Consumer Rights Wiki

Ford: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
VisualWikitext
Re-structuring of 'Anti-Consumer practices' to group the content in a more meaningful way. Tone of text edited to be more objective.
DzLamme (talk | contribs)
123 edits
tone change
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{ToneWarning}}
{{ToneWarning}}


{{InfoboxCompany
{{CompanyCargo
| Name = Ford
|Founded=1903
| Type = Public
|Industry=Automotive
| Founded = 1903
|Logo=Ford.png
| Industry = Automotive
|Type=Public
| Official Website = https://ford.com/
|Website=https://ford.com/
| Logo = Ford.png
}}
}}
The '''[[Wikipedia:Ford Motor Company|Ford Motor Company]]''' was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford in Detroit, Michigan. With the introduction of a moving assembly line Ford drastically reduced the cost and time of production, making cars affordable for the masses and transforming industrial production globally. It is one of the oldest and largest automobile manufactures, one of ''The Big Three''  American car manufacturers with General Motors (''GM'') and Stellantis (''formerly Chrysler'').<!-- In general, keep this bio as a basic background about the company -->
 
The '''[[Wikipedia:Ford Motor Company|Ford Motor Company]]''' was founded in 1903 by Henry Ford in Detroit, Michigan. With the introduction of a moving assembly line, Ford drastically reduced the cost and time of automobile production, making cars affordable for the masses and transforming industrial production globally. It is one of the oldest and largest automobile manufacturers, one of the "Big Three" American automakers, alongside General Motors (GM) and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler).<!-- In general, keep this bio as a basic background about the company -->


==Consumer protection summary<!-- Needs more of the summary filled in, check https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Consumer_Action_Taskforce:Sample/Company for details -->==
==Consumer protection summary<!-- Needs more of the summary filled in, check https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Consumer_Action_Taskforce:Sample/Company for details -->==
Line 15: Line 15:
====Privacy====
====Privacy====


*Collects sensitive personal information from many sources, including data from the vehicle, data from the connected app, and data from purchasing the vehicle.<ref name=":0">https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#USprivacynotice Ford US Privacy Notice</ref>
*Collects sensitive personal information from multiple sources, including data from the vehicle itself, data from the connected mobile app, and data obtained during the vehicle's purchase.<ref name=":0">https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#USprivacynotice Ford US Privacy Notice</ref>
*Data collected includes purchase history, financial information, coarse and precise location, contact information, identifiers (like VIN, account ID), user content (like voice recordings when you use smart features), search and browsing history for advertising, usage data, sensitive information (under "Inferences"), diagnostics, and more.<ref name=":0" />
*Data collected includes purchase history, financial information, coarse and precise location data, contact information, identifiers (e.g., VIN, account ID), user-generated content (e.g., voice recordings from smart features), search and browsing history for advertising purposes, usage data, sensitive information (under "Inferences"), diagnostics, and more.<ref name=":0" />
*Aggregates data from external sources as well, including things you post to social media.<ref name=":0" />
*Aggregates data from external sources as well, including users' social media posts.<ref name=":0" />
*Unfriendly design of the privacy policy prevents searching for terms quickly.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/ Ford Privacy Policy</ref>
*Privacy policy is designed to prevent quickly searching for important terms.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/ Ford Privacy Policy</ref>
*There is a lack of clarity in how long data is retained.<ref name=":0" />
*It is unclear how long data is retained.<ref name=":0" />
*CCPA Metrics from 2023 show that there were 96 requests for data to be deleted, and 7 of these requests were denied.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#caPrivacy Ford California Notice At Collection And Privacy Disclosures</ref>
*According to CCPA Metrics from 2023, there were 96 requests for data to be deleted, and 7 of these requests were denied.<ref>https://www.ford.com/help/privacy/#caPrivacy Ford California Notice At Collection And Privacy Disclosures</ref>


==Anti-consumer practices==
==Anti-consumer practices==


=== Patents regarding consumer data ===
===Patents regarding consumer data===
Ford has obtained patents for systems which could collect data on the consumer, unrelated to the primary functions of driving. One patented system can [[Ford ad patent|serve ads]] based on the driver's conversations,<ref>https://therecord.media/ford-patent-application-in-vehicle-listening-advertising</ref> and another patented system about vehicle [[Ford Repossession Patent|repossession]] enables the restriction of access to cars e.g. if their owners have missed car payments.<ref name=":1">https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/03/ford-files-patent-for-system-that-could-remotely-repossess-a-car/</ref> Ford has responded to patent controversy by explaining that patents are not necessarily an indication of new product plans. <ref name=":1" /> The development of questionable systems should however compromise the overall trust in the company and make consumers more wary of accepting sales terms.
:They have secured patents for systems that are unrelated to core driving functions and involve consumer data collection. One patented system can deliver targeted advertisements based on in-vehicle conversations, while another relates to vehicle repossession and allows for access restrictions (e.g., in cases of missed payments). Ford has clarified that holding these patents does not necessarily mean they will be implemented in future products. However, the existence of such systems could influence consumer perceptions of the company and affect their willingness to accept certain sales terms..<ref name=":1">https://arstechnica.com/cars/2023/03/ford-files-patent-for-system-that-could-remotely-repossess-a-car/</ref><ref>https://therecord.media/ford-patent-application-in-vehicle-listening-advertising</ref>


===Engineering practices===
===Engineering practices===
Various Ford models' engine designs use a rubber belt rather than a metal chain to transmit power to the engine's oil pump. This belt which is submerged in the crankcase engine oil can prematurely degrade and cause a sudden loss of oil pressure.<ref>https://garagewire.co.uk/news/bbc-watchdog-ford-ecoboost-wet-belt-problem/</ref> Ford has also knowingly released a flawed transmission in the Fiesta and Focus models where the transmission can fail in a variety of ways; loss of forward power from a stop, loss of power when in top gear at constant speed, sudden unintended acceleration, and loss of power when the transmission is shifting between gears.<ref>https://www.freep.com/in-depth/money/cars/ford/2019/07/11/ford-focus-fiesta-transmission-defect/1671198001/</ref> A Ford user has reported about a software update that ended up bricking their vehicle.<ref>https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/automatic-software-update-bricked-my-truck.96624/</ref>
:Some engine designs use a rubber belt—rather than a metal chain—to drive the oil pump. This belt operates submerged in engine oil and may wear out prematurely, potentially leading to a sudden loss of oil pressure. Additionally, they have released transmission systems in certain ''Fiesta'' and ''Focus'' models that have experienced issues, including loss of power during acceleration, gear shifting, or at constant speeds, as well as unintended acceleration. It has been reported that a software update rendered a vehicle inoperable.<ref>https://garagewire.co.uk/news/bbc-watchdog-ford-ecoboost-wet-belt-problem/</ref><ref>https://www.freep.com/in-depth/money/cars/ford/2019/07/11/ford-focus-fiesta-transmission-defect/1671198001/</ref><ref>https://www.fordraptorforum.com/threads/automatic-software-update-bricked-my-truck.96624/</ref>


Ford has been known for being the maker of America's most recalled vehicles, setting the record for most recalls issued in 2021, 2022, and 2023.<ref>https://datahub.transportation.gov/stories/s/NHTSA-Recalls-by-Manufacturer/38mw-dp8u/</ref> Ford has a large market share so a large amount of recalls is not too surprising, but it may indicate that Ford doesn't meet the production quality of other manufacturers.
:Ford has had the highest number of vehicle recalls in the U.S. in 2021, 2022, and 2023. While recall volume can be influenced by market share, larger automakers often have more recalls, it may also reflect differences in production quality compared to competitors.<ref>https://datahub.transportation.gov/stories/s/NHTSA-Recalls-by-Manufacturer/38mw-dp8u/</ref>


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:Ford]]
[[Category:Ford]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/Ford"