Can Ford Dealer install a non-Ford alarm?...and more problems.

[George C]

Sorry for the long post...



Last week my sister bought a new Ford Escape XLT Sport from Country Ford in NY. It was loaded except for sunroof and leather. She had them install an alarm and remote start. When we picked up the truck I noticed the remotes were different than my Ford dealer installed alarm/remote start (same dealer) but thought Ford changed them since I bought the Trac 3 years ago.



Today she was having trouble using the remote start and went to the dealer's service area. The service guy asked them who installed the alarm becuase it wasn't a Ford system. He also said that if you were ever stuck and were taken to a Ford dealer they wouldn't know how to fix it. After going back and forth with the dealer they basically told the service guy to "shut up" and tell my sister he was wrong and everything is fine.



Can Ford install an aftermarket alarm? And more importantly without telling you it's not Ford. Also, will other Ford dealers know how to service it. I bought my Trac at this place and didn't have a single problem but now thet are giving my sister a hard time.



She is going to call Ford customer service tomorrow and hopefully they will get things straightened out. If Ford customer service doesn't do anything and before I go down to the dealer I would like your advice.



Thanks,

George

 

[Gypsy me]

...do I dare say this.... George, she is female. If I were you, I would go down there with her so they can see who her brother is if the dealership does not help her with the issues.



Also, If the dealership allowed the after market part to be put on by THEIR technician than they may have some liabilty. Maybe not all but some, unless she signed some sort of form stating They are not held accountable for any theft/damage or conditions that may occur after the install. I honestly don't know, but I would think the dealership would want themselves covered in some way.



On the other side of the coin, Some dealerships also deal with local businesses to add on options for their customer's your sister may have a warranty with that business if the systems fail on her. Take a look at her paperwork.

 

[EddieS'04]

When did the ford alarm stop being standard equipment on the escape xlt ?

It was standard on my wifes '01 xlt.

 

[Jake Antcliff]

The customer service rep may not be able to do anything but put a couple marks against the dealership, but I be they will do something about the problem if they know you have or will call Ford. I had a problem with my dealership claiming to have thrown away my floor mats and some other small stuff, and no later than 2 hours after i had called Ford the dealerships customer service rep called me up saying they were going to UPS me some floor mats as well as all the other items that went missing. Good Luck!



Zero

 

[Tom Schindler]

Many times, the dealer will contract with an Auto Accessories shop and they have them do things like that.



Is it right? Personally, I don't think so. They still do it.





Tom

 

[Nelson Atwell]

..apparently they can install one, but not very well from your experience.

 

[Hal S]

Many dealers install either Ford add-on accessories or aftermarket add-ons. Whether it's an alarm or wheels, it's listed separately on the dealer installed window sticker. It won't be listed on the "as built" factory window sticker.

Yes warranty coverage is a problem if it's a aftermarket system.

 

[Fudged Undies]

Most ford accessories that are not factory installed, are contracted by the dealer to an independent installer, and supposedly someone who knows what they are doing. I suggest your sister get the paper work out and review what was done/paid for and what was used. I would think the dealer is responsible for this screw up, if it's a screw up.

 

[George C]

Thanks guys. I called the dealer today and of course the manager was not in. I am waiting for a call back about this. So far we have found out it is definitely not a Ford system (knew that already) and if brought to another dealer the remote start will not be covered. I don't know why the alarm will. We still want this fixed because she paid to have the alarm and remote installed by the dealer so we wouldn't have to worry about it being affected by the warranty. Otherswise we would have just gone to a private place and have everything installed cheaper. All we need is for the remote start to cause a computer problem and have even more problems. The alarm/start was not on the window sticker but we had the dealer add it before we took delivery. It looks like these guys are playing games with us. MY sister also called Ford customer service and they said if the dealer doesn't take care of this they will file a complaint against them. I don't know if that means anything anyway. Hopefully this can be taken care of before it comes to that.



Hal, do you know if the dealer has to tell you they are using an aftermarket system? We were never told this and we also never told it would not be covered under warranty.



George

 

[Hal S]

George4073,

I suspect that it was disclosed in some way.

Maybe when they referred to the alarm they called it a "ACME 200" or "Clifford anti theft system", something other than a FORD system.

It's should be at least listed as an addendum on the dealer installed price sticker.



DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A LAWYER, I DO NOT EVEN PLAY A LAWYER ON TV

 

[George C]

Thanks Hal, I will check it out.

George