Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - andy18n

I posted a couple of months ago to say we'd had no aircon in a 2016 Galaxy due to a fractured pipe, and no parts availability from Ford.

Well we're still in same position - apalling response and no concern at all from the Ford CRC and also emailed CEO - no response from him. All they can say is that they are escalating the issue to their parts team.

What legal rights do I have to a reasonable resolution time on a warrantly covered item? Whilst I know it's not safety critical, and doesn't disable the car, driving a mobile greenhouse in this heatwave is extremely uncomfortable with 5 kids and a dog. All 4 windows open on motorways is not pleasant.

I just feel cheated and totally uncared for by Ford having replaced an increasingly problematic 2010 Galaxy with a new generation one with a warranty for peace of mind. What a waste of money.

Any advice on anything more I could do would be appreciated. Or do I just have to lump it and wait?

Thanks, Andy

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - elekie&a/c doctor
To be waiting for a part this long for a current vehicle would suggest that Ford have production problems for this pipe. Is it an aluminium pipe that has fractured? It may well be repairable in the short term. If there is no date for supply,I would ask for a loan car.
Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - andy18n

Thanks - yes it's an aluminium pipe. Have considered getting a local independant to get something made up but suspect Ford would then wash their hands of their warranty obligations. Very frustrating!

Cheers

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - Miniman777

Had similar last year on my leased Juke.

Pipes were rubbing together, wore through, refrigerent lost. Nissan had done a re-design and new pipes were on back order with no idea as to when it would be fixed, so it was an annoying waiting game. But not as hot as this summer, so I feel for OP with no timescale for a fix. The problem is with new pipes is that they have to be designed, protoyped, tested and then a manufacturer has to have the production time - all a long-winded process. I did escalate my issue to Nissan UK as felt dealer/lease co wasnt bothered.

Despite mine being a leased car, I did check breakers and they had none either, so knew it was a big problem and had to tough it out.

Could not the Ford dealer bring in a local AC specialist to make a temporary repair, then fit the new pipe when it arrives? Ford UK doesnt really have to know a temp fix has been effected - does it?

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - RobJP

Thanks - yes it's an aluminium pipe. Have considered getting a local independant to get something made up but suspect Ford would then wash their hands of their warranty obligations. Very frustrating!

Cheers

Write to the Ford dealer you bought the car from, explaining that you have had enough. Give them one last chance (I suggest a deadline of 14 days) to carry out the work, and explain that if they cannot do so then you will take the car to get the work carried out 'by whatever means possible', including (but not limited to) getting the pipe manufactured. Further explain that as your actions will have been forced upon you by the dealer's inability to get the work done, you fully expect that any such work will have no impact on your warranty. Finally, do make sure that you tell them that you will, once the work is carried out, pay for the work and then send them the bill for reimbursement. If such bill is not paid, then you will take Small Claims Court action to recover the monies from them.

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - andy18n
Thanks RobJP. Good advice. Appreciated.
Have done just that tonight to Ford HQ. Didn’t buy from main dealer, bought at a few months old from a supermarket.
Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - bathtub tom

I love RobJp's reply. Please get back to us with Ford's reaction.

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - andy18n
Fords reaction was pathetic. Won’t authorise a temp repair, no courtesy car, say parts might get to dealership mid August.
But can’t book it in until we know parts are there and lead time to get in is a couple of weeks.
So we’re looking end of summer.

I’m totally disgusted at Ford. So much so I’m considering whether there’s any legal action I can take, just to make a statement. They just don’t care st all. Utterly shameful.

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - SLO76
Well that’s another off my shopping list then. I was considering a used Galaxy or S-Max as a replacement for our CRV shortly. I was accepting of the fact that it’s unlikely to be as reliable as another CRV but it is bigger inside and better to drive. Insane that Ford don’t have fairly basic parts like this in ready supply and no way could wife and grumpy toddler survive in this heat without a/c.
Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - KB.

I think most would have thought that was half the reason you bought a Ford ... easy parts availability and reasonably priced servicing etc..

It wouldn't be so bad if someone in Ford management got hold of the issue and, at least, contacted the OP ... but to ignore him is bad. No-one expects perfection and we all know problems occur - but it's how the problem is dealt with is what counts. As has been said , another one to strike of the shopping list whenh the time comes.

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - Ethan Edwards

Does this sort of thing explain Ford's ranking in the 2018 JDPower reliability index?

Frankly waiting this long for a fix is beyond satire. Shame on you Ford.

Edited by Ethan Edwards on 25/07/2018 at 23:34

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - andy18n

If it's out of warranty and you are in control of fixing it then less reason (agree with you somewhat) - they are great cars.

But if you're investing £25k+ in a newer vehicle under warranty for 'peace of mind' I'd rethink!

Just for your info my experience with running a 2010 Galaxy until 2017 and 82k miles was that maintenance costs increased sharply after year 5. We had a myriad of electrical issues which independents and auto electricians struggle to diagnose as the cars have 8 ECU control modules. We spent hundreds on auto electricians and had to revert to Ford. We had significant battery drain from a faulty smart charging system, then reversing lights failed (£800 body control ECU replacement), rear bushes and trailing arms at 80k miles (£850), rear springs corroding, exhaust replacement, continual front brake judder (4 x new sets of front discs), and front strut top bearings to name but a few. Whilst versatile and great to drive they are complicated machines.

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - andy18n

Haha we bought another because it had a warranty! What a laugh that has turned out to be!!!!

To be fair these days what models don't have their issues.....it's the response and timing I'm frustrated about. I think the earlier ones were less electrically complex as well. Good luck!

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - nick62

In any other industry, the manufacturer would "rob" a new one (vehicle) to get you out of a hole.

No chance of that happening here it would seem?

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - corax

To be fair these days what models don't have their issues.....it's the response and timing I'm frustrated about. I think the earlier ones were less electrically complex as well. Good luck!

MPV's do seem to be prone to more issues in later life than other types of car, it can't just be down to rougher family usage because they always get a combination of faults later down the line.

No particularly reliable choice out there any more since Toyota withdrew the Previa.

Ford Galaxy - STILL no aircon since March! Ford Warranty? - daveyK_UK
I disagree, or at least I disagree when it comes to van based MPVs which seem to be able to take a harder life due to there commercial under pinnings.

Is anyone really surprised by Fords having problems at 5 years old? Especially niche models such as the galaxy?
I have read far too many first hand experiences of people who worked at Ford Dagenham and Halewood in various roles who stated cost was always king even when they knew about quality issues with certain components.

Ford’s response (or lack of) to the 1.0 ecoboost issues should be enough to warn off any potential buyer.


Certain manufacturers stand by their products. certain ones don’t.