Stick it out with ST, or call it?

I'm not convinced the Honda is going to be much better. Seems like all of the manufacturers are using the same materials and processes these days. It definitely won't provide the sporty feel of the ST. The extended warranty might be the best option, especially if you don't work on the car yourself.

My sympathies. It sucks to feel that way about a car you want to really like, and do when everything is working. I drove an e46 M3 for a long time with similar love/hate relationship. I've only had my ST for a couple months and I haven't let myself fall in love with it yet. I bought used, 18K miles. The exterior door lock sensors were inoperable when I bought it. Fixed that myself. I have some kind of fluttering noise under the drivers side of the car that I have not been able to locate. Yesterday I pulled the rear wheel and used double-sided 3M tape to hold down some really floppy wheel liner material. I don't know if that's the culprit or not. I have an occasional burned oil smell that I haven't been able to locate. Seems Ford build quality had dropped off precipitously in recent years. My previous vehicle was a 2013 Explorer Sport. In 160K miles it never had any mechanical or electrical failure. I was hoping for a similar experience from the ST but clearly that's not likely. The new one just doesn't feel as solid.

I'm not convinced the Honda is going to be much better. Seems like all of the manufacturers are using the same materials and processes these days. It definitely won't provide the sporty feel of the ST. The extended warranty might be the best option, especially if you don't work on the car yourself.

Need some honest help here... I'm sitting in the Ford service department thinking to go straight to Honda when I leave. I'm torn between wanting to love my ST and wanting to trade it for something more reliable.

I got my ST (2020) because on paper it seemed perfect for what I needed... SUV fits my soccer/softball dad lifestyle, the handling and speed satisfied my want for a sports car, it looked great, suitable for off-road needs, the interior layout was perfect for me, had all the features I wanted.

But I've been in and out of the service dept for so many issues it's comical. These include:

Leaking CV joint
Sync 3 randomly losing it's mind and acting like a ghost is randomly touching the screen (unsure if fixed yet)
Driver seat clicking/rattling
Catalytic converter issues
Lumbar settings randomly changing and digging into my back (they still haven't been able to fix and it's REALLY annoying)
Finish flaking off window switches
Wireless charger not working
As of this weekend, major squeaking coming from underside cover
Pretty sure I'm forgetting a few things

And now I'm realizing I was an idiot and let them take me for a moron on the 30k service suggestions, and Ford maintenance cost has gone way up.

So now I'm at the point where I need to either suck it up and get the extended warranty or cut my loses and go trade for a Pilot or something, during a really bad time to be buying a car in this current market.

So I guess to the point of my question, since some of these are common issues, do I look at this as something that I've gone through and don't have to worry about anymore and just enjoy the ST, or do I need to be assuming I'll continue to be making a lot of trips for warranty work in the future?

Sorry for rant/ramble, and thanks for any help! Pretty frustrated right now.

Need some honest help here... I'm sitting in the Ford service department thinking to go straight to Honda when I leave. I'm torn between wanting to love my ST and wanting to trade it for something more reliable.

I got my ST (2020) because on paper it seemed perfect for what I needed... SUV fits my soccer/softball dad lifestyle, the handling and speed satisfied my want for a sports car, it looked great, suitable for off-road needs, the interior layout was perfect for me, had all the features I wanted.

But I've been in and out of the service dept for so many issues it's comical. These include:

Leaking CV joint
Sync 3 randomly losing it's mind and acting like a ghost is randomly touching the screen (unsure if fixed yet)
Driver seat clicking/rattling
Catalytic converter issues
Lumbar settings randomly changing and digging into my back (they still haven't been able to fix and it's REALLY annoying)
Finish flaking off window switches
Wireless charger not working
As of this weekend, major squeaking coming from underside cover
Pretty sure I'm forgetting a few things

And now I'm realizing I was an idiot and let them take me for a moron on the 30k service suggestions, and Ford maintenance cost has gone way up.

So now I'm at the point where I need to either suck it up and get the extended warranty or cut my loses and go trade for a Pilot or something, during a really bad time to be buying a car in this current market.

So I guess to the point of my question, since some of these are common issues, do I look at this as something that I've gone through and don't have to worry about anymore and just enjoy the ST, or do I need to be assuming I'll continue to be making a lot of trips for warranty work in the future?

Sorry for rant/ramble, and thanks for any help! Pretty frustrated right now.

We are all no strangers to the APIM reboot procedure (pwr + ffwd) which i must have done hundreds of times the past 4 years.

Also, I really doubt any mainstream 3 row SUV will be as fun to drive as the ST. I say stay the course with or without extended warranty.

Have you thought about trading for a newer ST? The extended warranty sounds like a good option also since you do like a lot of things about it.

I would suggest this- think about what your next vehicle(s) might be, then go to the forums.

Dang I sympathize eith you. We had a 2020 ST that was one of the first ones built, and it had every problem that you will ever read. But, ever since we had to get rid of it I dreamed about it for a year and a half and finally pulled the trigger.

When your sitting in a shop all your can think about is the bad. Why am I sitting here with such an expensive vehicle or etc.? But if you look at the overall picture, there is nothing that can compete with the ST. You have to put down another 20k for a Durango 392 or even more for a Hellcat. Plus, Honda has its fair share of problems too.

If I were you, Id get an ESP and stick it out. Your probably out of the problem zone and an ESP will insure that. Plus with an ESP you get a loaner.

When your sitting in a shop all your can think about is the bad. Why am I sitting here with such an expensive vehicle or etc.? But if you look at the overall picture, there is nothing that can compete with the ST. You have to put down another 20k for a Durango 392 or even more for a Hellcat. Plus, Honda has its fair share of problems too.

If I were you, Id get an ESP and stick it out. Your probably out of the problem zone and an ESP will insure that. Plus with an ESP you get a loaner.

I would say stick out. Let the dealer service dept get you fixed up. And yes, they are required to give you a loaner when your vehicle is in for warranty repairs. Also call Ford Customer Service, they will throw in an ESP usually at no cost when you report several issues to them. I am currently awaiting two flex pipes and a catalytic converter for my 2020, to be replaced at no cost, just my time.

I would say stick out. Let the dealer service dept get you fixed up. And yes, they are required to give you a loaner when your vehicle is in for warranty repairs. Also call Ford Customer Service, they will throw in an ESP usually at no cost when you report several issues to them. I am currently awaiting two flex pipes and a catalytic converter for my 2020, to be replaced at no cost, just my time.

Please share where the dealer is required to provide a loaner. I'm sure members would love to see that.