A Letter To The Editor

My name is Michelle Davis. I purchased a 2009 Ford Focus from Preston Ford on June 11, 2009 (a year ago this Friday).

I have had nothing but trouble with this car with no end in sight, it just keeps getting worse.

When the car was delivered to me I noticed rust on the steering column as well as under the hood and on the inside of the door as well as two very strange marks on the passenger doors. Preston Ford's response to this was that it was normal considering that we live on the eastern shore.

They told me to make an appt for the detailing since they did not have time to do the detailing before they delivered the vehicle plus my free tank of gas, so I did. When I got there I waited for two hours and then they informed me that I would have to come back when they were not so busy. I had an appt. I'm sorry, (they said) I asked if I could have a loaner since they offer this to there customers. I was told, not for this issue. I was upset but made an appt for the following week. Guess what this time, they said they were running behind schedule. I said look, I'm entitled to a loaner. I'm sorry we do not have one available.

I asked to speak to Dave Jr., he's not available but we'll take a message for him and get him to call you back. Several/a lot of messages later, no contact. So I decided to take the car to their other Ford Dealership in Pittsville, they seemed to be a lot nicer. By this time the vehicle was due for an oil change, (which they did) plus the car was starting to have problems mechanically. It had funny sounds coming from it also it felt like it was always being driven in neutral . They did the oil change but came back and told me they could not duplicate these concerns I was having at this time. Sometimes the problem has to get worse before it can get better. I could not believe what Iwas hearing. I heard those same words years ago from a GM Dealership.

I asked if they could handle the detailing at least that was due to me via a signed document from the Preston group. I'm sorry, you will have to take it to Preston since the car was not purchased here. I decided I would just pay for the detailing myself and send a bill to Preston.

During this time my temp tags was one day away from expiring I contacted the tag dept and was told the lady that handles this was gone so guess what, they finally put Dave Jr on the phone. He said he was sorry about what happened but he would get the lady to handle the tag situation when she returned. By then it would be to late. I told him I was going to MVA to purchase my Chesapeake tags that I had already paid Preston for, I would send him the bill as well as the bill for the detailing and the tank of gas that was due to me. He said that was fine.

The next day guess what, I received tags in the mail. I called up and the lady that was gone was back and told me that I would have to return my tags and use the ones they sent and I would not be getting any money back. I contacted Niel Murrey the salesman and he said if I contact the dealership or come to any of there other dealerships I would be arrested. I said for what, he said harassment.

I finally got reimbursement from Preston for the tags and the detailing and gas. I was done with this place contacted Ford. They said to take my car to Sherwood. At first they seemed way to nice to be true. I was right. They changed my oil rotated the tires. When I left, the car started feeling rough and bumpy the rpm gage was staying between 2-3, normal is under 1 and a loud metal grinding sound when I would accelerate.

I took it back in 4 days later at Sherwood. I was told all my tires were overinflated 7 pounds each, causing the tires to feather and told me I would have to pay to get new tires. I said, you were the ones who over inflated the tires. So Kevin Sheffield the service manager told me they would replace them under my warranty, all 4 tires and align the vehicle as for the grinding sound they replaces a part in the front axle. I waited, (it seemed way to quick for them to have done all of this in such a short time) when I went to get into my vehicle as well as my mother, we both noticed the same gravel from my moms driveway in the vehicle. The tires looked the same, they did not have that new look or new smell tires always have.

I asked Paul Stewart service advisor if they replaced all the tires. He responded, yes mam all 4 tires are new. I asked if I could have paperwork for my records, he brought out Kevin Sheffield. Kevin said he would give me the paperwork when I received a survey in the mail. Bring it in with everything checked out satisfactory and he would personally mail it in.

I never received a survey. I called back 10 days later. The lady answered the phone and told me he would mail the paperwork for the tires to me. Finally after month of waiting my mother finally got the paperwork slammed at her. One paper they tried to keep but my mother grabbed it back and stated they only put two tires on the car and this paper is dated a day after they supposedly put the tires on.

I made an appt because the car was still having problems. I was told by Paul Stewart at Sherwood they could not duplicate the concerns at this time (this line must be something they are trained to say). He told me that the problems are all in my head and I need to learn how to drive a ford (I'm 34. I've been driving for 18 years and have perfect driving record also correct me if I'm wrong is there a special driving course on how to drive a Ford).

I contacted Ford corporate office and they finally, (after months of me complaining and taking the vehicle back to Sherwood) agreed to send a service rep down to look at the car and test drive it with me. The day I was going to this appt my chocolate lab coco collapsed and before the vet opened for me to take her there she passed away. I was heartbroken very very upset but I still went out to the dealership, tears in tow. I said to Kevin I need to walk this off, how long before the rep needs me to go riding with him. He said at least 30 minutes, so I walked the lot and came back about 10-15 minutes later and went into the waiting room.

Kevin came in later and told me that the service rep would be in shortly. Then Kevin comes back in and says the rep has found that my oil needs to be changed, its never been changed here. He said, take a look at my paperwork again and look at the sticker on the windshield. He had a puzzled look on his face. Also, he added my engine is dirty and needed to be cleaned, which I would have to pay for but keep in mind this may and probably won't solve your concerns. I asked where is the service rep, I was supposed to go on ride with him in the vehicle. He's gone, Kevin replied and shrugged his shoulder.

I was very upset to say the least. Every body in that service dept had a very scared look on there faces. I contacted Ford and they said I should have rode with him. Kevin told Ford I refused to ride with him. Kevin finally admitted to my brother that he had no intentions of letting me speak nor ride with the Ford rep. He said the rep's name was Darryl Huff. When I contacted Ford they claim there is nobody in there employee records by that name. I'm starting to think there was no rep that came down.

Shortly before the car was taken in for this rep to look at I was delivering an arrangement to put on my fathers grave site at Parsons. When I was en route there the car would not go went I accelerated so I went to push down again the it zoomed real fast. I pushed on the brakes causing the arrangement to fly up cutting my forehead causing stitches and now a scar. Thank God, it could have been worse.

Now guess what, one of the tires has blown. Luckily I must have known something about driving a Ford to avoid being in an accident.

I get a letter stating that they will pull off the parts to my car and test them then if it goes to trial they will keep the parts till after trial, then if nothing is found wrong or they win in court I will have to pay to have the car repaired.

This car is still very much in warranty. I'm still fighting to get Ford to buy back this lemon. My mom contacted Bruce Rogers, he won't call back. She finally got hold of Mike Burto last Friday and he said that he would address this matter Monday. He would get in very early in the morning, he hasn't returned any of the messages.

I honestly can't take this anymore. I rented a car for a while but I can't afford to make car payments and rent a car too. I feel something really bad is going to happen if I keep driving the car. Everybody is hiding whats wrong with car it obviously can't be fixed. I think Sherwood is hoping I will die so they are in the clear. I have a cleaning business so I can't walk with my mops and brooms cleaners etc, so I have no choice but to drive this car.

If anybody can please help, contact me at 410-749-2123 or email me at echostar2@verizon.net