ACCC action against Ford over alleged unconscionable and misleading conduct

[au2000]

Originally Posted by happyrock

put yourself in the shoes of a car dealer!

which ones?
the rare few who are willing to help the customer out with their issues or the ones who don't help, brush the customer off to Ford CRC or the ones who have on - sold the cars?

I was lucky years ago when i looked at a focus, my dealer warned me off them straight away citing the auto issues, and my local dealer has been on both sides of the fence with me, helpful sometimes & downright disrespectful on other times.

[Itsme]

It is good to see this matter is finally before the courts, hopefully the truth will come out if Ford is telling porkies or not.

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by happyrock

put yourself in the shoes of a car dealer!

There are some really good dealers, there are also shonky ones who will use incorrect oil in your pride and joy and then turn around and tell bald faced lies.

The good dealers shouldn't be upset at us for our legitimate concerns.
Blame the bad ones.

[GTP534]

We recently got rid of the Focus. Traded in for an Escape Trend, with power tailgate pack and tech pack. Was a demo so it had a few little extras with it.

We had not had any clutches replaced but it had a new control module fitted and soon after the shudders and indecisiveness returned. Wife eventually refused to drive it as she didn't feel safe.

Got a very good deal all things considered and really happy with the Escape.

[JG33]

I can't believe 800 customers actually forked out $7000 for a replacment vehicle. I did a similar thing with my 2012 Focus but I got a Hyundai as a replacement. No probs since.

SHAME....FORD....SHAME!!!!

[polkgs]

My parents are now in their eighties and bought a Fiesta and had all of these problems and run around from Ford. They were virtually scared to drive it in the end and traded out of it. Ultimately they lost several thousand dollars in the process. Ford have to realise that this situation would have repeated itself amongst others and that people not flush with cash got financially hurt out of this - at no fault of their own. Shame.

[Iggle Piggle]

Unfortunate that the actions (or inaction) and decisions/instructions of a small number of well-paid staff can tarnish the reputation of a brand and undo the hard work of its entire workforce.

Deny and defend...can see this being used as a case study in future of what not to do.

[au2000]

Dear Ford Australia,
If there are any current executive members of staff frequenting this thread, please realise something,
This is a site of people who enjoy or are proud of your products, we have a deep passion for them and although we may not always see eye to eye on every issue before us, we will defend our favourite model to the hilt,
But
If after 30 plus posts of such like minded enthusiasts shows that they are not impressed by the response or lack of ownership to the issues by their favourite brand, then you have to sit somewhere quiet for a moment and ask yourselves this,
If some of our most passionate supporters are thinking that we (ford) are no longer worth their trust or loyalty, then what are the rest of the Australian public thinking of our brand?

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by au2000

Dear Ford Australia,
If there are any current executive members of staff frequenting this thread, please realise something,
This is a site of people who enjoy or are proud of your products, we have a deep passion for them and although we may not always see eye to eye on every issue before us, we will defend our favourite model to the hilt,
But
If after 30 plus posts of such like minded enthusiasts shows that they are not impressed by the response or lack of ownership to the issues by their favourite brand, then you have to sit somewhere quiet for a moment and ask yourselves this,
If some of our most passionate supporters are thinking that we (ford) are no longer worth their trust or loyalty, then what are the rest of the Australian public thinking of our brand?

They know what the general public thinks of them, compare the sales figures to non "problem" brands.
The bigger question is, what are they planning on doing about it? Building high tech dealers with screens and iPads all over the place? BS. Treating your customer with contempt has gone the way of the dinosaurs, and Ford are now paying for perpetuating that toxic culture.
In defence of the dealers, they only play hardball with warranty issues when they know ford won't pay for warranty, this fish is dead from the top down.

[whales]

Its no wonder they cant sell them.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by whales

Its no wonder they cant sell them.

I am feeling much 'schadenfreude' about this news.

[Mr Brooksy]

From a Ford fan... I hope the ACCC takes them to the cleaners. Then turns their attention to the rest of the car companies in Australia.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

From a Ford fan... I hope the ACCC takes them to the cleaners. Then turns their attention to the rest of the car companies in Australia.

Anything like their dealings with petrol pricing don't hold your breath, the ACCC is like a toothless tiger.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by csv8

Ford need a new PR team, asap...its going to take some time to win customers back..
Fairmont GS.. Daewoo hasn't been around for 10plus years. Since GM bought them out.
But people still think Daewoo is still around !!!

Thats because the cars Holden still sell are Daewoo architecture and designed vehicles... Its like trying to tell me a Ford Maverick isnt a Nissan Patrol.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Thats because the cars Holden still sell are Daewoo architecture and designed vehicles... Its like trying to tell me a Ford Maverick isnt a Nissan Patrol.

Captivas the last daewoo model.

[csv8]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

Captivas the last daewoo model.

but vastly improved..you can't compare a Series 3 to the Series 1. Its like comparing the AU to the FGX,

[olds]

KARMA. Fraud Australia. KARMA !

[Sprintey]

Reliable cars, oh what a feeling!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by csv8

but vastly improved..you can't compare a Series 3 to the Series 1. Its like comparing the AU to the FGX,

Still crap regardless. But not overpriced

[jpd80]

While Ford has done a good job of eliminating the early warranty problem that affected early builds,
they have only stalled off those serious issues for later down the track as the units will eventually
give trouble or fail for a number of reasons.

I read an only line post for a US Ford service tech who explained the issues as follows:
1. Early problems included gearbox oil leaks on linings
2. Clutch material builds up inside the housing and can't be released causing shuddering
3. The gearbox runs hot and this eventually fails the Power Control Module which is attached to it.

These issues only affect the dry clutch powershifts that were fitted to the 2.0 DI Focus and 1.6 Fiesta.
The diesel powershift autos are not affected as they have the more durable wet clutch set up.
The latest Focus with 1.5 Ecoboost now has a proper 6-speed auto trans that works properly all the time
Kugas and Escapes are unaffected as they never used the dry clutch powershift auto.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by jpd80

While Ford has done a good job of eliminating the early warranty problem that affected early builds.

Sorry , I'll have to disagree with you on that one, if this was true, there would not be so many complaints and the matter would not be before the ACCC and a class action, with customers still reporting faults, hell even the whole falcon auto heat exchanger or territory ball joint issue has not developed this type of negative publicity,

They can try and put what ever spin they want on this but Ford has brought a massive amount of negative publicity onto their brand to the point of even offending ford loyalists.

[Mondaveo]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

Lots of people in this thread who sound like they should shop for another brand. Enjoy your Daewoos boys

I can scarcely believe I'm going to say this, but... My wife's car is a '09 Barina, nee Chevy Aveo/Daewoo Gentra. It's cheap and indeed a little nasty, but dammit if I don't hold nothing but respect for the thing. It's earned it over eight years of trouble-free motoring. Even two parking lot collisions barely phased it.

Originally Posted by jpd80

The diesel powershift autos are not affected as they have the more durable wet clutch set up.

Diesel Powersh#t is not immune to problems, although I'll grant they've had nothing of the scale of the dry clutch units.

My pre-owned '11 Mondeo had a Powersh#t fault - a defective gearbox sensor, which is a not-uncommon condition with this model. I reviewed the (complete dealer) service history and found the issue had been raised and documented (but not rectified) well within the warranty period. I considered that for a safety issue, demonstrably present since new, Ford should come to the party in making the vehicle right. But both the dealer and Ford CRC essentially told me 'tough luck', and I had to wear the full cost of having the thing fixed myself.

Having had the car repaired (and not by Ford but a reputable independent specialist, thank you very much) I will say it drives well, great even. I am coming to love it... but there will always be the fact that the car let me down and the brand offered no support. So, while I hope to stick with my Mondeo for many years to come, my line is to never buy again from Ford; the risk of being poorly treated and hung out to dry again like this is too great a liability.

[kazawaki]

Originally Posted by kazawaki

Typical Ford response any problems are not there fault,i have a noisy power steering pump and it is going in to ford next week.I was expecting there normal responce so in advance i have had it checked by a well known expert and the problem is noted on the invoice as well as another noisy diff.If they contest the issue i will simply point them towards the EXPERT that has unearthed the problem.I trust ford as much as i would trust my dog not to eat a steak left with in reach.

So with invoice in hand stating problems dropped of the pursuit yesterday to ford dealer,received a phone call yes your diff is noisy and so is your power steering pump.We will replace them and will let you know when after we go through the ford process,that would mean that it will happen with that statement from the dealer.Still beggers me that 2 diffs in 24,000 ks and they will probably replace it with the same component lets see if i get another 12,000 ks out of this one.If not then even though it will be out of warranty there is certainly a pattern there and it will go back again.common sense would be replace it with a diff that will support a S/C v8 ute and be done with it surely that would be more cost effective for them .

[Adamz Ghia]

I don't see why new parts don't get their own warranty. So yours is almost up and your diff goes again, why should you have to pay anything for a recurring problem that started in the warranty period? Same for the clutches, if you have to have it replaced every 6 months for the life of the car then Ford should have to pay up till the car dies.

[FairmontGS]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

You obviously have never had a faulty car...

I have - AU2 off the showroom floor that had gremlins in the ECU from the go-get. Culminated in the car accelerating by itself whilst crossing the Sydney harbour bridge in peak hour. Straight back to City Ford who ripped the whole ECU out and replaced it, plus full detail and a set of factory mud-spats and carpet mats for my inconvenience.

I took it on the chin considering the years of happy motoring I'd had with FoA.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by happyrock

put yourself in the shoes of a car dealer!

And very nice shoes they are. Paid for by customers who you screw over.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

According to Ford the correct remedy for a faulty car that's needed 3 clutches in just under 3 years (just had a 4th installed making it 4 in 3 and a half years) is employee pricing on a new Ford and case closed. I hope the ACCC tears them a new one.

It was attitudes like this that helped Falcon race to the bottom. You might not think it, but Ford doesn't need fans like you. It needs a community that is enthusiastic about the product, but can and will shout the loudest for Ford to be accountable when they screw up. Otherwise your only purpose is to just hurry Fords decline in the market.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

It was attitudes like this that helped Falcon race to the bottom. You might not think it, but Ford doesn't need fans like you. It needs a community that is enthusiastic about the product, but can and will shout the loudest for Ford to be accountable when they screw up. Otherwise your only purpose is to just hurry Fords decline in the market.

Ford doesn't need fans, they need customers, chequebook wielding customers every 3-4 years. When the ownership experience is too hard and the manufacturer doesn't stand by its faulty product, the customer will take the path of least resistance, trade it in, and buy another brand.
The buck stops with ford here, for 1- signing off on substandard engineering and 2- not backing up dealers when a customer fronts up with a warranty problem.