NHTSA Complaint #10639400 — 2011 FORD EDGE

MY PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS HIT A SNOW HIDDEN POT HOLE AND SCRATCHED BOTH WHEEL COVERS. WHEN I WENT TO MY FORD DEALER TO PURCHASE TWO NEW WHEEL COVERS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT "COVERS" (HUB CAPS) AT ALL, RATHER THEY WERE "CHROME FOIL COVERED PLASTIC" BONDED TO THE WHEEL RIM. ONE CAN NO LONGER SIMPLY REPLACE A $25 - $50 WHEEL-COVER (HUB CAP) TO KEEP A FORD VEHICLE LOOKING NEW. YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE WHEEL. THE REPLACEMENT COST IS $860 PLUS REMOUNTING COSTS; ABOUT $1000 FOR EACH WHEEL. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP FEELING CHEATED! MY ORIGINAL SALES INVOICE LISTS THE WHEELS AS "CHROME CLAD" AND THIS IS OBVIOUSLY MISLEADING! THE SALES STAFF SAID TO WAIT FOR AN "AFTER MARKET" SOLUTION. FORD EXECUTIVES OFFERED NO HELP SAYING THEY DO NOT COVER DAMAGE DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY! MY ARGUMENT REMAINS.. IN ORDER FOR THE WHEELS TO BE DAMAGED SO EASILY, THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY COMPRISED OF SUB-STANDARD MATERIAL. THE ALUMINUM FOIL MY WIFE USES IN OUR KITCHEN IS STRONGER THAN FORD'S "CHROME CLAD" WHEELS. I PRIDE MYSELF IN MAINTAINING MY VEHICLES IN "LIKE NEW" CONDITION. FORD HAS LOST ME AS A LIFETIME CUSTOMER BECAUSE OF THEIR APPARENT LACK OF CONCERN FOR THE POTENTIAL UPKEEP COSTS TO THE CONSUMER. THEY SEEM MORE INTERESTED IN SAVING WEIGHT AND MANUFACTURING COSTS AND I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER WHAT ELSE THEY CUT CORNERS ON? *TR