2023 Maverick Hybrid XLT Front Axle Wobble Journey

[Hillbilly]

I'd sell the dam thing and be done

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[Ken L]

My thoughts are along those of CTYankee "
I would really want to know how a 55-mile vehicle becomes used and with title problems.

My first thought is that, with that mileage and the problems described, it has to have been wrecked".
The 'title problem issue' is a BIG RED flag for me. Was the person (original order) going to take delivery and the dealership had already started the title registration process and just not having the final signature. (i'm just thinking of how it works here in Ontario. My Maverick was titled/licensed when I arrived to pick it up, just needed the final signature)
Was it damaged, dropped of a hoist, driven into a ditch or slide sideways over a curb while to the final PDI. Only the dealership would know and I don't think you will get the answer from them. I would suggest taking it to a reputable alignment shop, have them inspect your truck. If there are suspension components that are bent, new axles will not correct the excessive tire wear and may not even help with the wobble.

Ken

 

[Rockingchair]

I know I am theorizing, however it is possible that the woman that claimed to have passed on the pickup could have actually signed the paperwork to purchase and taken delivery only to have the financing fall out. If that happens (and I Have seen it happen) then the vehicle is technically used even if the prior owner only drove it around the block and owned it for 20 min. In old days dealers would fight to prevent this from happening, however in this market its a win for the dealer, he can ask as much as he wants.

 

[vRS]

Sure appreciate this forum for the info provided. Spent two years searching out my Cactus Grey 2023 Hybrid XLT and was able to purchase mine at a dealership in February of this year. A women had ordered the vehicle in the fall of 2022 and subsequently purchased one at auction. When the vehicle was delivered to the dealership for her to pick up, she declined the purchase and the dealership called me offering it to me after they dealt with the title issues. Window sticker MSRP at $28,000, dealership started at $40,000 asking price. I really wanted this vehicle and was able to drive off the lot having paid $10,000 over the MSRP. Just love this truck! My first Ford vehicle, so my first time dealing with Ford Motor Co. I came to find out that my vehicle that arrived at the dealership with 55 miles on it and sold to me with 55 miles on it was sold to me as a used vehicle. The dealership would not award the new car FordPass Rewards points and I had to argue with the dealership to finally get my used vehicle purchase points. Not a big deal, but it sure left a bad impression.
At the end of May my front tires were bald. I contacted the dealership and went into their FastLane, at which time they reported the tires were defective and replaced the factory Continental tires on the front at no charge. They replaced in June at about 7,000 miles. Quick response, great service.
In August I began having the "Death Wobble" in my front end whenever I accelerated past about 30-40%. This would stop when I backed off or when I reached a level speed. Both of the new front tires were loosing all their tread. At 10,000 miles I had the scheduled service and was told by the FastLane crew that the front end wobbling might be my drivetrain and that I needed to go to the dealership service area to assess. The service manager was unable to get the wobble to occur and we left it that if it reoccured I should bring it to a dealership.
Early September and the front end wobble is worse and my front tires are almost bald again. Called my local dealership to schedule diagnostic appointment and was given an appointment for a month and a half later. Made that appointment this past Monday and was told that the front axle needed replacing and that the dealership had ordered one that would be on back-order at this time. I asked the Service Advisor if both front axles were being addressed and she replied that there was only one front axle on my vehicle. She also reported that my front tires would not be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty and gave me a printed estimate on the cost to replace all four tires. I left the dealership service department with my truck exactly as I had driven it in that morning. Same wobble in the front end and both front tires bald (I had to swap out the driver side front tire with the spare because it would not hold air).
Upon returning home I got on this forum and looked at others experience with the exact same issues. I also verified that, as I thought, my front wheel drive truck does indeed have two front axles/CV joints. I recontacted the dealership and spoke with the Service Advisor I had worked with on Monday and asked her to verify that both the right and left front axles were ordered. She stated that the passenger side was the only side affected, but would check with the service manager to clarify. I stated that both axles would need replacement. She called me back shortly and told me that both were ordered, but that the passenger side axle was on back order.
I went ahead and contacted Ford Motor Co in Dearborn about my concern over the defective axles on my 2023 vehicle and issues surrounding replacement of both the axles and my front tires. I now have a case number and was assured a customer service representative would contact me within 24 hours.
Again, I LOVE this truck. I was impressed with the engineering and design, as well as Ford Motor Co's forward thinking in producing a unibody, 4 door, hybrid truck that would be affordable to people unable to normally get into either the truck or hybrid market. As for service and customer care, I am yet to be satisfied with this aspect of Ford Motor Co. (FastLane staff/service excluded).
I will continue to update my journey getting these issues resolved and look for a YouTube post soon.

It sounds like a dealership employee bought it and flipped it back to the dealership and made some $$$$ in the process.

The dealership then listed and sold it to you as a Used vehicle with 50 miles on it and a $10k markup. That would also explain the "title issues". There probably wasn't any issue with the title. They were just waiting for it to come in after the vehicle was bought back by them.

This is one of ways dealers got around looking greedy when excessively marking up new vehicles.

You should pull a Carfax report on your Maverick. The report should tell you the history of ownership. It might even show how many miles were on it when it arrived at the dealership, had it's PDI done, or when it was sold to the first owner.

 

[computerpulse]

This post has to be clickbait? First off a dealer was selling a vehicle 10 thousand dollars over sticker? And secondly you actually paid 10 thousand dollars over sticker price?!

It’s not unusual for the dealer to up the price on these vehicles. If you look at trade in value its more than what you purchase the vehicle for.

 

[Walter56]

That's a pretty common setup for FWD/AWD Fords the past decade+. They don't run a long "tailshaft" across to the passenger side because it needs to provision for mounting a PTU for the AWD applications, and even then they still utilize a support bearing.

True. Same setup on my 2007 escape hybrid

 

[Walter56]

The OP should have known something was up when the dealer told him they had to deal with a "title issue" before they could sell it to him.

Salvage title?

Wonder if it was wrecked

 

[JefCo]

I feel the term “Death Wobble” is being improperly used.

 

[Tim d]

It’s not unusual for the dealer to up the price on these vehicles. If you look at trade in value its more than what you purchase the vehicle for.

This makes no sense to me that a vehicle that's been owned ond used by someone else is worth more than a brand new never purchased one! Does it make sense to you?

 

[Tim d]

Personally I think it speaks to current society in as a lack of patience and discipline.one would pay more than something is worth because they want it now! I had no problem waiting 8 months for my mav,and not paying a dime over sticker.

 

[Deleted member 27965]

Pet peeve here: this isn't "Death wobble". It's speed wobble. Drive a Super duty, Wrangler/XJ/FSJ, or Ram long enough, and you'll find how how much more terrifying the death wobble actually is. Only solid front axle vehicles can get the death wobble, as it is a product of a bump upsetting the front axle, and setting into motion a high-speed side-to-side oscillation of the entire front axle. It feels like you're in a blender until you can bring the vehicle to an almost compete stop.

This makes no sense to me that a vehicle that's been owned ond used by someone else is worth more than a brand new never purchased one! Does it make sense to you?

This makes no sense to me that a vehicle that's been owned ond used by someone else is worth more than a brand new never purchased one! Does it make sense to you?

Doesn't make sense to me that a year old used Maverick Hybrid sells above the original purchase price.

 

[James K]

If we hit the oil companies with "windfall profits tax" back in the day, seems like we could do the same for dealerships selling over list. Oh wait. No we can't do that. Because the dealers own pretty much every politician in the USA at local, state, and federal levels. Same reason we can't pass anti fraudulent charges legislation.

Some dealers are sharks. When they see prey walk in the door, the blood splatters the windows.

Yeah, those greedy oil companies made 7 cents a gallon. Lucky our government, who in most states made over a dollar a gallon, taught them a lesson. And by the way, it's not our fault the oil companies suffered losses and marginal profits for a few years prior to record profits.

 

[Exranger]

Don’t know if it was mentioned but there is a tsb for a defective hub. My friend sent it to me, he knows I have a mav, he works for Ford parts. Something to look at

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