Hybrid Transmission leak becomes a mess

[RobertTree]

Had a slow leaking noticed at 35,000 on the transmission that resulted in a loss of a half a quart of trans fluid. Initially I thought it was the drain plug that had not been tightened from the factory. Did a fluid change and of course tightened the drain plug.

Checked again at 40,000 and it was still wet at the bottom and no where else. Took it to the dealer and had them look and they scheduled me in for 3 weeks ahead. Lost another quarter of quart in 5,000 miles

Dealer has it for a few days, tried re- silicone the bolts and it was just speeding up the leak that now was seen as being right on the part line of the two halves, which is supposedly robot's silicone at the factory. Approval came from above to split the trans and re-silicone. To do this is a 10 hour, $2300 job where the engine and trans get dropped as a unit, repair and reinstall.

My thought was this will not turn out well, but it's under warranty and it needs to be done. So after a week in a Toyota Corolla (37 mpg) I get word that it's ready. But...first thing I see, it's covered in mud on the inside....on the door, the pedals, the trim, the console and the floor mats. Somebody stepped in mud and did not give a crap. Told the customer service people I did not bring it in this way and they did have one of the techs do a piss ant job of cleaning some of it. I didn't get upset, just told myself if that's the worse just don't worry about it.

If that could have just been the case...
Noticed right away it was out of alignment which I verified by just getting out and looking at what direction the tires were pointing. While looking I also start seeing all the paint scratches on the bumper and fender.

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[RobertTree]

I go back to the dealer and of course it will be to set an appointment for an alignment which would be two weeks in the future and get more touchup paint. I get back home and decided to line up the wheels myself so I don't ruin my tires for the next two weeks. But then I start to find more.

First one of the screws on the bottom cover is just jammed at the wrong angle. They just left it that way. Once I get the cover off I find they did not tighten the bolts from the trans to engine which is so obvious. How would you miss that.

Next I see the drain is dripping trans fluid. Then I find that one of the seals on the CV shaft is bent and crooked. They hit it with something while it was apart but did not care to make it right. Why on earth you would put it back together that way, I am totally amazed. It will wear it out but if I had not looked it would have lasted long enough for the warranty to expire.

I guess it was partly a good thing they did not align the tires as otherwise I would have bolts falling out and seals leaking a few months down the road.

They have my vehicle back. So far they have done nothing. It's just about two weeks of not having my vehicle and I am not sure they will make right at this point

 

[MavDan]

Not surprised in the slightest, unfortunately. It's the reason I am thinking about moving on from mine. I'm surrounded by garbage techs at the closest Ford dealerships. Every customer I have talked to while at the dealership is there for similar issues, or came from another dealership hoping for better luck. So far, not so lucky.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I go back to the dealer and of course it will be to set an appointment for an alignment which would be two weeks in the future and get more touchup paint. I get back home and decided to line up the wheels myself so I don't ruin my tires for the next two weeks. But then I start to find more.

First one of the screws on the bottom cover is just jammed at the wrong angle. They just left it that way. Once I get the cover off I find they did not tighten the bolts from the trans to engine which is so obvious. How would you miss that.

Next I see the drain is dripping trans fluid. Then I find that one of the seals on the CV shaft is bent and crooked. They hit it with something while it was apart but did not care to make it right. Why on earth you would put it back together that way, I am totally amazed. It will wear it out but if I had not looked it would have lasted long enough for the warranty to expire.

I guess it was partly a good thing they did not align the tires as otherwise I would have bolts falling out and seals leaking a few months down the road.

They have my vehicle back. So far they have done nothing. It's just about two weeks of not having my vehicle and I am not sure they will make right at this point

Time for Inspection by Ford Rep not dealer!

 

[RobertTree]

They did finally tighten the engine to transmission bolts. But still waiting to hear if they are going to correct the bent seal and do an alignment. They did ask for my pictures I took. I suppose the are trying to get some sort of approval from above so Ford covers the cost to the dealer and the alignment was not on the original 10 hour repair order. Now the bent seal and slow leak drain plug may have to be replaced by me because I am not seeing much agreement on there part. They got copies of my pictures and we put it on the lift and I showed them the seal is bent and now crooked, but to them it's not leaking right now. So....I suppose they feel I am being to picky!

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Contact Ford?... And local news?

 

[RobertTree]

Just found out they are going to replace the bent seal. Will take a couple of days to get it. Maybe that is the reason, if they noticed it was bent, to put it all back together because it would have taken two extra days siting on a lift with engine and trans sitting on the floor. It appears that the drain plug washer is missing though....and there is no drain plug or washer shown in the Ford parts catalog for the eCVT. Will have to find a generic one for the plug to stop the drip.

 

[inline_five]

Just found out they are going to replace the bent seal. Will take a couple of days to get it. Maybe that is the reason, if they noticed it was bent, to put it all back together because it would have taken two extra days siting on a lift with engine and trans sitting on the floor. It appears that the drain plug washer is missing though....and there is no drain plug or washer shown in the Ford parts catalog for the eCVT. Will have to find a generic one for the plug to stop the drip.

What a nightmare. When was your maverick built? I have an Aug 2023 and we are seeing more and more of these transmission leaks pop up. Mine only has 1700 miles on it though.

I hate to say it but I’ve done all my own maintenance on my vehicles including swapping a transmission. You just don’t know what you’re going to get and no one takes care of your car like you do. Warranty doesn’t mean crap if they can’t fix your car to proper spec.

I wonder how hard it is to drop the engine/transmission on the Maverick.

 

[Uncle Fatso]

I believe I would contact Corporate about the “repair” the dealership made. Provide the photos.
And never set foot in that dealership again.

 

[RobertTree]

What a nightmare. When was your maverick built? I have an Aug 2023 and we are seeing more and more of these transmission leaks pop up. Mine only has 1700 miles on it though.

I hate to say it but I’ve done all my own maintenance on my vehicles including swapping a transmission. You just don’t know what you’re going to get and no one takes care of your car like you do. Warranty doesn’t mean crap if they can’t fix your car to proper spec.

I wonder how hard it is to drop the engine/transmission on the Maverick.

Mine was built in March 2023 and I was looking at how difficult it would be as well but would definitely require a lift. I have wanted to get one for a while now..

I also have a new concern about how the steering felt different than before. It felt like it needed more effort to turn, that it was maybe in a bind. I will have to inspect the column and shafts to see if there is something obvious like the other issues were.

 

[RobertTree]

I believe I would contact Corporate about the “repair” the dealership made. Provide the photos.
And never set foot in that dealership again.

I may have been the luckiest dog in the world on this...

On Saturday when I picked up and returned my Maverick with all the issues and was going over it with the customer service person a man at the parts counter asked a lot of questions and asked to see my pictures and he went and got on a computer. Didn't think much about it.

Now I have found out that person was the Chief Mechanic for multiple dealerships in the region, just filling in for the day at that dealer, and he is on them about making this right. I am told they may even cover the cost for my rental! We will see....

But I at least feel better about the situation vs the feeling of being completely screwed. I am going to make sure I get his name and possibly contact info before I pick it up just in case.

 

[RobertTree]

I may have been the luckiest dog in the world on this...

On Saturday when I picked up and returned my Maverick with all the issues and was going over it with the customer service person a man at the parts counter asked a lot of questions and asked to see my pictures and he went and got on a computer. Didn't think much about it.

Now I have found out that person was the Chief Mechanic for multiple dealerships in the region, just filling in for the day at that dealer, and he is on them about making this right. I am told they may even cover the cost for my rental! We will see....

But I at least feel better about the situation vs the feeling of being completely screwed. I am going to make sure I get his name and possibly contact info before I pick it up just in case.

Was told they have not been able to get the seal so far. May take a couple of weeks...
Going to be a month long or more repair.

I miss my Maverick

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