I ordered and bought a new 2015 Ford Expedition Limited 4x4. I have never towed with it or hauled heavy cargo - strictly passenger use. It has never been wrecked or damaged, and is garaged when not used.
When the vehicle was delivered with two miles, the left front wheel opening molding was installed crooked and not fully attached. The lower molding behind the LF wheel was also not attached. That should have been a warning to me not to accept the vehicle. I accepted the vehicle and the service department fixed the moldings - which are now coming off again.
The quality and reliability of the vehicles has been poor. Numerous things have gone wrong with the vehicle. I also purchased the Ford Premium extended warranty.
At times, the dealer warranty and maintenance service has been okay - other times it has been poor. I stopped going to the selling dealer for repair and maintenance work, due to their poor service (warranty and customer pay).
Two issues remain unresolved; intermittent “no key detected” and “trailer wiring fault” messages. I have returned it to the dealer several times, only to be told there are “no codes”. I’ve learned that most Ford “factory trained technicians” do not know how to troubleshoot a problem.
I have owned and driven vehicles for 49 years. This was my first Ford - I had owned GM and Dodge vehicles (GM for 45 years). I doubt that I would by another Ford due the issues I’ve experienced.
It is my PERSONAL OPINION that many new vehicle dealerships are doing very well since the last recession. They have sold many cars and their service departments are flush with business. They have gotten “fat, dumb and lazy” and often don’t care about customer service.
Many technicians in the service departments are very young and know that they can go somewhere else and find another service job. Many lack pride in their work. Many don’t care about doing the job right, and have no concept of customer service and repeat service customers. Excellent service keeps the service customers returning, buying additional vehicles and telling their friends and neighbors about the dealership. Poor service drives customers away and generates negative word-of-mouth advertising.
The major vehicle manufacturers continue to survey and wonder why their customers leave the dealerships for independent shops. They’ll figure it out when the next downturn in the economy hits and will be spending a lot of money trying to get customers to return to their dealer shops.
