't know what to do. No pickup for almost 2 and a half more months is a tough pill to swallow. I am happy to still have wheels, but its the principle of it. I am thinking this might be a clear situation where an older mass produced vehicle should more so less effected by the recent partsshortages events. Take my Suburban for example, if shortages do get bad enough, sure Autozone, NAPA, Advance etc. might not have parts, but I do think between them, and cheap eBay parts, the supply for GMT parts would take an undertaking to completely dry up. Even then, there's wrecker yards, used parts, etc.
I do love the F150, the Hybrid is cool, love the leather, heated seats, stereo system, sunroof, etc -- I greatly miss going on long trips and drives and chilling with some music. But from a continuity standpoint, I am greatly evaluating newer vehicle worth. Perhaps at this point it makes more sense for an older vehicle strictly from the standpoint of being able to keep it going down the road when something breaks.
Sorry for any rambling, just thinking out loud and you all offer great opinions and viewpoints. Just don't know what to do. Maybe this thing will keep living in the service dept. and is a lemon.
