Anyone ever have issues getting warranty service at dealers they didn't buy from?

[DaddyDan]

I reduced the tire pressure myself because the dealer did not.. I'm aware I stated my hopes that it's tire balance or alignment issue in the OP.. thanks for the input tho!

If you want to start with the tire thing before bothering the dealer, you could pay out of pocket to a local tire shop to do a road force balancing on all four tires. It shouldn't be terribly expensive. If that doesn't work then take it to the dealer.

I had a Continental ProContact TX go bad on my 2018 Buick Regal TourX (factory tire) but that was because it had the Contisilent technology that included a foam lining in the tire. Like dozens of other owners I had the foam come detatched. Dealer just put an irresponsible amount of weights on the tire in an attempt to balance it. Local tire shop got it right.

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[jyoshcyox]

I bought mine in Colorado and live in NM. I gave many dealers within several hours driving distance a chance at my business but finding a hybrid AWD XL with 4K tow proved to be difficult (and I didn't want to order, I'm trying to find a truck that is built in the 6 figures each year, not a Corvette.)

If you have issues, I'd report it to Ford. I'm sure they'd like to know how their dealers are treating customers. Hopefully because its a Ford there should be other dealer groups within a reasonable driving distance. (Ex: There is a dealer in town and a dealer in the next town over - an hour of driving but here in the Southwest not unreasonable.)

I'll also illustrate it with a story. My dad spent his working life as a John Deere salesman in a small county in the Midwest that had more than one John Deere dealer and a few within 45 min or so of his dealership. Of course customers would shop around (like any smart consumer) but then bring the tractor to the nearest dealer for most of their service. My Dad would grumble a bit, but ultimately the dealership was going to make money off of it. Even if it's warranty work engendering loyalty in the customer to make ongoing profits should be a goal.

Same, I'm in PA, flew to OK, to pick mine up got $5200 off MSRP.. local dealers didn't believe me, even though I had a buyers order, saying "they're gonna hit you with adds" suprise they did not.. locals were only willing to go about $1500.. Maryland was about 3k off MSRP BUT crazy adds broughtit back to around $1500, I tried almost every dealer in PA, OH, MD, NY, IN, IL.. no one would touch that price.

 

[710-oil-614]

The dealer I bought my vehicle from doesn't sell Ford Protect warranties so can't even be an issue.

 

[jyoshcyox]

If you want to start with the tire thing before bothering the dealer, you could pay out of pocket to a local tire shop to do a road force balancing on all four tires. It shouldn't be terribly expensive. If that doesn't work then take it to the dealer.

I had a Continental ProContact TX go bad on my 2018 Buick Regal TourX (factory tire) but that was because it had the Contisilent technology that included a foam lining in the tire. Like dozens of other owners I had the foam come detatched. Dealer just put an irresponsible amount of weights on the tire in an attempt to balance it. Local tire shop got it right.

I did consider this.. but thought it may be good to try to start a good relationship with a local dealer (or weed out the bad ones) in the event a larger issue arises..

 

[DaddyDan]

I did consider this.. but thought it may be good to try to start a good relationship with a local dealer (or weed out the bad ones) in the event a larger issue arises..

Not a bad thought. Wife loves to deal with the local GMC dealer (family has been buying vehicles there for decades) but I hate their service department. Too much "parts cannon" not enough diagnosis.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Hey Gang, 2025 XL Hybrid AWD 4k Tow ~3000mi

I was just wondering if dealer service departments ever give you trouble for not buying at their dealership or refuse loaners if it requires extended service..

The issue for those curious. Im getting some slight wheel vibrations above 70mph, gets worse the faster you go.. around 80+ is pretty Bad and feels unsafe.

The dealer would be short sighted if they give you a problem to do warranty work.
Dealers make most of their money on service, and warranty work is an opportunity to earn your business.

Having moved around a lot, I've seldom went to a dealer where I bought a car and never had a problem with getting warranty service, but I haven't owned many Fords.

As to your issue, it could just be an out of balance tire, and all it takes for that to happen is some mud on a wheel. That's easy to see and easy to correct. It could also be a wheel weight that came off. Did the issue just start recently?

I'd be surprised if it was an axle problem, and an out of alignment issue doesn't usually cause a vibration, but you will notice it doesn't track correctly and/or typically will pull to one side.

If you are planning on getting some new rubber, you might be able to get a tire shop to check and / or correct an existing balance problem so you know that's okay before the tire/wheel package is installed as part of your deal, which means you could avoid the dealership altogether if that turns out to be the case, and you can do the test drive yourself.

If there is a warranty problem, you would be able to tell the dealer service department that the wheel balance was already checked, so there is a warranty issue to address and you can get your new tires and wheels after the dealer is done with the truck.

I hope this helps.

BTW - We have the same XL Hybrid AWD 4K trucklett except mine is carbonized gray metallic.

Hopefully your issue is a simple one to correct. Good luck.

 

[Bob The Builder]

I have on numerous occasions over the years with various vehicles. Always get the same song & dance. "You'll get better service and attention if you take it back to the dealer you purchased it from."

Translation, your service dept. sucks then.

I hate dealerships. I never take a vehicle back to a dealer for anything once the warranty period has expired.

 

[jyoshcyox]

The dealer would be short sighted if they give you a problem to do warranty work.
Dealers make most of their money on service, and warranty work is an opportunity to earn your business.

Having moved around a lot, I've seldom went to a dealer where I bought a car and never had a problem with getting warranty service, but I haven't owned many Fords.

As to your issue, it could just be an out of balance tire, and all it takes for that to happen is some mud on a wheel. That's easy to see and easy to correct. It could also be a wheel weight that came off. Did the issue just start recently?

I'd be surprised if it was an axle problem, and an out of alignment issue doesn't usually cause a vibration, but you will notice it doesn't track correctly and/or typically will pull to one side.

If you are planning on getting some new rubber, you might be able to get a tire shop to check and / or correct an existing balance problem so you know that's okay before the tire/wheel package is installed as part of your deal, which means you could avoid the dealership altogether if that turns out to be the case, and you can do the test drive yourself.

If there is a warranty problem, you would be able to tell the dealer service department that the wheel balance was already checked, so there is a warranty issue to address and you can get your new tires and wheels after the dealer is done with the truck.

I hope this helps.

BTW - We have the same XL Hybrid AWD 4K trucklett except mine is carbonized gray metallic.

Hopefully your issue is a simple one to correct. Good luck.

Negative, I noticed it on the way home, from the dealer in Oklahoma, didn't go above 70 much since that was the posted speed limit most of the way but noticed while passing a few times.. I did drive it briefly before signing the paperwork but didn't have any opportunity to drive at those speeds..

 

[710-oil-614]

Negative, I noticed it on the way home, from the dealer in Oklahoma, didn't go above 70 much since that was the posted speed limit most of the way but noticed while passing a few times.. I did drive it briefly before signing the paperwork but didn't have any opportunity to drive at those speeds..

Either an out of balance tire or wheel. Can be fairly common to occur especially shipped when the tire is cinched down for towing.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Gotcha - Still it's much more likely to be an out of balance tire/wheel as others have noted.
It doesn't take much for vibration at high speed.
Good luck.

 

[jyoshcyox]

Gotcha - Still it's much more likely to be an out of balance tire/wheel as others have noted.
It doesn't take much for vibration at high speed.
Good luck.

Yeah that's my hope in my internet search about it I did see a guy mention one (or 2) of the stock tires he got the dealer was bad, unable to balance so they installed a new one (or 2).. I'm just glad it's covered (12mo./12kmi).. never had an issue with a brand new vehicle before.

Seems like the consensus is that these stock continental are trash, but no reason not to ride em in the summer IMO.. but we've had a few pretty heavy snows, def not the best in extreme weather, but they did alright..

 

[MaverickDragon]

Yep, It could be a tire defect causing the issue, but it is as or more likely to be an out of balance that perhaps wasn't done right in the first place.

In either case the dealer should take care of it, if you are going that route.
I was reacting to your dealer avoidance comments with my prior suggestion.

Myself, I'm getting a set of Falken WildPeak Trails to replace the stock Conti rubber, and I'm not a fan of the stock XL wheels either, so I'll replace both wheels and tires at the same time.

I drive on poorly (if at all) maintained dirt/rock/gravel/mud and unplowed snow, and the WildPeaks do great through all of that as well as on the interstate.

I have them on my Subaru - They work great and wear very slowly.

The Conti's actually have a pretty good reputation from what I've read for a road tire. but not so good in snow.

 

[commadorebob]

Based on my understanding of how it works, I don't think you are penalized by purchasing your warranty at a different dealership. Ford pays the dealer the same regardless.

Now, whether what you are experiencing is warranty or not is a different matter.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Based on my understanding of how it works, I don't think you are penalized by purchasing your warranty at a different dealership. Ford pays the dealer the same regardless.

Considering that you can buy the warranty online , you don't actually purchase the Ford backed warranty from a dealer but you might purchase it at a dealership.

Granger publishes their prices based on term length, mileage and other factors, but do dealers add a premium for them typing in your model and Vin information to buy it? .. IDK.

The dealer that sells you a Granger warranty is good at any Ford dealer.
It would be a breach of contract for a dealer not to honor the factory or extended warranty.
That's a can of worms they would be foolish to open.

Like you said, warranty repairs are paid for regardless which dealer does the work, so it's the same payment for a customer who bought the car where the work is done or someone who didn't.

As far as any difference, they might provide some additional priority to someone who bought their car at the dealership doing the service, but if it got to the point of a penalty, there would be legal implications to make that painful.

 

[LSchicago]

13 new Ford's and never had this happen.

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