2007 Freestyle (now Taurus X) problem

[waynos]

I have a 2007 Ford Freestyle (now the Taurus X). Purchased in 10/2006. Had to have battery replaced in 7/2007 @ dealer. Diagnostics showed no problems in electrical system other than a bad battery. Service rep said could have been a bad battery from factory (sometimes it happens). Battery was replaced with a new 100-month 36-month replacement battery (under factory warranty).

 

Now (7/2009), my car wouldn't start again but starts right up as soon as it's hooked up with jumper cables. Took back to dealer for same problem. Battery holds power, all lights still work, etc. just not enough power to start the car (just solenoid clicking). Then they tell me if the diagnostic shows that the battery is bad I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY! It seems that since the original battery was replaced under factory warranty, the new battery is then only warranted for the remainder of the factory (3 yr/36000 mile) warranty (which just expired 2500 miles ago) instead of the 36 month battery warranty. That just plain sucks! Nice loophole in the warranty arena!

 

Now I'm being told that after diagnostics, no electrical problems were found other than another DEAD BATTERY! Now they are charging me $150.00 for a new battery.

 

I need to know how it is possible that this car has now gone through two 100-month batteries in under three years! There has got to be a problem somewhere, such a very small draining issue while parked which for some reason may not be detected by the diagnostics. I do not leave items such as cell phones, etc. plugged into the lighter sockets and the car has the battery rundown protection system as well.

 

Are there any other problems out there like this that anyone has heard of or know of any explanation of why this is happening?

 

I'm pretty frustrated right now.

 

First, because Ford refuses to replace the battery under the 36 month battery warranty because it was replaced while still under factory warranty, evidently then "voiding" the actual battery warranty (not fair in the consumer's eye).

 

Second, because I am being told that there's nothing wrong other than the battery, even though it has now gone through 2 batteries in under 3 years time.

 

Third, because now I have no idea how long this battery will last or when I will be stuck or stranded somewhere when this battery decides to drain since it doesn't give any warning (one time it starts fine, the next it's dead).

 

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[bbf2530]

I have a 2007 Ford Freestyle (now the Taurus X). Purchased in 10/2006. Had to have battery replaced in 7/2007 @ dealer. Diagnostics showed no problems in electrical system other than a bad battery. Service rep said could have been a bad battery from factory (sometimes it happens). Battery was replaced with a new 100-month 36-month replacement battery (under factory warranty).

 

Now (7/2009), my car wouldn't start again but starts right up as soon as it's hooked up with jumper cables. Took back to dealer for same problem. Battery holds power, all lights still work, etc. just not enough power to start the car (just solenoid clicking). Then they tell me if the diagnostic shows that the battery is bad I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY! It seems that since the original battery was replaced under factory warranty, the new battery is then only warranted for the remainder of the factory (3 yr/36000 mile) warranty (which just expired 2500 miles ago) instead of the 36 month battery warranty. That just plain sucks! Nice loophole in the warranty arena!

 

Now I'm being told that after diagnostics, no electrical problems were found other than another DEAD BATTERY! Now they are charging me $150.00 for a new battery.

 

I need to know how it is possible that this car has now gone through two 100-month batteries in under three years! There has got to be a problem somewhere, such a very small draining issue while parked which for some reason may not be detected by the diagnostics. I do not leave items such as cell phones, etc. plugged into the lighter sockets and the car has the battery rundown protection system as well.

 

Are there any other problems out there like this that anyone has heard of or know of any explanation of why this is happening?

 

I'm pretty frustrated right now.

 

First, because Ford refuses to replace the battery under the 36 month battery warranty because it was replaced while still under factory warranty, evidently then "voiding" the actual battery warranty (not fair in the consumer's eye).

 

Second, because I am being told that there's nothing wrong other than the battery, even though it has now gone through 2 batteries in under 3 years time.

 

Third, because now I have no idea how long this battery will last or when I will be stuck or stranded somewhere when this battery decides to drain since it doesn't give any warning (one time it starts fine, the next it's dead).

 

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi waynos. :D First, it does seem odd that you would have two defective batteries in 3 years. Perhaps you should try a different Dealership to diagnose any other problems in the electrical/changing system?

 

Concerning Warranty coverage: Unfortunately, unless you can convince the Ford/Dealer otherwise, there is not much that can be done as far as the Warranty coverage. That is how Warranty coverage works. Even parts that fail or are replaced under Warranty only have the original New Car Warranty coverage applied (in this case 3 years/36,000 miles). That includes replacement batteries. It is the industry wide policy for almost all automakers. Keep in mind I am not saying I agree with this policy, just relaying the information.

 

If you cannot convince the Dealer otherwise, here is where you do have an option: First, negotiate a better price for the replacement. $150 is too high a price for the replacement battery. If the Dealer will not give you a lower/more acceptable price, shop around/make some phone calls and get a better price for the proper replacement battery. Whether Motorcraft (my preference) or another brand, you can do better than $150. Then you will also have the full aftermarket Warranty.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[waynos]

Hi waynos. :D First, it does seem odd that you would have two defective batteries in 3 years. Perhaps you should try a different Dealership to diagnose any other problems in the electrical/changing system?

 

Concerning Warranty coverage: Unfortunately, unless you can convince the Ford/Dealer otherwise, there is not much that can be done as far as the Warranty coverage. That is how Warranty coverage works. Even parts that fail or are replaced under Warranty only have the original New Car Warranty coverage applied (in this case 3 years/36,000 miles). That includes replacement batteries. It is the industry wide policy for almost all automakers. Keep in mind I am not saying I agree with this policy, just relaying the information.

 

If you cannot convince the Dealer otherwise, here is where you do have an option: First, negotiate a better price for the replacement. $150 is too high a price for the replacement battery. If the Dealer will not give you a lower/more acceptable price, shop around/make some phone calls and get a better price for the proper replacement battery. Whether Motorcraft (my preference) or another brand, you can do better than $150. Then you will also have the full aftermarket Warranty.

 

Let us know how you make out.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

 

 

Thank you for your reply. I appreciate the info.

 

The battery replacement did end up costing about $162 to replace ($110 for the battery and the rest in labor, etc.). It's not that I really mind paying for a battery, however, it's just that it's suspicious enough to have one battery fail, but when it happens again, there obviously is a problem somewhere causing the battery to drain. I took it back to the dealer again thinking that they'd realize this is most likely a sign of a problem and would pay closer attention to diagnose any problem (maybe outside of the standard diagnostic test). Also, if I decided to take it elsewhere, I could get the battery cheaper, but then I would have to pay Ford $65 for the diagnostic test after which I would be back in the same price range again when all is said and done.

 

My hunch is that there is some sort of minor short or something causing a very small, but consistent, drain on the battery while it is parked because the first battery failed only 9 months after I purchased the car. (Since the car is mostly parked from completion of manufacturing until sale). This would leave the battery in a "weakened" state at the time of purchase. The second battery failed in less than two years under normal, everyday, driving where it is parked overnight and during working hours each day (thereby making the battery lose power slower due to less "down time"). It's all pretty logical. No matter how you look at it the battery should not fail in under three years (I have owned quite a few cars and have "never" had to replace an original battery in under 5-6 years).

 

The unfortunate part of taking the car to another dealer means paying another $65 diagnostic test charge if they do not discover a problem..... then, how many more places do I go/how much $$ do I spend, until someone discovers a problem (or not).

[LoveTaurus]

It might not be problem with the battery, could be something else. The Freestyle forum as I read, I remembered someone had the same problem, it had been discussed with solution there. You may want to try search their forum, then ask question about your problem; at MyFordFreestyle.com

[Dieseldad97]

I have a 2007 Ford Freestyle (now the Taurus X). Purchased in 10/2006. Had to have battery replaced in 7/2007 @ dealer. Diagnostics showed no problems in electrical system other than a bad battery. Service rep said could have been a bad battery from factory (sometimes it happens). Battery was replaced with a new 100-month 36-month replacement battery (under factory warranty).

 

Now (7/2009), my car wouldn't start again but starts right up as soon as it's hooked up with jumper cables. Took back to dealer for same problem. Battery holds power, all lights still work, etc. just not enough power to start the car (just solenoid clicking). Then they tell me if the diagnostic shows that the battery is bad I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY! It seems that since the original battery was replaced under factory warranty, the new battery is then only warranted for the remainder of the factory (3 yr/36000 mile) warranty (which just expired 2500 miles ago) instead of the 36 month battery warranty. That just plain sucks! Nice loophole in the warranty arena!

 

Now I'm being told that after diagnostics, no electrical problems were found other than another DEAD BATTERY! Now they are charging me $150.00 for a new battery.

 

I need to know how it is possible that this car has now gone through two 100-month batteries in under three years! There has got to be a problem somewhere, such a very small draining issue while parked which for some reason may not be detected by the diagnostics. I do not leave items such as cell phones, etc. plugged into the lighter sockets and the car has the battery rundown protection system as well.

 

Are there any other problems out there like this that anyone has heard of or know of any explanation of why this is happening?

 

I'm pretty frustrated right now.

 

First, because Ford refuses to replace the battery under the 36 month battery warranty because it was replaced while still under factory warranty, evidently then "voiding" the actual battery warranty (not fair in the consumer's eye).

 

Second, because I am being told that there's nothing wrong other than the battery, even though it has now gone through 2 batteries in under 3 years time.

 

Third, because now I have no idea how long this battery will last or when I will be stuck or stranded somewhere when this battery decides to drain since it doesn't give any warning (one time it starts fine, the next it's dead).

 

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

I joined this site because my friend has the same problem with his '07 FS.

 

Just wondering if you found the fix yet Waynos??

I'm very interested with your outcome.

 

Thanks.

 

Gerald.