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Ford Freestyle CVT Transmissions

420 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 5:58 AM

You are in the Ford Freestyle Forum.

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

Messages Page 37 of 42

#361 of 420 Throttle Body, Lurching, Dishonest Dealership Techs by handc

Dec 06, 2011 (8:34 pm)

I just had the throttle body on my '05 Freestyle replaced (90k miles). I do understand that regular mechanical maintainence is required of all vehicles. That being said... I've spend hours now on the web researching this issue with Freestyles. After 5 days of waiting for the part, and $1000 later, I drove my car from the dealership where it was serviced and within 20 miles, the engine light came on. - found after calling several dealerships that I was given an answer almost recited verbatim about the throttle body issues. This makes me think that Ford, obviously fully aware of these existing issues, has given their dealerships and technicians a monologue about what to say to aggravated customers. I don't so much take issue with the cost of repairs, or even the fact that they need to happen. What I do take issue with is the fact that Ford representatives are so willing to "misrepresent" the truth in what is a major expense, and most importantly a major safety issue.

#362 of 420 Re: Throttle Body, Lurching, Dishonest Dealership Techs [handc] by dominicano51

Dec 06, 2011 (9:14 pm)

Replying to: handc (Dec 06, 2011 8:34 pm)
I am a mechanic and let me tell you, the best thing anyone that owns a freestyle from 05 to 07 is to get rid off that piece of junk. Ford knows the junk and mess they made but they are too big to shake so they don't care is cheaper to settle a suit than issuing a recall. The company that made the Transmission is closed and the throttle body is another junk. Good luck, mine is gone and that was the best day in 2010.

#363 of 420 CVT maintenance by maryliz27

Dec 07, 2011 (11:06 am)

I am having issues with automatic transaxle. I purchased this vehicle used and up till today have not had any issues with the CVT. I have 131790 miles and I have not added nor am I sure how to add the fluid. I typically do my own maintenance on my vehicles but in this case, I'm not sure what I am dealing with. The owners manuel says refer to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide but all that gives me is a log not how or what I'm looking for. The owners manuel also gives very little info other than have someone qualified to do it. Even my husband, who's worked for Toyota for 22 years and is very intelligent about cars, is saying the same thing. Is this really true or can someone direct me to do this on my own? Thanks.

#364 of 420 Oil change by dominicano51

Dec 07, 2011 (11:16 am)

Sell now before. Is too late. 500 dollars for that transmission oil change..... And if get any contamination while is being change it will ruin the transmission.
 
Now that is running good is when you can get more for it.

#365 of 420 Re: Oil change [dominicano51] by sinder

Dec 07, 2011 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: dominicano51 (Dec 07, 2011 11:16 am)
Agreed...........Sell it now and get out if you can

#366 of 420 Self Transmission Fluid Change by focusowner2

Dec 13, 2011 (9:33 pm)

It is only $200 if you change the transmission fluid yourself rather than $500 the dealership will charge, that is, if you can find a reputable dealer that doesn't charge $200 for a typical transmission flush. The $200 includes tools, fluid, and parts.
 
You can find many references on the web. Yes, you do have to take the front left tire off, jack up the transmission, drain, remove the mount, remove the filter cover from behind the mount, remove old parts, add new rubber bands and filter and plastic tube, reinstall filter, reinstall mount, add fluid, etc...
 
The problem with a CVT is that it doesn't really buy you greater MPG. It will get over 30 MPG highway but only 14 mpg city where the infinite gearing is exercised, even keeping revs under 2000 rpm. It actually seems better when getting it up to speed quicker because it excels in slowing down very slowly which in city traffic normally means newer brakes sooner.

#367 of 420 Re: transmission problems along with sudden acceleration [moniebolonie] by freestyle6

Jan 12, 2012 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: moniebolonie (Nov 26, 2011 12:21 pm)
I just bought an 06 Freestyle and have had it less than 2 weeks. I replaced the Map sensor last week and today it left my wife and kids stranded in a parking lot from what I am sure is transmission problems. Have you had any luck with that attorney? I will take the car to a service dept tomorrow and make sure. I am just reading about a lot of people having the same problem and am hoping there is a chance for justice. Thanks

#368 of 420 Re: TRANSMISSION & THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEGINS IN THE MAIN COMPUTER [pbay] by freestyle6

Jan 12, 2012 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: pbay (Dec 05, 2011 4:07 am)
Can you get me Bills number? I am trying to figure out what is wrong with mine. I am pretty sure it's the same thing you went through. I just bought the car used less than 2 weeks ago and am having these problems. Thanks

#369 of 420 TRANSMISSION & THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM BEGINS IN THE MAIN COMPUTER by meyersd

Jan 23, 2012 (1:00 pm)

The lunging is not a transmission problem, but more likely dirty throttle body plate. I actually had mine replaced, because ti was an electrical problem The Government's investigation of the problem came up withthe same findings, and their books are closed. There were no recalls. Volvo had a similar problem on their XC90 SUV's. Like all used cars, an extended warranty is crucial.
 
The problem with most people buying these cars used is they assume the dealer or whomever they bought it from has properly performed the services on the car without even asking. In most cases, a service person will drive the car, and if it drives good, they wash it and put a " for sale" sign on it. There are also those dealers that actually go through the process of doing a full diagnostic on the vehicle, and that's where problems are discovered and fixed. Dealers do " certify" used cars, at an additional cost, but in the long run, that cost may save you thousands of dollars. If any mechanic tells you the Freestyle is junk, I wouldn't go anywhere near that guy's business. That only means he doesn't know what he's talking about.
 
Freestyle owners are at a disadvantage, because the tramission was only manuafactured for 3 model years. The transmission however also appeared in the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, which are both sedans. Any Ford dealer should be able to service the transmission or at least tell you who can service it. The CVT transmissions used in the Freestyle/Five Hunfdred/Montego were discontinued because of cost, and fact it would not be able to handle the increased horsepower from upcoming V6's.
 
The transmissions were a joint venture between ZF Transmission and Ford. The 2005-2007 Freestyle engine was a 3.0 liter V6, rated at 203HP/ 207ft lbs of torque. For the 2008 & 2009 model years Ford increased the V6 to 3.5 liters/ 249 ft lbs of torque. Ford also had it's Ecoboost motor coming, and the CVT would not be a good match for it. Ford had already decided after 2007 to go back to a conventional 6 speed tranny, as they were cheaper to produce than the CVT The 2008-2009 Taurus X got the 6 speed tranny and the 3.5 liter motor. The Flex replaced the Freestyle, however it is the same D3 platform. The new Explorer also rides on a stretched version of the D3. Take a look at the interiors of the Flex and Explorer, and you will see some similarities to the Freestyle. So in reality, the Freestyle never actually went away. It was continually upgraded, from Taurus X to Flex and Explorer.

#370 of 420 Re: Oil change [dominicano51] by meyersd

Jan 25, 2012 (1:59 pm)

Replying to: dominicano51 (Dec 07, 2011 11:16 am)
Tranmission fluid change is CVT fluid only, which is why you can't cross contaminate fluids. The cost to drain and fill the transmission (CVT's can't be power flushed) should not be more than $275.00. The fill and flush also involves changing the exterior filter on the tranmission. The CVT has 2 filters, one inside and one outside. The interior filter does not have to be replaced. CVT's do not have any more or less failure than a conventional transmission. They don't make them anymore, because ZF and Ford only agreed to make them for 3 model years, and the cost to make each transmission was too high. Ford decided in 2008 to drop the CVT for a 6 speed auto, and swap out the 3.0 to a 3.5. The Freestyle got a name change also in 2008, to Taurus X. The same drivetrain & platform that was in the Taurus x is in the current Ford Flex. The new Ford Explorer runs on a stretched version of the same D3 platform, using the same tranny and the Ecoboost engine.

Messages Page 37 of 42

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