Long Term Relationship Ends in Bitter Disappointment

Long Term Relationship with Ford Ends in Bitter Disappointment

I am an Oklahoma farm boy who grew up loving Ford trucks. Our small town was split in its loyalty between Ford and Chevy, but Ford blood ran thick through my family's veins. Throughout a span of thirty years , my family owned over thirty various models of Ford trucks. We used, abused and loved our trucks while working the farm. Each time we retired a truck, we replaced it with another Ford- we knew we could trust the quality, and the manufacturer.

Since leaving home, I have owned three Ford F-150s. Each new truck, I have stepped up in ammenities, but held true to my love of the sturdy basics of the Ford F-150. In 2006, I traded in my F-150 2003 for my current truck, a F-150 2005 Extended cab XLT. When I purchased the truck it had 24,000 miles on it, with a clean history. Since owning the truck, I have been religious (as taught by my father and grandfather) about changing all vehicle fluids and other necessary vehicle maintenance.

In mid-December 2008, I was driving back from working in Steamboat Springs, CO. I was driving up the pass above Steamboat Springs, approximately 25 miles out of town, when my emissons light came on and I began to lose power. As I tried to make it down the pass, I lost brake pressure and the sensors would not allow me to switch from second gear. Knowing I had 50 miles with no services if I continued towards Denver, I turned around and eased my way down the pass to the Ford dealership in Steamboat Springs.

As I barely pulled my vehicle to the Ford dealership, thoughts of what could be wrong ran through my head. I was guessing it may be an issue of water in my fuel or the cold and altitude combination (although it had never happened before). It never crossed my mind that I was about to be told something much more serious.

It didn't take long for the technicians at the dealership to hook up my vehicle to the diagnostics computer and quickly deliver the report: Cylinders 1 and 3 were damaged and the diagnostics read internal engine failure. The only solution they could offer was an engine replacement. The technician also showed me the spark plugs, missing their porcelain casing, but there was no sign of any porcelain pieces in the engine. I was dumb-struck to hear this diagnosis on a Ford F-150 that had been well-maintained with only 59,000 miles on it.

Unable to leave my truck at a dealership over 180 miles from my house, I had the vehicle towed to a Ford dealership just 4 miles from my house. The technicians there ran similar diagnostics, which resulted in the same report.

While my truck was being held at the Ford dealership, I kept busy doing some research of my own. After scanning the internet for any references to similar issues with the 2005 Ford F-150 engine, I discovered several similar cases. I have contacted Ford, as have both dealerships, regarding this issue. I have simply been told that the truck is 'out of warranty' so it is not their problem. They did not want to hear any further details. The fact that a well-maintained Ford F-150 with only 59,000 miles on it has internal engine failure IS a problem. This is not the standard I was raised to believe in, nor does it represent the FORD name that has been trusted up until now. Due to this problem, and the fact that no one at Ford will even deem this issue worthy of the slightest attention, I will never purchase another Ford truck, nor will anyone in my family. A once time-honored family tradition has come to a bitter end.

Comment On This

I feel your pain - Ford can not be considered a viable automotive company. My 2005 F-150 King Ranch is loaded with problems and I'm so disgusted with the dealerships in this area that, even though under warranty, I don't need their BullSh-T.

I definately, like yourself will never trust or purchase another Ford and have actually become an advocate against Ford.

What else can we do - Ford Sucks...