I was utterly devastated to learn last night that my 2012 Ford Focus really is a lemon! At the time of purchasing it I explained how I had previously had a serious car accident and was looking for a car with power in sticky situations.
The Trend was sold to me as the latest in technology in "Powershift". Before the first service I reported a shudder and delay in acceleration or sudden acceleration when taking off between 1st and 2nd gear. I explained it didn't happen all the time. They test drove it and said nothing was wrong and gave me a lecture about how to drive the car properly, saying it was intuitively learning my driving patterns, and that they re-set the computer system back to factory settings, and I would have to drive less aggressive whilst it re-learned what ever it was supposed to be learning.
Less than a few weeks later it continued to do the same things. I had an independent mechanic look over it and he reported that it had a leaking transmission and to take it back to where I purchased it. I did. I again explained the issue, and was told the leaking transmission would be fixed under warranty and should resolve the matter. It did not. It still continues to do the same, sometimes worse than other times.
I have since received two letters from Ford about the transmission and had the clutch repaired a few weeks ago. They will not do anything else other than this. What I am angered with the most is that now in WA no non-Ford dealer will trade-in this model car. They are telling owners to take the cars back to Ford, as it has a known potential defect. I certainly could not sell it, in good conscience to anyone else, so I am stuck with the car. I can do nothing.
Whilst Ford Australia has stated that they will continue to repair the vehicle as issues arise, at no cost for the repair, for the next two years on an extended warranty, what happens when the warranty expires? And what happens if I don't want to take any chances? Who is to say that this issue won't happen when passing through an intersection? I don't feel safe to drive my car anymore. There are too many unknowns and Ford would never suggest it might be dangerous to keep driving. Do I risk my life or the lives of others on the road? I will never be able to sell this car. I have lost the money I have paid, the interest I have paid on the car, and the utter frustrations and waste of time it takes to go back every time there is an issue. Why should I?
I have joined the class action, but that is going to take years. In the meantime I am stuck with a lemon, and very angry that the ACCC laws that are there to protect me are not being enforced. I was told that Ford Australia would not compensate me at this time. All I want is for them to take the car back and refund me the cost of the car, including interest paid, or replace the car with a new one to the value of my car at time of purchase (plus interest lost). They seriously will do nothing. Are you able to offer any guidance?
I feel your pain, but you really are stuck with your car, particularly now that you have joined the class action against Ford. You can try and negotiate a trade-in deal on your car, but it’s unlikely that Ford will be willing to deal with you given that you are, in effect, suing them. You are correct in your criticism of the consumer laws in this country, but that doesn't help you in the short term when you need to get out of your car at minimum cost to you. The best course of action is to stick with the class action and see it through.
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