Dealership Damaged My Bumper During Warranty Work – What Are My Options?

[Zerkzie]

Car was pristine when I left it. I go to pick it up and find this:

• Scrapes and scuffs on the front bumper
• Bottom edge damage like it was curbed or mishandled
• Nothing noted on the service intake sheet, of course

I immediately messaged the service advisor and told them I’m not accepting the car back like this. I don’t want it “touched up” or repainted at a body shop—that could show up on Carfax and hurt resale value. I want a new OEM bumper, factory-painted if available, not some half-baked repair.


Service team hasn’t admitted fault yet. Waiting on a manager to respond.



My questions:

• Has anyone else dealt with this kind of damage after service?
• Can I force them to replace it with a pre-painted OEM bumper?
• Will Ford Corporate back me up on this?
• Any risk of this ending up on Carfax even if it’s just cosmetic?

Not trying to be difficult, but I’m not taking a hit on value or appearance because someone in the shop was careless. Any advice or similar stories would help—especially if you've fought the dealer and won.

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[AZ_Ryan]

Couple things here -

What were you having repaired? Did you buy it new? Can you circle the damage in your pictures? I don'tsee anythingin the 1st or 4th pictures. Most of what I see looks realy minor, outside of a big tire gouge. Like pry tool marks on the bumper seams. What is the bottom edge damage you speak of?

Not taking possession of the car isn't going to accomplish anything. Document the damage with the service manager before you take the car and wait for them to arrange the repair.

No, you can't force them to replace an undamaged bumper.

Don't take this the wrong way, but are you absolutely sure it wasn't like that already? Did they take pictures of the vehicle when you dropped it off?

 

[dusman59]

Always always take pictures. I end up with at least 25 to 35. Just had my 2011 brakes a coolant flushed. Dealers have the right equipment to do the best job.

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