30,000 Mile Maintenance Service Cost

[Inlandgirl]

Sorry if I missed an earlier thread on this…but just picked up my 21 Big Bend from dealer. Finally got my parts in for the brake recall and some other minor issues like warped console cluster thingy, faulty mud flaps. While there they reminded me I was due for 30,000 mile maintenance service so I ok’d it. Can’t believe the cost on that service was $1,100 dollars. Is that what you all have experienced as far as cost? Trying to decipher all shop paperwork, but dang that price stings a bit.

 

[PaulOinMA]

Can you post what was proposed and the cost? A photo of the bill with personal information blacked out.

$1,100 sounds excessively high for 30k. You can see 30k service in FordPass. It's pretty much oil, oil filter, air filter, and inspections.

My dealer came up with $1,160 of work when I had my Escape in for the transmission bushing recall. Told me rear brakes required immediate attention, were metal-on-metal, and I hear grinding when I brake. The service advisor actually told me what I am hearing. Brakes were not metal-on-metal and were not grinding. I declined all the extra service.

Adding your model as a signature helps folks see which engine you have when you have questions.

 

[Blue oval fan]

Over $1k seems like a cash grab. Never trust a dealer shop, it's a profit center.

Under normal conditions a 30k. Service would be an inspection, oil change, and a air filter.

Special conditions, if your towing, at 30k miles it recommends changing transmission fluid.

Every 3 years change the brake fluid.

 

[Mark S.]

Sorry if I missed an earlier thread on this…but just picked up my 21 Big Bend from dealer. Finally got my parts in for the brake recall and some other minor issues like warped console cluster thingy, faulty mud flaps. While there they reminded me I was due for 30,000 mile maintenance service so I ok’d it. Can’t believe the cost on that service was $1,100 dollars, minus oil change. Is that what you all have experienced as far as cost? Trying to decipher all shop paperwork, but dang that price stings a bit.

I think you'll find that every dealership does things a bit differently. To really understand what you paid for we would have to see the invoice. My guess is your particular dealership did more than Ford specifies as "required" at 30K. A lot of dealerships include things like intake system cleaning and early fluid replacement (transmission, power transfer unit, rear differential, coolant system, etc.).

This link lists the tasks performed by that particular dealership for 30K service, which is pretty typical. They include:

• Change oil and replace oil filter
• Install Premium Engine Treatment
• Rotate and inspect tires
• Perform multi-point inspection
• Check wheel end play and turning noise
• Inspect automatic transmission fluid level
• Inspect brake pads/shoes/rotors/drums
• Inspect brake lines and hoses
• Inspect parking brake system
• Perform fuel injection/throttle body service and install injector cleaner
• Top off fluids
• Check and adjust tire pressure
• Inspect cooling system and hoses
• Replace Engine Air Filter
• Replace cabin air filter (if equipped, add additional charge)
• Replace climate controlled seat filters (if equipped, at additional charge)
• Inspect and lubricate all non-sealed steering linkage, ball joints, suspension joints, half shafts, and u-joints
• Service Front and Rear Brakes
• Inspect complete exhaust system and heat shields
• Perform Battery Service

You can see these are mostly inspections, but note the item near the center "Perform fuel injection/throttle body service..." This is not a recommendation from Ford. Your Owner's Manual lists recommended service tasks/intervals in the section titled Scheduled Maintenance, and you won't find anything in there about fuel injection/throttle body servicing. Another thing that can add significantly to cost is fluid replacement resulting from inspection. For example, if your service technician determined your automatic transmission fluid was contaminated they may have replaced it. Inspecting the fluid is part of the multi-point inspection that should be performed any time a vehicle is in the shop, but whether or not to replace the fluid should be up to the owner.

One way to avoid getting ripped off for these kinds of services is to direct your dealership to perform all the inspections required by Ford, but to get your approval prior to performing any repairs they believe might be required based on the inspection.

EDIT: One thing to add, tell them you only want the required inspections/service—no add-ons. At the very least, make them tell you what they plan to do in addition to Ford's recommended maintenance before you authorize the work. That way you can go online, do a bit of research, and decide for yourself if the services are worth the cost.

 

[PaulOinMA]

Owner's manual has cabin air filter every 20k under normal conditions. Air filter every 30k. Cabin filter wouldn't be due at 30k, if it was done at 20k.

 

[RSH]

These days. depending on the market, dealer service labor rates are close to $200.00 an hour.
Some of the Ford dealers I've been too must have huge overhead costs, with all the additional people they employ from car porters, janitorial types, security people, customer lounge support, so called free drinks and snacks, barbeques, etc.
In the case of the OP we don't actually know what services were performed on her BS. Dealer service departments will recommend or add services that are not necessarily required on top of what the scheduled service requires, and if you're an unsuspecting individual, it can cost you.
Typically when the service writer checks you in for service, you do receive a cost estimate, if the original estimate is inadequate, the service writer will contact you for approval of additional cost and additional service items if needed..

 

[Tom 5778]

I had a discussion with my old Ford dealer over a scheduled service on my Explorer. The dealer had a huge, expensive list of things. I pointed out the list recommended by Ford. He said we think… I stopped him and said I’ll go with what Ford thinks. He didn’t have an answer for that.

 

[RS1]

Dealer oil change here is upwards of $75

 

[RSH]

Some dealers put together their own "service packages" that add more service items than what is called for in the owners manual, sometimes additional service items are needed and you may not be aware of such, brakes being worn for example. Mostly It is away to maximize profit.

If you are aware of such and bring it to the service writers attention they will work with you, if not find another dealer or independent that will.

 

[Foghorn]

Not just Ford. A friend of mine took his Maserati in for service at 6,000 miles. New car, 6K miles total, not interval. Service advisor asked if he wanted " full service " and my friend said Yes. But did not ask exactly what that meant. Expected an oil change, etc, and a bill for $500. ( It is a Maserati ) Got car back and bill for $11K. Complained and got some knocked off. Bill showed work included replacing brake fluid. At 6K miles .
Someone has posted sheet showing Ford maintenance intervals. It shows what is called Service #2, Service #3, etc and a list what should be done.
Next time I take car in, I will insist service advisor write on work order which service # I am due, and then I can argue if more is done.
Foghorn

 

[petegee77]

Sorry if I missed an earlier thread on this…but just picked up my 21 Big Bend from dealer. Finally got my parts in for the brake recall and some other minor issues like warped console cluster thingy, faulty mud flaps. While there they reminded me I was due for 30,000 mile maintenance service so I ok’d it. Can’t believe the cost on that service was $1,100 dollars. Is that what you all have experienced as far as cost? Trying to decipher all shop paperwork, but dang that price stings a bit.

Nice of them to remind you that the $30K service was due wasn't it ? What a TOTAL rip off . I had my Jeep Patriot for 6 1/2 yrs. and 57000 miles and the dealer NEVER saw me after I bought the car. I did my own oil changes , air filter change and tire rotations myself. See if you can pick up on how to do the basics, you'll save a ton of $$.

 

[Idahobro]

Sorry if I missed an earlier thread on this…but just picked up my 21 Big Bend from dealer. Finally got my parts in for the brake recall and some other minor issues like warped console cluster thingy, faulty mud flaps. While there they reminded me I was due for 30,000 mile maintenance service so I ok’d it. Can’t believe the cost on that service was $1,100 dollars. Is that what you all have experienced as far as cost? Trying to decipher all shop paperwork, but dang that price stings a bit.

Sorry. this is a ripoff. Who the frick does the trans fluid and diff fluid at 30,000 miles. People need to educate themselves or they will find themselves easily separated from their hard earned money.

I am sorry you got ripped off. If my wife came home with a bill like this for unnecessary services, I can pretty much guarantee you, I'd be down at that dealership getting a refund. Especially if they blatantly lied to her by calling this a 30k service.

 

[rdc17]

Always a good idea to get a quote or list of what your dealer/mechanic is doing to your car before they start working on it and to tell them nothing else gets done without your authorization.

 

[PaulOinMA]

As posted, complete ripoff by the dealer.

Herb Chambers Ford here quoted $670 for a brake job on my wife's '12 Escape years ago. I did it myself.

 

[PaulOinMA]

Summit (NJ) VW said they replaced the plugs on my wife's '97 Passat GLX 20 years ago. Six plugs at over $20 each. Yes. Over $20 plugs! Yeah, right.

They were just done 10k prior.

I had the charge reversed.

Summit said the wrong plugs were in there. I said that to the service manager at Millennium VW.

"I put those plugs in!"

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