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Ford Freestyle Transmission Failure

240 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 4:47 PM

You are in the Ford Freestyle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Freestyle, Transmission, SUV

    

Messages Page 15 of 25

#137 of 240 Re: cruise control [ping8] by etom

Feb 08, 2010 (9:34 am)

Replying to: ping8 (Sep 12, 2009 7:09 pm)
I've experienced the same exact scenario on my 2005 Freestyle Limited AWD.
 
It took me some effort to replicate the issue. At first, I was unable to replicate the problem. So my Ford service dealer (Quality Ford in East Rutherford, NJ) was interested in helping. They looked at the car's computer and found nothing. So they installed a "flight recorder" for 4 weeks so that if the lights came-on again, I could hit the button and it would record what the car's computer was getting.
 
Unfortunately, I didn't know at the time that the problem occurred only when the cruise control was engaged, so nothing got recorded. Then about 2 weeks ago, I went on a road-trip with the family and engaged the cruise control. BINGO! After 2 minutes, on came the check trans light, then the traction control light. Had to pull-over, shut off the car, then everything was fine (as long as i didn't use the cruise control). And I thought you only had to "reboot" Microsoft products!
 
So I brought the car back to Ford last week and gave them the exact steps to replicate the lights. They did, and found that the "output shaft transmission sensor" was malfunctioning. They're replacing it, and I get the car back later this week. Hope it fixes the issue . . . and helps you with yours.

#138 of 240 Class Action Law Suit by rusty60

Feb 26, 2010 (10:35 pm)

Has anyone started a class action suit about the transmission problems?? My Ford Freestyle stop dead in the middle of the road. Had it towed in and was told that the transmission needed to be replaced for $6000.00!!!

#139 of 240 Transmission Quality by bobw3

Mar 04, 2010 (7:48 am)

Replying to: rusty60 (Feb 26, 2010 10:35 pm)
I checked the latest Consumer Reports and the Freestyle Transmission has an average reliability rating. In fact, only the brakes were given a black circle for reliability, and Ford fixed most of those free of charge.
 
Now I've see quite a few other vehicles with black circles for their transmission and I doubt if there were class action lawsuits against all of them, but I could be wrong. I just seems hard to imagine how a transmission with average reliability would quality.

#140 of 240 Re: Transmission Quality [bobw3] by coldcranker

Mar 08, 2010 (9:44 am)

Replying to: bobw3 (Mar 04, 2010 7:48 am)
bobw3, I've got a 2010 Consumer Reports Buying Guide, where the car reliability data inside shows an ABOVE AVERAGE reliability for Transmission Major and Minor problems specifically.
 
That means that non-CVT, conventional automatic transmissions in 2005, 2006, and 2007 models are failing at a higher rate overall. It matches my experience spanning the last 40 years being around conventional automatics in that the old-style automatic transmissions do fail. At least our CVT fails less often.

#141 of 240 Re: Transmission Quality [coldcranker] by stevedebi

Mar 08, 2010 (10:01 am)

Replying to: coldcranker (Mar 08, 2010 9:44 am)
"bobw3, I've got a 2010 Consumer Reports Buying Guide, where the car reliability data inside shows an ABOVE AVERAGE reliability for Transmission Major and Minor problems specifically.
  
That means that non-CVT, conventional automatic transmissions in 2005, 2006, and 2007 models are failing at a higher rate overall. It matches my experience spanning the last 40 years being around conventional automatics in that the old-style automatic transmissions do fail. At least our CVT fails less often."
 
Bob-
I understand your point of view, but unfortunately this isn't much consolation to those who had the failures. I think that part of the issue is that even the owners don't understand the CVT and it's unique design.
 
And to be fair, I'm not sure that there wasn't some pattern of failures in the early model. I don't think anyone has correlated manufacture dates and failures.

#142 of 240 Re: cruise control [etom] by etom

Mar 10, 2010 (9:21 pm)

Replying to: etom (Feb 08, 2010 9:34 am)
I was misinformed. My dealer said they followed my instruction (which i typed-out for them) to replicate the transmission "freak-out" while the cruise control is engaged . . . but the mechanic interpreted my clear instructions wrong, and “cruised at 55mpg” . . . vs. engaging the cruise control at 55mph.
 
So after a week of not being able to replicate the transmission "freak-out" and lights, they gave me the car back with a "flight recorder" installed (this records everything the computer is reading and car is doing 30 seconds prior and 30 seconds after pressing the trigger button). I pulled-out of their lot, immediately followed my own instructions, and BINGO . . . transmission "freak-out". I pressed the trigger button on the flight recorder, pulled the car over, shut it down, restarted it and drove right back to the dealership.
 
Once I got there, the manager wanted me to take him for a ride so I can show him, and I did, and I replicated the "freak-out" on que. So he drove me home and took the car back to the dealership. After another week of consultation with Ford's hotline, the transmission was removed to inspect the CONVERTER and TURBINE SHAFT O RING ON INPUT. They discovered the O-Ring was damaged/defective/broken, and replaced it. They also replaced a whole list of items which I’ll list later. One thing to note here is that the part number for the new O-Ring was different from the old one. The dealer said that this might indicate that the original (old) O-Ring might have been a defective design, and the new O-Ring was probably a redesigned version.
 
Here is a list of parts they replaced . . .
 
QTY Part # Description
1 5F9Z-7N519-B Ring
1 5F9Z-7902-BRM Convert
1 5F9Z-7H497-EA Seal
1 5F9Z-7B325-AA Cover
1 5F9Z-7F401-AA Seal
6 XT-7QCFT Fluid
1 TA-25 Adhesive
 
I'm lucky that all of this work was covered under my premium 5-year extended warranty, which ends in April 2010, and which by the way, I made Ford give it to me free since they had to replace my transmission only months after I purchased it! The parts above are under their own warranty, which is 12 months or 12,000 miles. So if this issue happens again within the next 12 months or 12k miles, and they find that it was the O-Ring or other parts listed, the new parts and labor are free.
 
Another note, upon inspection of my transmission, they also found that my engine mount bracket was broken/damaged, so they replaced that (Part # 5F9Z-6F055-CB). Weather that allowed the engine/transmission to move enough to create the seal damage in the first place is something only a CVT-certified mechanic or engineer could tell me.
 
So far, so good. Car performs without any issues, and I am very happy to have my Freestyle back . . . especially after borrowing my Mom’s recalled Toyota Camry for three weeks!
 
Thanks for reading all of this. I did it so that it can hopefully help others experiencing the same issue.

#143 of 240 Part 5F9Z-6F055-CB is a known weak spot in these by coldcranker

Mar 19, 2010 (5:16 pm)

"Another note, upon inspection of my transmission, they also found that my engine mount bracket was broken/damaged, so they replaced that (Part # 5F9Z-6F055-CB). "
 
That is the upper (very visible on top of the engine) "roll resistor' torque engine mount. That thing is a known weak spot on the Freestyle/500/Montego. There was anothe forum that posted pictures of bad ones, with deteriorating rubber in there. Mine has minor cracks, but is still OK.

#144 of 240 Towing with Freestyle / CVT Transmission by edwinloos

Mar 20, 2010 (5:11 pm)

Anybody have experience with towing a boat (about 1000 pounds) with a 2007 Freestyle with the CVT Transmission. Kind of makes me nervous. Thanks.

#145 of 240 Re: Towing with Freestyle / CVT Transmission [edwinloos] by thc3

Mar 22, 2010 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: edwinloos (Mar 20, 2010 5:11 pm)
Just curious. I just bought a used 2007 limited AWD (had only 11400) this last February. any problems so far with yours? Hearing bout these 05's and 06's training problems makes me slightly nervous. Like the car alot but I relied on Consumer report. if i had known there were potential problems and did a more diligent job of just trusting CR i may not of purchased this car. To anyone else out there I currently have the premium care warrenty and the Pre owned certified Powertrain Limited Warrenty up to six years of original purchase 1/24/10 or 100,000 miles.

#146 of 240 Nosey by thc3

Mar 22, 2010 (6:19 pm)

forgot to continue in last message. Anyone have problems w/ Ford honering their agreements?????????????

Messages Page 15 of 25

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