Ford Roadside Assistance - is it a given?

ShootsWithFilm · 28-06-2014, 06:21 PM

Greetings all,

Just a quick question about the Ford Roadside assistance program.

When I read the Ford website, it suggests that if I have a capped price service, I should get free roadside assistance from my local motoring organisation. When I had my last service done in March, the dealer made no mention of this to me and I most certainly have received nothing from Ford about it.

So, is it a given that I have roadside assistance? If I have an issue (even if its a Flat or I have run out of juice), I just simply ring 1300 FORD and they will sort the rest?

Cheers

EDIT - just read that the state motoring organisation deal is only on cars sold after April 1/ 2013. Mine was purchased end of Jan 13, so I assume that I just get the standard MyFord roadside assistance?

Yellow_Festiva · 28-06-2014, 07:54 PM

You should get a card with a membership number and a phone number.

Mind you, my books were stamped at service time stating I got roadside service when I actually didn't. Then I had a major service and got a generic dealership stamp and got the card.

usernametaken · 28-06-2014, 08:09 PM

I just got a sticker on the windscreen which is swapped with every service - no card per se

Bought new Jan/Feb 2013 (can't remember off top of head)

ShootsWithFilm · 28-06-2014, 08:48 PM

OK, I've never had a membership card or number, but yes, the service sticker simply says "Ford Roadside Assistance".

Based on what I thought I knew, I had let my RAA membership lapse. I just wanted to make sure that I am covered!

Itsme · 28-06-2014, 10:42 PM

When I had my car serviced there was no mention till I asked the dealer which they said they sent paper work off to ford.
Two weeks later I was notified by RACV of the Ford roadside assist on my membership with them, when my RACV renewal came in it was half priced so I presume Ford subsidised my membership payment since I have Total Care cover which is more than adequate than standard cover.

**Mesa** · 29-06-2014, 12:29 AM

How many years does the Ford Roadside assistance last after purchase of the vehicle? I had it when I first purchased my FG XR6. Then last service, I was sent an NRMA card to replace the Ford one.
I'm also insured with Allianz who sent me their roadside assistance card around the same time.

deesun · 29-06-2014, 02:05 AM

I thought my roadside assist had run out and possibly had but at a recent dealer service I was given a card with it on. I think originally it was 3 years and I think they continue it if you continue servicing with them.

baxtc1 · 29-06-2014, 02:17 AM

I bought mine in October 2013. With the 15,000km service got the Ford/RAA roadside assist, I don't know how it works, but is somehow attached to my existing RAA membership, though I have a separate card which is for the car, regardless of who is driving it. It seems to be pretty basic, as for country areas they will attend a call up to 32 kilometres from the nearest agent.

Tonz · 29-06-2014, 03:04 PM

All you lucky people who live in cities............We over here in rural land have trouble getting 24 hour RAA attention. Granted they are operated by private operators; auto electricians, small workshops etc
I had to call service on night around 7.30pm "aw hell Tony cant it wait Ive just sat down to dinner, could you wait till morning".

And the dealers try and sell 24 hour road side assist. JOKE

Itsme · 29-06-2014, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

I had to call service on night around 7.30pm "aw hell Tony cant it wait Ive just sat down to dinner, could you wait till morning".

Well it is part of his company's contract to get off his a** & do what he is paid to do, don't mind waiting a little while but next morning....Not on especially when you are out in the sticks.

Ben73 · 29-06-2014, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

All you lucky people who live in cities............We over here in rural land have trouble getting 24 hour RAA attention. Granted they are operated by private operators; auto electricians, small workshops etc
I had to call service on night around 7.30pm "aw hell Tony cant it wait Ive just sat down to dinner, could you wait till morning".

And the dealers try and sell 24 hour road side assist. JOKE

Wasn't a Ford, but a work vehicle broke down one night at Kerrabee which is 1 hour from Muswellbrook in the middle of nowhere. Not even Telstra mange to get mobile reception out there. People in the car managed to call the depot in Newcastle on an old landline phone in an abandoned railway signal box. Supervisor got in contact with roadside assist and they flat out refused to go help the car. Said it was "too far away and this must be a prank call"

Wouldn't want to breakdown somewhere even more remote dealing with those idiots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by trublu

When I had my car serviced there was no mention till I asked the dealer which they said they sent paper work off to ford.
Two weeks later I was notified by RACV of the Ford roadside assist on my membership with them, when my RACV renewal came in it was half priced so I presume Ford subsidised my membership payment since I have Total Care cover which is more than adequate than standard cover.

I have heard that Ford roadside assist doesn't apply to the Ranger because it's a 'Commercial Vehicle'.
I might have to actually ask at my next service.

Itsme · 30-06-2014, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben73

I have heard that Ford roadside assist doesn't apply to the Ranger because it's a 'Commercial Vehicle'.
I might have to actually ask at my next service.

Well it was offered to me & I got the confirmation in a letter from RACV, interestingly if you go to the Ford website & check Capped price servicing it states free roadside assist for all vehicles including fleet.
http://www.ford.com.au/ownership/myf...rs/cappedprice

Mulga · 30-06-2014, 08:45 AM

I've always had to ask the dealer to send me the roadside assistance card, not once have they provided it to me at the time of paying for the service.

mechanic · 30-06-2014, 09:02 AM

Manufacturers roadside assistance is a selling point, nothing more.
After spending the majority of my working life in dealerships and RACQ workshops I've lost count of the number of motorists who mistakenly believe that their local dealer will rush to their assistance in the event of a breakdown.
Breakdowns are contracted out to RACQ or the corresponding body in their state.
Then the vehicle is taken to the dealer, most times there isn't one in remote areas.
How many dealerships have a tilt tray anyway, I've never worked in one?
You'll be picked up be a contractor, that's the roadside assistance they're talking about.

Itsme · 30-06-2014, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechanic

Manufacturers roadside assistance is a selling point, nothing more.
After spending the majority of my working life in dealerships and RACQ workshops I've lost count of the number of motorists who mistakenly believe that their local dealer will rush to their assistance in the event of a breakdown.
Breakdowns are contracted out to RACQ or the corresponding body in their state.
Then the vehicle is taken to the dealer, most times there isn't one in remote areas.
How many dealerships have a tilt tray anyway, I've never worked in one?
You'll be picked up be a contractor, that's the roadside assistance they're talking about.

Quite true but if your vehicle is still under warranty then hopefully will be transferred to nearest dealer for repairs or nominated repairer by Ford depending on location., you can correct me if I'm wrong stating this.

LeadFoot81 · 30-06-2014, 03:18 PM

I bought my ST in August last year (with RACV road assist included)

When I got the first service done, the dealership renewed the road assist for 12 months.

From memory the program runs for 7 years (as long as the car is serviced at a Ford dealership)

mechanic · 30-06-2014, 03:49 PM

trublu

" Quite true but if your vehicle is still under warranty then hopefully will be transferred to nearest dealer for repairs or nominated repairer by Ford depending on location., you can correct me if I'm wrong stating this. "

Yes, in fact while working at Kununurra at the RACWA agency we picked up a Nissan that had engine immobiliser problems [ no way would it start ].
Finished up with the vehicle on a semi and off to Perth. It may have been Main Roads so that could be a different scenario as well.
Warranty in my day was weird, I don't know if things have changed much.

**DJM83** · 30-06-2014, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeadFoot81

I bought my ST in August last year (with RACV road assist included)

When I got the first service done, the dealership renewed the road assist for 12 months.

From memory the program runs for 7 years (as long as the car is serviced at a Ford dealership)

Yep, had it with my old XR5T. But i stopped getting it serviced at Ford for a good reason.

Got it with my ST aswell, and its being serviced at Ford aswell.
That said ive never used it on either of the above 2 cars.

Yellow_Festiva · 30-06-2014, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trublu

Quite true but if your vehicle is still under warranty then hopefully will be transferred to nearest dealer for repairs or nominated repairer by Ford depending on location., you can correct me if I'm wrong stating this.

They will take it to the nearest dealership, and from there they will try to solve the problem or take it to where it was bought.

I had warranty work done at Artarmon. Driving out of Sydney something went wrong and I pulled over in that rest stop around 10 minutes past Narellan Rd.

It towed to a dealership out Campbelltown way, then got taken back to Artarmon. Don't know at what point the roadside assist cut off and the dealer started paying but the towie kept trying to get me to pay for the tow after X km, even thoug it was arranged through the roadside assist program.

Wouldn't have been cheap...

superfly · 30-06-2014, 06:00 PM

I bought my car in Oct 2011 and each time I get a service, I get the free Ford roadside assistance. First couple of times they gave me a card but one time they didn't.

I got my car serviced at the start of May and a few weeks later I got a letter from RACQ and a membership card. As I was already a member with my wife's car, I got the XR50 added onto the same membership card.

I'm hoping this time I will get my full 12 months as I get my car serviced every 9 months so I used to loose 3 months of roadside assistance as they wouldn't carry the unused portion over. I hope RACQ do!

staity · 30-06-2014, 08:27 PM

I was told when i bought my ute 6 years ago that i had roadside for 3 years. Broke down one day about 18 months into ownership, rang ford roadside and was told my car didnt exist on their records and they wouldnt help me. Had to organise a tow truck at my own expense and when i brought it up at the delaership they seemed uninterested in my problems.

Smoke Pursuit · 30-06-2014, 11:14 PM

It's included if you pay for fixed price servicing. The sticker should have a serial number on it with an racq, racv logo etc on it. Ranger gets it too.

nitro50th · 01-07-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DASH GT

It's included if you pay for fixed price servicing. The sticker should have a serial number on it with an racq, racv logo etc on it. Ranger gets it too.

I got a service about 3 weeks ago but got no serial number on my sticker. The service guy asked for my RACV membership card and took my member number though, but i didnt receive a Ford roadside card.

Interestingly, i have a card from an earlier service (2013) and it stated eligibility for cars less than 6 years old and under 103k (since new warranty start date). My new sticker (and the Ford website) now state 7 years and 135k. Must have changed just recently.

ShootsWithFilm · 05-07-2014, 01:32 PM

I ended up calling the dealer about it - their words "looks like a glitch and it wasn't submitted"...... why do I feel like calling bullshit?

I wonder if its worthwhile calling the Ford RSA number and see if I am on the system?

Itsme · 05-07-2014, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShootsWithFilm

I ended up calling the dealer about it - their words "looks like a glitch and it wasn't submitted"...... why do I feel like calling bullshit?

I wonder if its worthwhile calling the Ford RSA number and see if I am on the system?

Just ask the dealer to reissue it otherwise tell them you will take your car to another dealer.

cherokee45 · 06-07-2014, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trublu

When I had my car serviced there was no mention till I asked the dealer which they said they sent paper work off to ford.
Two weeks later I was notified by RACV of the Ford roadside assist on my membership with them, when my RACV renewal came in it was half priced so I presume Ford subsidised my membership payment since I have Total Care cover which is more than adequate than standard cover.

My experience as well. I have RACV Gold membership and was 1/2 priced after filling out the paperwork at the Ford dealership. If you are with RACV, RACQ, NRMA be sure to tell the Ford dealer as you are sigining up for road assist. (Clever way for the service provider to get new customers)

csv8 · 07-07-2014, 12:34 AM

Isn't it the basic road side service ? living in the country I need RACQ Ultra to get service ..
http://www.ford.com.au/ownership/myf...ide-assistance