Complaint Review: Colorado River Ford

In April 2010 I purchased a pre-owned vehicle from Colorado River Ford. I assumed since I was an employee of this company that they would be honest with this deal. I knew that the seat did not fold down when I purchased the vehicle, however I was given a "We Owe You..." for the work on the seat. I also purchased what I was told was a bumper to bumper warranty for the vehicle. I was told the warranty would be emailed to me.

The day after purchasing the vehicle I began having mechanical problems. The vehicle died at an intersection. The vehicle also exhibited a clunking noise. I took the vehicle to the dealership immediately. At that time I also asked about the repair for the seat. I was told that the seat part was on order and that I would be called when it arrived. I was also told the mechanical problem the vehicle exhibited (dying out at the intersection) was nothing serious and all they needed to do was upgrade the computer. They claimed they did not hear the clunking sound.

The vehicle continued to have a clunking noise so I again took it back to the dealer and asked for diagnostics and repair of whatever was causing this sound. About this same time a plastic piece bordering the front window blew off while driving down the road. I retrieved this piece and returned to the dealer. I again had my "new" car in the shop for diagnosis and repair of whatever was causing the clunking sound. The mechanics at the dealership had my car for a couple of days and claimed they could not find the cause of the sound, or even confirm that the sound existed at all. I was told the car was fine and that they would order a new plastic piece for my window.

The sound continued, so I took the vehicle to my regular mechanic who immediately diagnosed the problem as a broken motor mount. About this same time I also discovered the cd player did not eject cd's and there were five Latino mariachi cd's stuck in the player. Obviously, the broken motor mount is much more significant of an issue than a cd player.

Again I returned to the dealer with the assumption that I had a bumper to bumper warranty which would cover the mechanical problems, problems the vehicle had when it was sold to me. The dealer informed me that I did not have a full warranty as I had been led to believe, rather a power train only warranty, which did not cover a motor mount. I also inquired about the repair for the seat, which still did not fold down, the plastic trim piece for the window, which was never ordered, and the cd player. I was told the dealer would not fix anything, not even the seat for which I had a promised repair order upon purchase of the vehicle. I was told they would not honor the promised repair as it was past thirty days. However, I took the vehicle to the service dept. prior to the thirty days and was told they would call me when the part arrived. I was never called and now since the thirty days have elapsed they refuse to honor even the seat repair, which was quoted as a $700 job.

I spoke to Caleb Kincheloe and Ryan Chan, who both said nothing would be repaired on my "new' vehicle, that basically I had been legally screwed. I have only put 3000 miles on this vehicle since I purchased it. The vehicle only has 37,000 miles on it. It has spent several days in the shop at Colorado River Ford for diagnostics, which were incomplete and inaccurate. It is now at my personal mechanics shop for repairs, repairs I must pay for even though the vehicle was sold to me with the mechanical problems it currently has.

When I purchased this vehicle I was encouraged to trade in my other vehicle. I refused and kept my other vehicle. I am so glad that I didn't trade it in otherwise I would have been left with nothing to drive to work since my "new" car has been in the shop several times since I purchased it.

I assumed since I was an employee of this company that I would be treated fairly, that my concerns would be handled professionally. I was wrong. My question now is if they will treat an employee, someone whom they know, the way they have treated me then how will they treat a regular customer, someone they have never met before?

If you do choose to purchase a vehicle from Colorado River Ford, or Wiley Auto Group you may want to have the vehicle looked at by a mechanic who is not affiliated with their company prior to purchase. You may also want to have an attorney review any and all documents prior to signing. Actually, you are probably better off to simply shop elsewhere.