I unfortunately purchased a car from "JD Byrider" one month and three days ago. Since owning the vehicle, it has been back in their dealership for "service" five times. Three of those times were for the same issue which existed at purchase. I even informed their "service manager" that it was not the EGR valve but the DPFE valve, as addressed in a Technical Service Bulletin by Ford Motor Company. Finally (and reluctantly I might add) the third time was a charm and the part in question was replaced rather than another failed attempt to "clean" the EGR valve and lines.
The brakes also had an existing issue at purchase which turned out to be warped rotors that were replaced on the first service visit, leading me to believe their "service manager/mechanic" might actually be treating me like a valued customer instead of just a paycheck. Since then I have had brake "squealing and occasional grinding noises" which I was told brakes were fine, but it is pointless to try to have the repair made.
Immediately after starting my car after it was serviced (still on their lot!), I noticed a foul odor of exhaust and gas seeping from my heat vents while trying to keep from freezing during my drive home. Since I was already late picking up my children I opted to just leave thinking maybe it was just something that was caused by the work and it would clear up in a few minutes.
It was caused by the work alright, 6 days later the smell was still there so I returned to the dealer lot and a vacuum line was unhooked. No explaination given as to why, but being mechanically inclined to a point (even though I am a woman) I paid attention to the location of the line and it was disconnected during the valve replacement. Amazingly, no more odor!
A smell of gas in the oil that was noticed by my husband was also reported on this visit. The service manager smelled it and said it had no gas odor and his attitude towards it lead to the impression that he thought I was imagining it.
Ok so on the the straw that broke the camels back. Four days later we had a sleet/snow mix that coated everything. Being an intelligent person, the windshield was completely cleaned of ice and the area around and under the wiper arms was free of any obstrucion as well. When the wipers were turned on, they jumped and immediately stopped working with the wiper motor still functioning properly.
I once again returned for service on the following Tuesday and was told to drop it off the next day and the repair would be made to reconnect the wipers to the wiper motor. When I arrived that day at 12:30 pm to drop off my car, I cleaned the road dirt caused the the salt soaked ice melting from the windshield as it has been their practice to drive me back to work and drop me off during the repairs in my own vehicle. I was on the drivers side of my car and visually inspected my windshield prior to leaving their lot (which sort of goes without saying since I was CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD).
When I called the lot at 5 pm to inform them I was off work and would need to have a ride back out to pick up my car I was told "our service manager needs to speak with you so I am going to transfer you back". Thinking it was nothing major I waited patiently and was then told that my "windshield has a small crack in it". I immediately asked how did that happen and was told "I don't know". I politely said ok, we can discuss it when I get there.
When I arrived back at the lot after being picked up in my car by their collection manager and having already seen the "crack" (which he didn't even mention on the ten minute ride) I went to speak with the service manager. I was told he noticed it when he raised the hood to begin the repair to the wiper motor and that he had immediately went to get the general manager to inform him of the crack.
First off it was not just any small crack, it was an 8-inch running crack originating from below the cowl on the drivers side where the wiper motor just ironically happens to be located. Second, if this was true why was I not immediately called and informed that I would need to inspect my vehicle before he could work on it??? This would have been standard practice anywhere else!
In summation, I was told the cold weather (it was 53 degrees on the day in question) and heating up of the car had caused the crack and most of the basis for this was that there was no impact point visible. MAJOR LIE!
I was offered the remedy of paying to have the windshield repaired out of my pocket for what they could get it done for. I have since been to several glass specialists. The very first one raised the cowl that is now also broken due to their repairs and needs to be replaced, and immediately was able to locate the point of impact at the base of the windshield. It was simply hidden from my view while I was on their lot by the cowl but I already knew better than the "cold weather" line I was given.
The windshield has to be replaced, not repaired along with the cowl. This alone will cost about $400.00 that I am expected to pay along with my bi-weekly car payments. Calling their corporate office also provides no assistance since they are firmly denying liability at this franchise. Going to an attorney on Monday.
My best advice to everyone, DON'T EVER BUY A CAR FROM THESE SCAM ARTISTS!!!
Christy
Roanoke, Virginia
U.S.A.
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