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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

1891 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 1:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Transmission, Van


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Messages Page 172 of 190

#1706 of 1891 Re: 2004 Monterey Tranny [box207] by motheye

Jun 29, 2012 (11:07 am)

Replying to: box207 (Jun 29, 2012 10:49 am)
All: I posted this before but its now coming true. My Freestar transmission went back in November and I paid to get it rebuilt by a Ford dealer--all prior to the recall. When the recall came out I contacted Ford and have been awaiting instructions on reimbursement. Ford told me yesterday that I can now go into the dealer and start the process. I called the dealer, they pulled the records, and told me "my problem was the transmission and the recall is for the torque converter". Just as I expected--the receipt I have simply states "Transmission, $2,800". No details. My failure was exactly like everyone else--driving along and all power just went. No forward, no reverse. No leaking transmission. Nothing catastrophic in nature. So--all of us go to the mechanic and are told "its your transmission". How many transmissions have been replaced when it was the torque converter? Having said that--I've been told that the largest part of a tranny job is labor getting it out--which has to be done to get the torque converter out and replaced--so if you are doing the torque converter you may as well go through the transmission--since a torque converter problem can cause debris in the transmission (so why pull it out again three months later). Bottom line is the dealer told me he has to look into it and I've yet to get a call back. Small claims court it is.

#1707 of 1891 Reimbursement - 2005 Freestar recall by trimadsco

Jun 29, 2012 (12:12 pm)

Spoke with Ford customer service this AM who said recall/reimbursement letters have been mailed. For those who are requesting reimbursement for work already done, you do NOT have to wait for recall letter. They said you can take your receipts to your local Ford dealership for reimbursement. Customer service rep informed me that they are only reimbursing max of $1,450.00, said I would need to talk to service manager regarding anything above that. Talked to the Service Manager at my local Ford dealer, who informed me that Yes, they are only reimbursing a max of $1,450.00 - they will NOT reimburse anything above that, even if you had to have whole new transmission. He said they have to submit reimbursement request to Ford, and that would take 2-3 weeks. They do not give you a reimbursement check immediately. Like many others, my receipt only says "replace transmission", it does not say specificially "torque converter". I'm probably going to have to fight them to get reimbursed at all, and it's not even the full amount we paid, $2,800.
Does anyone know if we have any recourse on getting them to reimburse the full amount? Small claims court? Lawsuit? etc???

#1708 of 1891 my 2004 freestar by hectors

Jun 30, 2012 (7:28 pm)

My 2004 has a recall on it and it's the torque converter. When I was on the freeway driving with my two children and my wife in the car I lost all power and the worst part I was 6 hours away from home and to make matters worse I was in the middle of nowhere finally I called 911 for help, I left the car in maryland and payed $500 for the tickets (train) to come back to boston, 7 days later I went back to get it and it cost me $2500.00, two years after the car have the same problem and pay another $2500.00 because the previos warranty work was all ready expired,

#1709 of 1891 Re: Reimbursement - 2005 Freestar recall [trimadsco] by motheye

Jun 30, 2012 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: trimadsco (Jun 29, 2012 12:12 pm)
Wow. I think I'm going to be in the same boat. Paid $2800 for the fix--which included about $350 for them to tell me my main board did NOT have water in it--then they told me "the transmission". I too spoke with Ford this week and they told me I was ok to put in for a reimb through the dealer. Called the dealer and they pulled my records--and initially told me "recall was for Torque converter and NOT transmission"--which is what my invoice said. I complained and said he would look into it. Got a voice message from him late Friday that simply said "they are going to put my reimbursement through" but with no other details. I'm already planning on hearing they are only going to put through a portion of the total bill--maybe claiming I'm only authorized to get the cost of the torque converter. I will call Monday and let you know what I hear.

#1710 of 1891 Re: jaymans8200 [shocked1] by lynda7

Jul 01, 2012 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: shocked1 (Jun 16, 2012 5:33 pm)
I also had to have my torque converter replaced twice in 6 months and a rebuilt transmission as well. I went to a reputable private transmission repair shop because it was cheaper than Ford. I am concerned Ford won't give me a reimbursement because I didn't take it to the dealership. Has anyone asked that question? Know the answer?

#1711 of 1891 Ford only reimbursing up to $1450 by jccrawford

Jul 02, 2012 (1:38 pm)

I just took my receipts to the dealership and the service manager told me that they were only reimbursing up to $1450. He gave me a copy of the second letter (which I still haven't gotten) and told me he was sorry and didn't agree with it and the only thing we can do is get a class action law suit going. We paid $1953 in 2010 because we had to have the whole trans done. I just spent an hour on the phone with them, talked to 3 different people (including a supervisor) and they aren't budging. I asked why I have to pay $500 (the difference) for a mistake they admittedly made. They just kept apologizing saying they understand but they are only reimbursing $1450. I'm so frustrated with Ford. If anyone else wants to fight for full reimbursement, please let me know. I'd rather give the $500 to a lawyer than to Ford.

#1712 of 1891 Re: Ford only reimbursing up to $1450 [jccrawford] by gobama

Jul 02, 2012 (6:40 pm)

Replying to: jccrawford (Jul 02, 2012 1:38 pm)
Only the attorneys get rich with a class action suit from what I understand.
 
We have yet to receive the second letter. Our transmission was not replaced at a dealership. I emailed Ford several weeks ago about the second letter and was told it would be sent out the end of the second quarter which June 30th. I am going to check again.

#1713 of 1891 Screwed Again! by sjtdad

Jul 02, 2012 (8:45 pm)

Ford said they would have the second letter out sometime during the second quarter of 2012. I finally got mine today--July 2. But--Screwed Again! They are only reimbursing up to $1450 max--and you have to give them the original paperwork--and it has to say "torque converter" on the bill in order to get squat. NOW--stick with me for a minute here. I have a college degree in automotive technology and have been a line tech and service manager at GM dealerships. They claim that a torque converter stripping its splines affects no other part of your tranny so that is why they are only paying for the price of the converter. BUT--when my transmission was replaced 2 1/2 years ago the splines on the stator (part of the converter) had indeed stripped but then sent metal shavings throughout the transmission. The dealer told me it may be impossible to get all of them out and you don't know for sure if the shavings had done damage to other parts, etc. I agreed with that accessment and took their advice--spending $3400 on a Ford rebuilt transmission with a 3 year / 100,00 mile warranty. Saying that the torque converter affects nothing else is a LIE or STUPIDITY or both. And if they question the words "stator spline" on my bill someone's head will roll. I have been patient long enough. Yep, waited to 2 years to get screwed again.

#1714 of 1891 Re: Ford only reimbursing up to $1450 [jccrawford] by drea3005

Jul 02, 2012 (9:12 pm)

Replying to: jccrawford (Jul 02, 2012 1:38 pm)
I am ready for a class action suit. Every case is different, and they are handling all cases the same. They are not concerned about the consumers and the position in which their product has left us. They don't even care that they endangered our lives. You would think after posting a big profit last year that they would want to make a wrong, right. Instead they are concerned about a buck. My total for a full transmission was $3319 at my local Ford dealer. Not to mention towing, and rental fees. That leaves me in a hole over $1800.00 The service manager at my local Ford dealer told me that Ford is claiming that there is no way of knowing how the vehicle was ran and that the transmission was not new at 80,000 miles it was bound to go out. However, my husband owned a Chrysler 300M that drove
well over 200,000 miles without ever needing a new transmission. I will be reasearching, to make sure that a class action suit is not already started. Then I am going to talk to a few local lawyers, to see what can be done. If anybody knows of a class action suit already in motion please post here. We all need help. Thanks!

#1715 of 1891 Re: Ford only reimbursing up to $1450 [jccrawford] by motheye

Jul 03, 2012 (5:22 am)

Replying to: jccrawford (Jul 02, 2012 1:38 pm)
My dealer just called me and said they were putting my receipts through for reimbursement (like the rest of you, mine said "transmission" only-$2800). I asked him if he was putting the entire amount through-expecting a fight--and he said its not up to them--its up to Ford. He never mentioned a $1450 number--but after reading all of your posts today its hard to believe he doesn't know more than he told me. BTW--he told me 3-4 months!

Messages Page 172 of 190

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