Titanium X Mondeo wheel corrosion, may affect Ghia aswell
Discussion
Hi
My 55 plate Mondeo has the standard 7 spoke 18 inch wheels, titanium finish.
3 of the 4 wheels have started with the dreaded corrosion.
Ford so called 'customer relations' tell me that Ford regard the wheels as 'trim' and as a result they are not covered under the 3 yr warranty.
The best they offer (under 'good will') is 60% of a max award of £75.
They suggest I get them refurbished and seem not to understand that the original finish is not achieve-able via re-furb.
Replacement are quoted as circa £130 + vat.
Shame, fabulous car, looks great, let down by wheels.
I have written to Ford MD and await a response.
Any others out there experienced a similar problem with their wheels ?
My 55 plate Mondeo has the standard 7 spoke 18 inch wheels, titanium finish.
3 of the 4 wheels have started with the dreaded corrosion.
Ford so called 'customer relations' tell me that Ford regard the wheels as 'trim' and as a result they are not covered under the 3 yr warranty.
The best they offer (under 'good will') is 60% of a max award of £75.
They suggest I get them refurbished and seem not to understand that the original finish is not achieve-able via re-furb.
Replacement are quoted as circa £130 + vat.
Shame, fabulous car, looks great, let down by wheels.
I have written to Ford MD and await a response.
Any others out there experienced a similar problem with their wheels ?
Did you buy it new?
If so, get new or refurb (depending on your preference) and then send the supplier the bill. They'll refuse to pay, so then issue a Small Claims Court claim using http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk . They'll pay then.
If you bought it used then the supplier is still legally responsible, but it gets a bit messy.
If so, get new or refurb (depending on your preference) and then send the supplier the bill. They'll refuse to pay, so then issue a Small Claims Court claim using http://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk . They'll pay then.
If you bought it used then the supplier is still legally responsible, but it gets a bit messy.
What Devalink said...
Sale of Goods Act says that goods (inc cars) must be 'fit for purpose' and must last a reasonable time. I think a couple of years is more than reasonable to expect your wheels to last!
Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau and have a chat with them if you need to take this to court. CAB are also good at helping to write letters which may help persuade Ford to sort them before having to bring a court claim.
Sale of Goods Act says that goods (inc cars) must be 'fit for purpose' and must last a reasonable time. I think a couple of years is more than reasonable to expect your wheels to last!
Go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau and have a chat with them if you need to take this to court. CAB are also good at helping to write letters which may help persuade Ford to sort them before having to bring a court claim.
Hi
Thanks for the advice.
Isn't irritating to have to spend time fighting what is right...thats life I suppose.
I bought the car 2nd hand from a dealer, it has full service history.
I will wait for Ford MD response.
CRC rang last night to 'close the claim' as the offer lasts only 30 days. The arrogance was breath-taking. I explained that I had elevated the claim to a higher authority and that they should not close the case...they reluctantly agreed. It seems process drives the customer focus and not customer need.
Thanks for the advice.
Isn't irritating to have to spend time fighting what is right...thats life I suppose.
I bought the car 2nd hand from a dealer, it has full service history.
I will wait for Ford MD response.
CRC rang last night to 'close the claim' as the offer lasts only 30 days. The arrogance was breath-taking. I explained that I had elevated the claim to a higher authority and that they should not close the case...they reluctantly agreed. It seems process drives the customer focus and not customer need.
Setch993 said:
Ford so called 'customer relations' tell me that Ford regard the wheels as 'trim' and as a result they are not covered under the 3 yr warranty.
LOL, if they are trim, can they be removed to save weight? Wheels are structural.When you say they are corroding, do you mean that the metal is decaying, or the paint finish? The wheels on my ST220 have several spots where they are going white beneath the finish. It's very annoying because I take such good care of my wheels.
Hi
Your ST wheel complaint seems just like mine, from what you describe.
Mine have developed a milky white colour under the finish. Like you I take great care of my wheels, none are curbed etc.
CRC rang today to say they will improve the offer to 70% of a max £300 (from 60%). I again explained that this was unacceptable as refurb is not an option. They seemed reluctant to respond to me in writing. I said that I had raised a formal complaint and expected a formal response...this is to follow. Once I have this tangible offer I will pursue it further.
Incidentlt a formal complaint to executives in Ford is simply passed to the customer relations dept. The process driven system seems to deny us punters access to the key decision makers.
When you say they are corroding, do you mean that the metal is decaying, or the paint finish? The wheels on my ST220 have several spots where they are going white beneath the finish. It's very annoying because I take such good care of my wheels.
Your ST wheel complaint seems just like mine, from what you describe.
Mine have developed a milky white colour under the finish. Like you I take great care of my wheels, none are curbed etc.
CRC rang today to say they will improve the offer to 70% of a max £300 (from 60%). I again explained that this was unacceptable as refurb is not an option. They seemed reluctant to respond to me in writing. I said that I had raised a formal complaint and expected a formal response...this is to follow. Once I have this tangible offer I will pursue it further.
Incidentlt a formal complaint to executives in Ford is simply passed to the customer relations dept. The process driven system seems to deny us punters access to the key decision makers.
Witchfinder said:
Setch993 said:
Ford so called 'customer relations' tell me that Ford regard the wheels as 'trim' and as a result they are not covered under the 3 yr warranty.
LOL, if they are trim, can they be removed to save weight? Wheels are structural.When you say they are corroding, do you mean that the metal is decaying, or the paint finish? The wheels on my ST220 have several spots where they are going white beneath the finish. It's very annoying because I take such good care of my wheels.
Oh joy.
Spoke to dealer about what contribution they could make to the issue. Suggested wheels at trade etc, no go.
Even worse...I sourced a wheel restorer 20 miles away who could do 'metallic anthracite' (sound OK & would suit the car). Dealer would remove my wheels, place car on axle stands and strip tyres off but then wouldn't take the wheels to the refurbisher ?!
Eventually after talking to the dealer MD this was resolved. Still waiting for formal written response from Ford though.
Can't be ar*ed to pursue, more to life than Ford.
Will I have another? Probably not.
Great car; shame about the manufacturer and dealers !
Spoke to dealer about what contribution they could make to the issue. Suggested wheels at trade etc, no go.
Even worse...I sourced a wheel restorer 20 miles away who could do 'metallic anthracite' (sound OK & would suit the car). Dealer would remove my wheels, place car on axle stands and strip tyres off but then wouldn't take the wheels to the refurbisher ?!
Eventually after talking to the dealer MD this was resolved. Still waiting for formal written response from Ford though.
Can't be ar*ed to pursue, more to life than Ford.
Will I have another? Probably not.
Great car; shame about the manufacturer and dealers !
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