Sync Dead? Ford non-responsive? Unresolved issues, forever?

[guruuno]

7/2013 acquired Focus EV. Rotated tires 1 time, now have 8700 miles. Into dealer for 3 recalls (headlight, chime, firmware update). Each time in dealer, grease from slobs (All American Ford Old Bridge NJ), told I should go elsewhere if I am not happy. Ford Corporate says to look for new dealer, called 3, all were quite unaccommodating (it is my opinion that the dealer care zippo about the EV's, as they make zero money, and they want to make money).
From day one, "Sync Specialist" screwed up my delivery with incorrect data to create account, had to recreate, lost all original data from initial setup.
This winter, charging door stuck (from cold weather), told to have it towed in, no resolve, ever.
SSN issue, reprogram, flash.
After headlight recall, and pickup of car, noticed chipped paint on fender. They care nil.
Again today, died at intersection, Ford tells me, "they noted my account", no consideration to make appointment to investigate issue, etc., just that they noted it!
2 months ago, dead, would not start, 12 volt battery died, flat bedded to dealer, they say a cell was dead, new battery, now My Ford Mobile does not send any notifications, did one time to wife's account, even when she was not on notification list in settings.
Contacted Sync/Ford on 06/10, gave me a case number, said they would escilate to engineering, never heard back, called today, they said case closed, created new case, wanted to have engineering look at it. I insisted immediate involvement because of previous snafu, they reset account (deleted user, re-added), still no-go, zero notifications from My Ford Mobile. Original phone answered by no clue valley girl type personality with zero knowledge of anything technical.
Although I love my Focus, I do not feel I should be a beta tester, be treated like crap by dealers, and am upset that things don't work (like the messaging in the MFM), and never really did, with blame back and forth between carriers and Ford.
Look, we all know that Ford has abandoned Microsoft, and Apple will be introduced into future vehicles. What does that say about existing platforms that are still being sold? Think. Like a dead operating system on a computer, a no longer supported word processor, we are all out of luck, no investment of any magnitude to correct issues will EVER happen, and we are all stuck with dead technology that has been abandoned by Ford.
Quite frankly, I still love EV's, but will NEVER, EVER, NEVER, EVER buy a Ford again, NEVER.
After contacting the dealership and asking what they are going to do for me, what are they gong to give me for all the grief, I was bluntly told, nothing, maybe I should go elsewhere, and they will handle their own service department issues.
Ford corporate informs me nothing, nada, zero can be done, "as each dealership is an independent entity" and they have no control over customer relations and can only intervene if there is an issue that is not being addressed, repaired, etc., and customer service is not of concern to them. They only sell the cars to the dealers, the dealers have the guidelines to follow, and as long as the percentages swing in the favorite sides for acceptability there is nothing that can be done other than to make a note of the "strike" or complaint.
Think about it.
You are dealing with a dealer who the relationship is more important than the manufacturer, so choose wisely from the onset.
Study the heck out of the manufacturers, the history, the complaints, the satisfaction, and most importantly, the recourse if you need to go down that road.
Most every dealer has a clause in the contract you sign that basically says you have to use an arbitrator to resolve unresolvable issues.
We all know how that stacked deck plays out in the long run.
Again, this is a general notification to all EV/Ford owners to be aware of the incidents I've mentioned above and for anyone who may be considering a future purchase or lease.
I'm sure many are happy and accept a level of things, and put up with the crap dished out by Ford and it's dealers.
However, I don't have to, and I, quite frankly, will be requesting early termination of my lease and compensation for my woes.

 

[hybridbear]

What headlight recall?

 

[guruuno]

There was a recall for the lights (orange reflector light):
http://www.myfocuselectric.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=1271

All owners should have been notified, as well as being posted on the http://www.nhtsa.gov/ website.
Possibly, the headlight recall was a Ford recall.
Here is what I have:

RECALL Subject : Sudden Loss of Motive Power , 1 INVESTIGATION(S)
Report Receipt Date: OCT 30, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V523000
Component(s): POWER TRAIN
All Products Associated with this Recall expand
Details close
11 Associated Documents expand
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
SUMMARY:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Focus Electric vehicles manufactured September 15, 2011, through August 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a powertrain control module software problem may result in a stall-like condition.
CONSEQUENCE:
An unexpected loss of power while driving increases the risk of a crash.
REMEDY:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the power control module, free of charge. The recall beganon November 22, 2013. Ford's recall campaign number is 13S09. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

1 Associated Investigation(s)expand
close RECALL Subject : No audible chime with open driver door/ FMVSS 114
Report Receipt Date: OCT 17, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V475000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , EQUIPMENT
All Products Associated with this Recall expand

11 Associated Documents expand
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
SUMMARY:
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Focus Electric vehicles and 2013 C-Max vehicles equipped with the Intelligent Access Push Button Start System. In the affected vehicles, there is no audible chime when the vehicle is operational and the driver's door is opened. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
CONSEQUENCE:
Without an audible door chime, a vehicle owner may open the door and exit the vehicle without being reminded that the vehicle is still operational, leaving the vehicle susceptible to theft.
REMEDY:
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the door chime, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2013. Owners may contact the Ford customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's recall number is 13C07.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

[hybridbear]

That's an old recall. It must have been done on our car before we got it. It's a shame that so many dealers are incompetent.

 

[jmueller065]

That was the SSN recall where they reprogrammed quite a few modules.

The headlight recall also applied to the ST models as they use the same parts. The headlights were mis-wired and some side marker lights (LEDs!) were not lighting up. This recall was for a very specific set of cars (mine did not get recalled but my coworker's car did--our cars were built 4 weeks apart).

 

[eaglelaker]

I hope that what looks like for me a 6 month wait for my order that all these issues are resolved.
Wouldn't it be ugly to have problems after all this time waiting!