Caught On Dashcam: Dealership Staff Joyride $70k Truck For 2 Weeks

A former customer of a Ford dealership in Tennessee is claiming his vehicle was taken for joyrides for two weeks while it was supposed to be repaired. The issue went from a customer communication with the store management to what have become multiple lawsuits. However, it all began with alleged missteps by dealership employees.

As the story goes, Jeff Chambers had his truck towed into Marshall Mize Ford in Hixson, Tennessee to get it repaired. The vehicle was apparently a special-order 2012 Ford F-350 pickup truck. What allegedly ensued is not a great case study on strong customer experience.

Chambers reported to the local newspaper, the Times Free Press, that he has over one hundred videos of dealership staff driving his truck off site. Chambers said the truck was literally taken for rides over a 14-day span while it was supposed to be at the dealership getting fixed. Chambers told the Times Free Press, “While they’re telling me they’re fixing it, they’re out driving my truck around every day.”

Chambers brought the videos to the attention of the dealership’s GM, who in turn apologized, said the truck would be ready that day, offered to cover the car rental costs for Chambers and asked him not to share his videos. However, two weeks after he picked up the truck, it broke down again, this time for the same issue that it was repaired for previously. His truck was towed to Marshall Mize Ford, who apparently wouldn’t take the vehicle, which was then taken to an impound lot and was repaired at another Ford Store.

Chambers said that it broke for the same issue and since the dealer wouldn’t take the truck, “… they’re denying me my right to my factory warranty, my extended warranty, and the work that they did. They have to stick by their work.” Chambers sued Marshall Mize Ford and has settled. He is also suing the Ford Motor Company for what he feels is a “defective vehicle.” He told the local newspaper that his truck has broken down over 100 times since his purchase. We will keep you updated as more information on this story becomes available.