@
Mjvthomas,
This sounds very much like a botched transmission repair, leading to a trans replacement. This happened to me, and earned the manufacturer a lemon law suit. I eventually prevailed, but it was more than a year from filing to resolution.
You’re right to not yet get all legal on them, but I would suggest talking to a lawyer or two, shop around and see what it’s going to cost you up front. There is no harm in getting the conversation started.
My suggestions:
make no more talk of lawsuits. Once Ford is served, your VIN is flagged, and every dealer you go to for any kind of warranty work will involve a regional rep, not to ensure you are getting good service, but to look for any excuse to void your warranty.
Remember the epic line from the Godfather; ‘keep your friends close. keep your enemies closer’. This is an adversarial business engagement. The dealer / manufacturer has something you want; parts and labor to repair your truck to full working order.
keep detailed records of every communication you have with any Ford representative.
Keep detailed records of every expense you incur as a result of being out of your truck.
IF you are willing to accept a repair by way of transmission replacement, you should negotiate a depreciated value condition with the dealer / Ford. A replaced transmission will show up on a vehicle history report and, let’s face it, used car buyers don’t want someone else’s trouble. You could try for a guaranteed trade as a fall back to your buy back request.
You’ve gotten minimal usage out of the vehicle and if they’re so confident the repair fixes the issue, the 3 parties here should be willing to negotiate a trade if not a replacement . worst case, you’re out mileage on the truck, some extra fees which the dealer should be happy to cover.
Ford will only do you 1, and only 1 “favor”; that is, by law, they are only obligated to repair the vehicle, replacing any defective parts. if you get a loaner, that’s your “favor”. if you get payments made, that’s all you get so decide what you want most as the outcome of this engagement with Ford.
good luck!