Beware Key Scale Ford Service
 

This post was originally posted as a complaint. The complaint was unfounded and has been edited by the author..Keyscales ford is a good group of folks.

First of all, I know very little about cars, so take this with a grain of salt. It seems ridiculous what they are telling you. If the bug caused the short, your check engine light would have come on a year ago. A short is merely two wires touching and costs very little to repair. I just googled Ford Mass air flow sensor and it seems you can buy a replacement for $22. They, of course, get it cheaper. So, what they are charging, seems exorbitant. Keep fighting them and let us know the results. Good luck.

I would let the BBB know about it also

Let me tell you about my experience with this Ford dealership. I took my son's 2011 Ford F-150 to get it serviced last year. He was in Iraq so he left his truck with me in the Villages. It had less than 30,000 miles. First of all you can't make an appointment for an oil change, after the third stop, I decided to wait since he was coming home that weekend. After the oil change the female in charge of oil changes showed me the my fluids. Stating that the brake fluid and transmission fluid needed to be changed. I told her I would have him take care of it wen he gets back to Texas. (I been around cars and trucks all my life and know a little bit about fluids, never heard of changing the brake fluid at 34,000 miles?). Anyway, she also told me that my battery was bad, not putting out the power it should. I said, well change it, its under warranty. She was set back, didn't look at the mileage. She came back a few minutes later and told me that I needed to bring the tuck back the next day so they could recheck the output again. I told her no, change the battery, you said its bad, she said they really need to check it again after I drive it another day. Well, if you know me I have a little bit of a temper, a made sure everyone in the waiting room know what she was trying to pull. I told her to get the manager, she did and they changed the battery. She screw up, thought the truck was out of warranty and was trying to get me to buy an new one. I would never due any business with them again, in fact they keep sending coupons, I called and told them to take me off there mailing list.

SO, Beware of this Ford Dealer.

Thanks for listening!

:cus:

We will never deal with them. We always go to Ford of Ocala. We take both our vehicles there. They are really good & we've never found them to be dishonest like Key Scales.

I have the perfect fix for you. Buy a Toyota. I've been driving mine for 18 years and have never so much as had to change a lamp bulb. It is amazing to me the number of NEW American brand vehicles I see on the road with brake lights not working, etc. Just observe while you drive and make up your own mind. Now all you buy American at any cost posters can pile on.

I had the opposite experience. Bad Ford of Ocala in Belleview,tried a fast one to the tune of $2300 dolllars then double dipping on the warrenty.Took a Ford dealership in Michigan to bail me out.Would not let them touch my car again. Key did the work with no charge.Salesmen at Ford of Ocala scam artists.

see revised original post...

So, if you opened the air box and installed a FORD air filter, that's enough to deny the warranty?

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for deying the warranty.

I've had recall and maintenance work on my Ford F250 diesel done there. I remember when I asked them to change the brake fluid, they said they don't do it!!??????

see revised original post

Another prime example of why foreign car companies are doing so well. I have a recall on a part for my out of warranty Ford and won't take it in since I don't trust any dealership.

Just Curious
 

Did you have an oil change just prior to the check engine light coming on? I have a Toyota Highlander and anytime the oil is changed at a non-dealer, my check engine light will come on a day or two later. When the oil is changed at a Toyota dealer they always reset the light automatically. They even put to reset engine light on the invoice. Maybe it is only a quirky thing with Toyota Highlanders. Just a thought. I have had this quirky thing for years and am sure they explained why but don't remember.

See revised original post

Does the light that comes on say "Maintenance Required"? If so, that's not the same thing as a Check Engine light. The Maintenance Required light is just an indicator saying that x number of miles have gone by and it's time to change your oil.

There should be a procedure in your owner's manual for how to reset that light. If you can't find it, let me know the model year of your Highlander and I should be able to find the procedure for you.

Bill :)

:agree::agree:

A few years ago Ford of Ocala - Belleview facility changed my 80 YO mother over a thousand dollars to tighten a bolt on her car engine.


.

see revised original post

[QUOTE=chuckinca;523013]:agree::agree:

A few years ago Ford of Ocala - Belleview facility changed by 80 YO mother over a thousand dollars to tighten a bolt on her car engine.


I don't own a Ford, and have never worked at a dealership, but unless you can back this up with a link or an article someplace, it's BS!

In, addition,any time something doesn't go exactly right for somebody on this site, the classic response is, report it to "seniors against crime". Well bad news, any time a "senior" doesn't feel they are treated right, it's not a "crime". So why not just call 911 and cut to the chase. Be sure to tell them you felt your warranty wasn't honored. No doubt the swat tank will be on the way to the dealership. No doubt the jails are full of service writers from multiple dealerships for ripping off seniors


If you are so sure you got ripped off, sue them in small claims court.

ok so not buying a ford to take to TV

Do a Google search on "how to reset maintenance light" for your vehicle and I am sure you will find out how to reset things. For my Toyota Camry it is just a matter of holding down the trip odometer and then turning the ignition key to the first notch (not starting the car) and it is reset and good for another 10,000 miles.

Google is your friend.

VG

whattttttt
 

see revised original post

Never let them change your directional signal fluid even if they say it must be done.

That......or your hubcap gaskets..........or your muffler bearings........

:pepper2:

Bill :)

My experience with Key Scales is just the opposite. I had a problem with my Mustang convertible top cracking and it was getting close to the end of the warranty limit. They took pictures and sent them off to Ford and got the OK to replace the top, less then 2 days! No problem.

And Florida dealers LOVE to get a low-mileage, perfect-condition convertible in on trade, to sell again! That is a high-demand vehicle amongst used ones here.

Our experience with dealers of both domestic and foreign makes is to buy a car that never needs a repair during the 3-year/36,000 warranty period and beyond.....and one that will not need repairs at all until about 85-90,000 miles.

Translation: Buy a Honda, Toyota, or Nissan.

As a dealer once told me, domestic auto manufacturers make sure you're coming into the dealership regularly in those first 3 years/36,000 miles.....so that you're waiting in or next to the showroom.....where all the sparkling new ones are there just beckoning for you to come over and sit in the driver's seat and dream about a new one. Take in that unique new-car smell....it's quite convincing, you know!

Most customers have more important things to do with their time than sit and wait in a dealership, with their entire day(s) halted for lack of personal wheels.

happy for you
 

see revised original post

:1rotfl: :1rotfl: :1rotfl:

wow. do you own the dealership?

K & N Filter
 

My family and me have owned Fords since the 70'S. Being the "backyard mechanic" I maintained the family Fords. Never used a dealer service dept. From my experience K&N Filters do not work well on Ford products. The filter is coated with an oil and it can get across the Mass Air Flow sensor, causing a engine code that comes in as an O2 failure. They sell a Mass Air flow sensor cleaner in a spray can for about $5. I have seen a bug get in there with a regular filter and was able to use the cleaner to fix it. If the K&N was installed properly(sealed), I do not believe a bug could get in there. You may want to contact K&N and see if they will cover the cost or help you fight Ford.
I have friends who use K&N filters on GM products and have never had a problem. IMHO, unless you are racing your car I do not think K&N filters are worth the money.
Engine lights: There may be 2 on your car. 1 is a maintenance light that can be reset using instruction in the owner's manual. The "Check Engine" light needs to be reset with a "code reader". Coder readers can be purchased for less than $100. Try to calm down and take it easy. Fight the Fight, but don't let it get to you.:mad:

Thanks
 

see revised original post

apology,poor choice of words
 

see revised original post

Hang in there
 

It is hard to beat the "Big Boys" when it seems like it is their "bat, ball and field". But it can be done, hang in there and take it easy, your health depends on it. For what it's worth I agree with your position with Ford.:cus:

First let me say that I was a Honda tech for almost thirty years. Brake fluid IS something that you want to have changed about every three years. Just like changing your engine oil, it will save you money in replacement parts hands down. However at 30k assuming your ford is 2 to 3 years old, that should be premature for trans fluid.

I just purchased last month a 2004 Honda accord with 94000 miles for my son to replace his 1998 accord with 220000 miles. It still runs like a top, but he is 1000 miles away and I can't fix the things that may start to go wrong from here in TV.

I purchased this used car from Kuhn Honda on Tampa. Yes it was a long drive there, but I got a great deal on a great car. Among other things, they put new tires on it and fixed the AC the day I looked at it. Two weeks after I picked it up, the AC dies again. Since I was an ex Honda tech, I could see that the compressor was not working now and that the fix they had done before was to repair a wire to the compressor. That evidently was enough to move the wiring inside the compressor clutch/coil to get it to work for the two weeks. I talked with one of the general managers and said very politely that I knew I had no warranty on the 8 year old accord , but was hoping that for good will that some consideration could be given to me on the repair. He said bring it in and they would fix anything that was wrong with it. While I was there, since we only got one key with the car, I opted to spend $189 for a new key and program of the remote on that new key. The parts dept said to just tell service since they would put it on my repair order. Not only did the dealership replace the AC clutch but they didn't even charge me for the $189 key fob.

I find it incomprehensible that any dealership would deny a warranty claim as has been outlined here by the OP. It costs a dealer only the difference in customer pay vs warranty pay for a warranty repair. Just about anything a dealer wants to rep ace under warranty they can. And they keep a customer. Do you think I will ever buy another used Honda from anyone other than Kuhn. I understand that hondas policy has tighted somewhat since I retired 7 years ago, but I can give you one example of great customer goodwill. I owned my own Honda /Acura repair business for 20 of the 30 years iwas a tech. The 1990-1992 accords had problems with their distributor bearings failing around 130000 miles. This was about a $250 repair. We would do the repair even as an independent and then tell the customer to contact American Honda and they would be reimbursed for the repair. Hondas position was that the distributor should last the life of the car. Things like this ismwhy Honda and toyota have such loyal customers.

Jeff

I agree with the outrageous service attempts at Key scales ford. Have contacted Ford Corporate Headquarters in regards to a transmission issue. Key Scales Ford said transmission and A/C Compressor (3500.00) needed to be replaced. Surprise, surprise PCM (power control module) replaced (750.00) at a reputable service facility solved the problems. Oh and Ford would not honor the replacement under a warranty. imho....AVOID, AVOID this dealership. If you want more details pm me.

K&N
 

Not what you want to hear but Wetted Oil Air Cleaners can cause the Mass Air Flow Sensor to fail. Before Fuel Injection old school they were wonderful.

Now most Technicians have been trained to not recommend them. And in fact there are several bulletins out for shift problems drivealbilty and Service engine soon lights pertaining to this.

The filters oil mist travels in the airstreams vortex to the Hot Wire and causes the Mass Air Flow Sensor to give eronous Data " Althought the Driver never knows this " Or worse the sensor can fail.

If a Bug hit the sensor it is down stream from the air cleaner. This means the bug would have had to pass throught the air cleaner. That is unlikely unless the air cleaner was not seated properly. I have seen this happen often.

Or the bug was in the housing dead but coated with oil. Then the air flow moved the dormant critter up on to the mass air flow sensor at high air flow.? Ot the sensor failed and they are not wanting to warranty?

Many variables. I feel you fustration. Just giving you the facts.

see revised original post

The engine light came on in my Mustang. It's not in warranty, but I wanted to have it
checked. So where does one go for honest auto service ??

buy american ?????? NOT

You may want to consider purchasing a Code Reader from any auto parts store. The reader will cost you close to what the diag. charge will be and you will have the knowledge first hand on what the problem may be. You may even be able to do the repair yourself if it is something simple and save 100's of dollars if a dealer performs the same repair.

Avoid dealerships at all costs
 

I have never been back to a dealership after the warranty expired. All Service managers and employees are paid on commission. That means if they don't sell you service YOU DON"T NEED they don't get paid! Any certified mechanic can work on your Ford (or GM or Toyota). You bring your car to a dealer expect them to overcharge you and recommend service you don't need like changing your brake fluid lol thats a new one!