we live in Michigan.
We bought a 2 year old car from a dealer in July. (99 cougar) We have recently had some major repairs come up (rack and pinion gear had to be replaced and the alternator also)
After the rack and pinion was replaced, our 19 year old daughter was coming home at 2 am, when her dashboard guages went haywire, the lights dimmed and the car died. She had been in the process of turning left and her car was in the middle of the intersection without hazard lights. A police officer eventually stopped and set flares while she called for a tow. She waited almost 2 hours for the tow truck.
Earlier that day, we contacted Ford customer relations (regarding the rack and pinion charge) and a rep alerted us to the fact there there were some recalls out on this car so I went the the NHTSA website and found 5. One of the recalls pertained to the battery cable being misrouted to the alternator which resulted in an electrical short, stalling and no start condition. The next morning we had it towed back to the dealer (having picked it up 3 days prior for the rack and pinion) and they seemed unaware of any recalls- and prepared us to pay $400 for the new alternator. I handed him the 5 pages of recalls and suggested strongly that he check them out. He checked on the computer and said 3 pertained to our car and they would fix them.
The next day, our car was ready, and we were charged only $50. I asked what the $50 was for and the cashier wasn't sure - she complained of a headache and sent us to the service dept.
The car was not covered under any kind of warranty due to its mileage, but they said the $50 was a deductible and they were billing the insurance . HUH? I never got a satisfactory answer to any questions.
I thought recalls were fixed free of charge and this recall involved the alternator and electrical shorts - how can I be sure if the alternator should have been a freebie, also wonder why they didn't do this insurance thing for the rack and pinion gear I paid $700 for 3 days prior. The service mgr just said it was a good will gesture.
I asked him why didn't the car get checked for recalls while they had it for 3 days or back in July before it was put up for sale on their lot.. he said he thought it was strange that this wasn't done but had no other response.
I want the dealer to refund $650 on the rack and pinion now. I will pay them their $50. If they cover the alternator... they sure better cover the rack and pinion gear.
Do I have a chance at getting a refund?
We bought a 2 year old car from a dealer in July. (99 cougar) We have recently had some major repairs come up (rack and pinion gear had to be replaced and the alternator also)
After the rack and pinion was replaced, our 19 year old daughter was coming home at 2 am, when her dashboard guages went haywire, the lights dimmed and the car died. She had been in the process of turning left and her car was in the middle of the intersection without hazard lights. A police officer eventually stopped and set flares while she called for a tow. She waited almost 2 hours for the tow truck.
Earlier that day, we contacted Ford customer relations (regarding the rack and pinion charge) and a rep alerted us to the fact there there were some recalls out on this car so I went the the NHTSA website and found 5. One of the recalls pertained to the battery cable being misrouted to the alternator which resulted in an electrical short, stalling and no start condition. The next morning we had it towed back to the dealer (having picked it up 3 days prior for the rack and pinion) and they seemed unaware of any recalls- and prepared us to pay $400 for the new alternator. I handed him the 5 pages of recalls and suggested strongly that he check them out. He checked on the computer and said 3 pertained to our car and they would fix them.
The next day, our car was ready, and we were charged only $50. I asked what the $50 was for and the cashier wasn't sure - she complained of a headache and sent us to the service dept.
The car was not covered under any kind of warranty due to its mileage, but they said the $50 was a deductible and they were billing the insurance . HUH? I never got a satisfactory answer to any questions.
I thought recalls were fixed free of charge and this recall involved the alternator and electrical shorts - how can I be sure if the alternator should have been a freebie, also wonder why they didn't do this insurance thing for the rack and pinion gear I paid $700 for 3 days prior. The service mgr just said it was a good will gesture.
I asked him why didn't the car get checked for recalls while they had it for 3 days or back in July before it was put up for sale on their lot.. he said he thought it was strange that this wasn't done but had no other response.
I want the dealer to refund $650 on the rack and pinion now. I will pay them their $50. If they cover the alternator... they sure better cover the rack and pinion gear.
Do I have a chance at getting a refund?