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FORD disabled my business

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S0UTH UKF

Free Member
Apr 19, 2024
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Hi all, go easy I'm new.
I have a problem, I've leased a 2020 ford custom transit, just out of warranty.
The cam belt has stripped teeth so now off road for 4 weeks now possibly new engine.
Obviously this is now affecting my work.
I called ford the day it happened and they said they could not even look at it in any dealer for four weeks. Ford's advise when this was built was to check the cam belt at 140,000 miles , mine has done 75,000 they are not accepting any responsibility, the van has been serviced three times during this mileage by my local garage.
Obviously whilst being off road I have had time to browse this problem and was horrified to see this is a famous fault since 2016.
A recall was put out up to 2018 but not after that date , even though same engine and same fault still exists. Even worse it will only be a matter of time before some has a fatal accident due to this as when the belt fails it can also cause the brakes to fail.
My event happened on a busy road at 55mph with no warning at all.
The Internet is plagued by this fault and it affects all ford wet belt engines.
Cost of a new engine is nearly £8000 so obviously keen to see where I stand on this.
Why should I be liable for a £8 k bill due to a known issue on a not even 4 year old van that is not due to have this belt checked.
Thanks for listening
 
Just a quick warning

My brother (a chippie) had this happen to his, to try and get back on the rd quick he bought a 2nd hand motor but it was non compatible with something in the ignition system, after 6 mths of chasing solutions (fix one incompatibility another would raise it's head) and a lot of money he scrapped it.

Don't accept any quotes for repair with non new parts UNLESS you have it in writing that is max price for a full repair to running order there are a lot of changes between differing versions of the transit engine and ancillary systems
 
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Funnily enough we were made aware of this issue recently, whilst looking at new vans.

In a nutshell, you will be obstructed all the way by Ford.

My suggestion would be to go for repair or replacement vehicle, detail all costs (quantify consequential loss) and join in one of the class actions which are undoubtedly being considered or done.

Don't hold your breath for a successful outcome
 
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Mark T Jones said:
Not necessarily- and unlikely on a used vehicle.

As always, it would depend on tetms etc
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for replies, just a note that this was purchased as used it was new from the lease company.
I take it the not fit for purpose saying will not be a way forward
 
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Wet belt o_O
This was an old idea that Ford tried 20 years ago then scrapped only to do it again
My machinic recommends halfling the oil change intervals and changing the belt at 80k ish

Take it from me dont rely on one vehicle being the main dog in your business
Always have a back up plan
Ford wont help you they will simply say it is out of warranty They might even say its supposed to do that:)

Some of the things you read on line are written by some really good book writers. An engine failure wont cause the brakes to fail

Sadly who ever is liable for the repairs will have to carry the bill (you or leasing company)
I would not go near these POS
 
Upvote 0
JEREMY HAWKE said:
Wet belt o_O
This was an old idea that Ford tried 20 years ago then scrapped only to do it again
My machinic recommends halfling the oil change intervals and changing the belt at 80k ish

Take it from me dont rely on one vehicle being the main dog in your business
Always have a back up plan
Ford wont help you they will simply say it is out of warranty They might even say its supposed to do that:)

Some of the things you read on line are written by some really good book writers. An engine failure wont cause the brakes to fail

Sadly who ever is liable for the repairs will have to carry the bill (you or leasing company)
I would not go near
JEREMY HAWKE said:
Wet belt o_O
This was an old idea that Ford tried 20 years ago then scrapped only to do it again
My machinic recommends halfling the oil change intervals and changing the belt at 80k ish

Take it from me dont rely on one vehicle being the main dog in your business
Always have a back up plan
Ford wont help you they will simply say it is out of warranty They might even say its supposed to do that:)

Some of the things you read on line are written by some really good book writers. An engine failure wont cause the brakes to fail

Sadly who ever is liable for the repairs will have to carry the bill (you or leasing company)
I would not go near these POS
Click to expand...
My brakes went the vacuum pump needs replacing due to belt failure
Click to expand...
 
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So basically Ford can rip people and knowingly sell a substandard product which they ve know about for years and no one can do anything about it
 
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S0UTH UKF said:
So basically Ford can rip people and knowingly sell a substandard product which they ve know about for years and no one can do anything about it
Click to expand...
Its just the tip of the ice berg
All the van makers are producing vans that have a catalogue of problems
I used to get 500K out of some vans now they blow up at 100k

My newest vans that I own myself are now are two 2016 Vauxhall movanos anything else is rented now as if they are going to have this many problems then somebody else can worry about it
 
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JEREMY HAWKE said:
Its just the tip of the ice berg
All the van makers are producing vans that have a catalogue of problems
I used to get 500K out of some vans now they blow up at 100k

My newest vans that I own myself are now are two 2016 Vauxhall movanos anything else is rented now as if they are going to have this many problems then somebody else can worry about it
Click to expand...
Hmmm I need to make myself a pain in the arse to them I guess not going sit down and take an 8k hit with no fight, legal challenge is no go as apparently its ok to make vehicle's like this so its down to media and a couple of stunts
 
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S0UTH UKF said:
Hmmm I need to make myself a pain in the arse to them I guess not going sit down and take an 8k hit with no fight, legal challenge is no go as apparently its ok to make vehicle's like this so its down to media and a couple of stunts
Click to expand...
Its the cost of doing business . I just put everything down to this at the end of the day because I probably have 20 years left on this planet and I am not going to waste time on dickheads that clock off at 5 when I know the T&Cs wont cover the costs :):)

I have had vans off the road a lot and that's why my advice is always to have a back up plan Dont run your business where something like this can seriously effect it

The other thing that I would never do is get locked into a rental or lease where we are liable for maintenance
 
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Upvote 0
S0UTH UKF said:
So basically Ford can rip people and knowingly sell a substandard product which they ve know about for years and no one can do anything about it
Click to expand...
Your complaint should be the company who supplied it and or trading standards, dig out the similar faults reported on the web and include that with your complaint especially if any service notes to ford dealers
 
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If it is a well known problem,Go to one of the solicitors who are doing the diesel suit and see if they want to do a 'class action' on this - could be worth a bit for them!
 
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S0UTH UKF said:
It's the 2.00 l ecoblue not sure if that's the same as eco boost but think there's only one wetbelt system with ford
Click to expand...
I had this issue with a Ford Focus eco boost I bought for my son. Wetbelt snapped at 70K wrecking engine.

in the end found a mechanic in Essex on a farm that did nothing else but replace Ford wetbelt engines. On matching up engine codes he replaced the engine with one that had less than 30K on the clock.
 
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@S0UTH UKF - whilst there may be a warranty issue with vehicle you need to sort out either with the supplier or ford, neither disabled your business. The engine failure could happen with any vehicle and be subject to a protracted repair argument. You could also have been in an accident or be incapacitated.

In all cases, what is your contingency plan? If you were unable to work for any reason, what would you do to keep the money flowing?
 
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Well my son who wanted to go electric tail end of last year after stupidly high servicing from Ford on his three year old Transit sold it for more than he paid for it, bought electric car and box trailer and never looked back I know it won't suit everyone but with the choice of three cars now with tow bars he's not got an issue with being let down on the transport front.

Wishes he done it years ago ...... and before anyone ask's it don't make any difference to the range on his electric vehicle
 
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Well you would nt think a van 2 months of warranty would blow up, I'm self employed and can t afford two vans.I regards to accident I would be driving a vehicle supplied by my insurance company.
In event of sickness I'm insured as well.
So I think most normal scenarios are covered, unfortunately I don't think there is any cover on buying a new substandard vehicle, you would think out of the proven evidence on this substandard engine ford would step in, it seems that it's down to the customer unfortunately, it's the customer's fault that they bought a ford , that they looked after and over serviced , also their fault that they did nt check the belt in half the time that they are advised to do.
Also the customers fault the their dodgy engine dumps fuel in the oil, in my estimate 1 litre going by how much oil was drained out.
So I still find it unbelievable that it's just tough luck , especially in the UK with all the supposed legal consumer protection that is put in place.
Just as a note I now have a ford uk case number and sent all pics and service history to them , apparently in 2 days they respond, also reported to BBC watchdog
 
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Could you not just send them a letter before action and then follow up with small claims court?
They MIGHT take the hit because their solicitors would probably charge more than £8k to deal with it.
 
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tony84 said:
Could you not just send them a letter before action and then follow up with small claims court?
They MIGHT take the hit because their solicitors would probably charge more than £8k to deal with it.
Click to expand...
That's how much new engine is but yes I agree , however now they have acknowledged my complaint I will wait and see reply , not holding my hopes up but let you know
 
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