Lafayette Ford service dept. I advise Keep away Bad service

[gmcjimmy88]

I just picked my car (200 ford focus 5 speed)up for the 4th time (same problems each time). I pray it is good this time around. I originally dropped my car off on Feb 19 2007 for 5th gear grinding intermitently and to get a new key made. Anyway after they did a "complete" trans re-build they test drove it and 2nd gear would not engage. So they rebuilt it again (for those keeping count that makes 2 times). I finally get my car back Mar 19 2007 ( one month later). I still was not dring at that time so my wife was driving it (she is a little softer with it). On May 11th (1100 miles later) the problem has returned only this time 1 st 3rd and 5th gears will not engage and just grind. Took it into the deal the next workday May 14th. They "determine" that the shift tower (not inside the car but on top of the trans.) is worn. They replaced the shift tower and called me to come pick it up. I have learned from prior experiences to test drive before accepting any of the work. They said they drove it several times without fail. I made it 2 miles down the road and could not downshift into 3rd gear now. This is the 3rd very similar problem. They tear the trans back down again and found the shift fork "bad". I later (today) found out that there was nothing physically wrong with the fork but ford said "it fails often so go ahead and replace it". That makes the 3rd tear down and the 4th time in and 42 days total. They supplied me with a rental car but tried charging my extended warranty company for it. The also ttried to get my warranty company to pay for some of the other parts/labor defects. I stopped that rather quickly. I will be calling ford motor company and talking to someone at headquaters about it. Anyone got a good number for them? Ok I think I have vented long enough

[Wes]

should be 1 800 number in your owners manual to regional Supervisor.

[71 LONG BED]

Nothing is more aggravating than getting the "run around". Bad service seems to be the norm lately. It's a shame, really. I hope things are staightened out now.

[mrsnicks]

Check the NC Lemon laws, and make sure you keep records and document everything. I think that you can get a vehicle, or get reimbursement if you have 5 issues of the exact same kind.... 5 strikes makes it a lemon.

Again checkout google or your favorite search engine and check out the NC lemon laws.

Patrick

[gmcjimmy88]

Check the NC Lemon laws, and make sure you keep records and document everything. I think that you can get a vehicle, or get reimbursement if you have 5 issues of the exact same kind.... 5 strikes makes it a lemon.

Again checkout google or your favorite search engine and check out the NC lemon laws.

Patrick

I looked into that a little bit but since it is a used car with an extended warranty ford is not responsible and the problems have been in the trans but different items. I thought it was good but ton my way to work this morning it jumped out of 3rd on me 3 times.

[mrsnicks]

I would still check, and lemon laws still apply to used vehicles I believe. Problems with the transmission is still problems with the same thing to me. I don't care if it's a different part inside the transmission each time.

Patrick

[gmcjimmy88]

N.C. does not have any lemon laws for used cars. Checked into that already.

[Zephyrmec]

Hate to tell you this, but you are dealing with an 8 year old Focus. (still only 7 when this started) You're talking the bottom of the line entry level car, already beyond it's planned lifespan. You may want to think about making it go away. (good money after bad, cut your losses, etc.)

[gmcjimmy88]

Wow bringing up the past LOL. The topic was started becuase of the bad work that was done on the car. If people got rid of what was more than 2 years old we would not have any bumpsides around. 7 years old with only 70,000 miles is very good actually. The car is fine it was the craptacular service techs working on it that was the problem. Within 24 hours of taking it to a different dealer the problem was fixed and has yet to return. They had 5-6 try's but no luck.