AWD Fault, rear differential needing to be replaced

[hiball]

28k miles roughly and for the last few months I kept getting an AWD fault message service soon. Have had them look at it and the code was simply cleared and nothing done from there. Fast forward a month and It went nuts wouldn't stop going off and I can feel loss of power instantly. Drop it back off on way to work and the rear differential is needing replaced. Now I'm in a pickle, while it is covered under warranty that warranty expires at 35k miles. To renew said warranty it will bump my monthly payment to almost 650 a month. I don't have faith that something bad like this wont happen again in the near future. It has had a smell of burning rubber since I got it and can never get a fix or resolution from Ford. I know I can trade it in break even if not a little more towards trade on something else for far less than 650 a month with a whole new warranty. Totally sucks but the service I have received from the initial purchase, mechanics countless times destroying parts of my vehicle on almost every visit has left a seriously bad taste in my mouth to want to continue with Ford. Have had nasty grease marks all over the white interior, pieces broken on both sides during airbag recall fix. Even my rims destroyed when getting my first set of tires replaced. Being told have nothing wrong with my truck when the smell is so bad at times I have to roll windows down to drive. As much as I loved this truck I am starting to look at trade in offers with other dealers.

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[OleFordGuy]

Wow, that's really unfortunate. From reading your experiences it sounds like trading it is about the only thing that will give you your deserved comfort and reliability confidence. I hope everything works out for the best. Only thing else I might say is something needs addressed on the smell your referring to, that's for sure not normal. That needs to go away in order to get a fair price trading since the appraiser is gonna smell it also.

 

[hiball]

I can go 4 days and nothing, all a sudden its there. They can never get it to replicate after about 5 visits complaining about it. Only does it in the winter. All summer it went away and I thought it was a fluke then all a sudden winter came and its back. Have had it do it on wet days and days where the roads have been dry for a week. Done it both with remote start and without. It's definitely something exterior. When I drive the air rushing blows it away. If I park the vehicle and let it run itl then start to smell inside. If I sit at a light for extended time itl start to smell. Once I drive away its gone again until I stop. Super frustrating to be honest. I thought maybe wet roads slush and stuff getting up on belts but then had gone a whole week with dry roads and literally start it up after sitting over night to warm up and by time I get to the truck before its even driven and it smells.

 

[710-oil-614]

Powertrain is 5 yr/60k no?

What is your payment currently? Granger offers ESPs for $50 over cost but for your specific issue I'm not sure the ESP is needed.

All vehicles can have issues. No way of knowing whatever you replace it with won't also have issues, and it being one of the most affordable vehicles you can buy you aren't likely to reduce your payment much especially with higher interest rates than you likely financed at in 2022. At 650/mo you likely didn't have much down and won't get too much out of it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[hiball]

460 a month currently another 200 to extend warranty I was told. I owe 22k and have been offered 26 to 28 as trade in range.

 

[Redline]

If you can get $28k, I'd trade it in for a Tremor. I hear they're pretty awesome

 

[710-oil-614]

What other vehicles would you consider?

 

[colinl]

460 a month currently another 200 to extend warranty I was told. I owe 22k and have been offered 26 to 28 as trade in range.

as 710 said this is powertrain and there are 3 huge red flags that tell me you need a new dealership.

first, they should not have been clearing and essentially ignoring the code. maybe the first time they clear it but after the second, obviously something needs diagnosis and repair. lazy and/or incompetent.

second red flag is that they would not tell you the truth that this is covered 5yr/60k miles and offered you a very overpriced warranty. 200 a month is predatory. what are the terms? honestly it doesn't even matter since you have a lot of factory powertrain warranty remaining.

find a better dealership asap.

 

[TwoTone]

28k miles roughly and for the last few months I kept getting an AWD fault message service soon. Have had them look at it and the code was simply cleared and nothing done from there. Fast forward a month and It went nuts wouldn't stop going off and I can feel loss of power instantly. Drop it back off on way to work and the rear differential is needing replaced. Now I'm in a pickle, while it is covered under warranty that warranty expires at 35k miles. To renew said warranty it will bump my monthly payment to almost 650 a month. I don't have faith that something bad like this wont happen again in the near future. It has had a smell of burning rubber since I got it and can never get a fix or resolution from Ford. I know I can trade it in break even if not a little more towards trade on something else for far less than 650 a month with a whole new warranty. Totally sucks but the service I have received from the initial purchase, mechanics countless times destroying parts of my vehicle on almost every visit has left a seriously bad taste in my mouth to want to continue with Ford. Have had nasty grease marks all over the white interior, pieces broken on both sides during airbag recall fix. Even my rims destroyed when getting my first set of tires replaced. Being told have nothing wrong with my truck when the smell is so bad at times I have to roll windows down to drive. As much as I loved this truck I am starting to look at trade in offers with other dealers.

I'll by that guy- good luck with anything you buy, it's not the Manufacturer or even the dealer- it boils down to the tech. There's good and bad everywhere.
There were techs I worked with that I wouldn't let near my kids bicycle and others I'd trust no questions asked.

 

[801Maverick801]

For what it's worth, I changed all the drive train fluids at 10k miles and there was alot of material on the magnet on the RDU. I'll be changing the RDU/PTU every 20k miles.

 

[Exranger]

Trade it. But you got 5/60 powertrain, it would be covered

 

[NatePabrant]

Trade it

Cue a new guy here in 3 months asking us about these same mysterious problems

 

[Johnkn]

Purchase a genuine Ford ESP warranty from Flood Ford if you are concerned. You can get the best 'PremiumCare" 6 total years of coverage and 100k miles total, $200 deductible, for ~$1200 total. Other plans are available..

FloodFordESP.com

Also, your powertrain warranty is 5 years, 60k miles...

Good luck....

 

[hiball]

I wasnt aware of the powertrain. May have passed my mind. The other closest ford is over an hour drive......and its the same owners haha. and get this MY WIFE WORKS AT THE ONE I HAVE BEEN GOING TO. the whole having to bite my tongue and not cause a scene because i dont want to embarass her has my blood boiling. Having her in the middle of this down right pisses me off. Any they are all to scared to tell me they fucked up and have her do so every time.

 

[hiball]

What other vehicles would you consider?

My wifes vehicle is to small for long road trips with our 3 kids. Something big enough for all of us. I also have a 4 wheeler so if its not a truck i need a hitch. Also because we have family sooooo far away we take some long road trips so decent gas mileage is a must. The Tacomas do not get the gas mileage im ok with. Subaru have decent MPG and im not apposed to. Teh rav 4 may be to small but with a roof rack and luggage rack up top i can manage but will need a hitch.

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