[Odin]

I bought my '08 GT at Rodeo Ford at the end of Feb and the dealer gave me 4 free oil changes. So last Saturday I took the car in for my first free oil change and told them to do the airbag TSB while they were in there. I specifically advised the service writer NOT to make any changes to the PCM since I have a C&L CAI and 93 octane tune from Brenspeed.

The service writer informed me that any time they plug into the ODBII port that they flash the car back to stock or to whatever version that Ford says is current. I told him that my car won't run right, and may cause damage, if they flash it back to stock and that there was no reason for them to change the PCM when doing the airbag TSB. He even called a tech who confirmed that they would reflash the PCM and that was their standard procedure.

They also advised that they could not do any work on Saleens and Shelbys since they had been retuned. I asked about the 11 Saleens and Shelbys that they had in stock at the time and they said if they sold them that they could not service them. I asked if I could buy FRPP products through the dealer since there was a Ford accessory catalog in the parts department that advertised FRPP products for Mustangs. They told me that they would not sell, order, install, or service anything from Ford Racing.

Does anyone know of a dealer in the Dallas area that isn't anti-mod and will service my car and perform the recalls and TSB's as needed?

Never do business with Rodeo Ford, they don't want money from people who mod their cars.

[Torr]

What a crock, sorry to hear that. Good luck, but I live in MI.

[Odin]

A couple of weeks ago my wife totalled her car and needs a new vehicle. I was going to buy another car from Rodeo (a loaded Expedition maybe) but that's never going to happen. I guess we can take out good credit to one of the other 50 Ford dealers in Dallas while local Ford dealers like Rodeo slowly die of lack of sales. I never understood why a business that sells expensive items makes it so damn hard to do business with them. Customer Service is a foreign concept to these people.

[silverstang]

its sad that there are dealers like that..........i work at a dealer in texas and we dont do any ford racing stuff because we are not a FRPP dealer ( im sure we would but it would cost alot of money for the customer)............but we are very kind and tell the customer about the local speed shop that specializes in modular fords lol..........(they cut me deals too everytime i send them some work)

i am a tech, and i deffenetly am not "anti mod" lol

[Torr]

Originally Posted by Odin A couple of weeks ago my wife totalled her car and needs a new vehicle. I was going to buy another car from Rodeo (a loaded Expedition maybe) but that's never going to happen. I guess we can take out good credit to one of the other 50 Ford dealers in Dallas while local Ford dealers like Rodeo slowly die of lack of sales. I never understood why a business that sells expensive items makes it so damn hard to do business with them. Customer Service is a foreign concept to these people.

Yes it is, but you can vote with your wallet. I could sell you a new expedition, but we then would have to ship it to you. Doesnt necessarily help with service after the fact. They cant deny working on your car because you bought it out of state though. Do you qualify for any plan discounts? If not it still might be worth it.

[07gttom]

dude, why let them know you modified the car? just return the car back to stock, reflash the pcm back to stock and let them do the airbag recall. if they reflash the pcm, contact whoever you got the tunes from and let them know that you need your tunes updated with a new strategy code. now that your dealer knows you have a cai and reflashed the pcm for it, they could deny warentee on your drivetrain in future events.

[Odin]

Originally Posted by 07gttom dude, why let them know you modified the car? just return the car back to stock, reflash the pcm back to stock and let them do the airbag recall. if they reflash the pcm, contact whoever you got the tunes from and let them know that you need your tunes updated with a new strategy code. now that your dealer knows you have a cai and reflashed the pcm for it, they could deny warentee on your drivetrain in future events.

I'm not going to spend my time putting my car back to stock so they can update a flash on the airbag, it's totally unnecessary. Should I pull my axle backs too?

They can't deny warranty claims on drivetrain problems based on their word that they believe I had an aftermarket CAI and tune.

[silverstang]

but if the cold air intake and tune are currently in the car at the time they are working on it they CAN deny your warranty if a drivetrain component fails. we normally dont worry about a CAI on vehicles, its just too much hassle to void somebodies warranty (a tech would rather work on the vehicle and get PAID then spend time not getting paid to void a warranty) They should not reprogram your PCM during the air bag change, but it is not uncommon for a dealer to update the cars PCM even if it isnt in there for that. Also, you stated specifically NOT to reprogram the PCM, they can not argue with you, they HAVE to listen to the customer or they will get in some deep shit (if you tell them not to, they better not)............If they refused to do the airbag recall, call a lawyer. it is a safety recall, they cannot deny you of that, it is against the law.

[Odin]

Originally Posted by silverstang but if the cold air intake and tune are currently in the car at the time they are working on it they CAN deny your warranty if a drivetrain component fails. we normally dont worry about a CAI on vehicles, its just too much hassle to void somebodies warranty (a tech would rather work on the vehicle and get PAID then spend time not getting paid to void a warranty) They should not reprogram your PCM during the air bag change, but it is not uncommon for a dealer to update the cars PCM even if it isnt in there for that. Also, you stated specifically NOT to reprogram the PCM, they can not argue with you, they HAVE to listen to the customer or they will get in some deep shit (if you tell them not to, they better not)............If they refused to do the airbag recall, call a lawyer. it is a safety recall, they cannot deny you of that, it is against the law.

In order to deny a powertrain warranty claim they would need to present a reasonable opinion that the CAI and tune caused or contributed to the powertrain failure. It's not an automatic warranty killer.

They technically didn't refuse to do the airbag recall, they refused to do the airbag recall without reflashing the PCM to stock. In their opinion they offered to do the recall but I refused to allow it since I wouldn't let them reflash the PCM. Their position is that they are willing to do the recall but their procedure is to reflash the PCM when doing any service work where they plug into the ODBII port.

Basically Rodeo Ford in Plano sucks and I will never spend $1 there again. I bought new cars in 1988, 1992, 1995, 1995 again, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2008. I buy a new car every 2-3 years and they sold me the first and last car they ever will sell. I won't do anything to attempt to make them change their (lack of) customer service I will simply spend my money elsewhere. As I'm sure plenty of other people will since I believe I was treated the same way they treat all of their customers.

[silverstang]

they dont have to have a reason to void your warranty if you have a cold air intake/tune...........trust me, i have voided many myself, all i need is profe that it is there (pictures and print outs of when i scan the vehicle)........still, all in all, sounds like a shitty dealer. They should just cooperate with you about that, that is just bull crap. I would have found their service manager, or the owner of the store, and made a complaint to them. That is the secret to get ANYTHING out of a dealer. Be nice to them at first, but if you get nowhere with them, start getting angry and CUT NO SLACK!!!!

[silverstang]

and i can also spread the word around the "ford community" about their poor customer service if you would like me to, but thats up to you. i will shut my mouth about it if you say so lol

[Odin]

Over the years I've grown so sick of shitty customer service at car dealers that I no longer bother to ask for the general manager...I just take my money somewhere else.

I've been buying cars longer than most of the dealers in Dallas have been in business (they seem to change ownership every 10 years or so, if that long). And I'll still be here spending my money long after Rodeo Ford is wondering why they went tits up.

They aren't doing me any favors, I'm fortunate enough to live in a large metropolitan area where there are, according to Ford's website, 25 Ford dealerships within 38 miles of my house. It's my money, it's their job to earn it. I'm not high maintenance and I have a good attitude with them, I just gave them a chance to make some easy money by doing a TSB update and they lost a customer for life in the process.

Oh year, my little bother decided to buy a new car last week. He wanted a Fusion. We were going to buy it from Rodeo so I could make the referral money. After they treated me that way I passed on the free $300 referral fee and we went to North Central Ford in Richardson where he bought a loaded (leather, every option) Fusion off the lot that night. Credit score of 800, walked in and pointed to the car he wanted and drove out with it. Rode Ford lost their first sale as a result of the way they treated a new customer (me). My wife's new car with be the next sale they don't make.

If anyone knows of a Ford dealer in North Texas who is friendly with Ford Racing parts and modded cars I'll give them my buisness. If I can't find one my wife says hse'll take a Mitsubishi Lancer since she likes the dealer she bought her last Mitsu from. Customer service is the best way to make sales.

[Jucostud]

funny, i bought my car at rodeo ford and love them. They like my car and mods and service me when needed. Whenever i go in there, i still stop by and talk to my salesman for a few minutes. Anytime i need something done to my car there i always talk to him and he gets me taken care of. His name is stan mensfield. I actually bought my car there when it was still middlekauffe ford. maybe the management has change some.

[Modified88Dreamer]

Originally Posted by Odin I bought my '08 GT at Rodeo Ford at the end of Feb and the dealer gave me 4 free oil changes. So last Saturday I took the car in for my first free oil change and told them to do the airbag TSB while they were in there. I specifically advised the service writer NOT to make any changes to the PCM since I have a C&L CAI and 93 octane tune from Brenspeed. The service writer informed me that any time they plug into the ODBII port that they flash the car back to stock or to whatever version that Ford says is current. I told him that my car won't run right, and may cause damage, if they flash it back to stock and that there was no reason for them to change the PCM when doing the airbag TSB. He even called a tech who confirmed that they would reflash the PCM and that was their standard procedure. They also advised that they could not do any work on Saleens and Shelbys since they had been retuned. I asked about the 11 Saleens and Shelbys that they had in stock at the time and they said if they sold them that they could not service them. I asked if I could buy FRPP products through the dealer since there was a Ford accessory catalog in the parts department that advertised FRPP products for Mustangs. They told me that they would not sell, order, install, or service anything from Ford Racing. Does anyone know of a dealer in the Dallas area that isn't anti-mod and will service my car and perform the recalls and TSB's as needed? Never do business with Rodeo Ford, they don't want money from people who mod their cars.

Is it TSB 07-10-3?

[Odin]

Originally Posted by Jucostud funny, i bought my car at rodeo ford and love them. They like my car and mods and service me when needed. Whenever i go in there, i still stop by and talk to my salesman for a few minutes. Anytime i need something done to my car there i always talk to him and he gets me taken care of. His name is stan mensfield. I actually bought my car there when it was still middlekauffe ford. maybe the management has change some.

The crew is all Rodeo people from the east Dallas Rodeo dealership, I guess the Middlekauf people are gone.

[Jucostud]

Originally Posted by Odin The crew is all Rodeo people from the east Dallas Rodeo dealership, I guess the Middlekauf people are gone.

that sucks... guess i don't need to drive back there again. I'm from mckinney, so i drove down there because i was told they were the best... guess that's changed. I hate bob tomes ford too. damnitt!!!!

[Odin]

I bought my '05 F150 from Bankston in Frisco. I found a motivated salesperson and got a great deal, but their service department lied to me and screwed me big time, so I didn't buy the Mustang from them. I did take the Mustang by there to show them the day I bought it to let the GM know that they lost a customer due to their lying service department. I also had detailed conversations with Ford about that issue.

Rodeo had the most Mustang GT's in stock when I was shopping (now I know why - they don't sell many cars due to their attitudes). The sales guy was great, the finance and GM were asshats. The service department is no better. But they did have a great selection. They still have over a dozen Saleen and Shelby cars in stock, everything from a 600HP Saleen to GT500's to basic Shelbys and even some other modded GT's, but they won't service them if you buy them.

[snoel123]

I am a master mechanic for a ford dealer in canada and I can assure you that you do not need reflash the pcm for any airbag concern or repair. Is it possible that they lost their common sense. Here is the technical instructions. Note the last line. ATTACHMENT III
Page 1 of 1
Customer Satisfaction Program 08C02- Service Update # 1
Certain 2005 - 2008 Mustang Vehicles
Reprogram Restraint Control Module
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS
FOR REPROGRAMMING THE RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE (RCM)
NOTES:
• The procedure below must be performed using IDS (Integrated Diagnostic System).
• The software developed for this Field Service Action (FSA) will only allow reprogramming of the vehicles involved in this FSA.
• The presence of any RCM fault codes will prevent reprogramming of the RCM. Should the vehicle have any faults that prevent reprogramming of the RCM, IDS screen notes will direct the technician to repair the fault before proceeding.
• The diagnosis and repair of fault codes stored in the RCM are not covered by this FSA.
RCM REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURE
1. Verify that IDS is updated to software version (53.12) P20 or later, and ensure the vehicle battery and IDS battery are fully charged. (This latest update will not allow the technician to select certain screens that could cause damage to the RCM.)
2. Use the H-406 cable to connect the IDS to the VCM. Connect IDS to the Data Link Connector (DLC) and follow all screen prompts. Select the Toolbox icon.
3. If IDS requests to update the VCM software after updating to the latest patch level, YOU MUST select the "green tick" and update the VCM with the latest software. IDS will not allow reprogramming of the RCM unless this process is followed.
4. Once at the Tool box menu, select "Module Programming".
5. Select "Module Reprogramming, RCM" and follow all instructions.
When reprogramming is complete, IDS will provide a 12 digit serial number that serves as verification that the latest calibration was properly transferred.
Some 2005 - 2008 Mustang vehicles may have a non-production PCM calibration. When attempting to perform this FSA on these vehicles, IDS may not properly identify the vehicle. If IDS does not properly identify the vehicle, it will state either "Unique PCM identifier" or "The module on this vehicle is blank".If IDS is unable to properly identify a vehicle, call the Special Service Support Centre at 1-800-****** (number blocked for privacy purposes) for alternative reprogramming instructions.

If they would have took the time to hook a ford scan tool (ids) to your vehicle
they would have probably found (more often than not). that your program does identify your vehicle properly and could have completed the RCM re-flash. Or they could have at least called an found out what the alternative programming instructions are. What happens at these dealers is they are scared of aftermarket products, because most know nothing about how they work or what they affect, I personally believe anything built can be built better, so why not. Bottom line is if they didn't hook the scan tool up to see if your vehicle id was proper they did not follow the technical instructions and therefore breached the recall protocol. just my two cents.