BLOWN UP 2011 5.0

[11Coyote]

Hello fellow Ford owners,

I have joined this Forum to let as many people know about my problem as I can.

In April of 2011 I bought a 2011 Mustang 5.0 C/S, I was told by the dealer RUSSEL & SMITH FORD in Houston, TX that they would allow me to use Nitrous and a Tune on the vehicle and if any problems I brought it back to them, they would fix the problem and take care of me. Authorized by the Sales Manager.

I DID NOT USE NITROUS, i did however buy a SCT tuner and Cold Air from AmericanMuscle.com and Tunes by BAMA. Tune was installed on the vehicle when it had aprox. 1500 miles on it. From April to January the car had 4,600 miles put on it. Thats 500 miles a month. Just recently the car started to smoke (white) so I called the dealer, they advised me to bring it in and let them take a look at it. I did not want to drive it to possibly cause more damage to it so I called a wrecked under my Ford Warranty.

When the car was at the dealer it was determined that CYLINDER #8 was bad and the dealership told me that I needed a new motor. Prior to bringing the car in the Cold air was removed and the tune was taken off and returned to stock. The dealership advised that the car had been tuned and that my Ford warranty was voided. They quoted me $10,640.70 to fix my BRAND NEW CAR. I went to the dealership to talk to the Sales Manager and he no longer works there. I talked to the GM and he told me that the Sales Manager would never say that and that I would have to fix the car out of pocket. I then called the VP of the dealership and he also told me there was nothing he could do, but agreed that the car should not have blown up with that little miles no matter what.

I then called BAMA tuning and talked to Mike, Mike was very helpful and said that he would do anything to help me fix the problem and get my car fixed. He suggested that I call Ford Motor Company Customer Relations and talk to them about the problem because apparently this is a ongoing problem and happens to 100% stock 2011 5.0's.

I called Customer Relations at FORD and I told them what had been going on and they basically told be I am screwed and that I had to fix it out of pocket. I let them know that their lack of wanting to help would cause nothing but bad publicity for them and they again did not seem to care.

I am (was) a Ford man, but this incident has let me down in believing in Ford backing their products. I have had a Fully built Z06, Built 03 Cobra, 550 WHP Integra, and never have I had a problem like this much less with a BRAND NEW CAR!! I guess that is what happens when you buy a first year motor.

I hope everyone will read this and learn that #1. Never listen to a dealership even if it is a Manager. #2. Do not buy a first year motor. #3. FORD is not willing to help you out.

I have been doing research and I have read a few articles where these 100% stock Mustangs have been blowing up CYLINDER #8. I will be filing a law suit against Ford and the Dealership on this matter. Please PM me if you have had any of the same problems with your 5.0.

I would like to give props to BAMA Tuning for stepping up to bat for their customers and WANTING to help!

 

[bigb427]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I know you don't want to hear this, but you are almost certainly on your own for repairing this without any help from Ford. I suggest reading this TSB that Ford has released: Ford TSB 11-07-07.pdf

I'd go after BAMA to pay for the repairs if it were me.

 

[bbb455]

My understanding is that Bama tunes had issues with the # 8 cylinder early "11 tunes. I remeber reading the American Muscle was covering complete engine replacement if there was an engine failure with their Bama tunes. Contact Am Muscle.

 

[bbb455]

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/must...social&utm_campaign=forumspost7222011warranty

 

[turbogt]

First, you're an idiot for believing a dealer when they told you they would warranty everything, even if you ran nitrous. Second, the car had a Bama tune which is questionable to begin with, and you're not the only person to experience problems. So now would be the time to call up a reputable shop and talk about a built motor. Third, your lawsuit isn't going go anywhere and posts like this can and WILL be used against you.

And last, buy a GM if you think they can do any better. I promise, they can't

 

[turbogt]

Dp

 

[turbogt]

Tp

 

[S&B]

I dont think your an idiot at all. I just dont know why ford is responsible for a tune that is not a FMS product. Your warranty covers the car as it left the factory if you modify the computer thats your problem. I would get a lawyer and go after Bama tunes for the money but im pretty sure they have clear warnings about uploading the tune to your car and your factory warranty. Good luck that really sucks and it sounds like a huge hassle.

If you felt if was not big deal why did you remove the tune and CAI ?

 

[Steedaq]

I dont think your an idiot at all. I just dont know why ford is responsible for a tune that is not a FMS product. Your warranty covers the car as it left the factory if you modify the computer thats your problem. I would get a lawyer and go after Bama tunes for the money but im pretty sure they have clear warnings about uploading the tune to your car and your factory warranty. Good luck that really sucks and it sounds like a huge hassle.

If you felt if was not big deal why did you remove the tune and CAI ?

I agree and don't really know the situation, but I would think the tuner would be at fault. Personally, I've dealt with three dyno tuning shops and all three sucked. Good luck.

 

[d98gt]

Contact Bama and see if you were included when they issued the warranty for #8 as that is their claim to fame when it comes to tuning the coyotes.

I'm surprised you believed that you could add nitrous and get the car warrantied.

 

[beviking]

Ouch, that doesn't leave me warm and fuzzy. I don't know how some dealers/salespersons can sleep at night...I've had enough dealings with them to know not to believe what they say, unless it's written/signed. Yeah, write stuff down, then ask the guy to sign his name and watch the look on his face! 60minutes or some other show should do undercover just to find out what is/isn't said.
Anyway, best of luck getting this issue resolved!

 

[bigb427]

There are exceptions, but generally speaking sales personnel and sales managers know absolutely nothing about warranty policy, and even less about repairing/maintaining cars. It can also be said that most sales managers have absolutely no influence or say as to what goes on in a service department.

To the O.P. you are pretty much screwed if you really think you are going to sue Ford and/or the dealership. You should have not posted the name of the dealership you went to because Ford does monitor numerous forums to gather information just for reasons such as your situation.

As I stated before, I would go after BAMA. This is your only real chance for getting your car fixed at no expense to you.

 

[Bad Boss 302]

As long as you are still covered, Bama will pay up to $8000 according to what I read. Maybe the dealership will work some sort of a deal with you for the other $2000. Understand that the dealership doesn't have to do anything for you. If your attitude is to sue then why would they want to do anything. The thing now is your attitude.

From all the cars you've owned I assume you are not a naive kid. You should know better that a salesman wants to sell and the unethical ones will tell you everything you want to hear. Car sales and service are two completely different profit centers at the dealership. Unless you are dealing with the owner at a dealership, sales people have no authority over service. Bottom line: Ford is in no way at fault for your blown engine. Good luck.

 

[1995cobraR]

I then called BAMA tuning and talked to Mike, Mike was very helpful and said that he would do anything to help me fix the problem and get my car fixed.

You should take it to Mike and have him install a new engine.

He voided your warranty.

 

[ATISTANG]

You should take it to Mike and have him install a new engine.

He voided your warranty.

Mike didnt void , the owner is the one who decided to have the car tuned

 

[mbuckcoyote]

The thing that sticks out in this kind of issue is that it is always one sided. Who knows how the owner treated his GT except for the owner. The '#8 issue' is always handled with a one sidede complaint with the owner crying foul and his dealing with the dealership and Ford as negative. For those who think they can re-write or interpret the warranty of a car to suit them, you'll get nowhere. You are ultimately responsible for any modification done to your new, under warranty car. Car companies are responsible for their workmanship and the quality of the product they sell.

That being said, I have a SC canned tune to my GT and if the engine let's go, I'll be the one in the outhouse, not Ford. I accept this as should anybody who goes beyond the initial build of a vehicle...it is what it is...

Oh and, I don't believe the story as a whole. If you really think you could make a 'modification deal' with the dealership, you are nieve! As I said in so many words, Ford and the dealerships are not going to cover your decision to modify their work under any circumstance.

 

[madweazl]

You're upset with Ford and want to sue them? When did the people of this nation decide the consequences of their actions is automatically the fault of an entity that had absolutely nothing to do with the situation at hand? You and only you are responsible for what has happened to the vehicle. The tuner may have culpability in the matter but you made the conscious decision to do this to your vehicle. Sorry your engine failed but I sincerely hope your case is dismissed as the only thing it will do is raise the price of vehicles and warranties for the rest of us because of your ignorance. Address the matter with your tuner and go from there. It is up to Ford to prove your modifications caused the engine failure; I have zero doubt they'll be able to do so. A crate engine runs ~$6000, drop it in yourself and save the 4k. You should be able to find a short block for roughly half that.

 

[turbogt]

I don't think this thread is going how the Op had imagined....

 

[dhcolesj]

I wonder if 11Coyote is even logging back in to read this thread. I'm sure the thought process was more along the lines of "I'll get all these 'Stang folks behind me and twist Ford's Arm" and instead got "all these 'Stang folks calling me an idiot or saying sorry about your luck".

However, truth is, we all wish you the best and hope you get some relief, but most of all that you learn from the experience or better yet, that someone else learns from your experience.
5 Lessons:
1. Don't trust sales people in dealerships. Its not that there aren't good guys out there being honest (I bought my car from one of them, and wish him all the best), its that you don't know whether they are or not. Until you do, don't trust them.
2. Get it in writing because of #1. If its in writing signed by a legal representative of the dealership, they're liable, otherwise its just a pipe dream.
3. Modify your car at your own risk. Realize that Tunes and Mods are cool and great, but if you don't have the money to clean up after their messes, don't. If you do have the money and if a dealer decides to cover it, you're good, and if they don't, you're still good.
4. Don't complain about screwing yourself over in a public forum, unless you like being called an idiot, or just want to help others learn from your lapses in judgement.
5. Don't threaten to sue a dealership after bad mouthing them publicly, it probably will come back to haunt you. Yes, Lawyers are smart people who can put 2 and 2 together and figure out who 11coyote is, and if they can't the people they hire can ('cause they have money too).

Either way, 11Coyote we'd like to know how this turns out.

 

[streethorse]

Salesman- "Hi would you like to buy this Mustang 5.0?
Customer- "Yes, but only if I can run Nitrous and a tune and not void my warranty"
Salesman- "Sure , no problem! Sign here".