NHTSA Complaint #10080792 — 2000 MERCURY SABLE

ON THURSDAY, 7/8, I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING OUR 2000 MERCURY SABLE TO TOMBALL FORD IN TOMBALL, TEXAS ON THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY MORNING TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE (THEY ONLY RETURNED PART OF THE RECALL LETTER, BUT IT WAS REGARDING A STOP LAMP SWITCH). TO MAKE SURE THE DEALERSHIP HAD PLENTY OF TIME TO COMPLETE THE WORK, WE DROPPED OUR CAR OFF FRIDAY NIGHT, FILLING OUT THE APPROPRIATE PAPERWORK, LEAVING THE KEYS AND ALL INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THEIR DROP BOX. WE CALLED SATURDAY MORNING AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD "FORGOTTEN" TO CHECK THE DROP BOX UNTIL 11:00 SO THE WORK WOULDN'T BE COMPLETED UNTIL 2:00 THAT AFTERNOON. THE RECALL NOTICE SAID IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ABOUT 1/2 DAY. AT 3:50 (10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THEIR CLOSING) WE CONTACTED RICK, WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS THE SERVICE MANAGER AT TOMBALL FORD. HE SAID THEY "JUST DIDN'T GET TO IT" AND IT WOULDN'T BE READY UNTIL SOMETIME MONDAY. MY HUSBAND EXPLAINED WE NEEDED BOTH OF OUR CARS ON MONDAY AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD SUPPLY US WITH A RENTAL CAR. IT WAS OBVIOUSLY TOMBALL FORD'S FAULT THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE A CAR. RICK SAID NO, THAT THIS PARTICULAR RECALL DIDN'T CALL FOR A RENTAL CAR TO BE SUPPLIED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IT'S PEOPLE LIKE RICK WHO MAKE THIS WHOLE THING A PAIN IN THE BUTT. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUPPLY US WITH A FREE RENTAL CAR BECAUSE IT WAS TOTALLY THEIR FAULT THAT THE WORK DIDN'T GET DONE. I DON'T THINK WE WILL EVER BUY AN AMERICAN MADE CAR AGAIN. AT LEAST THE PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ADMIT WHEN IT'S THEIR FAULT AND RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. IT'S OBVIOUS THAT TOMBALL FORD COULD CARE LESS IF THEY HAVE OUR CURRENT OR FUTURE BUSINESS.*AK