UNRELIABLE FORD RANGER 3.2 AUTO 2017

<p>I purchased a brand new 2017 Ford Ranger 3.2 Auto on 31 May 2017 from Dirkie Kotze of Halfway Ford in Goodwood, after my previous Ford Ranger 3.2 2014 left me stranded along the road 3km before Klawer on a Sunday morning, with an odometer reading just below 60 000km. Since middle June 2017, at a low odometer reading of just over 2000km, I only have problems with the new Ford Ranger. It kicked out dark smoke, roughness & vibration when started, and poor pulling power and difficulty in changing to other gears. I also found that when this happens, there is a smell of something burning. Dirkie Kotze who sold me the vehicle, was of the opinion that a "software update" must be done and I was referred to Clinton Pretorius of Halfway Ford in Kuils River as the staff from Halfway Ford in Goodwood were on course. The software update was done and that same evening on the way home, the engine management light appeared on the dashboard. I took a picture with my cellphone of this and sent it via e-mail to Dirkie Kotze at Halfway Ford in Goodwood, who requested that the vehicle must come in early the next morning for another software update. According to him, the spanner normally indicates that the vehicle requires a service. The vehicle was returned to Dirkie Kotze the next day for another scan and he would have checked with Clinton Pretorius of Halfway Ford in Kuils River as to what their diagnosis were. An e-mail was then addressed to the Dealer Principal, Gavin Brereton, of Halfway Ford in Goodwood, setting out my unhappiness about this vehicle and that the problems are not sorted out. Regardless of the software updates and scans, the problems above remained. Mr Brereton responded via e-mail, advising that he would arrange for his Master Technician, Adri Combrinck, to collect the vehicle to attend to my issues. I was not prepared to drive the vehicle at all and arranged that the vehicle be collected from my workshop in Brackenfell. At that stage, a Ford Fiesta was left as courtesy vehicle and that same evening Adri of Halfway Ford in Goodwood returned my bakkie. Adri advised me that scans were done , the transmission control module connector was checked for any abnormalities, pins & wires checked and plug cleaned with electrical cleaner. The positive and earth supply to the module was checked and no faults were found following these tests. Fuses were inspected and relays relating to the module and found a power supply relay in the battery junction box that was not sealing properly. The relay was secured and another diagnostic test was done, the vehicle driven numerous times and also on delivering the vehicle Adri could not find any fault or any abnormalities and the vehicle behaved normally. I informed Adri that we were leaving the next day for Mossel Bay for the weekend and he had no objection to me taking his cellphone number should any problems arise. At this stage I had no confidence in this vehicle and found it completely unreliable. I am not the only driver of this vehicle. That same evening (29 June) I took my family for supper and not even 2 blocks away from home, the bakkie would go into a limp mode with no power and changed over to the default gear. All problems I experienced with this vehicle from the word go, was communicated in writing with the parties concerned, including my experience of that evening especially after the vehicle was just returned. I even had a meeting with the Dealer Principal and Dirkie Kotze but was told by Mr Brereton that I am uninformed and don't know what I am talking about. In my e-mail of 30th June to Gavin Brereton and Dirkie Kotze of Halfway Ford in Goodwood I informed them of my plans for that weekend. The response I received from Mr Brereton was that, should I experience any problems en route, I can contact Ford Road Side Assistance and their telephone number. On 30 June we left for Mossel Bay. Between Mossel Bay and Hartenbos I stopped to meet family, but when I wanted to start the vehicle, it wouldn't. When it did and I tried to use the reverse setting, the vehicle would cut out and the headlights off. And once again the smell in the cabin of something burning. I contacted Adri and informed him of the problem. He wasn't sure himself what to think. Eventually we managed to get to the ATKC in Hartenbos to collect the keys of our accommodation which was booked. When I started the vehicle again, the same happened, but this time the bakkie wouldn't start at all, It sounded like a starter problem. I informed Adri again of the problem. As per Mr Brereton's advice, Ford Roadside Assist was contacted. The most frustrating process. We are left on the side of the road with a broken vehicle, no other means of transport and frustration. With about the 5th attempt to Ford Roadside Assist, I managed to speak to someone with brains who took charge of the situation and kept his promise to let me know what would happen next. Unfortunately I didn't take his name. I had to make arrangements with my family who luckily haven't left Hartenbos yet, to assist us to get the vehicle to safe place until the next morning when the lowbed, arranged by Ford Roadside Assist, would come and collect it. The next morning, 1 July, the vehicle was collected and taken to the Ford Dealer in Mossel Bay where Mr Pieter Cillie met with us. He instructed his technician, Vernon, to do a diagnostic check. There was no indication as to how long this would take and my concern was how we would return home. Mr Cillie suggested that we rent a car from Avis down the road to get back to Cape Town on the Sunday. After some time have passed, Vernon suggested to take the vehicle to Battery King for a printout on the battery. He stayed away for quite some time and when he returned, he informed me that a positive wire from the fuse box was shorting and therefore causing the problem. The fuse box was damaged in the process and needed to be replaced by the Ford dealer where I bought the vehicle. By now the salesman, Dirkie Kotze wouldn't even answer my phone calls and Gavin Brereton couldn't care less. I phoned Adri Combrinck and informed him what has transpired and he requested that the vehicle be returned on 3 July 2017 to have the fuse box replaced. We managed to get back to Cape Town on that Sunday. It has been 3 weeks of frustration. I didn't drive my vehicle since I parked it on that Sunday upon our return as I still had no confidence in it. Arrangements were made telephonically to collect my vehicle on Tuesday, 4 July, and a courtesy vehicle was left to use. I confirmed this arrangement in writing and also mentioned to Dirkie Kotze, Gavin Brereton and Adri Combrinck that the vehicle is not starting the way it should. When their driver. Roy, started the vehicle, he also confirmed that something is not right. There is a roughness and vibration when starting up and weird idling which corrects itself after a few seconds. I have a mechanical workshop and I am not in the industry from today. I know when there is a problem. I spoke to Gavin Brereton on the morning of 5 July 2017 to enquire about a proposal to buy another Ford Ranger. I went to Halfway Ford in Goodwood on 6 July to return the courtesy vehicle as it was on loan to someone else later that day. I met with the top salesman, Werner Stevens (suggested by Gavin Brereton), and Adri Combrinck and asked them to start my vehicle. The both confirmed that something is not right. I then requested that they start another new Ford Ranger, which started smoothly like it should. Both these gentlemen acknowledged that there was a problem with my vehicle. I received the proposal. I am not prepared to loose R73700.00 and an instalment increasing by R1000.00. Furthermore, I have to pay for the rubberising and smash and grab myself as well as the licencing of the vehicle. I have put quite a bit of extras on my vehicle of which I can only keep the bonnet part and my tyres. The canopy would be transferred onto the new vehicle.</p> <p>I am not prepared to loose out. I was sold a problem vehicle and I paid for a brand new one. I often travel long distances and in 3 months from now I am going to Namibia, the accommodation whereof has already been paid. I am not prepared to risk driving a vehicle which will most probably leave me stranded. A further problem I have is that it is a requirement of the insurance that a tracking device be installed, This has not yet been done due to the problems. Neither will we be allowed in Namibia without proof of the tracking device.</p> <p>I am not prepared to keep driving a problem vehicle nor pay for a new vehicle, loose out on the deposit I put down on it in the first place and increase my instalment.</p>