Truck warranty

[S_Davis]

So I just bought a 2019 diesel truck, I picked it up after dark and did a quick visual inspection of the truck and either missed the fact that one head light assembly had moisture in it or it happened on the 800 mile trip home.

So I go into the local dealer and ask to have it checked out and replaced, I am then told that they are not allowed to do the warranty replacement unless there is water pooling in the bottom of the head light assembly.

Wow seriously on a brand new $55,000 truck, they finally agreed to replace it but it was a fight. You could tap on the lense and water would drip down the inside of the lense there was so much moisture. Anyone else seeing the manufacturers trying to deny obvious warranty issues?

[deltabravo]

I've owned several trucks with sealed headlights. None of them leak.

Push the issue with the dealer.

[FishOnOne]

wnjj wrote:

deltabravo wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
I seen a copy of a statement over at FTE

What is an FTE?

Ford Truck Enthusiasts, i.e. Fish.

:B

[FishOnOne]

Grit dog wrote:
^Do you mean side mirror?
If so, I'm sure there's a joke somewhere in there about Ford drivers...lol
Happy New Years fish!

Yes... side mirrors.

And Happy News Years and Tight Lines

[wnjj]

deltabravo wrote:

FishOnOne wrote:
I seen a copy of a statement over at FTE

What is an FTE?

Ford Truck Enthusiasts, i.e. Fish.

[deltabravo]

FishOnOne wrote:
I seen a copy of a statement over at FTE

What is an FTE?

[4x4ord]

I deal with the sales manager over the phone, never a trade involved and I always buy where I get the best deal. Then I get my warranty work done at my closest dealer.

[Grit_dog]

^Do you mean side mirror?
If so, I'm sure there's a joke somewhere in there about Ford drivers...lol
Happy New Years fish!

[FishOnOne]

Interesting story my cousin told me and that if someone comes in with a damaged rear view mirror on a Super Duty under warranty Ford will not approve the warranty repair no exceptions unless he submits pictures of the mirror itself. He has to wait for it to be approved and sometimes they request more pictures before giving him the green light. He can pretty much get by without pictures for any other warranty repair due to his experience.

[ksss]

Yes that is what it sounds like, they didnt do their part to uphold a quality business relationship and are not worthy or your business. Typically I sit down with my salesman and we go through all the vehicles on the computer in the area that meet my wants, and we progressivly go futher out until we find what I want, or dont. You should never have to do that yourself unless you want to.

The salesperson is obviously very important. I have always had the best experience with commercial salesmen. The good ones have almost no turn over at a dealership. Its a good position to hold, repeat, well healed customers, but of course they can be demanding. The commercial salesmen know the value of a quality customer relationship. They are by far the most knowledgeable about the product line. When submitting Gov/municipal bids, make a mistake and it can be hugely costly to the dealership. If they dont know the product, they dont stay in that position. The most clued in salesperson in the dealership, is typically the commercial/Gov. salesman for that reason. Perhaps than can help next time.

[S_Davis]

ksss wrote:

JALLEN4 wrote:
The dealer making the warranty repair is subject to audit on his warranty repairs and can be charged back for his submission. If the manufacturer calls for the replaced part and determines in their opinion it is not warranty, the dealer will eat the part and the labor.

This is a true statement. GM audited a couple local dealers I heard recently and it got expensive for them, due to work that was warrantied that should not have been.

As to being properly treated at a dealership, this works for me, I try to buy from the same two dealers (one GMC and one Chevy). If I find a vehicle or a deal somewhere else, I dealer trade through my preferred dealer. I work with the same salesman (commercial guys at both stores) I drop off some business trinkets (knives, hats and so forth) on occasion. I don't buy that many vehicles (I don't have a fleet business account) but one every couple years. When I test drive I put the gas back in the vehicle when I bring it back. I do the same with loaners when I am having work done. Its noticed and appreciated, I know cause they have said so. The purpose of the story is that if you can establish a relationship with the dealership (OEM doesn't matter) treat them like you would a business partner (because whether your in business or not it is much the same), my experience is that it is returned.

They are not going to warranty something for me that isn't legit, but I get in and out fast, I have yet in 20 years had to fight for fair treatment on warranty work or any work. I get reduced rates at times and have had them even pickup an oil change here and there. This strategy may not be practical for everyone, but something to consider. People are willing to do more for people they know (and like) than those they don't. I know in a perfect world, every customer should be treated the same, but that really isn't reality.

Thanks for the input, valid points. I have purchased two work vehicles from this dealer and I did let them know what I was looking for and asked them to find me a truck. I don't know if they just didn't look very hard or what but I found the truck I wanted after searching the net, it just happened to be 11 hours away.

It seems it would be pretty easy for them to search their system for a truck, I had to search auto trader and go dealer by dealer searching inventory. It took me about 3-4 weeks to find it. So it might just be this dealer just doesn't work very hard for their customers.

[ksss]

JALLEN4 wrote:
The dealer making the warranty repair is subject to audit on his warranty repairs and can be charged back for his submission. If the manufacturer calls for the replaced part and determines in their opinion it is not warranty, the dealer will eat the part and the labor.

This is a true statement. GM audited a couple local dealers I heard recently and it got expensive for them, due to work that was warrantied that should not have been.

As to being properly treated at a dealership, this works for me, I try to buy from the same two dealers (one GMC and one Chevy). If I find a vehicle or a deal somewhere else, I dealer trade through my preferred dealer. I work with the same salesman (commercial guys at both stores) I drop off some business trinkets (knives, hats and so forth) on occasion. I don't buy that many vehicles (I don't have a fleet business account) but one every couple years. When I test drive I put the gas back in the vehicle when I bring it back. I do the same with loaners when I am having work done. Its noticed and appreciated, I know cause they have said so. The purpose of the story is that if you can establish a relationship with the dealership (OEM doesn't matter) treat them like you would a business partner (because whether your in business or not it is much the same), my experience is that it is returned.

They are not going to warranty something for me that isn't legit, but I get in and out fast, I have yet in 20 years had to fight for fair treatment on warranty work or any work. I get reduced rates at times and have had them even pickup an oil change here and there. This strategy may not be practical for everyone, but something to consider. People are willing to do more for people they know (and like) than those they don't. I know in a perfect world, every customer should be treated the same, but that really isn't reality.

[Greene728]

S Davis wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
What does the truck having a Diesel have to do with water in the light???

May get you better info stating what brand and model the truck is.

Diesel has nothing to do with anything on this thread, just that is what I bought. Do you have some issues with a diesel with a leaking headlight assembly that we should know about? Brand does not matter as I asked about warranties on trucks in general, l am not trolling trying to start the old brand war some of you so love.

Excellent response! Lol

[wanderingbob]

I believe that they are supposed to leak . At least thats what my dealer told me when he charged me $80 to change my head light fluid ! Blinker fluid was OK .

[midnightsadie]

amazing $50k truck and it leaks. sounds like the rv industry.