Scotty- please help! I have a 2011 Ford Crown Vic with 120,000 miles. In the last 60k I have replaced the heat AC vent door and heater box or plenum twice and now it appears the blend door actuator is broken/ stuck. If repaired this will be the third time that plenum box has been replaced. I have also replaced the control head/ unit once. I've spent almost as much keeping air flowing in the right direction/ temp setting as I paid for the car 8 years ago. I have always used my Mechanic of 25+ years and he seems to know whats hes doing on other things. Also I have always used Ford parts.
Last summer when the vent door broke for the third time, I contacted Ford directly and basicly got the "your beyond 3yrs/ 30k mi8les we cant help you but we'll toke your info incase we do a recall....(ya right)
Ford dealer says, yes they will repair it, for $1,100.00 but will only warranty the parts for two years, about as long as the last two repairs have lasted.... Why would I do that?
I keep the car because my Wheel chair fits in the trunk better than anything else I can find and I can get the hand controls in it that I want...and I like the big Fords...just not the heater...
What do I do....??
Unfortunately, the build quality of Ford is not as it was used to (especially the electronics). I understand that it is not ideal but if you can live with the situation that the car currently has, I think it might be a good idea to think about another option, Toyota Avalon might be a good option.
So...
-You have put a lot of money into it and you will continue to do so at this rate, and the car is falling apart with miscellaneous and expensive things all over the place.
-Ford doesn't care about its customers (I have and can prove it) and is trying to rip you off
What do I do?
First of all, don't have a Ford dealer do thousands of dollars worth of repairs and maintenance on a 10 year old debunked model. Its a waste of money.
The car is obviously falling apart. Soon other things, larger mechanical expenses, will follow. I think its time to say goodbye car and get another large sedan (Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES, Mazda 6....). You can view the car buying links below for more info, and the Used Car Buying Guide compiled by the forum moderators and members to help those in situations like you.
I wish you the best of luck;)
