Their repair department is simply crooked. Six months ago my Ford E-350 van had the AC compressor and and aftermarket AC hose replaced by Vreeland Ford in Buelton at a cost of $2300. A few months later the AC failed and I took my van to Perry Ford in Santa Barbara because it was closer I was told that ""all work was warranted by Ford for one year"". The leak was found in one of the two aftermarket hoses. I was told by Jeff in the service dept that if it was the same hose that was replaced recently at Vreeland Ford, it would be covered by warranty, if not, I would have to pay. I agreed. The leak was found but no one could tell me if it was the same part that I already had replaced. After several days of nothing happening (seems everyone at the Ford dealers are sick all the time), I picked up my van, paid $180 diagnostic fee, and brought it back to Vreeland Ford in Buelton where the original work was done. They quickly identified that one of the connectors that they had replaced became loose. They tightened it and the problem was solved at no charge. I asked Perry Ford to refund the $180 diagnostic fee since the problem was covered under warranty and they refused. Jeff, the Service Advisor who told me it would be covered under warranty if it was a recently replaced part, now told me that the Service Manager decided that there is no ""Ford Warranty"" for any repairs that include aftermarket parts. I asked ""If I get my Dodge truck fixed at your Ford repair shop then the warranty is not good at other Ford Factory Service Centers?"" He replied NO. Funny, because if I get any vehicle fixed at Sears, I can get warranty work done at any other Sears. I will contact Ford Motor Co and eventually Perry Ford will refund that money even if it involves small claims litigation. BTW I also had my turbo rebuilt at a cost of $1500 during my same visit to Perry Ford so the disputed amount is only a small part of my overall bill. This experience just highlights their petty thinking. They want your money and don't care at all if their charges are justified or whether the customer has a legitimate complaint. It's extreme arrogance. In order for me to get the refund that I am due, I will need to write letters to Ford Motor Co, file legal claims, etc. \r
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Bruce Goetting, MD\r
Montecito\r
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