F-150Evolved
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I took my Lightning F-150 Lightning (Platinum) to the local Ford dealership for a 20k-mile service. This service called for a tire rotation and cabinet air filter swap. Five days later, I got a call. The service adviser told me my truck sustained body damage. During a "quality assurance test drive," the rear driver-side wheel dislodged because no lug nuts were installed. My dashcam documented the incident. As the wheel came off violently, the truck hit the pavement, causing damage to the fender, truck bed, and suspension. I also discovered that the gaps between the rear doors and body panels show uneven spacing between the passenger and driver-side rear doors. Is this proof of a bent frame?
The Ford dealership offered to repair the truck, but USAA wants it fixed at an independent body shop and is covering me for now.
I'm expecting to take a massive hit in "diminished value" from the collision caused by a Ford mechanic.
How can I get Ford to replace my Lightning with one equal mileage and age but without a collision on CarFax? Ford corporate told me it's a dealership issue, and they will not get involved.
********************* 02/09/24 UPDATE (36 days from incident) *******************
THANK YOU, EVERYONE; your replies with ideas and recommendations are very much appreciated. In summary, it appears there are three options to move forward:
Just to recap, the vehicle the Ford dealership damaged is a 2022 F-150 Lightning Platinum with 20k miles. I brought the truck to the Ford dealer for a 20k mile service. As someone pointed out, why did the dealership do a test drive? I was later informed a test drive was required because a Technical Service Bulletin called for installation of an “anti-ting” washer on all four axle shafts (FORD TSB 22-2395) because the ruck made clicking noises.
As of today, Ford does not have an ETA for certain drivetrain parts required to be replaced, there is no estimated completion timeline for getting my Lightning repaired. I was given a Tesla 3 as a loaner (a rental paid by the dealership).
Option One. Ask the dealership for a replacement, equivalent or newer.
The General Manager said NO, not possible, but referred me to his sales manager and promised I would be getting the best offer possible on whatever I picked out from the lot.
After looking at the numbers of a new 2023 Platinum, the following was established: the truck was offered to me at 11k below MSRP (from $95,335 down to $84,335). For surrendering my 2022, I was offered a trade-in credit of only $54,500.
KBB quoted the dealer trade-in at $55,000-$63,000 (private party $69,000). Edmunds quoted a dealer trade-in range from $59,000-$61,000 (private party $63,000). Both these quotes assume an excellent/outstanding condition because the truck was spotless before Ford damaged it. Takeaway: Ford is clearly low-balling my trade-in; it is not a good deal as promised by the GM.
Expenses, in addition to the depreciation hit above from a low-balled trade-in, are tax and registration at $8,000 plus a new vehicle loan, changing my current interest rate from 5% to 8+%.
Option two. Let the dealerships fix it and sue to recover losses.
Yes, the dealership really wants to go this route. After taking it back from Ford upon completion of the repairs, get a forensic diminished value (DV) evaluation and send a demand letter for $ lost in DV, plus loss of use, and to establish leverage, consider suing for violating Unfair Competition Law (UCL statutory violations, unfair business practices or fraudulent business practices per California B&P section 17200).
Option three. Let USAA deal with it.
Initially, they accepted a claim. Once a supervisor reviewed it, the claim was rejected. I thought this was strange because USAA lawyers are supposed to represent my interests. After all, this was a collision, although the cause was due to a Forde employee’s negligence and I feel that USAA should have obtained the insurance information from the dealership and forced a claim to be filed with that insurance company.
TSB 22-2395:
https://dot.report/bulletins/10226929
California Business and Professions Code 17200 (BP17200):
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=17200.&lawCode=BPC
Incident Video:
The Ford dealership offered to repair the truck, but USAA wants it fixed at an independent body shop and is covering me for now.
I'm expecting to take a massive hit in "diminished value" from the collision caused by a Ford mechanic.
How can I get Ford to replace my Lightning with one equal mileage and age but without a collision on CarFax? Ford corporate told me it's a dealership issue, and they will not get involved.
********************* 02/09/24 UPDATE (36 days from incident) *******************
THANK YOU, EVERYONE; your replies with ideas and recommendations are very much appreciated. In summary, it appears there are three options to move forward:
Just to recap, the vehicle the Ford dealership damaged is a 2022 F-150 Lightning Platinum with 20k miles. I brought the truck to the Ford dealer for a 20k mile service. As someone pointed out, why did the dealership do a test drive? I was later informed a test drive was required because a Technical Service Bulletin called for installation of an “anti-ting” washer on all four axle shafts (FORD TSB 22-2395) because the ruck made clicking noises.
As of today, Ford does not have an ETA for certain drivetrain parts required to be replaced, there is no estimated completion timeline for getting my Lightning repaired. I was given a Tesla 3 as a loaner (a rental paid by the dealership).
Option One. Ask the dealership for a replacement, equivalent or newer.
The General Manager said NO, not possible, but referred me to his sales manager and promised I would be getting the best offer possible on whatever I picked out from the lot.
After looking at the numbers of a new 2023 Platinum, the following was established: the truck was offered to me at 11k below MSRP (from $95,335 down to $84,335). For surrendering my 2022, I was offered a trade-in credit of only $54,500.
KBB quoted the dealer trade-in at $55,000-$63,000 (private party $69,000). Edmunds quoted a dealer trade-in range from $59,000-$61,000 (private party $63,000). Both these quotes assume an excellent/outstanding condition because the truck was spotless before Ford damaged it. Takeaway: Ford is clearly low-balling my trade-in; it is not a good deal as promised by the GM.
Expenses, in addition to the depreciation hit above from a low-balled trade-in, are tax and registration at $8,000 plus a new vehicle loan, changing my current interest rate from 5% to 8+%.
Option two. Let the dealerships fix it and sue to recover losses.
Yes, the dealership really wants to go this route. After taking it back from Ford upon completion of the repairs, get a forensic diminished value (DV) evaluation and send a demand letter for $ lost in DV, plus loss of use, and to establish leverage, consider suing for violating Unfair Competition Law (UCL statutory violations, unfair business practices or fraudulent business practices per California B&P section 17200).
Option three. Let USAA deal with it.
Initially, they accepted a claim. Once a supervisor reviewed it, the claim was rejected. I thought this was strange because USAA lawyers are supposed to represent my interests. After all, this was a collision, although the cause was due to a Forde employee’s negligence and I feel that USAA should have obtained the insurance information from the dealership and forced a claim to be filed with that insurance company.
TSB 22-2395:
https://dot.report/bulletins/10226929
California Business and Professions Code 17200 (BP17200):
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=17200.&lawCode=BPC
Incident Video:
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