Motorcraft Battry Warranty woes...

[gcop]

I have to say, I’m a bit pissed off. My batteries are getting a little weak these days, I had them tested at a local shop, and indeed they recommended replacement. So I rolled over to the local Ford dealership and asked about replacement. The service writer asked if they were the OEM batteries because they only have a 36 mo./36K mile warranty. And no they are the 100 month warranty. So this would mean that the batteries in my truck are less than 3 years old so obviously well within warranty. The guy tells me that without the receipt, they would not do anything for me. He then tells me that labor to install the batteries would be one hour’s labor@$65.00 and would take about 15-20 minutes to do.

So 1 hour of labor for a 20 minute job? He could of at least BS’d on that point. Normally I don’t care to much about xx amount of hours labor on doing a job because I realize how that stuff works, but by this time I was a bit upset, so I let this guy know about it.

Anyway to make a long boring story even longer and more boring, my batteries are weak and Foed won’t warranty them even though they are obviously under warranty, and so I’m crying about it. OK, I’m done.

[wesjones]

what are you gonna do? unless you really feel like arguing with the dealer its probably more worth it to just get to get two new decent priced, reputable batteries that will be worth it. i suggest interstate, carquest, or AC delco.

wes

[overl0rd]

A lot of places have a 1 hour minimum policy for work.

[mschn99]

the standard labor rate for batteries is a half hour per......as far as the warranty......if the truck is still under the base warranty, obviously they are blowin smoke....but if its not.....and i see this is in the 94-98 forum....then without the reciet, i cant immagine any dealer is gonna warranty them. as far as what batteries to use.....i wouldnt use anything but a motocraft....they are by far the best battery on the market on average.....Marc

[gcop]

I had planned on the Motocraft batteries for sure, my statement was more whining that anything... I had given "some" thought to the Wal Mart MAXX house brand they have. 3 month OTC replacement and 9 year pro rated warranty almost the same as the Motocraft. The WM brand was $62.00, I guess my olny advantage in this case is WM will exchange just about anything without a receipt, which in my case, is a bonus LOL.

I know everyone raves about the Motocraft, but in my case they lasted less than 3 years, and will not be warrantied. But I'm still leaning stongly towards the Motocraft, I'll just have to be sure to hold on to the receipt. I was just a little pissed that the service guy said he knew they were Ford batteries and still under warranty, but unless he had paperwork, no dice.

TA

[overl0rd]

The motorcrafts in my truck held out for a shade under a decade. I replaced them with Everstart Maxx's when they finally pooped out. No complaints so far.

[mschn99]

he...heeee...heeeeee.....you can get lifetime warrantied batteries at wal mart if you know the trick

[rlbarkleyii]

Wal-Mart is the thing for battery's. My previous 69" PSD used to eat battery's, the more expensive , the better it liked them. (never got more than a year out of a set) I tried Wal-Marts MAXX series batterys and I have been running them for just under three years. Not a problem. Since the Maxx battery is a little lighter in cold crank amps (750 vs 950) than motorcraft recommended battery, i was a little jittery about going up north to NY this winter. Truck sat without being plugged in for a week in 10-20 degree freezing weather and cranked up like a demon. Still don't know if I would recommend them for the guys up far north, less reserve. For us folks in the mid-east & south and more temperate regions, they work great. Love that warranty, no questions asked, replacement for up to three years. And they are half of the price of the Motorcraft product. I buy them two at a time, always.

[Dave]

Motorcraft, Napa, Walmart, and Optima all great batteries. I will never buy interstate again Junk

[Logan]

I have an 04, and my batteries crapped out on me a couple of months ago. Was not too impressed by the factory batteries. Wish I would have know about the warranty. I might have been able to get a free set Oh well, live and learn.