Max Tow Axle Recall Inspection Procedure

[Jeff1024]

I know this topic has been beat to death, but have a quick question on the procedure for the Max Tow Axle Recall.

I took my truck in last week for a oil change, tire rotation and asked while they had it if they could perform the Axle Recall. The head of one of the axle bolts broke about a year ago, and at that time both axles were replaced. The dealer said they couldn't do the recall without authorization from Ford. They let me know they had taken pictures of the axle, which isn't currently broken, that they had sent those pictures to Ford, and that Ford had authorized the repair and they were sending parts.

Totally backwards way to do this, but not really the point of the post.

When I picked up the truck I tried to remote start it with my phone and noticed all the connected services were turned off. Bit odd, but maybe they reset a module as part of the service. I then noticed it had about 15 more miles on it than when I dropped it off. Also a bit odd, it was just an oil change and an inspection for the recall. I let it slide. Today I noticed that there was a new phone named "Tristin's iPhone 15" Paired in Sync. My name isn't Tristin.

So before I go and discuss why a tech at the dealer decided to disable location services on the truck pair his iPhone and go grab McDonalds....

Does anyone know if a test drive is part of the axle recall inspection process?

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[mkinttrim]

I would say that Tristins phone received a text for an ounce of blow

 

[Jeff1024]

I would say that Tristins phone received a text for an ounce of blow

Based on my location I would say Meth is more likely, but yes I fear the truck saw some things.

Even if it was a test drive I would think the tech would be focused on listening for issues not making sure his iPhone was paired up to listen to the latest on Spotify.

Thanks for validating, will stop by in the morning and have a chat...sucks the dealer is literally 2 miles from me but maybe time to take my business elsewhere.

 

[PB2021]

Be curious what you hear from dealer. Photos are all they need to get authorization from Ford.

 

[TarnishedCopper]

I've come to believe that there are different classes of Ford Dealers especially when it comes to servicing what they sell. There are some that are honest and above-board, and the remainder of them run shady operations. Just because a dealership is allied with other ones all over the region, state, or country does not mean they are decent to their customers and do what needs to be done.

 

[Jeff1024]

Be curious what you hear from dealer. Photos are all they need to get authorization from Ford.

Just got back. I will hand it to the service manager they handled this as well as could be expected.

I explained what happened, said I wanted a full tank of gas, the oil change was going to be on them this time and I would like to know where Tristin drove my truck.

Service Manager said ok left the office and came back with a kid who couldn't have been over 20 years old. Surprised me but they let the kid try to take some accountability for his actions. To his credit the the service manager let the kid hang himself, and told him to be honest about what happened. His face turned white as a ghost when I asked how he liked driving my truck.

I got:

"She's running good sir"

"I took it for a diagnosis run making sure she was running good and listening for anything unusual" - For an oil change? And you took the time to pair your iPhone? Wouldn't that make it difficult to hear anything wrong?

"I just drove through town" - OK, I assume you did that on the clock? I doubt your manager who is sitting here is ok /w that.

"I did a sync re-set thats why the connected services turned off" - Again for an oil change?

The kid did apologize and offered to fill up the truck from his own wallet. I just said that was between him and his boss but someone was putting gas in the truck. Never did admit to where he drove it specifically, Ill hope it was to impress a girl and not a cocaine run lol.

I am not trying to come off as a hard ass, we all were young and dumb, but a lot could have gone wrong if something had happened while Tristin was out joy riding in my truck. Props to the dealer for handling it as best they could and hopefully the kid learns a lesson. My lesson is to do my own oil changes going forward.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

Just got back. I will hand it to the service manager they handled this as well as could be expected.

I explained what happened, said I wanted a full tank of gas, the oil change was going to be on them this time and I would like to know where Tristin drove my truck.

Service Manager said ok left the office and came back with a kid who couldn't have been over 20 years old. Surprised me but they let the kid try to take some accountability for his actions. To his credit the the service manager let the kid hang himself, and told him to be honest about what happened. His face turned white as a ghost when I asked how he liked driving my truck.

I got:

"She's running good sir"

"I took it for a diagnosis run making sure she was running good and listening for anything unusual" - For an oil change? And you took the time to pair your iPhone? Wouldn't that make it difficult to hear anything wrong?

"I just drove through town" - OK, I assume you did that on the clock? I doubt your manager who is sitting here is ok /w that.

"I did a sync re-set thats why the connected services turned off" - Again for an oil change?

The kid did apologize and offered to fill up the truck from his own wallet. I just said that was between him and his boss but someone was putting gas in the truck. Never did admit to where he drove it specifically, Ill hope it was to impress a girl and not a cocaine run lol.

I am not trying to come off as a hard ass, we all were young and dumb, but a lot could have gone wrong if something had happened while Tristin was out joy riding in my truck. Props to the dealer for handling it as best they could and hopefully the kid learns a lesson. My lesson is to do my own oil changes going forward.

I think you handled this well
I don’t believe you came off as a hard ass at all.

Kids nowadays need to be held accountable for their actions.

I could actually see doing a short test drive after an axle replacement. But the thing that hung this punk was 15 miles and turning off location and connecting his phone.

 

[Jeff1024]

I think you handled this well
I don’t believe you came off as a hard ass at all.

Kids nowadays need to be held accountable for their actions.

I could actually see doing a short test drive after an axle replacement. But the thing that hung this punk was 15 miles and turning off location and connecting his phone.

Thats what got him, they didnt replace the axle they just inspected it and took pics so that they could get authorization to order the parts from Ford. There was no reason for it leave the parking lot. On top of that the kid driving it was just the lube tech, according to the invoice a different tech did all the axle work. Kid literally changed the oil and said this requires a 15 mile trip to lunch and I also will pair my phone while I am going.

As far as coming off as a hard ass I just hate keyboard warriors who talk about how tough they are from the comfort of the internet. I was frustrated, I have worked my ass off to be in a position to afford toys, but also realize we all made mistakes along the way. I could tell the kid realized he had messed up. I imagine the dealership will keep him on, its difficult to find help, especially for lower paying jobs like an entry level tech changing oil. Kid was scared shitless so I think he learned his lesson, at least I hope. I asked him what he would have done if he got in an accident or tore up my truck. He didnt really have an answer - I wouldn't expect one - but I hope it got him thinking a bit.

Like I said handled the best it could have been. I think the service manager was smart enough to know that 10min of letting me talk to Tristin would keep me as a customer, so smart on his part. It goes back in August for the axles to be changed out, I will be sure to wait in the lobby this time while its being worked on lol.

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