Withdrawal symptoms & Service question

[2ndFord]

This has been an interesting and informative thread. Had the cam phaser repair done on my '18 about a month ago. Had the cold start rattle for about a month and it was getting worse so I took it to the dealer for an evaluation (I was not aware then that this is a common issue). They diagnosed immediately, said I could continue to drive it, would take 2-3 weeks to get parts, and that they'd then need the truck for two days and that's exactly how it went down.

I have been happy with this dealer other than the fact that they don't offer loaner vehicles for standard service visits. They did offer one for this 2-day procedure but I was fortunate to not need one. Bought a 2006 Tacoma brand new and went to 4 dealers before finding one that was remotely competent for basic scheduled service. But that 4th one was tops... always gave me a free loaner even for a simple 2-4 hour routine maintenance! That truck only cost $26,500, and I didn't even buy it from that dealer. Audi also did this for a new Q5 and Mazda is currently doing the same for our Mazda 3 and CX-5. For a $70K+ Raptor I'd expect that level of commitment towards customers.

Bummer you've gotten a runaround. Sorry for your troubles. Best Wishes and Good Luck!

 

[Beinkounter]

Unfortunately, that’s the price you have to pay for buying an american made car. I love my Truck and would buy another one in the future. But I knew going into it that the level of service from the dealership won’t be like owning a mercedes or bmw.

I’ve owned imports in the past as well as american and knew from experience that that expecting good service from the big three automakers is a lost cause. They will never rise to the level of imports.

I just use my other car while the Truck is in service and I dont bother haggling with the dealership about rentals or timing anymore. It’s useless and its the same with evey dealership within 50 miles of where I live.

 

[FordTechOne]

Unfortunately, that’s the price you have to pay for buying an american made car. I love my Truck and would buy another one in the future. But I knew going into it that the level of service from the dealership won’t be like owning a mercedes or bmw.

I’ve owned imports in the past as well as american and knew from experience that that expecting good service from the big three automakers is a lost cause. They will never rise to the level of imports.

I just use my other car while the Truck is in service and I dont bother haggling with the dealership about rentals or timing anymore. It’s useless and its the same with evey dealership within 50 miles of where I live.

It has nothing to do with being “American”. You’re comparing luxury brands to a mainstream brand. That is not a valid comparison.

Try comparing apples with apples. Lincoln provides the same level of customer service as Mercedes and BMW that you mention. Lincoln even offers free pickup and delivery for maintenance along with a Lincoln loaner that they drop off for you.

 

[GWBush]

Unfortunately, that’s the price you have to pay for buying an american made car. I love my Truck and would buy another one in the future. But I knew going into it that the level of service from the dealership won’t be like owning a mercedes or bmw.

I’ve owned imports in the past as well as american and knew from experience that that expecting good service from the big three automakers is a lost cause. They will never rise to the level of imports.

I just use my other car while the Truck is in service and I dont bother haggling with the dealership about rentals or timing anymore. It’s useless and its the same with evey dealership within 50 miles of where I live.

Yep. Even Honda offers rentals on my wife's Odyssey for 1 hour work..crazy. Ford is just awful when it comes to warranty work (in general) and I realized it wouldn't be close to the same as my last vehicle (Infiniti and AMAZING customer service. But you pay for it)

I purchased a 2010 used and go where I want now.

 

[K223]

It has nothing to do with being “American”. You’re comparing luxury brands to a mainstream brand. That is not a valid comparison.

Try comparing apples with apples. Lincoln provides the same level of customer service as Mercedes and BMW that you mention. Lincoln even offers free pickup and delivery for maintenance along with a Lincoln loaner that they drop off for you.

True. The level of Lincoln to Ford itself is by far different. Make an appointment over the app for an oil change and request a pickup for the car and it’s done. Warranty work and request a loaner dropped off and it’s done. My truck cost more than the Aviator but the whole documented service experience is entirely different. Doesn’t matter if you purchased a 27k white work truck or a loaded Raptor. What I have learned from the forum is to ask for things in advance and we know dealers can be different.

 

[Mike McCrate]

I have an issue that some may relate to. I have an 05 Hummer H2 that I used to be my DD. Well that came to an abrupt end when I purchased my Raptor back in 2019. As much as I try to alternate to go back to my Hummer for driving to work it leaves a lot to be desired thus having withdrawal symptoms for the Raptor.

On a more serious note I have the dreaded cam phaser rattle and realize that the Raptor is going to require an extended service visit. The problem I am running into is that I have talked to a service advisor at 2 dealerships and they tell me that I it would take about a week to get the truck looked at and then depending on what parts are needed another 2 to 3 weeks for ordering and scheduling the install. What really ticks me off is that they tell me that other customers vehicles have been in the shop 2 weeks or more waiting for the repair and of course would take priority.

In other words leave your vehicle at dealership for 2 to 3 weeks without a rental. Is there an easier way to get around this issue as I find it unreasonable to have to go that long without any transportation offered.

 

[Mike McCrate]

The Ford Extended Service Plan should provide a loaner if you purchased that.

 

[BB427]

Two words: Technician Shortages

If you work in the business, you already know how serious it currently is. Though there may be small pockets here and there that are unaffected, this is a nationwide issue that has been growing over the past decade. Good techs are retiring or leaving at a greater rate than young people want to enter the trade.

There are a lot of reasons for this, and I won't go into all the details here, but it won't resolve itself anytime soon.

 

[Muchmore]

Never drop your vehicle off at a dealer for cam phasers unless they have the parts sitting on their shelves. Have them look and diagnose if needed and drive until parts are in stock. If it doesn't work this way, find a better dealer.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I guess I lucked out a bit. I dropped my Raptor off to Groove Ford in Denver last Thursday. They waited until Friday to diagnose the Cam Phaser issue but they did confirm the problem.

Fast forward to today and I got a call that my truck is fixed and I can pick it up. I’m heading over there tomorrow morning.