|
2021 Thor Outlaw 38KB Godzilla Ford 7.3l TSB 20-2370 nightmare, help!!
Greetings, I need help and don't know where to turn. This is a long story that involves my new 2021 Outlaw 38KB with the new 7.3l gas motor (2020 F53 chassis).
I had a mechanical failure (3-14-21) related to Ford Tech Service Bulletin 20-2370, which is spark plug wire failure. They run very close to the unshielded exhaust manifold and in an extended climb, they get too hot and break down internally.
In my case I was climbing 13 miles out of Death Valley Towards Beatty, NV. After 10 miles the check engine light came on and it started to run rough. I made it to Beatty and called Ford Roadside. It was a Sunday and Ford Roadside couldn't send a tow because they couldn't locate a dealership that could receive my rig, they told me I'd have to wait until Monday.
Being dead in the water in Beatty, NV, I researched the problem on some forums and came up with the TSB that seemed to describe my exact problem. Thankfully there was great cell phone reception there. I removed spark plug wires one-by-one and I had at least 2 dead cylinders. This TSB also affects the SuperDuty line of trucks with the same motor.
First thing Monday I called the closest dealership (Las Vegas 120 miles away) to check stock on the new wire kit. The 4 Vegas dealerships were out of stock but Rush Truck Center in N. Las Vegas had 2 sets.
I called back Ford Roadside and they said their only option was to tow me there. I called Rush back and they would be the tow for Ford Roadside, $2,400 or send a service truck, $600. If I was towed there, they would be unable to work on it for several days. I couldn't waste several more days and this was also 120 miles in the opposite direction I was traveling.
I located a very nice lady who runs a courier service in Vegas. She went to Rush, picked up the wires I had paid for over the phone ($588.69) and delivered them to me for $175. I had them in-hand within a couple hours, gave her a $40 tip, 15 minutes to install them and I was on my way ... engine running perfect again.
Upon returning home, the check engine light remained on, I attempted to clear it by touching the unplugged battery wires together to no avail. I hooked my OBD Scanner up and was able to successfully clear the codes and the light went off. I don't have a competent RV dealer even remotely close to me so I have performed most of my Thor warranty stuff myself. I also don't have a Ford Auth RV dealership close.
Fast forward to current, I had submitted a claim for reimbursement after returning home March 15th. I recently received a check for $200 from Ford Roadside but not to cover the parts. I have attempted to contact Ford so many times I've lost count. Every department I speak to passes me to another whom they claim can help, or I get disconnected, or they give me a number which goes to an unrelated business. Some departments ask you to leave a message on what sounds like an answering machine recently purchased at a garage sale. When/if they call you back it sounds like they're in a chair on their backyard pool deck. For such a large organization, they are inept when it comes to customer service.
I've contacted; Ford RV Assistance, Consumer Affairs, Ford Protect, Ford Recall Dept., Customer Relationship, Ford Fleet, Ford Roadside and Ford Tech. I have spent literally hours and hours, probably 40-50, trying to get this resolved, including a trip to my local Ford Dealership which has helped me with a previous claim, to no avail. Circles and circles I'm sent in and MAJORLY frustrated !!
__________________
|
Linear Mode
