Originally posted by dluv:
First of all I just got my 2000svt contour in late July with 35,000 miles. I started noticing the gas pedal sticking. (small thing really) I simply cleaned the throttle body.

Next my car started to buck violently. I took it in and was told nothing could be done until a light came on or a code showed up. After about a week I noticed this would only happen at below half a tank of gas but really bad at a quarter tank. Hince the fuel pump is going bad. I took the car in a second time because the car was really bad. I had two mechanics ride along. During the ride they both agreed it was the fuel pump. (keep in mind this is all covered under warranty) I then was harrased about not getting a rental to drive.(different story) Anyways, when I dropped the car off for the fuel pump to be changed the service guy asked if anything else needed to be look at. I said not really but there is a small squeek coming from the right front fender. I said you can look at it but it's not that big of a deal. The service guy said "no problem, we'll take care of it". Now comes the *censored* up part. After five days of calling to see what the problems were and non returned phone calls- I get some info. The fuel pump was the problem. They said it would be covered under warranty and I would just have to pay the deductible and the cost of the fuel filter and labor. fuel filter= $17.45 + labor 1/2 hr $36.00. I can handle that.

The service guy then says he had three different mechanics drive my car to see what the squeeking was and they didn't know. Once again I said this wasn't that much of a problem and if they couldn't figure it out it wasn't that much of a problem. He said it wasn't and said he would call back when they knew. I asked for a total on the bill. He stuttered and after about five minutes of trying to find a sheet where it was written down he said he would have to call me back. Later today I heard nothing from him and gave him a call. He told me that after numerous attempts of lubbing the chassi they finally fixed it. I was happy until he said it would be $260.00 for just lubing the car. First of all I never said fix the squeek and was never told this wasn't covered under warranty. He said "yeah man, I didn't realize it was going to take this much and it costs so much for the labor". I said, you offered to fix it and never mentioned any charge or it not being covered under warranty. I then talked to the service manager and (explained again and again and...) he finally said " since the initial service guy offered to do this and never informed you of any costs then we will take care of it. So, as I drive the wounderful mouse powered rental Focus back I had time to cool down. sort of. I go to pay and the total was $106.00. After all of that I gave in and paid the man. The intial service guy that I was dealing with talked to me and was appologizing over and over. He admitted to his mistakes and even had the nerve to ask for a good review when I get a follow up service call.

Now, as I pull out of the dealership I run over the first bump- guess what!!!!! (squeek * squeek * squeek * squeek)


I can only imagine how pissed I would have been if I paid that $260.00.

Does anyone know if this would be under any kind of lemon law? I live in Charlotte, NC. I looked these laws up but only found lemon laws on new cars.

Also, are these problems expected on 2000svt's. Should I get out of this while I can. I really like the car but for only having my car since late July and three problems already, I want to wreck the darn thing.

I had a Nissan before this and never had a major problem. That car had 180,000 miles on it.

This really just feels good to vent some anger, but any advise is appreciated!



Possible causes of "bucking" problems have been thoroughly covered in this forum -- including info about my experience.

I had the problem. My independent repair shop diagnosed its cause and eliminated it.

Enter "bucking" into the Search tool under the Troubleshooting topic.