2019 Ford Fusion Plugin Hybrid SSV - No Compression Cyl#4

[JohnLongoria]

Hello Everyone,

   I'm needing some help/advice. I have a 2019 Ford Fusion Plugin Hybrid SSV (Yes, the special service vehicle) with the 2.0L iVCT Atkinson-cycle I-4 HEV/PHEV. I bought it used w/ around 2,300 miles from Asia Motors in Chicago, I guess the department that owned it previously didn't like it or it didn't fit their needs. I have not had any issues with this vehicle until last week. I was driving to work, the check engine light come on and the vehicle lost all power. I got the vehicle towed to Firestone, where I have had all the maintenance done on it (Just oil changes and alignments). The vehicle currently has around 23,500 miles on it. The technician at Firestone told me the number 4 cylinder "Pretty much grenaded in there", and that I would need to replace the engine. I asked him what would have caused that, and he said it has to be a defect. There was plenty of oil and said "There's no way you could have done that unless you were going 180".  I called ford as the powertrain warranty is 5ys/60,000 miles and had the vehicle towed over there. When they looked at it, they said the number 4 cylinder has no compression and that I would need to replace the engine (Around $10K). 

   Ford service is now saying they are not wanting to honor the warrant due to a lack of maintenance. They are saying since I did not do maintenance through them, I need to provide maintenance records. The other issue is because the sticker on the windshield shows around 8,500miles. I told them, they know as well as I do, it's hit or miss when it comes to those stickers. I know for a fact my last oil change was not at 8,500. I know I took it in around 14.5K miles and 20.5K miles. The problem is that firestone put the mileage at 250,000. Ford is not willing to accept that as the mileage is clearly incorrect and won't even consider the dates. 

   I don't have 10K for a new engine, and even if I did, I don't feel I should have to be out of pocket on this. The vehicle only has 23,500 miles on it and needs a new engine??? Something doesn't add up. I don't feel like I should have to prove anything to them, if anything, I feel they should be the one proving the lack of maintenance. I'm open to any advise on how to get this resolved if anyone has any.

[WKelley]

I would call Ford customer service and start there.  You could also try a different dealership as well.  You are no required to use Ford for maintenance services and such an obvious typo should be just that, obvious.  Your dealer doesn't want to help you, but I guarantee there will be a dealer that will.  

[bbf2530]

On 4/25/2023 at 1:53 PM, JohnLongoria said:

Hello Everyone,

   I'm needing some help/advice. I have a 2019 Ford Fusion Plugin Hybrid SSV (Yes, the special service vehicle) with the 2.0L iVCT Atkinson-cycle I-4 HEV/PHEV. I bought it used w/ around 2,300 miles from Asia Motors in Chicago, I guess the department that owned it previously didn't like it or it didn't fit their needs. I have not had any issues with this vehicle until last week. I was driving to work, the check engine light come on and the vehicle lost all power. I got the vehicle towed to Firestone, where I have had all the maintenance done on it (Just oil changes and alignments). The vehicle currently has around 23,500 miles on it. The technician at Firestone told me the number 4 cylinder "Pretty much grenaded in there", and that I would need to replace the engine. I asked him what would have caused that, and he said it has to be a defect. There was plenty of oil and said "There's no way you could have done that unless you were going 180".  I called ford as the powertrain warranty is 5ys/60,000 miles and had the vehicle towed over there. When they looked at it, they said the number 4 cylinder has no compression and that I would need to replace the engine (Around $10K). 

   Ford service is now saying they are not wanting to honor the warrant due to a lack of maintenance. They are saying since I did not do maintenance through them, I need to provide maintenance records. The other issue is because the sticker on the windshield shows around 8,500miles. I told them, they know as well as I do, it's hit or miss when it comes to those stickers. I know for a fact my last oil change was not at 8,500. I know I took it in around 14.5K miles and 20.5K miles. The problem is that firestone put the mileage at 250,000. Ford is not willing to accept that as the mileage is clearly incorrect and won't even consider the dates. 

   I don't have 10K for a new engine, and even if I did, I don't feel I should have to be out of pocket on this. The vehicle only has 23,500 miles on it and needs a new engine??? Something doesn't add up. I don't feel like I should have to prove anything to them, if anything, I feel they should be the one proving the lack of maintenance. I'm open to any advise on how to get this resolved if anyone has any.

 

Hi JohnLongoria and welcome to the Ford Fusion Forum. Sorry to hear about your issues. My first recommendation would be to go to the Firestone shop/shops where you have had the oil changes performed and ask for copies of the past work invoices. They should have it in their database and easily be able to make copies for you.

 

The problem here is the following: While it is true we do not need to have maintenance work performed at Ford Dealerships, we do need to have proof that proper/required maintenance work was performed somewhere. So that means work invoices from an independent shop, or if we do the work ourselves, receipts for oil/filters etc.

Unfortunately, as far as automakers are concerned (not only Ford), in the case of a catastrophic failure, not having work invoices or receipts for oil/filters etc. is all the proof of lack of maintenance they legally need.

 

Therefore, I would try to get copies of the work invoices from Firestone. If that is not possible, then contacting Ford Customer Relations or trying another Dealership would be the next step, as WKelley mentioned. However, trying another Dealership may not work, since the first Dealership will have the warranty denial noted in the vehicle history now.

 

Keep in mind I am not stating you didn't perform the maintenance (I believe you did), I am simply providing the warranty requirements/ramifications of not having invoices, receipts etc.

 

Keep us updated and good luck.

[JohnLongoria]

   Thank you both for the replies. I finally got all the records I could from firestone. I don't know if one was missing or if I didn't actually have the work done as often as I thought. What I have is an oil change at 8758mi (Purchased the vehicle with around 2200mi on it.) the next oil change was at 17350mi. Then finally taken to the shop when it quit at 22526mi. I get the 0W-20 Pennzoil full synthetic oil. I was told by the service manager at ford that intervals are recommended at every 7500mi. So that put's 5176mi between now and the last oil change and 8592mi between the time before that. 

   I only drive the vehicle to and from work (26mi one way, all freeway). I charge it at home when I get home, and at work (I work 12hr shifts). I work 7days on and 7days off. That's only 14 days a month. when fully charged I get anywhere from 18-20 miles. so by that math, keeping things simple, using 15mi per charge, twice a day for 84 days. that means 2520miles of the 8592mi were EV only miles. That should mean the gasoline engine only had 6,072mi on it. Would my thinking be correct on this?

[bbf2530]

2 hours ago, JohnLongoria said:

   Thank you both for the replies. I finally got all the records I could from firestone. I don't know if one was missing or if I didn't actually have the work done as often as I thought. What I have is an oil change at 8758mi (Purchased the vehicle with around 2200mi on it.) the next oil change was at 17350mi. Then finally taken to the shop when it quit at 22526mi. I get the 0W-20 Pennzoil full synthetic oil. I was told by the service manager at ford that intervals are recommended at every 7500mi. So that put's 5176mi between now and the last oil change and 8592mi between the time before that. 

   I only drive the vehicle to and from work (26mi one way, all freeway). I charge it at home when I get home, and at work (I work 12hr shifts). I work 7days on and 7days off. That's only 14 days a month. when fully charged I get anywhere from 18-20 miles. so by that math, keeping things simple, using 15mi per charge, twice a day for 84 days. that means 2520miles of the 8592mi were EV only miles. That should mean the gasoline engine only had 6,072mi on it. Would my thinking be correct on this?

 

Hi JohnLongoria. You may want to take out your Owners Manual and brush up on the Scheduled Maintenance Chart so you are not depending on the Service Manager or any other Dealership employee for your Scheduled Maintenance information. If you do not have your hard copy, you can download the PDF version here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/parts-service/resources/owner-manuals/

 

For example, the Fusion Hybrid recommended OCI (Oil Change Interval) for "Normal Service" is 1 year/10,000 miles (whichever comes first). Of course, we can change our oil sooner than that if we wish, but do not have to, unless our driving environment fits one of the Special Operating Conditions/stricter criteria, which your description does not seem to fit.

 

If you have all your work invoices showing proper service in a timely manner, you should have no further issues with having the engine problem covered by the dealership/Ford under warranty. If you do have further pushback, contact Ford Customer Relations.

 

Keep us updated and good luck.

Edited April 30, 2023 by bbf2530

[JohnLongoria]

Thank you for all that replied,

   After providing all of my maintenance records, the dealership honored the warranty and preformed all the work under warranty. My only issue now is that they are not wanting to warranty the new engine for 60,000mi, just for the remainder of the warranty. I suppose that's a fight for corporate. 

[bbf2530]

4 hours ago, JohnLongoria said:

Thank you for all that replied,

   After providing all of my maintenance records, the dealership honored the warranty and preformed all the work under warranty. My only issue now is that they are not wanting to warranty the new engine for 60,000mi, just for the remainder of the warranty. I suppose that's a fight for corporate. 

 

Hi John. You are very welcome. Happy to hear things worked out and your 5 year/50,000 mile Powertrain Warranty was honored.

 

Concerning the new engine only being warrantied for the remainder of the original 5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain Warranty, as opposed to having a new 60,000 mile warranty: Unfortunately, that is the way the warranty works with virtually all manufacturers. Getting warranty work does not start a new 5 year and/or 60,000 mile warranty. We only get the remainder of the original warranty. You can check your Owner Warranty guide for confirmation.

That goes for all parts/components/warranty work.

 

While it never hurts to ask and perhaps push a little, that is the rule.

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

[drolds1]

Great news, and thanks for the update.