Dealership Service Beware!! 2015 Mustang GT Transmission and Paint Damage

[15mustang]

I wanted to share my experience to help everyone whether a Mustang or Camaro owner (please be careful when leaving your car at a dealership! A dash-cam is well worth the money!)

Summary: My brand new 2015 Mustang GT developed paint damage and serious transmission problems while in a Ford dealerships care. I am still trying to get it fixed (over 6 weeks later).

My video appeal to Ford with details:


More Details:
I recently purchased a brand new 2015 Mustang GT 5.0 ($37k, with 32 miles on it) and when I brought it home I noticed the door brushed against the front fender when I opened it which caused paint damage. It seems the front fender had been misaligned (link in Youtube video below).
So I took it to a local Ford dealership after I drove it about 200 miles, and they took pictures of the paint damage, and got authorization for warranty repair. They then took it to Greg's Auto Collision in St Augustine (~7 miles away) according to both the dealership service manager and assistant service manager and Greg’s apparently did a very poor paint repair on my new car (less than a week old). Pictures in Youtube video below. The paint and clear coat were further damaged on the car somehow in the whole process. The dealership then acknowledged the paint repair wasn’t right and could be sent back for proper paint repair.

So, I chose to bring my car home from the dealership, Bozard Ford, and when I drove away in my new Mustang (after the dealership had it for ~16 miles), I immediately noticed the manual transmission didn’t shift right at all (it always shifted perfectly when I dropped it off). The transmission would basically now bind, catch, grind and then pop into 4th gear at low RPMs in a very odd two stage process. It absolutely NEVER did this before I dropped it at the dealership. In addition, third and fourth now made a louder thud going into gear. The transmission shift quality was significantly, noticeably degraded somehow when I left it in the dealership’s care. (it is worth noting, they averaged 12.6MPG during the 16 miles they put on it)
Other people have driven it and confirmed my concern.

Terrible Paint Repair:


Update 2/4: Transmission now has serious problems at 244 miles on odometer! While with the Ford dealership for warranty paint repair and door/fender alignment, the manual transmission shift quality became VERY poor in 4th gear. So at 244 miles on the odometer it's now got manual transmission and paint problems!

Update 2/18: After talking to the dealership service manager, GM, and Ford I have still not been offered a brand new transmission for the car.

Update 3/9: Test drove a brand new 2015 Mustang GT Manual at Autonation Ford Jacksonville where I confirmed that a new Mustang GT manual does NOT exhibit the same shift problem. Asked that dealership change transmission fluid.

Update 3/12: No resolution reached despite dozens of phone calls to Ford and dealerships. Still have serious transmission problems with 4th gear.

Update 3/14: For additional confirmation, took it to an independent transmission repair shop 3/14 with 996 miles on it where the mechanic confirmed a transmission problem exists.

Update 3/19: Unable to get transmission fixed at all (neither rebuild or new) up to this point.

Update 3/20: Seems like more dealership run-around and denials etc...

Update 3/24: Another independent repair shop drives car 3/24 and mechanic said there def. is a problem with transmission. Believed to be bad syncros. Though, a Ford dealership still has NOT given me anything in writing that lists a problem they could find with transmission.

**My terrible experience is now on websites and forums. I will try to include latest updates on my video appeal to Ford below**


Note: I had requested transmission fluid be changed to check for metal deposits etc, but could not get warranty authorization/approval.

P.S. Please don't think this will never happen to your car. It could.

[RBL]

Man that sucks I hate to hear this for you.

[Splitter]

My worst nightmare man. This sucks. Contact the local news.

[DevilsReject97]

We all joke and prod each other about Mustangs, Challengers, Camaros, etc... but as real car guys/gals, we never want to see another person's car done like this. I really hope you are able to get this resolved, as that is just shoddy paint work and a car with less than 500 miles on it shouldn't have bad synchros....

Their transmissions were one big reason why I opted to not buy a 5.0 Mustang in the first place. I know GM has its own issues in the Camaro, but those issues are not so much the transmission itself, but how the fluid is managed.

Good luck to you!

[321LATER]

Sorry about the experience and this really sucks. I am hopeful that justice will be severed and you will get to enjoy the car you bought.

Keep on being persistent.

P.S. Nice car.

[GretchenGotGrowl]

Hmmm.

1) Mustang owner on Camaro Forum
2) Joins 3/30/2015
3) First and only post is about poor quality and service from Ford
4) First and only post is just after midnight on April Fool's day

[Splitter]

Originally Posted by GretchenGotGrowl

Hmmm.

1) Mustang owner on Camaro Forum
2) Joins 3/30/2015
3) First and only post is about poor quality and service from Ford
4) First and only post is just after midnight on April Fool's day

[Ragnar]

I'll give the OP credit:
(1) He posted a thread in 1 of 2 of the correct sections.
(2) If this is April Fools, man that was a lot of effort.
(3) If this really happened, this is so wrong for anyone with any vehicle to go thru.

[Banshee]

Trim your fingernails and get on testosterone to deepen voice. Maybe being a pony girl has something to do with improper shifting damaging synchros and getting answers and solutions to your Mustang issue.

[pyroguy]

Originally Posted by DevilsReject97

We all joke and prod each other about Mustangs, Challengers, Camaros, etc... but as real car guys/gals, we never want to see another person's car done like this.

Unless it's a Honda, nobody likes Honda drivers...j/k

I have had run around from places trying to do as quick of a job as possible and don't care about customer service. Good luck to you in your struggles.

I'm not sure if there is or what the Florida lemon law might be. However, if they have one you might research it and Ford/the dealership might have to buy back your Mustang.

[15mustang]

Originally Posted by Splitter

My worst nightmare man. This sucks. Contact the local news.

Worst nightmare indeed.

[15mustang]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

this is so wrong for anyone with any vehicle to go thru.

Yup, and it can happen to any make/model. I think I'm ready for a Camaro or a Corvette! I want more displacement anyways. Moral of my bad experience? A dash-cam is the best 'security package' money you'll likely spend. I've had to work very hard to make progress, some people mentioned a possible dealership coverup (I'll make no comment on that). Dozens of phone calls, dozens of hours, hundreds of miles related to this.

I saw an instance about a Camaro too, and felt bad for the guy. Thankfully he had it all on audio (glad he caught them!):

[15mustang]

Originally Posted by pyroguy

Unless it's a Honda, nobody likes Honda drivers...j/k

I have had run around from places trying to do as quick of a job as possible and don't care about customer service. Good luck to you in your struggles.

I'm not sure if there is or what the Florida lemon law might be. However, if they have one you might research it and Ford/the dealership might have to buy back your Mustang.

Thanks, appreciate your support!! Whether a Mustang, Camaro, or even a Honda I would feel bad for them!

[45thCamaro]

I'm sorry to hear that OP. It sucks when the dealership completely ruins the car buying experience for you. My experience buying the Camaro was ruined by the dealership I bought my car at too. Not at the length of what you have gone through, maybe it's time to get a lawyer involved. They obviously do not seem to care, so it might be the time to take them to court. They will change their tune quick once they see something serious walk through the door. They might even offer another car (which is what you might want), or a refund (better option).