Bumper to bumper warranty ending soon, anything I should get done before it ends?

[Jamone]

My 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty is close to ending, it there any service that I should get done the is covered now that won't be once that expires? Are TSBs still covered after the warranty, or is that why they are TSBs instead of recalls? What about software updates, are they typically free if done with oil changes?

[jeff_h]

I took my 2010 FFH in for service just before selling it, to get a new battery/O2 sensor/engine belt, and the service guy said that there were two software updates that had never been applied to the car and wanted to know if I wanted them done, said they would charge $100 labor each to do them. At that point the car had 145k miles and still ran great, so I saw no need to spend an extra $200 on the updates. So while service departments at various dealers may handle things differently, based on my experience they sure were not willing to provide the software updates for free. I tend to think the same about TSBs but don't have any past experience on that one.

[SteveB_TX]

TSBs and software updates are not free after warranty, unless part of a RECALL. Recalls are free for the life of the car, not the owner. :)

If you are on good terms with your service guys, they MAY do a software update for free. One of the techs at my Ford dealer updated the PCM on my Mustang for free after I upgraded my wheels and tires.

[Ryan Goodlett]

TSBs and software updates are not free after warranty, unless part of a RECALL. Recalls are free for the life of the car, not the owner. :)

If you are on good terms with your service guys, they MAY do a software update for free. One of the techs at my Ford dealer updated the PCM on my Mustang for free after I upgraded my wheels and tires.

 

SteveB is right on the mark.

[Easy Rider]

TSBs and software updates are not free after warranty, unless part of a RECALL.

 

They are not automatically free anytime. Most are free during the BTB warranty. As was mentioned, the dealer has the final say after warranty......usually.

 

Each TSB stands on it's own and almost always contains a recommendation about which vehicles it should be applied to: Either ALL or "only those experiencing a specific problem".

 

It is wise to follow the recommendation and NOT insist on having a fix applied for a problem that you do not have.

In that case, you very well might be charged, warranty or not.

[Waldo]

Your warranty covers fixing problems. If you don't have any problems, there's nothing to fix under warranty.

[Jamone]

Your warranty covers fixing problems. If you don't have any problems, there's nothing to fix under warranty.

 

Right, but with the complexity of vehicles now days, its easy for a problem to exist but the end user not be able to tell. Also there may be problems that my car has, but I haven't experienced yet due to the right circumstances not having occurred for me, but others have had it. Simple example is the half shaft clicking, just because someone hasn't heard it yet, doesn't mean the problem (missing washer) wasn't effecting their car, the symptom just hasn't occurred yet.

Edited July 23, 2014 by Jamone

[Waldo]

 

Right, but with the complexity of vehicles now days, its easy for a problem to exist but the end user not be able to tell. Also there may be problems that my car has, but I haven't experienced yet due to the right circumstances not having occurred for me, but others have had it. Simple example is the half shaft clicking, just because someone hasn't heard it yet, doesn't mean the problem (missing washer) wasn't effecting their car, the symptom just hasn't occurred yet.

 

Well sort of. Cars do not come off the end of the assembly line exactly the same. The tolerance stack-ups can cause one car to have an issue while another one won't. There are probably plenty of cars out there )like probably >90%) that would never have any halfshaft clicking no matter what circumstance they were subjected to, even without the washer. You can't expect Ford to install the washer just on the 10% chance that you might experience the symptom in the future.

[tr7driver]

I'd check the automatic transmission case for leaks.

[hybridbear]

I agree that there are potential problems that you wouldn't realize was an issue were you not informed of the TSB or SSM message. Take for example the thread about the chimes (http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9051-ssm-chimes-reprogram/). We have definitely experienced this. Were it not for this posting I would never have realized the issue or that there was a fix. I'd heard something wrong but couldn't put my finger on it till reading that post.

[hytibill]

I agree that there are potential problems that you wouldn't realize was an issue were you not informed of the TSB or SSM message. Take for example the thread about the chimes (http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9051-ssm-chimes-reprogram/). We have definitely experienced this. Were it not for this posting I would never have realized the issue or that there was a fix. I'd heard something wrong but couldn't put my finger on it till reading that post.

I agree that there are stealth TSBs out there. For instance, I had a musty odor from my AC vents. Apparently, that's covered by a TSB! The same with the TSB covering a possible transmission leak. I had my engine oil changed at the dealership, but are they necessarily going to check for a transmission leak?! And if I don't change the oil, how would I ever know unless I brought it in for a check?

[Waldo]

I agree that there are stealth TSBs out there. For instance, I had a musty odor from my AC vents. Apparently, that's covered by a TSB! The same with the TSB covering a possible transmission leak. I had my engine oil changed at the dealership, but are they necessarily going to check for a transmission leak?! And if I don't change the oil, how would I ever know unless I brought it in for a check?

 

If you have a musty odor from your A/C vents, you take it to the dealer and tell them that. The fact that there is a TSB doesn't change anything. It's not "covered" by a TSB, there's just a TSB that tells the mechanic a potential fix for people who bring in their car and complain about a musty odor. There are other things that could cause musty odors that are not fixed by the instructions in the TSB.

 

If you pay your dealer for a multi-point inspection, they should be checking for transmission leaks, whether there is a TSB or not. If you do your own maintenance, then knowing about the TSB does give a little extra incentive to double check, but there could be leaks from anything at anytime that are not mentioned in any TSB. The method of discovering the leaks has no relevance to any TSB.

[Ryan Goodlett]

There are no stealth TSBs. None I repeat.

[GrySql]

 

If you have a musty odor from your A/C vents, you take it to the dealer and tell them that.

So my doors are off and the dash is coming out, hopefully they are using the TSB for guidance.

 

The one stealth item we got from you, the A/C FCIM re-programing that has no TSB. I included that in my list yesterday, I am amused to see what comes of my asking for that to be done.

Time will tell.

[acdii]

That update does the trick, I can turn the AC off now when in auto mode. Doesn't do jack for defrost though, so you get COLD air out the defrost when you dont really need or want it, just some air moving up the window to keep it from fogging. Instead, you get water on the outside of the windshield from the cold air. DOH.

 

Now if they can come up with a fix for the funky film on the inside of the windshield! Has anyone had success in removing it completely? Seems I clean it and 2 weeks later its back.

[tr7driver]

How did you request/describe the the A/C FCIM re-programing to the service advisor? I tried to do this yesterday and got the deer in the headlights look.

[hybridbear]

How did you request/describe the the A/C FCIM re-programing to the service advisor? I tried to do this yesterday and got the deer in the headlights look.

So did I! Our car is at the dealer now as well. I trust South Bay Ford to do things right for Gry Sql. Please let us know what they say on your receipt so I can make sure my dealer does it right.

[acdii]

How did you request/describe the the A/C FCIM re-programing to the service advisor? I tried to do this yesterday and got the deer in the headlights look.

I told them when I have the auto on, and have the power display on, when I press the AC button the light goes off, but you can still see the compressor drawing power. I could also hear the compressor still going. That was all he needed. It also helps that they know that I know a lot about these cars, and that when I describe something fixable, they look into it. Well they did and had it updated.

[hybridbear]

I told them when I have the auto on, and have the power display on, when I press the AC button the light goes off, but you can still see the compressor drawing power. I could also hear the compressor still going. That was all he needed. It also helps that they know that I know a lot about these cars, and that when I describe something fixable, they look into it. Well they did and had it updated.

What did your work order show to describe what they did?

[acdii]

They didn't put much on it, just said updated software, no codes or anything to note a TSB or something. If I remember I will ask them when I pick up my T tonight.

[hybridbear]

SSM 44558 to fix the A/C button. I would definitely get that done before your warranty ends. You can find it posted on the forum.

[Waldo]

SSM 44558 to fix the A/C button. I would definitely get that done before your warranty ends. You can find it posted on the forum.

 

To be clear, that SSM doesn't specifically say anything about the A/C button. It's written for some of the other problems like the temperature settings getting stuck. However since the fix is to update the FCIM to the latest level, it will come with the A/C button change.

 

So the point is, for anyone else going in to a dealer, tell them the temperature sometimes gets stuck, rather than tell them the A/C button doesn't work. However the SSM only applies to vehicles built before Dec 14, 2013, so any car newer than that won't have the SSM show up. But maybe cars built after Dec 14, 2013 don't have the A/C button problem anyway.

[GrySql]

 

To be clear, that SSM doesn't specifically say anything about the A/C button. It's written for some of the other problems like the temperature settings getting stuck.

Yes, it is nice to know my Tech was smart enough to apply the latest update for the FCIM, no matter what I said.

SSM 44558 is the only thing that could have applied to my complaint about the A/C button, he did it and it worked for my problem.

As you pointed out, some Dealers don't play that way or have Tech's that are allowed to use their initiative, if they have any in the first place.

Anyway, you set us on the road to getting this issue fixed and now we can point the Dealer's S/A to the right place to look, thanks.

 

You are in a special position, you just tell them to update anything that has an update available and they do it, most of us have to 'prove' that it needs to be done and then give the Dealer the necessary info to accomplish it, if they will listen.

My Dealer's S/A listens, and for that I drive farther to see them.

[acdii]

My dealer is the same way, I explained the AC doesn't actually shut off when the button is pressed, told him how I know this, and they found the SSM for the FCIM and applied the update even though it wasn't specific to the "problem".

 

What I like about my dealer is they work "with" the customer, not against them. There is a used 2005 Freestyle they have, I need a beater mobile that if I spill fuel, or oil, or smudge it or dent it, that I dont care. I can also drive into Chitcago and not worry if some bozo bangs into it. (I wont be happy about it, but at least its not my "new" cars). Overall the price on the car is right, I did some research determined that the car's value is roughly $4600 in my area, they were asking $5100, and I said I would be comfortable at $4600, no problem. I test drove the car, found 3 issues, wanted them checked out first before I signed, and they took care of all 3, no questions, no hesitation. Thats good customer relations both in sales and service. They have been in business here since 2003 when they took it over from the previous owners, and do a very good business, they are always busy. Other than the bad MPG issue with the BD, (even then they felt I was right), anytime I have a problem it gets looked at and fixed.

 

It is too bad not all dealerships follow the same path to great customer service. Granted, no free breakfast like some guys here get! :)

[hybridbear]

 

To be clear, that SSM doesn't specifically say anything about the A/C button. It's written for some of the other problems like the temperature settings getting stuck. However since the fix is to update the FCIM to the latest level, it will come with the A/C button change.

 

So the point is, for anyone else going in to a dealer, tell them the temperature sometimes gets stuck, rather than tell them the A/C button doesn't work. However the SSM only applies to vehicles built before Dec 14, 2013, so any car newer than that won't have the SSM show up. But maybe cars built after Dec 14, 2013 don't have the A/C button problem anyway.

That's true. But this SSM calls for updating the FCIM to the latest calibration and that is what fixes the A/C issue. If your request for a dealer to do that update doesn't get any traction then you can describe the issue in the SSM and ask them to fix it. If your car was built after 12/14/13 then you'll need another option.