I bought a 2020 XLT back in March after months of searching for a good deal. I finally found one for around $20k with all the features I wanted. It had no visible body damage and drove well during the test drive. The dealership even said it had only one previous owner and no reported accidents.
Last week, while driving in my neighborhood, the steering wheel started vibrating badly, and after pulling over, I found the lower control arm completely broken. No signs of impact damage, just a clean break.
I had it towed to my local Ford dealership, where they said the entire frame had damage, and I’d need to replace all the tie rods, control arms, and more—adding up to about $4k. They told me it seemed like the vehicle had been in an accident before and was repaired superficially without addressing internal damage. This came as a shock since I was told it had no accident history.
I called the dealership where I bought it to explain the situation, and the sales director said they’d need to inspect it to confirm what the other dealership found. I asked them to cover the towing, as it’s currently undrivable and about 30-45 minutes away from the dealership. They said they’d get back to me but haven’t responded since.
I’ve called multiple times and even left a voicemail for the GM with no response. I also filed a complaint with Ford’s corporate office, but I’m unsure what to do next.
Do I go there in person to try and get answers? Do I need legal help? Threaten to leave reviews? Or is this a lost cause? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dealerships rarely stand by their vehicles once they’re sold. You might want to take it to an independent mechanic for a second opinion on the damage. This repair shouldn’t be more than $2.5k tops. Unfortunately, it’s on you for not having a pre-purchase inspection. Now you get to do it after the fact!
Briar said: @Sky
Damn, that’s what I was afraid of. Thanks for the reality check.
I agree with FH. A second opinion could show if the first dealership is exaggerating the damage to get more money out of you. In some states, it’s illegal to sell a car with undisclosed frame damage if they knew about it. A lawyer could tell you if there’s any legal recourse here.
Not sure where you’re located, but here in PA, used car buyers have limited rights. Sometimes you get 72 hours if it’s undrivable, but in general, it’s buyer beware. I bought a 2014 Explorer, and after signing the paperwork, I found they’d added $5k to the price I’d agreed on. Plus, it’s been one issue after another. I’ve put $6k into repairs, and even a Ford dealer quoted $8,500 for the next round of work needed.
@Bailey
That sounds rough. I’m in Texas, and it seems like the situation is similar here. I really thought I was safe going through a Ford dealership, but apparently not. Lesson learned.
Briar said: @Bailey
That sounds rough. I’m in Texas, and it seems like the situation is similar here. I really thought I was safe going through a Ford dealership, but apparently not. Lesson learned.
Yeah, it’s tough. Hope you can work something out with them!
You could file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or check if your state’s attorney general has a consumer protection office. Some states have “Implied Warranty” laws that might apply here. BBB complaints are public, and dealerships will often try to resolve them to avoid bad PR. You could also ask if they’d be willing to split the repair costs.
Briar said: @Ellery
Good idea. Ford customer service suggested the BBB too, but I wasn’t sure if it’d be worth it. Sounds like it’s worth a shot, though. Thanks!
Yep, BBB complaints are visible to the public, and dealerships usually want to avoid any negative press. Just keep in mind that since it’s been 7 months, they might argue it’s not their problem anymore. Morally, they’re in the wrong, but legally, it could be tough.
