Originally Posted by nightracerx

Overall, my conclusion is, if you want reliability, don't get American cars. Get any Asian car except KIA, preferable Toyota and Honda. For European cars, only BMW, no VW, no Mercedes, no Audi.

Originally Posted by bigsweeps

To start, my 2005 Escape Hybrid has 17,800 miles. I had the front wheel bearings replaced at 3,000 miles (strange grinding brake-like sound coming from the wheels at slow speeds or turning left). Even after they replaced the wheel bearings, I still had grinding noises. At odd times (not easily reproducable), the truck would surge forward when coming to a stop. Then at 15,000 miles I was driving to work and the "high motor temperature" warning came on. Lovely. That ended up being a water pump failing (or so the technical bulletin from Ford thought). After being in service for almost a week, I picked it up from the dealer and on the way home noticed that the fans for the battery and the electric motor were on at least 3 times as much as before. A week later, I brought it back but they assured me that everything was fine and I must be crazy. About a week later, the "high motor temperature" warning happened again (this time I was 35 miles from home). I tried to get off the highway, but the truck just shut itself off right in front of a transit bus. (Apparently it will do that if it thinks the engine is in danger of serious overheating) Thank goodness I wasn't hit by the bus! So back it went for service (this time at a different dealership). The service manager said he thought the vehicle had a short - but couldn't find it and the TSB said to replace the pump and fuse again. A week later, I get it back, but he said he can't tell me that it's fixed. Great!

I raised a ruckus at my dealership and they called the regional service manager and an engineer to come look at my truck. They hooked it up to a computer, drove it around, looked it over and told me "I'm sure it's fixed". They offered me an extended warrantee to "try to make things right" and then sent me off with a data recorder hooked up to my truck "just in case something else happened". Well, wouldn't you know.....we went to pick up my husband's new Civic Hybrid and when I was leaving (following him), the truck had a "service soon" warning and yellow wrench light and then died within about 2 seconds. (I was about to pull into traffic when it happened). When it dies, it COMPLETELY shuts down....you can't even get it out of gear. It's pretty scary!)

So now it's been back at the dealer for a week (and counting). This time, Ford offered me a replacement vehicle. Sounds good huh.......well - they won't give me one equally equipped. I have to either take a stripped down version or pony up the cash to pay for the options I have. After the experiences I've had with Ford - let's just say I'll be dam**d to give them another penny.

I'm rather annoyed at how many problems my truck has had. I can't get anywhere with Ford customer service. And the best part is that the regional customer service manager is telling me that if I don't accept her offer, I have to take my death trap back and be stuck with it. (That's when I can get her to return my calls.....which is almost impossible).

I can file for the Lemon Law, but that takes 60+ days and in the meantime, I have to drive my truck (or pay $$$$ for a rental - which I just don't have the means to do right now).

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get higher up at Ford? Am I being unreasonable not wanting to accept a lower replacement vehicle?

Originally Posted by Hybrid_SUV

Hey,

Sorry to hear about your problems. In Ford's "replacement vehicle" offer....did they offer to replace with a 2005 or a 2006? Were they going to deduct anything for mileage? How much is the difference between the "stripper" and the "loaded" replacement vehicle? These are all important questions...

My point is this....I think you should consider the offer. The resale value of your 2005 with 17,000 miles will be less than the value of a brand new 2006 stripper model. You may find you come out ahead financially....although certainly not mentally given all the problems you've had.

Then you can decide whether to sell that vehicle or give Ford another try. (I think I know the answer!) I guess what I'm trying to say is Ford's offer may not be all that bad of a deal when you figure depreciation. You really take a risk when you buy a new car--first year depreciation is so high...if you have to sell or trade for any reason.(Although that's still no excuse for a crappy lemon!)

Maybe you can talk them into throwing some options in there for free or reduced cost...and lessen the financial blow. (esp. if you tell them a deal will keep you from filing a Lemon Law complaint). Good Luck

Nate

Originally Posted by bigsweeps

They offered MSRP to MSRP for either a 2005 or 2006 - both of which are more money. I bought my 2005 before the price increase. The 2005 will run me about $600 more if I want the same options (or I can take it without leather or the safety package), the 2006 is slightly more (about $900....I would have to lose leather and safety package to keep the same MSRP). Obviously, if I had to choose, I would take the 2006 for slightly more just for the resale value alone. They have not mentioned deducting for mileage - they told me it was MSRP for MSRP.

Originally Posted by Chilly

If I understand you correctly They are willing to give you a 2006 with the same options you have now (leather and safety) but you will have to pay $900 out of you own pocket.

I would take the deal and don't look back. In the grand scheme of things $900 is minimal cost to trade up a unsafe 2005 with 17,000 (app?) miles for a new (hopefully safer) 2006 with <100 miles.