This is my experience with the Ford Dealership. The dealer is Cauvery Ford. The car had run 17800 kms. We can assume it is a sort of 20,000 kms servicing. Moreover, it was already more than 5000 kms afte the last service. Previous servicng was on Oct-07.
Took the appointment for servicing the previous day (29/02). They told me to come at 1030 hrs on 01/03. Entered Cauvery Ford at 1020 hrs. The service engineer came at 1100 hrs even though the appointment was at 1030 hrs. Yes, since it was saturday there were lot of cars given for servicing.
But the time given to a customer should be ahered by the dealership at any cost right?
The
Service Engineer (SE) Sunil Ithal promptly came at 1100 hrs and took the car and started the checking the car. The following were the complaints I had given to him to attend to apart form normal service check up.
1) Radiator Coolant leaking& flushing & refilling with the ford recomended coolant.
2) LH RR Door - Not locking properly.
3)
Noise in FR LH door (RATLING)
4) Engine Oil Change.
5) Clutch giving jerks while changing gears.
6) Tyres rotaion and wheel balancing.
7) Check brakes and wiring.
8) Normal service check ups.
Discussed every bit of the problem I was encountering with the vehicle to the SE. I informed the SE about the leakage of the radiator coolant. As I had filled up a green coolant temporarily (as the original coolant had leaked out completely), he informed since the its not the Ford recommended coolant, we should not use it as it will affect the performance of the ECU.
I was flabbergasted and kept on wondering as what was the relation between the ECU and the coolant. He informed that the car requires a thermostat assy replacement as the coolant has leaked into the thermostat. I asked him is there any way out in retaining the previous part with some minor repairs. He told will check up and call back the same day evening which did not happen. I called him up and he told he will inform on 03/03. Anyways, I wanted the part to be up and functioning and I did not argue on this. He initially gave the estimate of 4200 for servicing and other things and another 4000 for thermostat . Totalling to 8200.
I wanted the delivery on 02/03. He told since it was sunday, he said he will try and will not promise. But he promised the delivery on 03/03. Took the service order and left the dealership.
I began to f/up for the vehicle delivery from 03/03 morning and he informed that he still have to check up the radiator leaking and he will call me back. But again he failed to call back. Afternoon, I called him up and he said the whole thermostat assy has to be replaced. I had to agree as I did not have any choice. I asked about the delivery and he informed that it will be given on 04/03 as some of the work is still pending. Remember the promised date was 03/03. I went to collect the vehicle on 04/03 afternoon. I was made to wait for about 20 mins. Since India-Australia cricket match going on, there were nobody to take care of customers. All the perople in the dealership were watching the TV (kept for customers). Anyways, I do not have any complaint to make as they are also humans.
The servicing bill goes like this: Housing t/stat-Rs.952; connector 4W 1.6L-Rs.324; Fuel filter - IK+ESC-Rs.118; Mesh Filter-Rs.117; Gasket T/Stat-Rs.543; Washer Fluid pouch-Rs.49; Filter Oil SOHC-Rs.81; Element Air clearner Ikon-Rs.264; Bulb dbl fil/brk lt-Rs.52; cock drain-Rs.35; Coolant 5 ltrs-Rs.763; Wheel balancing wts-Rs.114; screw t/stat hsg-Rs.88; clip msh fltr-Rs15; Engine Oil (Mobil 10W30)-Rs.620; Labour charges for above: Rs1915; Taxes-770; Total bill came to Rs.6876. But it is very costly when compared to Maruti as I had a WagonR earlier.
After taking delivery I checked the vehicle and particualrly asked the SE about the ratling noise and he informed it is taken care off and there is no ratling noise. I took the deliery of vehicle and started towards home. After a few kms, again the ratling noise started, it was mild. As I was very near to home, I thought of taking the car to him after some time. Y'day when I was going to my office, the ratling noise began more this time. This time it was terrible. Called up the SE and asked him why the ratling noise is still there. He did not have any answers and asked me to come with the vehicle today/tomorrow. He will see how it can be rectified.
My query is when the SE did know the ratling noise is still exists then why did he acknowledge and inform me that it has been rectified? I have to take the vehicle again. Drive from my house to dealer is around 16 kms one way. One more thing is I forgot to remove a couple of things like warning triangle and some of the chains & brass door locks which was under the dicky carpet in the car and it has been promptly removed by dealer and they are unable to locate the same now. Can I get back the same? I hope not.
Well this is my experience with Cauvery Ford.
I would rate this experience as 3/10 with 10 being excellent. Not even half way satisfied with the servicing of the dealership they provided to me.