Dealership Swapped Parts Off My 1999 Mustang Cobra What Are My Options?
First of all, I am a Girl . I don't know a whole lot about tech stuff on cars. I own a 1999 Mustang Cobra. That used to be fast as hell 345hp I loved driving it untill.... I brought my 1999 Cobra into a Ford Dealership shortly after I purchased it used. They kept my car for 5 days just to do a check up because my check engine light came on. After picking it up at night (I couldn't make it there before the service department closed) I drove it home and noticed the difference in performance I called the dealership the next day they said that I had to fix a bunch of stuff.... ahhhgggg. HeLP!
Bottom line is HOW CAN I PROVE THAT THEY SWAPPED PARTS OFF MY CAR. DO PARTS HAVE SERIAL NUMBERS OR SOMETHING? OR DOES THE COMPUTER KNOW WHEN MAJOR CHANGES WHERE MADE?
Unless you have proof that the parts were there when you dropped the car off and proof that they WEREN'T there when you picked it up, this is a tough spot you're in. If you have old dyno sheets, witnesses that saw the parts on the car shortly before you dropped the car off, pictures or other such stuff then you're in for a fight with the dealership.
I would start by making a list of all the parts they removed and produce documentation of purchase and installation of each part. Take that list to the dealership and demand, don't ask, demand to speak to the service manager about this. It may be best to make an appointment with him so he can't slick his way out of the meeting.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
From a legal viewpoint, it will be difficult at best to prove. Even die hard car guys (and gals) rarely document the seriel numbers of all their parts (a few do, but not a lot), therefore, and average person is really not likely to have documentation to support their claim. Now, assuming you do have documention or other form of proof, the fact tha tyou picked the car up later in the evening and did not do a inspection prior to accepting the work, will giv ethe dealership a defense such as the parts were there when it left the dealer and you (or your agent) removed the parts in order to get new parts.
Now, if you do have proof or documentation,then you are in a good spot. A dealer is not likely willing to get their name and reputation tarnished, so they are likely to settle. Even if your proof is minimal, it would be benefiical to you to at least talk to an attorney, younever know what results you may be able to get once an attorney gets involved.
Another thing they could have done was programmed it back to the stock tune. Did or was it programmed before?
PS Sorry to hear about your dilemma.
I would agree did you have a tune on it? if not you have an up hill battle trying to prove the parts were taken off IMHO
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2004 Black Mach 5 Speed, MGW Shifter, SCT XCAL Tune by Texas Hot Rods, K&N FIPK ,Flowmasters, Mac catted H-Pipe, 18" Black Chrome Mach 1 Rims, H&R SS, Bilstein HD, and MM caster,4:10 Gears
98 Black Cobra
Build # 3154/5174,Build date 3/30/98,Flowmaster, MGW shifter, JLT CAI
I have pictures of my engine before and after... the fuel rails are totally different - I used to have saleen fuel rails now they are stock. My rear brakes no longer say cobra on them ( when I bought the car - they had just spent $1000 on new brakes - I have docs for this) So the back brakes are different. My battery used to be red and i think it said optima on it. Not any more;...
I have pictures of my engine before and after... the fuel rails are totally different - I used to have saleen fuel rails now they are stock. My rear brakes no longer say cobra on them ( when I bought the car - they had just spent $1000 on new brakes - I have docs for this) So the back brakes are different. My battery used to be red and i think it said optima on it. Not any more;...
I think the photos would be proof theat something was done
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Take what proof you have & go to the Dealership general manager, by setting up an appointment with him. Let him know of your situation. Then, depending on his response, tell him you will be contacting the local news stations to report this. Then if that didn't cause a stir, then let him know you will see them in court as you are walking out.
You prolly might not have to go as far as step two & three. But step two usually works as they don't want national coverage of that going on national news.
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03 White SVT Cobra
Mods: Whipped
620rwhp/590rwtq @ 18psi on 93 octane
#3285 out of 8394
There is another step in the Ford chain and it is a Regional Manager - the guy/gal who is responsible for the performance of the Dealerships in their area. If you get nowhere with the Service Manager, ask him/her for the contact name and they generally know that sh** is about to fly and become much easier to work with after that... Good luck! Also, if they do not provide you with the name of the Regional Manager, call another dealer in your area and ask for the information, they will ask you why but will volunteer it for you.
Photos and receipts would definitely be enough to file a formal complaint and would get their attention. If you have a dollar value, and it is under $7500...I owuld look into taking the dealer to small claims court. Your photos and docs would be convincing. Any witnesses you have would also help. It is likley the dealer will come to you at that point and be willing to come up with a settlement.
At the very least, you need to have a serious chat with the Service Manger, the General Manager, and the owner fo the Dealer. As well as prepare docs for a formal complain via the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (the DMV controls the dealer's license), Better Business Bureau, ther local Chamber of OCmmerce. At that point, you have a legitimate complaint that you are about to act on...the dealer will talk.
I would not let the dealer get away with it. Those parts are your property...besides, if they did it to you, who else are they doing it to?
I have pictures of my engine before and after... the fuel rails are totally different - I used to have saleen fuel rails now they are stock. My rear brakes no longer say cobra on them ( when I bought the car - they had just spent $1000 on new brakes - I have docs for this) So the back brakes are different. My battery used to be red and i think it said optima on it. Not any more;...
the rear brakes should have never said cobra on them. the front ones should though. they should all be grey in color. the rear rotors should be vented and measure 11.65 inches in diameter.
which dealer did you take your car to? HB Ford?
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the rear brakes should have never said cobra on them. the front ones should though. they should all be grey in color. the rear rotors should be vented and measure 11.65 inches in diameter.
Dealership Swapped Parts Off My 1999 Mustang Cobra What Are My Options? 
. I don't know a whole lot about tech stuff on cars. I own a 1999 Mustang Cobra. That used to be fast as hell 345hp I loved driving it untill.... I brought my 1999 Cobra into a Ford Dealership shortly after I purchased it used. They kept my car for 5 days just to do a check up because my check engine light came on. After picking it up at night (I couldn't make it there before the service department closed) I drove it home and noticed the difference in performance I called the dealership the next day they said that I had to fix a bunch of stuff.... ahhhgggg. HeLP!
