Where do I stand with Ford UK after my Fiesta suffered six buckled wheels over a few months?
I bought a new Ford Fiesta in November 2009. In March 2010 I noticed a bad steering vibration. This was checked at the Ford dealer who reported both front alloy wheels and one rear were buckled. Both front wheels were replaced costing me about £340. Driving into potholes was blamed and I was left to feel this was my, or my wife's driving at fault. The rear was deemed not so bad so it wasn't replaced. As you can imagine, the car has been driven with utmost care since.
Then, in the middle of May, the same vibration recurred accompanied with a pronounced 'lumpy' feel at low speed. I took the Fiesta to an independent tyre centre and discovered the inside rim of the f/n/s wheel was very badly buckled in three places. I took it straight back to the Ford dealer who confirm all four wheels need to be replaced at a cost of £640. I raised the matter with Ford UK who state this is not a warranty issue, nor can they consider a "goodwill" gesture as it's my own liability!
It seems far from right that a brand new car driven sensibly on public roads can suffer six wheels to buckle, three of them in less than two months. The Fiesta is a Titanium 1.6L TDCi with 16-inch alloys and Hancook 195/45/R16 low profile tyres. There is no damage to the tyres which suggests they transmit any shock straight to the wheel - I suspect the wheel/tyre combination is at fault. I'm curious to know how many other Ford owners have this issue. I've posted this as a technical matter, but I'd like to know where I stand legally with Ford UK?
Then, in the middle of May, the same vibration recurred accompanied with a pronounced 'lumpy' feel at low speed. I took the Fiesta to an independent tyre centre and discovered the inside rim of the f/n/s wheel was very badly buckled in three places. I took it straight back to the Ford dealer who confirm all four wheels need to be replaced at a cost of £640. I raised the matter with Ford UK who state this is not a warranty issue, nor can they consider a "goodwill" gesture as it's my own liability!
It seems far from right that a brand new car driven sensibly on public roads can suffer six wheels to buckle, three of them in less than two months. The Fiesta is a Titanium 1.6L TDCi with 16-inch alloys and Hancook 195/45/R16 low profile tyres. There is no damage to the tyres which suggests they transmit any shock straight to the wheel - I suspect the wheel/tyre combination is at fault. I'm curious to know how many other Ford owners have this issue. I've posted this as a technical matter, but I'd like to know where I stand legally with Ford UK?
Asked on 11 June 2010 by KD47
Answered by
Honest John
The 17-inch wheels with 40 section tyres on the Fiesta are even more vulnerable, and make the car feel like you are driving on over-inflated tyres. But pothole damage is not generally deemed to be the manufacturer's fault; rather the responsibility of the relevant council if it has been informed of potholes and has not fixed them.
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