megamillionDeluxSlime
Well-Known Member
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- #1
Just wanted to share my ongoing headache with my 2024 Ranger Raptor in case it helps anyone else — or at least serves as a warning.
Got in the truck this past weekend and two more issues popped up: “Drive Mode Not Available” and “Damper Mode Not Available.” Steering still isn’t fixed — and that’s after taking it to Sarasota Ford for the third time for the exact same problem. This last visit was the only one that felt like it was being taken seriously. I finally had a solid service advisor who documented everything, took photos, and told me I should contact Ford directly to start a buyback case. I did, and honestly, the process was easy. I laid out every issue I’ve dealt with — including that weird Mustang Mach-E screen that showed up on my SYNC system during one of the earlier visits.
When I brought that up to the manager, he tried to brush it off as an OTA update that happened while the truck was in the shop. I showed him — with proof from the FordPass app — that the last OTA update was nearly a month earlier. All he had to say was “I don’t know” or offer to have his guys reflash the system or load a new AB file. Instead, he gave me a story. Luckily, someone awesome on the forums helped me resolve that issue on my own.
Then it gets worse.
A few hours later, I get a call from the Sarasota Ford manager telling me I’m no longer allowed to bring my truck there for service. Why? Because I asked to work with a different advisor (the first one was a young guy with a smart-ass attitude I didn’t vibe with), and because I supposedly “accused him of lying.” Let me be clear: showing proof that something didn’t happen isn’t “accusing” — it’s holding someone accountable. And since when is it a problem to request an advisor you feel more comfortable dealing with?
So I had to pick my truck up again.
I called Matthew Currie Ford in Venice and explained the situation. They said, no problem — bring it in the next morning. I chose them specifically because they had two green Ranger Raptors in stock, and at this point I was seriously considering just trading mine in and starting fresh.
But the next day, I get a call from them saying they won’t service the truck after all. Why? Because “this is a small town,” and they “don’t want any trouble with Sarasota Ford.” You’ve got to be kidding me. Venice isn’t a tiny town anymore, and more importantly — you have the truck I want to buy. You’re willing to lose a serious buyer and a potential lifelong customer over dealership politics?
That’s when I lost it — and yes, I hung up. That’s the only time I’ve cursed or raised my voice to anyone in this whole situation. And I think most people would agree: this truck has been in the shop five out of the six months I’ve owned it, and I’ve yet to truly enjoy it. One issue after another. Who wouldn’t be fed up?
So now the truck’s at AutoNation. I’m not thrilled about that either. I bought it from one of their locations in St. Pete, and that buying experience was so miserable (lies, delays, 7 hours wasted) that I said I’d never go back. But the AutoNation location it’s at now actually has great reviews and a collision center — and the driver’s door needs to be realigned anyway. I’ll deal with that after we figure out if the truck can even be fixed.
As it stands now, I’ve lost all faith in this truck and have never once had the chance to enjoy it off-road. I waited years for the Ranger Raptor to finally hit the U.S., and this experience has been nothing but disappointing. Not just because of the mechanical problems — but because of how the dealership network has handled it at every turn.
Got in the truck this past weekend and two more issues popped up: “Drive Mode Not Available” and “Damper Mode Not Available.” Steering still isn’t fixed — and that’s after taking it to Sarasota Ford for the third time for the exact same problem. This last visit was the only one that felt like it was being taken seriously. I finally had a solid service advisor who documented everything, took photos, and told me I should contact Ford directly to start a buyback case. I did, and honestly, the process was easy. I laid out every issue I’ve dealt with — including that weird Mustang Mach-E screen that showed up on my SYNC system during one of the earlier visits.
When I brought that up to the manager, he tried to brush it off as an OTA update that happened while the truck was in the shop. I showed him — with proof from the FordPass app — that the last OTA update was nearly a month earlier. All he had to say was “I don’t know” or offer to have his guys reflash the system or load a new AB file. Instead, he gave me a story. Luckily, someone awesome on the forums helped me resolve that issue on my own.
Then it gets worse.
A few hours later, I get a call from the Sarasota Ford manager telling me I’m no longer allowed to bring my truck there for service. Why? Because I asked to work with a different advisor (the first one was a young guy with a smart-ass attitude I didn’t vibe with), and because I supposedly “accused him of lying.” Let me be clear: showing proof that something didn’t happen isn’t “accusing” — it’s holding someone accountable. And since when is it a problem to request an advisor you feel more comfortable dealing with?
So I had to pick my truck up again.
I called Matthew Currie Ford in Venice and explained the situation. They said, no problem — bring it in the next morning. I chose them specifically because they had two green Ranger Raptors in stock, and at this point I was seriously considering just trading mine in and starting fresh.
But the next day, I get a call from them saying they won’t service the truck after all. Why? Because “this is a small town,” and they “don’t want any trouble with Sarasota Ford.” You’ve got to be kidding me. Venice isn’t a tiny town anymore, and more importantly — you have the truck I want to buy. You’re willing to lose a serious buyer and a potential lifelong customer over dealership politics?
That’s when I lost it — and yes, I hung up. That’s the only time I’ve cursed or raised my voice to anyone in this whole situation. And I think most people would agree: this truck has been in the shop five out of the six months I’ve owned it, and I’ve yet to truly enjoy it. One issue after another. Who wouldn’t be fed up?
So now the truck’s at AutoNation. I’m not thrilled about that either. I bought it from one of their locations in St. Pete, and that buying experience was so miserable (lies, delays, 7 hours wasted) that I said I’d never go back. But the AutoNation location it’s at now actually has great reviews and a collision center — and the driver’s door needs to be realigned anyway. I’ll deal with that after we figure out if the truck can even be fixed.
As it stands now, I’ve lost all faith in this truck and have never once had the chance to enjoy it off-road. I waited years for the Ranger Raptor to finally hit the U.S., and this experience has been nothing but disappointing. Not just because of the mechanical problems — but because of how the dealership network has handled it at every turn.
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