"Pulse" Braking System Not Working, Despite Paying For It - any recourse

[jtthomas]

Hello all,

I purchased my 2022 hybrid Ford Maverick XLT in February 2022, off the lot (no preorder) from Wade Ford in Smyrna, GA. At the time the dealer markup was not too bad, but they also tacked on two charges for dealer extras: $200 for etching my windows with my VIN, and $600 for the Pulse brake system, where the third brake pulses to avoid accidents.

At the time, I didn't have the ability to say "remove it or I walk", because I really wanted the truck. In any case, I wasn't necessarily against the Pulse as I had read a bit about it potentially decreasing the risk of rear end accidents.

However, I never actually verified that the Pulse worked. So just today, my wife happened to be driving behind me, and I called her while I experimented with braking. I braked hard, I braked softly, I braked repeatedly. Never once did she see the Pulse system actually work.

So I think I got scammed - charged $600 for something they didn't even include. What is my available recourse? If I can verify it's not installed, can I sue in small claims court? It's not easy for me to go back to the dealership - it's a 6 hour drive - so going back and demanding they refund me or install it is not an option.

Thanks for your help!

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[UberGadgetFreak]

I've seen this kind of thing before. As aggravating as it can be, the first step is to go to the dealership and show them you paid for it and that it is not there. My recommendation is to have someone follow you and record video to have video proof as well. Give them the option to install it or refund the purchase price so you can get it elsewhere. Given the price, it would be a small claims issue and pretty striaghtforward if you have the video proof and bill of sale stating it was included.

 

[Speed2000]

I would take it to a local dealer and have them check if it's actually there. If not, speak to the service advisor and ask him if he wouldn't mind if you called your sales person at Wade Ford and ask for them to send you a check for the refund. Tell him were standing in the service managers office at whatever Ford you are at and he would indeed verify it was never installed.


If its there and not working, Wade needs to pay for that dealership to fix it.

 

[jtthomas]

I would take it to a local dealer and have them check if it's actually there. If not, speak to the service advisor and ask him if he wouldn't mind if you called your sales person at Wade Ford and ask for them to send you a check for the refund. Tell him were standing in the service managers office at whatever Ford you are at and he would indeed verify it was never installed.


If its there and not working, Wade needs to pay for that dealership to fix it.

Thanks for this advice! I will try this, I think is is probably the best option. I live 6 hours away from Wade Ford, otherwise I'd just go on down there and ask them to check it out. I've also given Wade Ford a call and am waiting for their GM to get back to me.

 

[jtthomas]

I've seen this kind of thing before. As aggravating as it can be, the first step is to go to the dealership and show them you paid for it and that it is not there. My recommendation is to have someone follow you and record video to have video proof as well. Give them the option to install it or refund the purchase price so you can get it elsewhere. Given the price, it would be a small claims issue and pretty striaghtforward if you have the video proof and bill of sale stating it was included.

Thanks! Unfortunately I live about 6 hours away from the dealership, but I will follow another poster's advice and get video evidence that the Pulse is not working. I may also take it to my local dealership and have them verify whether or not it was actually installed. Then, I'll take that evidence to Wade Ford.

If they won't refund me, I agree, video evidence and the bill of sale would be pretty cut and dry in small claims court.

 

[jmckinley]

Thanks! Unfortunately I live about 6 hours away from the dealership, but I will follow another poster's advice and get video evidence that the Pulse is not working. I may also take it to my local dealership and have them verify whether or not it was actually installed. Then, I'll take that evidence to Wade Ford.

If they won't refund me, I agree, video evidence and the bill of sale would be pretty cut and dry in small claims court.

Holy Cow! Even if it did work, at $600 you still got screwed. You can buy 2 bulbs that pulse from Walmart.com for $8.25. They must have been out of them at Walmart the day they prepped your truck.

 

[TheWizziard]

I would hope that it wasn't installed and get a refund

$600

$15.28 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Alla-Lightin...lsing+brake+lights&qid=1682090613&sr=8-1&th=1

 

[dhill59]

I would hope that it wasn't installed and get a refund

$600

$15.28 at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Alla-Lighting-Strobe-Flashing-Brilliant/dp/B07F9MV3Z8/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=557365445710&hvdev=c&hvlocint=9028165&hvlocphy=9138328&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14677053690891905031&hvtargid=kwd-560910862277&hydadcr=19077_13356442&keywords=pulsing+brake+lights&qid=1682090613&sr=8-1&th=1

Do these fit the Maverick? According to the Amazon "Does this fit", they do not.

 

[TheWizziard]

Do these fit the Maverick? According to the Amazon "Does this fit", they do not.

I was not intending to give a exact replacement. Only to show that there are greatly less expensive options. $600 is outrageous IMHO.

If you wanted to go this route you would need to check the current bulb number (WT21-7W) with the replacement equivalent number.

In line circuit boards are also available for those that are comfortable doing wiring mods.

Such as:

https://www.12volt.solutions/produc...pIpHuQNVqN2Ug7kTQCrtSdwLOuDKOExBoCLGIQAvD_BwE

 

[Bushpilot]

"Not working" is not the same as "not installed," one is a potential warranty claim (from the installing dealer, not Ford), the other is fraud.

First determine (yourself or another dealer/mechanic) whether they were ever installed. Then you can determine what your next step will be.

If it was never installed, I would attempt to get refunded, with the worst case of getting it installed now. If not working, I would seek to have them fix it, with the worst case of them refusing to do so, and I lose.

Neither case is worth a 6-hour drive, unfortunately. So, perhaps you can get them to cut you a check?

 

[gte105u]

Thanks! Unfortunately I live about 6 hours away from the dealership, but I will follow another poster's advice and get video evidence that the Pulse is not working. I may also take it to my local dealership and have them verify whether or not it was actually installed. Then, I'll take that evidence to Wade Ford.

If they won't refund me, I agree, video evidence and the bill of sale would be pretty cut and dry in small claims court.

Small claims court would have to be in the appropriate Jurisdiction. Unfortunately that would typically involve the city or county you bought it in, necessitating a 6 hour drive. I doubt court is a viable option, and I imagine the dealer knows that if you beat your chest threatening it (very likely they just starting sending you to their lawyer if you do).

If they are reasonable people they'll likely refund if they didn't actually install it. You can try to prove it, but I imagine their service records would indicate that. If they are dishonest I don't imagine there's anything you are going to do to get this made right.

 

[realshelby]

Be aware this is NOT a Ford Warranty claim-working or not!

Be aware that taking Maverick to another Ford Dealer to verify an aftermarket installation of a product....is something you should expect to be charged for! Their time is not free, this is a "customer pay" situation.

A very large percentage of vehicles with add-ons like this never actually have them! Paint Protection, scotchguarding, undercoating....were all on bump stickers but hardly ever actually done to cars....

 

[gte105u]

Be aware this is NOT a Ford Warranty claim-working or not!

Be aware that taking Maverick to another Ford Dealer to verify an aftermarket installation of a product....is something you should expect to be charged for! Their time is not free, this is a "customer pay" situation.

A very large percentage of vehicles with add-ons like this never actually have them! Paint Protection, scotchguarding, undercoating....were all on bump stickers but hardly ever actually done to cars....

Yeah the idea mentioned about to take it to a local dealer, then have them call the other dealer is not realistic. That's going to cost almost as much as he's trying to recover, and still not resolve anything. OP would be better off just buying the pulse lights and installing himself with the money he would waste getting someone else involved.

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