******, Misled and done over by For Middelburg and the NOTORIOUS, BURNING, FORD KUGA

Good day

I hope you this email finds you well. I have been a huge Ford fan since I bought my first Ford Escort in 1998 with my first salary cheque. After rolling my Ford Ranger in 2013 and believing the only reason that I am alive is because of the safety features that Ford is so proud of, there for it is with great disappointment that I have contact Hello Peter with this matter.

I bought a 1.6 petrol 2013 Ford Kuga in 2016 from Ford Roodepoort and I’m writing to you with my experience with regards to this car.

Within the first year this car was in 3 different Ford dealerships (Roodepoort, Brits and Middelburg) more than 10 times but it felt closer to 20 for going into limp mode, which as you know is a safety feature to protect the car’s engine from damage. Every time they put the car onto the computer and just reset and replace some sensors. After this struggle the turbo was eventually replaced as this is what Ford Middelburg said the issue was. While my car was standing on the floor at Ford Middelburg with this issue I was informed that my warranty had expired while on their floor and I would have to carry the cost. I did not agree with this as my car went into their dealership under warranty, they then discussed this with Ford Head office and eventually the turbo was replaced under warranty. After receiving the car back and not even making it home the car went back into limp mode, I turned around and returned to the Ford Middelburg dealership. After having my car again for a few weeks and sorting out some wiring issues my car was returned to me.

As you know this specific model has been recalled 4 times during the time that I have had it for manufacturing issues: Stage 1, Stage 2, Seatbelts and Clutch.

The next issue we had with the car was a warning light saying ‘Engine coolant low’ at the start of 2018, after topping up the water a couple of kms. later the same warning came up and we took it straight to Ford Middelburg to find out what the issue was. We were informed that the water pump was damaged/worn and needed replacing at our cost as it was out of warranty +/- R7000.00 (which I paid). After Ford Middelburg kept the car for a few extra days after replacing the water pump and testing the car it was given back to me with a promise that the issue was now sorted. 178km later the same warning of ‘engine coolant low’ came up. After phoning Ford Middelburg regarding his issue I was told that an airlock could have formed I must fill up the car with water and to bring the car back to Ford Middelburg if the issue persists. Needless to say the issue did not resolve itself and the car was returned to Ford Middelburg. This time I was informed that a faulty water pump had been installed and the part had a guarantee so it was replaced free of charge. I collected my car again and not even 10km later the ‘engine coolant low’ came on again and I was assisted by the DP of Ford Middelburg Stephan as it happened at the school where both our sons attend. He insisted on me bringing the car back the next morning and he would supply me with a courtesy car and would resolve the issue immediately. After testing (in my opinion the car was ridden hard to find out where the water was disappearing to at this stage) the diagnosis was that the radiator had to be replaced at my cost, after numerous discussions Ford Middelburg agreed to replace the radiator as this could have been the issue from the start so the part we had paid for already would cover this cost. After collecting the car, I noticed that the car struggled to start with the push button and within 30km the ‘engine coolant low’ warning came on AGAIN. I returned the car to Ford Middelburg, this time the diagnosis was that the engine had to be replaced at my cost of R72 000.00, after months of fighting as I felt the faulty water pump supp**** by Ford was the cause of the damage to the engine and Ford Middelburg insisting that they only guarantee the faulty part and not the damage caused by that faulty part that was installed by them. I then replaced the engine with a 100% cost to myself and Ford Middelburg taking no responsibility for any damage.

Upon collection of the car I then went on holiday presuming that my car was in perfect condition with a new engine, it was not. The car left me on the side of the road at 2am on the N1 between Colesburg and Bloemfontein with myself, my wife and my 3 small children in it. My insurance towed my car to Humans Auto Ford Bloemfontein and provided me with a 24-hour rental car to get to JHB cost to myself R1500.00 as pick up and drop off was at different branches.

Receiving a diagnosis from Humans Auto it was established that there was a failure of the side shaft seal which caused the transmission oil to leak and this caused the gearbox to seize (see attached quotation R84 000.00 gearbox replacement and photos). After researching, a new seal would have to have been replaced with the engine replacement. I then phoned Stephan the DP at Ford Middelburg as the diagnosis is a direct result of the previous work done by them by replacing my engine. Ford Middelburg sent me a courtesy vehicle a Ford Ranger 2.2 auto driven from their dealership floor in Middelburg to where I was in JHB (thank you for this service). I am still in possession of this vehicle weeks later as my car is still in Bloemfontein at Humans Auto. I was then forwarded an email by Humans Auto that is between themselves and Ford Middelburg stating from Gerhard Furter from Ford Middelburg that they have viewed the photos sent to him by Humans Auto and no damage to the seal could be seen on the photos and therefore they do not accept responsibility for the failure of the seal that they installed and the gearbox needs to be replaced at my cost. It also stated that they would be requesting their courtesy vehicle back that same day.

This is the current situation that I find myself in and was hoping by writing to you and praying that the mail reaches you, that you could possibly help with resolving this issue. As the R7 000.00 + R72 000.00 + R1 500.00 + R84 000.00 probably exceeds the value of the car and I feel that none of these costs should have been from my pocket.

Please help.

Kind regards,

Sarel Bosman

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