Brought car in for airbag recall! What should I do?

So around middle July I called the dealer and try schedule an appointment for the drivers air bag. They ask for my vin # and say they have to order the part and it could take a few days, ok. Few weeks later they call and say its in and that I can make an appointment for today 8/13.

I had a bad feeling as I normally do when taking my car to have someone other than me work on it. So I took some video of my steering wheel showing it had no scratches on the plugs that hide the airbag bolts and surrounding areas. I figured my video would be sufficient, and thought to my self what could go wrong with 10 minute two bolt swap, I mean anyone can do this job, super easy.

I get to the dealer and they have me drive the car which I was happy about, ten minutes later the tech comes out and says they didn't order the correct air bag replacement with the snake logo on it. (knowing they could take the new deployment device and put it in the old air bag, but I wasn't going to go there with them) So they say come back tomorrow, Ok that's fine.

I get in my car and start the drive home, with in 2 blocks I notice a deep gouge in the leather of my steering wheel. I get home and look at my video and with my luck I didn't take video of that part of the wheel, I guess figuring no one would mess up the top of the steering wheel changing the air bag, ugh I'm angry. I do like the service tech kid he was nice and helpful but he also scratched my steering wheel.

What would you guys do? Will they replace it? How do I go about bringing this up? I feel bad for the kid working on it if he gets in trouble, but this is going to drive me crazy every time I touch the wheel, I already know.

In the pics the scratch looks very fresh it has a little hang nail of leather hanging off the scratch, if it was old I dont think it would look so fresh. IDK

Thanks for reading sorry for the length lol

If it were mine....I would simply take it back and request the Service Manger take a look at the damage and explain to him/her. Don't worry about who did the damage...let them sort it out. My guess is your Baby is perfect and they will be able to tell the condition you keep Her in by looking at the rest of the vehicle. I would do it today!

Good luck

Bobbyblaze said:

I get to the dealer and they have me drive the car which I was happy about, ten minutes later the tech comes out and says they didn't order the correct air bag replacement with the snake logo on it. (knowing they could take the new deployment device and put it in the old air bag, but I wasn't going to go there with them) So they say come back tomorrow, Ok that's fine.

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2013-14 GT500 Airbag - Recall
Drivers side - P/N - DR3Z-63043B13-AD
Passenger Side - P/N -5R3Z-63044A74-B

Have them replace the passenger side at the same time if it is available in your area.

Snoopy49 said:

2013-14 GT500 Airbag - Recall
Drivers side - P/N - DR3Z-63043B13-AD
Passenger Side - P/N -5R3Z-63044A74-B

Have them replace the passenger side at the same time if it is available in your area.

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I asked them about the passenger side air bag and they said that my vehicle didn't need it? Do the 13-14's need both replaced?

Sucks OP, but yeah that's unacceptable, I would go back. At the dealer I used to work for we installed steering wheel covers, seat covers and floor mats to help prevent stuff like this. Most likely the Tech will not get too much backlash unless it's a common occurrence with him. Good Luck !

Tell them to fix it , end of conversation !!

Bobbyblaze said:

I asked them about the passenger side air bag and they said that my vehicle didn't need it? Do the 13-14's need both replaced?

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Yes, but yours may have already been replaced. Ask your deal to confirm or go to Welcome to Ford Owner | Official Ford Owner Site and see for yourself.

That gouge is pretty significant. I'd want it repaired. The tech maybe had sharp edge on a ring or perhaps was holding a tool in his hand as he was getting in/out of vehicle, is my guess.

God damn, I hate crap like this. This is the main reason that I ALWAYS give a big cash tip to the tech prior to doing any work on my 'toy' cars. A little money seems to help them use a tiny bit of extra care. I do almost all of my own work, but sometimes (like this airbag crap) you gotta let someone else touch your baby, and it's uncomfortable.

Recently took my Roush to nice restaurant for lunch date. Parking lot required payment. I handed the attendant a $20 tip and asked where I could park to avoid any door dings and he was ecstatic to give me a large spot off in the corner, with lots of distance between other cars. I had nice lunch, knowing car was safe.

Moral of the story: meet and greet the tech and grease his palm with some $USD!

Mojo88 said:

God damn, I hate crap like this. This is the main reason that I ALWAYS give a big cash tip to the tech prior to doing any work on my 'toy' cars. A little money seems to help them use a tiny bit of extra care.

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Thats completely ridiculous to even consider having to do that. These idiots need to do their damn job without ****ing peoples cars up. I loathe going to dealerships. This kind of crap seems to be more commonplace than getting out of there unscathed. I considered just not getting my bags done at all to avoid having these assclowns mess with my car. Its sad it comes to that.

Clemson said:

Thats completely ridiculous to even consider having to do that. These idiots need to do their damn job without ****ing peoples cars up. .....

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Yeah man, I totally agree with you.... BUT... a little bit of cash buys extra peace of mind. I used this 'technique' recently even when buying new tires. I gave the service rep $20 AND I specifically asked to meet the tech guy who was gonna do the tire work, and I gave him $20 too. How many customers do that, do you think? I was treated like a ****ing King, LOL!

I know it sucks, but how often do guys like us really need to have someone else work on our cars? Answer is: not much. So at those odd times when we need someone, then simply bite the bullet and do something that makes you stand out from the crowd.

I went in and talked to the service manager today, and he took a peek at it and told me not to worry that they would replace it. I was pretty surprised actually, he gave me no trouble or argument. I am really impressed with them owning up to it, I've had terrible experiences with dealerships though out my life, I'm relieved that its over with now.. Well actually I have to go back and have them install it lol, fingers cross on how that experience is going to go haha..

They also told me the passenger air bag wasn't recalled on my car, I know they couldn't have replaced it because I've never brought it to the dealership since I bought it, other than my first free oil change.

I think you will find that there is a recall on your passenger side airbag, but it is not yet available in your area. Check out the Ford Owners website for verification. My car was one of the last 2013's to come off the assembly line on Jan 14, 2013 and it has had both it's front airbags replaced.

Mojo88 said:

Yeah man, I totally agree with you.... BUT... a little bit of cash buys extra peace of mind. I used this 'technique' recently even when buying new tires. I gave the service rep $20 AND I specifically asked to meet the tech guy who was gonna do the tire work, and I gave him $20 too. How many customers do that, do you think? I was treated like a ****ing King, LOL!
I know it sucks, but how often do guys like us really need to have someone else work on our cars? Answer is: not much. So at those odd times when we need someone, then simply bite the bullet and do something that makes you stand out from the crowd.

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^^This.
This is what I do as well.

Snoopy49 said:

I think you will find that there is a recall on your passenger side airbag, but it is not yet available in your area. Check out the Ford Owners website for verification. My car was one of the last 2013's to come off the assembly line on Jan 14, 2013 and it has had both it's front airbags replaced.

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I just check the website you gave me, and all it mentions is the driver side air bag.. Hmm, weird.. must have different parts in our cars. My car was built 08/14/2012

Bobbyblaze said:

I just check the website you gave me, and all it mentions is the driver side air bag.. Hmm, weird.. must have different parts in our cars. My car was built 08/14/2012

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Interesting and as snoopy stated may not have gotten to passenger side bag yet.

I know there was about a 6 month lapse from the time I got the notice for my passenger side bag to be replaced after my Driver side was done.

In fact, I almost threw it in the garbage as I thought Ford was sending me the same notice again for the drivers side until I noticed it stated passenger side.

Sorry you are having issues at the Dealer. They will fix Im sure.
Fortunately I know most of the guys at my Ford dealership and usually go back in the service bays when my car goes in to talk to the mechanics anyway. (Insurance be damned). So never have a problem.

You would think most of the mechanics would be cautious and respect the GT500 like no other.

In your case, the guy may not have even noticed he scratched your steering wheel and I bet if he did would feel bad about it and tell someone.

I have always tipped the guys changing my tires or other work. Car came back the way I left it and parked away from others.

I did a little more research and it looks like the passenger side airbag recall is tied to a geographic location. This should explain the recall.

RCMN-18V046-6871 - Safety Recall 18S01.pdf

I was worried about damage on the Shelby ps airbag, so I took a lot of pictures, prior to the work.
The air bag replacement is done after dropping the glove box, so no dash panel removal. Everything went good.
I always tip the mechanic, but it is usually after the work, so not able to prime his attitude before the work.