Transmission Failure on 2003

[Hotwheels]

All,

I do so hate to be the first in a negative thread. The transmission on our 03 began slipping and hard shifting on the way home last week from our Christmas/New Years trip. We had attributed this to the cold winter weather but we wanted to get it check out so we took it to Jay at Annapolis Ford (Koon's) on the 6th of January.

Jay at Koon's Ford dropped the pan and and found that the tranny would have to be rebuilt (I'll add details later of what specifically was wrong).

Ford can rebuild for $2.8k or replace with a "new" ford transmission (I assume this means reconditioned) for $3.6K. Warranty 3/36.

The car has 75k on it.

Our United Car Care (UCC) extended warranty we've used since new (03) expired in August. We purchased a new warranty from UCC the beginning of December for peace of mind before our holiday trip.

So much for peace of mind, the Sr. Adjuster at UCC ("Kelly"; yes a man) is refusing to replace the transmission; saying that Team One in MD sold us the new warranty w/o inspecting the car first. This was never a requirement and UCC took our $2700 for the warranty without hesitation with a contract service date of 16 December before we left for Texas. The transmission failed in January on our trip home.

I am talking to UCC and they are trying any and all excuses. They have denied the claim saying "pre-existing, no inspection, etc." We are still hoping UCC will come through and honor their signed contract.

I have never had a transmission fail so quickly. I am hesitant to replace it with a weak transmission yet again to have it fail again so am looking for any known mods/improvements there might be.

On a positive note the local AAMCO said they would rebuild it ($3K) for us and for an additional $1k guarantee it for life nation wide inc/Canada. This looks like the way we will go at this point.

So Mon/Tue I will take it to AAMCO and have them fix it and pay out of pocket for a lifetime guarantee with hopes that UCC will do the right thing; but I am NOT holding my breath.

If UCC fails to pay because of no inspection I KNOW they will still try and hold onto our money. If the contract is void because no inspection they should give us our money back as well.

I've served in the US Army (contract if your will) for 28 years; UCC has no integrity IMHO. We fight overseas only to fight with those we protect at home.

Bottom Line:

1) United Car Care=Bad!!
2) AAMCO Lifetime Guarantee=Good!
3) Possible no 'bird for our first get together on the 30th=Bad!!!


Long live the bird!!

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

FIND A USED ONE.

[00mustng]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

....couple of things....you can't drop the pan....It's a sealed unit that is designed to perform service free for at least 100,000mi according to Ford...03's were plagued with what came to be known as the dreaded "E" problem...which involved a computer reflash...Lots of info. here that you can read about...accompanying bulletins etc.....I just don't think your transmission is done....time for another opinion?

[Leroy]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

You're being scamed not only by the Ford dealer but also the warranty company. I wouldn't trust AAMCO either. I would take it to another reputable Ford dealer and get a second opinion. I would think you would've been alot better off if you would've bought the Ford ESP Warranty for less money. Leroy

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[ArgonV]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

You can still drop the pan on the T-Bird tranny... But you have to replace the seal when you put it back on and put tranny fluid back in the system. It's not so much a pan as a bucket cover...

The first thing I would ask Ford to do is a reflash of the tranny computer control unit, and then a top-off of the tranny fluid.

[MEK04]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

I replaced mine last summer @ 67,000 km or about 42,000 mi.

In my case, it was shifting hard and eventually lost 2nd and 5th gears while we were on vacation. The tranny is a sealed unit can not be inspected withourt taking it out and if I remember correctly, its 3 hours to take it out and 3 to put it back in. So if they tell you they took it out, ask to see it because I can almost guaranty that they did not since they won't invest 6 to 8 hrs labour and they still can't see anything. The car will have to stay in the service bay until its fixed. I was lucky, although they did not drop the tranny, they left it inside the service area for 2 1/2 wks. The only thing they can tell from looking the access area is the amount of metal filings present. The more filings the bigger the problem.

Apparently one of the issues with our tranny is steel bands spinning in an aluminium housing. Alumium wears faster alows for leaks or blow through under pressure. The increased pressure causes the gears to shift but leaking pressure result in hard shifts when it finally changes gears increasing the potential for damage to the gears and or selonoid.

If memory serves, 2nd and 5th gear share the same gear and selonoid as do 1st and 3rd.

If you decide on a new rebuilt from Ford, expect a bit of a wait as they don't have that many failures and have to build them. These will come with all the updates to resolve the steel vs aluminum issues.

If you decide to rebuild the existing, make sure that the price is for a complete rebuild with the updates up front or you may be billed for any additional issues they find along the way.

Mike

[blue731]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

Hot Wheels...
Beware, Beware, Beware Koons Ford. I think the economy has them resorting to shady practices.

I just had an incident with them last week that made me drop them as a dealership in Loudoun Co for good. I took my Ford truck for an airbag light that came on. They perform some diagnostics on the air bag control module, and it came up needing a wire harness.

So, they fixed the harness and installed a new fuse, since the original one was blown (they told me and charged me... I don't know for sure this was really even done). Told me that if the light came on, they would have to replace the module, but don't worry about it, it is fixed.

Next day, the air bag light came on. I took it back, they said they needed to replace the control module, it would be $1,000!
I told them no way in hell I'm paying that kind of money, i'm coming to pick up the truck. They did the hard sell telling me that my inspection sticker would be due soon, and it would NOT pass with the AB light on, I need to fix it. I told them not to do the work and hung up. I looked online and the module was like $250, and it was located under the dash.

I called another Ford dealership up the road, asked them how much it would cost to replace a module - they looked everything up and said they would replace it for $550, total cost including labor. I dropped it off there.

They called and asked if I wanted them to just install the module, or run a diagnostic and see if it could be a seat sensor or some other issue. Cost was $120 for the diagnostic. I decided it would be best to have the codes pulled again from the unit.

Turns out, the unit has not thrown any codes, had a good ground and accepted power. The culprit? Koons had replaced my blown 10 amp fuse with a new 7.5 amp fuse, knowing it would blow and I would return to have the issue fixed. They charged me for a diagnostic, new wires, and a fuse... and was counting on me coming back for another diagnostic and new module later. I don't like to level charges against anyone, mistakes happen. But in my mind, it is impossible to mistakenly look at a book that says something takes a 10 amp fuse, and then pull the said 10 amp fuse with 10 amps written on the face, and put in a different color 7.5 amp. Just can't happen.

So, what started as $1,000, dropped to $550, and eventually cost me around $200.

Take it to another dealer, or AAMCO.

[Bird03]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

Wow. Sorry for the trouble.

This is just the type of case that your State Attorney General(s) would love to take on. They will lean on either the policy sales agent or the insurance company to pay up and will probably not even have to enter a courtroom. This is much easier for them than trying to prosecute murderous criminals and they can brag on their resume about how they are out every day protecting the "little guy".

Our AG from Ma. is running on her record of consumer protection (not even mentioning the criminal prosecutions) and will most likely be winning the late Ted Kennedy's senate seat next week.

[Ski]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

Mickey, I've been "Wowed" by Koons, too. It was a Toyota Tundra however. I don't find them particullary reputable. There are some good dealers, our members can point you in the right direction. I've had great luck with several in Maryland but none proximate to Annapolis.

[SunnyDayz]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

get your money back on the extended warranty. If they're not going to cover anything because of a lack of inspection, then why should you have to pay them anything.

[Vintage Merlot]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

I had a 65 Mustang that was having transmission problems. A local shop dropped in a totally rebuild transmission for $1,200 with a two year warranty. Tranmission went out within days. We went through the replacement of three total rebuilt transmissions within two months. All under warranty but could not find what was causing the problem. At that time the local shop was giving me fresh in-the-crate $1,200 units and was totally perplexed about the situation. I decided to go to the local Aamco shop and requested a price on a totally new in-the-crate rebuilt transmission. While I was waiting for the aamco tech to wait on me he had a young financially, strapped young couple in his office discussing thier transmission problem. The day prior they had brought their car in requesting Aamco check out a little problem with their transmission since they were taking the family on vacation in two days. The car was on the rack and the transmission was in 50 pieces on the floor. Aamco had a list of at least six different things that was wrong with the unit. Each had its own individual price tag for fixing. They quoted a total of more than $3,000 for the total fix. The couple said they could not afford it and to put it back together. Aamco was going to charge them $1,800 to to put it back together.

I wwas told they would tear down my tranmission and analyze the problem and fix the specific cause of the problem for $2,200. They would not sell me a total rebuilt. They would then sell me a plan that would fix individual problems for the life of the car. At that time in Aamco's history they would not sell you a complete new/or totally rebuilt unit. They got you for every single/ or multiple problem needing fixing. I doubt that their policy has changed. It is very profitible.

Ended up the problem with my '65 Mustang traqnsmission was caused by a rusted vacuum line that I found off the carburator. The original transmission was totally functional.

[BJHEN]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

"We are still hoping UCC will come through and honor their signed contract."

Have your attorney contact UCC. His encouragement to UCC to "honor" their contract is the only way you are likely to get their attention.

I am not an attorney but UCC took your money and signed the contract. With that the courts should find in your favor.

Good luck!

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

If UCC isn't going to honor the claim I would demand my money back in full. Definitely take the time to call your Better Business Bureau, state consumer affairs division, and maybe a couple of local news channels in regards to your problem. That just isn't right.

As to AAMCO, I had them rebuild the transmission on my 82 Chrysler LeBaron years ago. I know my dad has used AAMCO at least 4 times in the past 30 years that I can recall. We've always been satisfied with the work and they definitely stood behind their lifetime warranty as my dad had the transmission fail twice on a GMC pickup he used to own.

[billm]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

Hey, a contract is a contract. If they did not require or ask for an eval or examination on your T-bird, and in fact did issue you the warranty contract, it should be valid.
I would hold their feet to the fire. Get a good attorney's opinion here. You may be surprised what you will find out. Good luck! Bill

[bwlewis]

Re: Transmission Failure on 2003

All this being said, I would take it to a Lincoln dealer.

BTW: I had the "E" code after an undercarriage wash, It cleared after it dried out, no problems since (about 20K more miles). Had the computer upgraded and runs and shifts a lot better.