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Ford Freestyle CVT Transmissions

203 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2009 at 6:23 PM

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#189 of 203 Re: Need new transmission at 23k miles [mike_nyc] by coldcranker Jul 16, 2009 (4:14 pm)
Replying to: mike_nyc (Jul 16, 2009 8:22 am) When I got my '05 Freestyle back in '05, I noticed Ford did not have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty like GM and some other manufacturers did. The 3-year 36,000 mile warranty is all they offered. (Except for some emissions-related components covered out to 50,000 miles by order of the EPA.) See your warranty booklet. I got a third-party extended warranty out to 72,000 miles, and haven't had to use it yet at 51,000 miles now. In fact, my Freestyle has been almost perfect to date. Consumer Reports surveyed thousands of owners and concluded the transmission is less likely to fail than the average of all cars of all makes sold. That said, I know transmissions can be a big problem. Actually, I doubt if Ford will budge on this one. You can contact the Ford zone office and argue that the transmission's internal chain or something wore down too soon, and finally gave way just past the 3-year point.   One point to argue with Ford is that maybe it was a little low on transmission fluid, and they make the thing so hard to check the level, its unreasonable for Ford to expect a customer or mechanic to see that in time to top it off. A slightly low level might starve the chain for lube enough to slowly wear it down. Check the transmission fluid level (a mechanic has to do it, as it depends on temperature and a special dipstick, etc. )and complain loudly to Ford that they failed to put enough fluid in it, if it proves to be low.   I guess you can say there was premature, accelerated wear inside the transmission, possibly caused by the chain or similar part in there slightly off the ideal measurement specs.
#190 of 203 Re: Need new transmission at 23k miles [mike_nyc] by sully320 Jul 16, 2009 (7:08 pm)
Replying to: mike_nyc (Jul 16, 2009 8:22 am) Check your warranty. Ford dealers and FMC "customer service" reps are often not aware that some model years come with a 60,000 mile power train warranty. That's what happened with ours. We had to tell the dealer what was included in the warranty. Let me know how you make out.   Sully 320 Replies to this message: coldcranker (Jul 17, 2009 12:01 pm)
#191 of 203 Re: Need new transmission at 23k miles [sully320] by coldcranker Jul 17, 2009 (12:01 pm)
Replying to: sully320 (Jul 16, 2009 7:08 pm) The warranty booklet for a particular model year says it all. I did hear that '07 model years got a longer powertrain warranty, if memory serves me, something Ford did to assuage fears of CVT risk from buyers. My '05 only had a 3-year one, but don't know about '06 models that mike_nyc has.   Warranty booklets for model years 2005-2006-2007 Freestyles are available at: Warranty Booklets in PDF downloadable format -- click here. .. I noticed the longer powertrain (engine/tranny) warranty was introduced in the '07, but not '05-'06 as I'd thought.
#192 of 203 Re: Transmission problems [kid532] by danielpierre Aug 30, 2009 (10:46 am)
Replying to: kid532 (Jun 22, 2009 2:44 pm) It should not cost you $ 6,300 to replace the transmission. I just had mine replaced for a flat fee of $ 5,000.00. One dealer told me that the cost including labor, parts and of course let's not forget the oil is $ 5,550.00. Another dealer would do it for $ 5,150.00. Who can you trust these days. I contacted Ford in order to get some input on price and they instructed me that the I just contact an authorized dealer. When talking to the two dealers they tell me that the quoted price is according to "the book" from Frod. Mind you I have purchased (12) Lincoln Mercuries over the past 18 years and Ford could care less. I can assure you this is my last Ford purchase which stands for Fix-Or-Replair-Daily. I hear that Honda & Toyota, even if you are out of warranty will replace the tranny at no charge! Good luck on your repair efforts. The only consolation is that the rebuilt transmissio they will put into our car will come with a 100,000 mile warranty. Replies to this message: bellaspop (Sep 02, 2009 1:14 am)
#193 of 203 Re: Transmission problems [danielpierre] by bellaspop Sep 02, 2009 (1:14 am)
Replying to: danielpierre (Aug 30, 2009 10:46 am) Hi,   I went through this October, 05 Freestyle SEL. The saving grace for me came when I needed to renew my auto insurance policy. I noticed (in February!) I had something called "mechanical breakdown" coverage with a $200.00 deductible. I did look over my policy at the time of the breakdown but somehow I over looked it - possibly because I didn't really know what I was looking for. The repair had already been made - incidentally the original quote was about $5200.00 and when I balked I was put on hold and then told it would cost me $4800.00 out the door. The happy ending for me was even though i filed a claim after the repair was made my insurance company (Geico) reimbursed me - and didn't even take the $200 deductible.   Check your auto policy - there may be some relief there.   Good Luck
#194 of 203 Megatronic Valve Body - CVT by dave_o Sep 14, 2009 (9:45 am)
Just some additional fuel to the fire...   We're three payments away from being out of car debt on a 2006 Freestyle. It is almost four years old with 59,000 miles. We have gotten the "idiot" wrench and check engine lights to come on. This has happened not more than ten times. The warning lights go away once the car is turned off, which made it difficult to follow up on. The last few times the car's CVT seemed to slip into neutral when travelling at 60-70 mph. RPMs soar and vehicle cannot keep speed. This caught our attention.   Took it into dealer... One hour later, we get the good news bad news. Good news is that the whole transmission does not have to be replaced for $5000. Bad news is that it will be $1700. This was delivered as if we needed a $30 oil change.   Decided to take it to another dealer to get a 2nd opinion. This dealer is where we have bought cars for last 30 years (probably 25+ cars), but now has new ownership. After three hours, same diagnosis, but delivered better from service department. So, I decide to talk to sales to see what I could get on a trade in. I told sales about the CVT diagnosis and to make me a great offer (as this could be the last Ford that I ever buy brand new). Sales came back with $2500 (net of my last three payments). Needless to say, I blew a gasket! I looked the sales guy in the eye and said why should I buy another Ford product? After four years of paying off my Freestyle, I am left with $2500. There was a long period of silence. He said that I should have bought the extended warranty! Ya think...   Keeping my fingers crossed, but car has driven well since. Any advice out there? Replies to this message: tim156 (Sep 14, 2009 12:08 pm) coldcranker (Sep 14, 2009 1:54 pm) dave_o (Sep 14, 2009 2:40 pm) bobw3 (Sep 28, 2009 10:39 am)
#195 of 203 Re: Megatronic Valve Body - CVT [dave_o] by tim156 Sep 14, 2009 (12:08 pm)
Replying to: dave_o (Sep 14, 2009 9:45 am) If you've been happy with the car pay the $1700 and keep it. Things break. It's a bummer when the expensive things break.
#196 of 203 Re: Megatronic Valve Body - CVT [dave_o] by coldcranker Sep 14, 2009 (1:54 pm)
Replying to: dave_o (Sep 14, 2009 9:45 am) Quick correction: "Megatronic" should be spelled "mechatronic". Also, keep in mind that the wrench light, also called "MFIL" or "engine light" by some, saves the malfunction codes inside the car's internal engine computer when you turn the car off, so a history is available to your mechanic even though the light might not appear any more.   My vote: Keep the car. Fix it for $1700. Cars do break. Consumer Reports says our Freestyles fail less often than the average. The $2500 offer for your car was intended to be a starting negotiation for your car, since the sales team is in business to make as much money as possible. The actual worth of your Freestyle is somewhere around $13,000, U.S. dollars. Replies to this message: dave_o (Sep 14, 2009 2:40 pm)
#197 of 203 Re: Megatronic Valve Body - CVT [coldcranker] by dave_o Sep 14, 2009 (2:40 pm)
Replying to: coldcranker (Sep 14, 2009 1:54 pm) Thanks. I should negotiate the most miles/years with the CVT fix. One dealership offered one year/12,000 miles. Do you think that I could get more one the warranty of their work? Do you think that when I pay off the car, Ford may send me an extended warranty offer that I should buy?   Thanks again.
#198 of 203 Re: Megatronic Valve Body - CVT [dave_o] by bobw3 Sep 28, 2009 (10:39 am)
Replying to: dave_o (Sep 14, 2009 9:45 am) If I were you I'd just pay the $1700 and then if you otherwise satisfied with the car then keep it. If not, you should be able to sell it privately for about $10,000. You'll always get ripped off during a trade.   Also, I'm not sure what you paid for the Freestyle initially, but if you paid $28,000 you can think of the $1700 as an initial cost, so would it have been worth $29,700 for the car?   And if you paid $1200 for an extended warranty to get the repair for free, you're still only out the difference or about $500.   Not that this will help much, but something to think about. My case is just the opposite.

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