2023 CR1 Totally Disabled and No rental assistance

[Papagonzo]

First post but it's a rant on the absolute shit show I've encountered with Ford when it comes to getting any kind of loaner or rental.

My 2023 CR1, grabber blue (for what it's worth) has been essentially flawless for 2.5 years and 28K on the odometer. Pulling off the interstate to recharge during a 300 mile trip and the moment I turned off the cruise to hit the ramp, an alert popped up "AWD is off" and then several others began to appear while I was nursing it to the charger. Once I turned it off, it would not restart as far as operating the shift knob or actually trying to drive it. Took a charge fine, had full accessory power but some kind of powertrain issue that Roadside Assistance said had to be addressed by a dealer. They set up the tow which was exceptional service, dropped it at the dealer two miles away and the Ford Service Mgr waited past closing to welcome it into a service bay. Fortunately, I had a nephew heading the same direction for a family get together and he was able to pick me up to get me the rest of the way but still didn't know what the problem was or repair time.

All peachy until I checked the next day and the service rep said I had several codes on the diagnostic but it boiled down to a front drive part (probalby one of the many acronyms on these threads I still can't decipher) that was on back order until (hopefully) next week. Asked about loaner or rental as I'm now over 200 miles from home. Service manager tells me that should all be handled through Ford Roadside Assistance. They tell me it's all handled by the servicing dealer who has already told me they have no loaners and no rental car companies in their little town.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm trying to work with Ford central to get resolution. I'm advised that I can only rent a Ford and it can only be $40/day! Can't find any rental agencies that currently have a Ford and then they laugh at the $40/day limit.

WTF FORD?!? You seem to be jumping through every hoop imaginable to earn my loyalty and it was going oh so well even though I swore I'd never own another Ford after the lemon experiences I had in the 80s. Looks like its a one and done for me. Will have to reconsider my EV options and as much as I love my Mach E, I'd go hybrid if I had it to do over again.

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[RickMachE]

Ford's warranty, which few read, says nothing about a free loaner car. Sometimes, once a warranty repair is confirmed, Ford MAY authorize a rental, which has to be a Ford or Lincoln product, with a very low daily cost, ...

But, and this pisses off people, you aren't entitled to anything. That should not be a surprise to people, but it is.

Our 2022 had the HVBJB failure 1,000 miles from home with 2,000 miles left on the trip. Ford offered help, which sounded good until the rubber met the road. We had to find the rental, we had to meet the conditions, etc., as you are. We elected to keep driving and had it fixed at home.

Some makes may specify a free loaner, most do not. Yet people think it happens all the time, but it doesn't.

Do you think if a hybrid or gas car failed it would be any different? Nope.

 

[Papagonzo]

Do you think if a hybrid or gas car failed it would be any different? Nope.

Actually, YES! My former ICE dealer offered a loaner for any extended service, warranty repair or just getting my oil changed. My wife just purchased a new ICE vehicle from another dealership with the same policy so apparently, it isn't so uncommon. And a bait and switch rental consideration in the warranty is something that should piss off most people. It's just a reflection of the commitment of the company to their customers and Ford is showing their true commitment in spades.

My comment on the hybrid was meant to point out that the infrastructure and globalization of EVs isn't at the point to make these a viable option to consider for all or even most travel needs beyond local commuter vehicles (Midwest owner here). The current adminstration wants to move things backwards so a hybrid would have been the better option. It didn't have anything to do with being treated differently on the loaner/rental issue.

 

[heisnuts]

Like Rick noted above, Ford does not automatically provide a loaner/rental car even for warranty work. That is on a case by case basis, and subject to the limitations noted above.

There are some dealers who choose to purchase their their own loaner fleet and therefore they can decide who gets a loaner car and for how long. I am sure most small town dealers will not choose to have the expense of owning their own loaners. The big dealers might, but they will not be to inclined to give out one of these cars for a MME that might be in their shop for a long time and have a lower paying warranty repair.

There are some manufactures like Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, etc. that do require their dealers to have loaner cars available, but in these cases the manufacture contributes to the expense of the loaner fleet. Unfortunately Ford is not one of those manufactures, which is why the dealer told you to ask Ford directly for any alternative transportation reimbursement.

 

[Tomm]

Try Enterprise for the rental. They seem to have special rates in this type of case.

 

[CameraCarl]

Actually, YES! My former ICE dealer offered a loaner for any extended service, warranty repair or just getting my oil changed. My wife just purchased a new ICE vehicle from another dealership with the same policy so apparently, it isn't so uncommon. And a bait and switch rental consideration in the warranty is something that should piss off most people. It's just a reflection of the commitment of the company to their customers and Ford is showing their true commitment in spades.

My comment on the hybrid was meant to point out that the infrastructure and globalization of EVs isn't at the point to make these a viable option to consider for all or even most travel needs beyond local commuter vehicles (Midwest owner here). The current adminstration wants to move things backwards so a hybrid would have been the better option. It didn't have anything to do with being treated differently on the loaner/rental issue.

So, your home dealer offers a loaner to you or your wife who bought the car from them. Would your ICE/hybrid-selling dealership offer a loaner if that ICE broke down 200 miles from home? Or would you have to arrange with that repair shop for a loaner, as you are doing now? It doesn't seem to matter if you have an EV or an ICE. If it breaks down away from home, you have to make arrangements with the repair shop where you are, not where you bought the car.

 

[SpeedRacer72]

First post but it's a rant on the absolute shit show I've encountered with Ford when it comes to getting any kind of loaner or rental.

My 2023 CR1, grabber blue (for what it's worth) has been essentially flawless for 2.5 years and 28K on the odometer. Pulling off the interstate to recharge during a 300 mile trip and the moment I turned off the cruise to hit the ramp, an alert popped up "AWD is off" and then several others began to appear while I was nursing it to the charger. Once I turned it off, it would not restart as far as operating the shift knob or actually trying to drive it. Took a charge fine, had full accessory power but some kind of powertrain issue that Roadside Assistance said had to be addressed by a dealer. They set up the tow which was exceptional service, dropped it at the dealer two miles away and the Ford Service Mgr waited past closing to welcome it into a service bay. Fortunately, I had a nephew heading the same direction for a family get together and he was able to pick me up to get me the rest of the way but still didn't know what the problem was or repair time.

All peachy until I checked the next day and the service rep said I had several codes on the diagnostic but it boiled down to a front drive part (probalby one of the many acronyms on these threads I still can't decipher) that was on back order until (hopefully) next week. Asked about loaner or rental as I'm now over 200 miles from home. Service manager tells me that should all be handled through Ford Roadside Assistance. They tell me it's all handled by the servicing dealer who has already told me they have no loaners and no rental car companies in their little town.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm trying to work with Ford central to get resolution. I'm advised that I can only rent a Ford and it can only be $40/day! Can't find any rental agencies that currently have a Ford and then they laugh at the $40/day limit.

WTF FORD?!? You seem to be jumping through every hoop imaginable to earn my loyalty and it was going oh so well even though I swore I'd never own another Ford after the lemon experiences I had in the 80s. Looks like its a one and done for me. Will have to reconsider my EV options and as much as I love my Mach E, I'd go hybrid if I had it to do over again.

There are other options out there, get out as soon as you can

 

[SpeedRacer72]

First post but it's a rant on the absolute shit show I've encountered with Ford when it comes to getting any kind of loaner or rental.

My 2023 CR1, grabber blue (for what it's worth) has been essentially flawless for 2.5 years and 28K on the odometer. Pulling off the interstate to recharge during a 300 mile trip and the moment I turned off the cruise to hit the ramp, an alert popped up "AWD is off" and then several others began to appear while I was nursing it to the charger. Once I turned it off, it would not restart as far as operating the shift knob or actually trying to drive it. Took a charge fine, had full accessory power but some kind of powertrain issue that Roadside Assistance said had to be addressed by a dealer. They set up the tow which was exceptional service, dropped it at the dealer two miles away and the Ford Service Mgr waited past closing to welcome it into a service bay. Fortunately, I had a nephew heading the same direction for a family get together and he was able to pick me up to get me the rest of the way but still didn't know what the problem was or repair time.

All peachy until I checked the next day and the service rep said I had several codes on the diagnostic but it boiled down to a front drive part (probalby one of the many acronyms on these threads I still can't decipher) that was on back order until (hopefully) next week. Asked about loaner or rental as I'm now over 200 miles from home. Service manager tells me that should all be handled through Ford Roadside Assistance. They tell me it's all handled by the servicing dealer who has already told me they have no loaners and no rental car companies in their little town.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm trying to work with Ford central to get resolution. I'm advised that I can only rent a Ford and it can only be $40/day! Can't find any rental agencies that currently have a Ford and then they laugh at the $40/day limit.

WTF FORD?!? You seem to be jumping through every hoop imaginable to earn my loyalty and it was going oh so well even though I swore I'd never own another Ford after the lemon experiences I had in the 80s. Looks like its a one and done for me. Will have to reconsider my EV options and as much as I love my Mach E, I'd go hybrid if I had it to do over again.

There are other options out there, get out as soon as you can

 

[SpeedRacer72]

First post but it's a rant on the absolute shit show I've encountered with Ford when it comes to getting any kind of loaner or rental.

My 2023 CR1, grabber blue (for what it's worth) has been essentially flawless for 2.5 years and 28K on the odometer. Pulling off the interstate to recharge during a 300 mile trip and the moment I turned off the cruise to hit the ramp, an alert popped up "AWD is off" and then several others began to appear while I was nursing it to the charger. Once I turned it off, it would not restart as far as operating the shift knob or actually trying to drive it. Took a charge fine, had full accessory power but some kind of powertrain issue that Roadside Assistance said had to be addressed by a dealer. They set up the tow which was exceptional service, dropped it at the dealer two miles away and the Ford Service Mgr waited past closing to welcome it into a service bay. Fortunately, I had a nephew heading the same direction for a family get together and he was able to pick me up to get me the rest of the way but still didn't know what the problem was or repair time.

All peachy until I checked the next day and the service rep said I had several codes on the diagnostic but it boiled down to a front drive part (probalby one of the many acronyms on these threads I still can't decipher) that was on back order until (hopefully) next week. Asked about loaner or rental as I'm now over 200 miles from home. Service manager tells me that should all be handled through Ford Roadside Assistance. They tell me it's all handled by the servicing dealer who has already told me they have no loaners and no rental car companies in their little town.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm trying to work with Ford central to get resolution. I'm advised that I can only rent a Ford and it can only be $40/day! Can't find any rental agencies that currently have a Ford and then they laugh at the $40/day limit.

WTF FORD?!? You seem to be jumping through every hoop imaginable to earn my loyalty and it was going oh so well even though I swore I'd never own another Ford after the lemon experiences I had in the 80s. Looks like its a one and done for me. Will have to reconsider my EV options and as much as I love my Mach E, I'd go hybrid if I had it to do over again.

There are other options out there, get out as soon as you can

 

[Frankis843]

First post but it's a rant on the absolute shit show I've encountered with Ford when it comes to getting any kind of loaner or rental.

My 2023 CR1, grabber blue (for what it's worth) has been essentially flawless for 2.5 years and 28K on the odometer. Pulling off the interstate to recharge during a 300 mile trip and the moment I turned off the cruise to hit the ramp, an alert popped up "AWD is off" and then several others began to appear while I was nursing it to the charger. Once I turned it off, it would not restart as far as operating the shift knob or actually trying to drive it. Took a charge fine, had full accessory power but some kind of powertrain issue that Roadside Assistance said had to be addressed by a dealer. They set up the tow which was exceptional service, dropped it at the dealer two miles away and the Ford Service Mgr waited past closing to welcome it into a service bay. Fortunately, I had a nephew heading the same direction for a family get together and he was able to pick me up to get me the rest of the way but still didn't know what the problem was or repair time.

All peachy until I checked the next day and the service rep said I had several codes on the diagnostic but it boiled down to a front drive part (probalby one of the many acronyms on these threads I still can't decipher) that was on back order until (hopefully) next week. Asked about loaner or rental as I'm now over 200 miles from home. Service manager tells me that should all be handled through Ford Roadside Assistance. They tell me it's all handled by the servicing dealer who has already told me they have no loaners and no rental car companies in their little town.

Fast forward 5 days and I'm trying to work with Ford central to get resolution. I'm advised that I can only rent a Ford and it can only be $40/day! Can't find any rental agencies that currently have a Ford and then they laugh at the $40/day limit.

WTF FORD?!? You seem to be jumping through every hoop imaginable to earn my loyalty and it was going oh so well even though I swore I'd never own another Ford after the lemon experiences I had in the 80s. Looks like its a one and done for me. Will have to reconsider my EV options and as much as I love my Mach E, I'd go hybrid if I had it to do over again.

Which dealer? If it was here (at our store) we would be accommodating.

 

[Papagonzo]

Dan Syverson Ford in Albert Lea, MN

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