Leaking Transmission?

[donkiboy]

Yikes I find this issue very concerning! I’ve never owned a Ford, always had Subarus or Toyota’s. I ordered a XLT hybrid , I’m retired so I can’t afford to think of this truck as disposable after 3 years. I want this to be my last new truck I own. I do understand with a new vehicle there will be issues here and there but I’m starting to wonder if my XLT will be dependable.
Im just looking for honest feedback, no haters please

I'm also apprehensive on getting a Ford (first time). I've only owned Lexus, toyota, honda, acura, nissan, infiniti, subaru. On those cars there never were any catastrophic / major issue during the warranty period.

I'm bewildered how Ford techs managed to totally screw up the OP's transmission with what initially was a defective axle seal.

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[Espeer]

You are a far braver soul than I. FWIW, I'm sure your powertrain will be fine for the vast majority, if not all, of your ownership. Assuming everything gets put together correctly when built, at least. I'll admit this is becoming less of a given as timer goes on.

But the cost and complexity to fix all those nifty electronic gadgets/sensors/etc. once they start failing can get SUPER EXPENSIVE, even when the vehicle comes from batches with no problems. I speak from experience, lol.

Most of those things are usually pretty easy to diagnose with a good scanner and some basic troubleshooting ability. My focus needed 2 new VVT solenods (2 liter, direct injection engine). They were only like $12 a pop. That's the only repair (other than the fuel purge valve that was replaced under a recall) in 180k miles. My only complaint was that I think they could have been designed to be replaceable without removing the valve cover, since they stick up through it anyway. Oil changed every 10-15k miles and a couple of air filters. That's it.

 

[Down]

Most of those things are usually pretty easy to diagnose with a good scanner and some basic troubleshooting ability. My focus needed 2 new VVT solenods (2 liter, direct injection engine). They were only like $12 a pop. That's the only repair (other than the fuel purge valve that was replaced under a recall) in 180k miles. My only complaint was that I think they could have been designed to be replaceable without removing the valve cover, since they stick up through it anyway. Oil changed every 10-15k miles and a couple of air filters. That's it.

I don't work on cars anymore, so the cost to repair is what I look at it, which is key, since most of the cost listed below is in labor...but not all. Here are the failed electronics I've dealt with on my last 3 Escapes (all owned by me for 4 years and 60k miles or less) in the past:

1. Throttle system failure (accelerator pedal switch and throttle body were replaced).
2. Failed Sync brain (APIM).
3. Failed Ignition coil.
4. Multiple proximity sensors failed.
5. Stop/start feature stopped working (this one was a blessing for me though).

There's a couple bucks on that list. Obviously, my situation isn't the norm but it definitely acts as a cautionary tale, IMO.

 

[Espeer]

I don't work on cars anymore, so the cost to repair is what I look at it, which is key, since most of the cost listed below is in labor...but not all. Here are the failed electronics I've dealt with on my last 3 Escapes (all owned by me for 4 years and 60k miles or less) in the past:

1. Throttle system failure (accelerator pedal switch and throttle body were replaced).
2. Failed Sync brain (APIM).
3. Failed Ignition coil.
4. Multiple proximity sensors failed.
5. Stop/start feature stopped working (this one was a blessing for me though).

There's a couple bucks on that list. Obviously, my situation isn't the norm but it definitely acts as a cautionary tale, IMO.

Yeah, that's bad. 2, 4, and 5 don't even exist on vehicles I've owned! I guess I'm still a bit behind the times.

I try not to work on cars anymore, either, but sometimes it makes sense - it takes me less time to change brake pads than to drive back and forth to the shop!

 

[Juzo]

I just heard back from the dealership and they're saying they dont see anything wrong. I don't know how a transmission hasitates to shift and slips so bad it barely moves and then BAM "its fine". I wish I would have looked it over myself before taking it back. I whole heartedly believe that they're lying to me because they messed up. There was transmission fluid on the engine and it smelled.

 

[donkiboy]

I just heard back from the dealership and they're saying they dont see anything wrong. I don't know how a transmission hasitates to shift and slips so bad it barely moves and then BAM "its fine". I wish I would have looked it over myself before taking it back. I whole heartedly believe that they're lying to me because they messed up. There was transmission fluid on the engine and it smelled.

Could it have been overfilled and they then just let some drain out? Then they are not being honest by not documenting this. Were there any visible leaks on ground or underside when you started having shifting issues?

 

[Juzo]

Could it have been overfilled and they then just let some drain out? Then they are not being honest by not documenting this. Were there any visible leaks on ground or underside when you started having shifting issues?

Those are my thoughts exactly. There was brown transmission fluid on the top of the engine and you could smell it burning. I didn't remove the cover on the bottom of the engine as I was near the dealership when it happened and didn't have a jack with me.

 

[Juzo]

Not sure if anyone is still looking at this thread, but I think I've narrowed down when it happens. It seems to happen after it auto stops and starts. Its completely random, but if I manage to record it I'll post the video here. I also took it to another dealer and they found that the transmission was a half a quart low. I doubt thats causing the issue though.

 

[Naranjita]

Not sure if anyone is still looking at this thread, but I think I've narrowed down when it happens. It seems to happen after it auto stops and starts. Its completely random, but if I manage to record it I'll post the video here. I also took it to another dealer and they found that the transmission was a half a quart low. I doubt thats causing the issue though.

Believe me, I am monitoring. Thanks for the update.

 

[donkiboy]

Thanks for updating us. Do you suspect its leaking from the replaced axle seal?

 

[Whitenight]

Wish Ford had the same warranty Hyundai offers on the Santa Cruz.
5 year / 60K, not factoring in the 10 year / 100K powertrain.

But chances are the Maverick issues will either be non-existent for years or else catastrophic immediately so that it will fall under warranty.

If you look at the windows sticker and owners manual from Ford , it says right on it that the warranty on the powertrain is 5 years / 60k.

 

[Old Ranchero]

I don't work on cars anymore, so the cost to repair is what I look at it, which is key, since most of the cost listed below is in labor...but not all. Here are the failed electronics I've dealt with on my last 3 Escapes (all owned by me for 4 years and 60k miles or less) in the past:

1. Throttle system failure (accelerator pedal switch and throttle body were replaced).
2. Failed Sync brain (APIM).
3. Failed Ignition coil.
4. Multiple proximity sensors failed.
5. Stop/start feature stopped working (this one was a blessing for me though).

There's a couple bucks on that list. Obviously, my situation isn't the norm but it definitely acts as a cautionary tale, IMO.

weren't all those repairs covered under the standard Ford 5yr/60k miles powertrain warranty?

 

[Whitenight]

Not sure if anyone is still looking at this thread, but I think I've narrowed down when it happens. It seems to happen after it auto stops and starts. Its completely random, but if I manage to record it I'll post the video here. I also took it to another dealer and they found that the transmission was a half a quart low. I doubt thats causing the issue though.

I would call Ford Customer service and open up a case and get them involved. Once they are involved they will also be in contact with the dealer and work with you to get the issue resolved or replaced. I had a transmission issue with an end of model year 2012 Fiesta and got Ford Customer Service involved from the start. After 3 attempts to repair the transmission, Ford purchased the vehicle back and I got a 2014 Fiesta. My only cost was the difference in MSRP.

 

[jtpc2021]

If you look at the windows sticker and owners manual from Ford , it says right on it that the warranty on the powertrain is 5 years / 60k.

Not bumper to bumper. Ford is only 3 years/36,000 compared to 5 yr/60,000 of hyundai.

Ford powertrain is 5yr/60,000 compared to hyundai 10 year/100,000.

 

[Whitenight]

Not bumper to bumper. Ford is only 3 years/36,000 compared to 5 yr/60,000 of hyundai.

Ford powertrain is 5yr/60,000 compared to hyundai 10 year/100,000.

Only said that the power train is 5yr/60k.

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