I financed a Ford Fusion 2018 SE in January of this year for $8400 at 8.24% and my monthly payments are $174 over 60 months. It has significant issues, due to how the engine was designed by ford. Essentially the engine is blowing up because coolant leaks into the cylinders.
Replacement+ labour have been quoted to me for 10k, which seems fair compared to other quotes I've seen for the same problem on the same car. However I purchased a warranty protection agreement from them, and I've had a few things covered for previous repairs covered (all before I found the root issue). In total I've spent an additional $1500 for brake pads/rotors, two tires, a oil change, and one repair.
Where the situation is now sticky is that Mazda wants to do a reinspection of my vehicle before they go ahead with the claim, essentially tearing the engine out and getting an agent to look at it. Verbatim the service manager at the dealership I go to told me the mazda rep didn't have an answer for if I would be covering the labour cost of the teardown. Essentially I might be getting shafted with a $2400 (taking out, and putting back in) bill and that's without knowing if they would cover the 10k, or a portion of it. Essentially I'm looking into a financial black hole for a bad car.
I have 10k in savings, so I could pay off the car completely or partially, and I make 27k yearly after taxes and I have low expenses fortunately. Everything in me is screaming to cancel the inspection next week and see if I can get anything for a trade in or just scrap it.
Stuck with a broken vehicle I owe 8k on and repairs are looking very expensive need a third perspective
byu/DovahkiinNA inpersonalfinance
Posted by DovahkiinNA
10 Comments
$10,000 repair on an $8400 car seems bonkers for me. Have you gotten a second opinion from a different mechanic?
Who are you taking to saying what is likely wrong (head gasket) cost 10,000. None of what you said adds up.
Find a good reputable mechanic. A new motor for that car doesn’t cost 10,000. It doesn’t even cost 5000.
I get the feeling you don’t know much about cars which is fine. But you can buy current model sports car motors for less the 10,000. Find a good mechanic, find a few actually and get them to quote it. Max this will likely cost you is 3000 maybe 4000 if it’s a new motor. If it’s a head gasket maybe 1500
For $10k you should be able to get the engine completely replaced, TWICE. Go find a different shop, they are trying to rip you off. NO DEALERSHIPS.
Any tear down should be paid upfront by Mazda. **Skip tear down on your dime.** Report Mazda to your states AG and sue them in small claims court. Trade in the car
Its a known problem but Ford so far has only had to recall some of the older model years. Y**ou can google the older recalls on similar models and give that to Mazda and if needed** **to small claims court** It’s unlikely the engine can be put back together after the tear down and any replacement engine from a junk car might have the same problem.
This should be a r/WhatShouldIDo post
Where are you located? A colleague of mine here in Arizona went to the AZ Attorney General’s office and they help resolve the issue.
You should be able to find a used engine for $500 or less. If you pay someone to install it should be $2-4k. Do some research so you know what you are needing and wanting. That may help you budget a bit better. Call around and find an alternative source for your repairs. These 2.5L duratecs are plentiful and cheap. You should also be able to find an engine replacement that is compatible without having the same failure point. There are lots of good resources and backyard support forums for the 2.5 duratecs.
This is a good lesson in not financing a 7 year old car for 5 years.
Having said that – tear down (ie. Diagnosis) should not be paid out of pocket and should be included in the warranty. You’ll have to read your warranty documentation to confirm.
Coolant leaks in to the cylinders bc of a blown head gasket. Find a reputable independent dealer. Get multiple quotes
Take it as an expensive lesson learned. Find a good cash car. Buick lacrosse, lesabre, park avenue. Even some Pontiac and GM cars had them.
These are cheap, reliable, decent on gas, and can be had for well under 3k with less than 120k miles. Most of them are also ugly.
Take whats left and pay off the fusion, or use this as an opportunity to try and learn how to fix it.
Remanufactured engines are running under $3000. Labor from an independent shop will be under $2500.