Ford Owner’s Frustration: Waiting Until 2025 for Part to Fix Broken Car
Venessa Stevens, a proud Ford owner, found herself facing a dilemma when her 2019 Ford EcoSport broke down due to a faulty part that was part of a recall. Despite her loyalty to the brand for its reliability, she was shocked to learn that the necessary part to fix her car wouldn’t be available until 2025.
Stevens first noticed something wasn’t right with her car while driving to work one day. The engine light popped up, followed by the oil light, indicating a potential issue with the oil-drive belt tensioner. Upon taking her car to a mechanic, she was informed that her vehicle was affected by an active recall involving 2016 to 2022 EcoSports and Focuses with the 1.0-liter engine.
The recall stated that the oil-drive belt tensioner arm could fracture or separate, leading to a loss of vehicle power and power braking assist, posing a safety hazard for drivers. Despite her willingness to pay for repairs, Stevens was told that the part needed to fix her car wouldn’t be available until 2025.
Stranded Without a Solution
As a result of the unavailability of the part, Stevens found herself in a difficult situation where she couldn’t drive her car or sell it due to the recall. The dealership refused to provide her with a loaner car, leaving her to pay off a loan and insurance for a vehicle that was essentially unusable until the part arrived.
Without a car to drive, Stevens had to rely on rideshares, friends, and family for transportation, incurring additional expenses and inconvenience. She shared a heart-wrenching story about having to pay nearly $700 to visit her elderly mother, who lived 300 miles away and was suffering from dementia. The situation highlighted the impact of not having reliable transportation on her ability to care for her loved ones in need.
A Call for Help
After sharing her story with WANF reporters, Stevens received a call from a Ford representative who offered assistance. Her local dealership arranged for a new engine to be installed in her car as a temporary solution until the part became available in 2025. Additionally, Ford provided her with a loaner car to use in the meantime, alleviating some of the financial and logistical burdens she was facing.
The recall website updated its information to offer replacement engines for affected EcoSport and Focus owners as an interim repair option. This service would be provided free of charge, including parts and labor, to ensure the safety and functionality of the vehicles despite the delay in parts availability.
Stevens’ experience highlighted the challenges that car owners face when dealing with recalls and delayed repairs, underscoring the importance of proactive communication and support from automakers to ensure customer satisfaction and safety.
Lessons Learned and Moving Forward
Stevens’ ordeal with her Ford EcoSport serves as a cautionary tale for car owners about the potential risks and inconveniences associated with recalls and delayed repairs. While she initially chose Ford for its reputation for reliability, the unexpected breakdown of her vehicle due to a faulty part exposed her to financial, emotional, and logistical challenges that could have been avoided with timely intervention.
Moving forward, Stevens plans to stay informed about recalls and manufacturer updates to prevent similar incidents in the future. She also emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself as a consumer and seeking assistance from automakers and dealerships when faced with unexpected issues related to vehicle maintenance and repairs.
In conclusion, Venessa Stevens’ experience with her broken Ford EcoSport sheds light on the complexities of car ownership and the impact of recalls on drivers’ lives. By sharing her story, she hopes to raise awareness about the challenges faced by car owners in similar situations and encourage proactive communication and support from automakers to ensure customer satisfaction and safety.