Why can’t Ford stop my Trans leak!?

[Zpak]

So, I squeaked my slipping transmission in my ‘14 SHO into Ford with one month and 700 miles left on my powertrain warranty, bad torque converter. So they did that and I figured while they’re in there do the PTU fluid. I get it back and it’s leaving dinner plate sized puddles of trans fluid on my garage floor over night. So right back in. They say, oh it’s the seal at the CV. Ok, they change the seal top off the fluid and good to go. I get it back, next morning same puddle. Back she go’s. Same seal, they say well the tech did say the CV shaft did feel kinda strange going in so we’ll change the shaft and the seal again. So I’m thinking cool, new axle no leak sounds good. Until, two days later quarter size drips of trans fluid now, every night. Well at least it’s smaller. I walk back in to the service department yesterday slam the key down and tell them it’s still leaking. They called back tonight and told me it’s the same seal. I don’t know what’s going on with this thing. All I know is thankfully it’s warranty work. And I do get a sweet Ecosport to drive. How they must be laughing in the back bringing in a SHO and driving away in that three banger. Anyway, I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening.

 

[SHOdded]

Trans fluid leaks would be at the trans-PTU seal, not the PTU-axle seal if on the passenger side. Driver side, yeah, could be the axle seal. If on the passenger side, I would check the PTU for contaminated fluid. Maybe it is leaking out the vent!

Work quality is often variable at dealerships, maybe you need to have a senior tech working on your SHO, or take it to a different dealership (perhaps Lincoln) entirely.

 

[Zpak]

At this point I’d love to take it elsewhere but I’m assuming since it’s warranty work they started I’m kind of stuck with them. As now, I’m almost 2,000 miles over. I’m not sure another dealer would take it. I actually went over the miles waiting on them to start the job in the first place. Apparently it takes three weeks to order a torque converter.

 

[SHOdded]

You can discuss with Ford Customer Service in the meantime and figure out your options.

Also can take it up the line at the dealership you are at. Talk to the service manager, and if that is fruitless, the GM. Still nothing? At that point, talking with Ford directly is your first option, 2nd option MIGHT be (and I really prefer not having it get that far) legal.

 

[Zpak]

Ok so I finally got my car back after a week and a half sitting at ford. They changed the same seal again. I believe we’ve made it to the definition of insanity at this point. I get it home give it a well deserved bath and park in the garage. I work tonight so I get in at 4:30 to leave and the bloody puddle of trans fluid is back worse then ever. It sat for maybe five hours. I shouldn’t have even drove unless straight back to ford except they are now closed for the weekend. I quickly looked and it is definitely pouring out from the axle seal on the drivers side. So the count is four new seals and new axle, still leaking. So at this point the only possibility I can think of is the case is cracked, which they assured me it wasn’t, or something internally is screwed up and bouncing that shaft around tearing up that seal. Either way, it’s starting to sound like they better be planning on giving me a new transmission.

 

[SHOdded]

Sucky situation Should take it up the chain to Ford directly. I would say go to a different dealer for a second opinion, but won't necessarily help with Ford. They basically want the chain of events confined to a single dealership.

 

[Zpak]

Any advice on how to contact Ford directly? All I see on the actual Ford.com page is a number that says, for general information. Is that where you’re suggesting I start?

 

[SHOdded]

Yes. Have your story/documentation lined up. Ask them to interface with the dealership directly, if they do not offer. Typically, the dealership has to open a case for you, because they are unable to resolve an issue and are requesting Ford's assistance. Then progress can be made. Remaining calm throughout the process will be the hard part ...

 

[Zpak]

Thanks a lot for your help, SHOdded. I’ll keep ya posted.

 

[Zpak]

Back in business. And, it feels good to have some power back under my right foot. So far so good on the leak. Apparently fourth time is the charm. You won’t believe this but The Ford dealer outsourced the work to a local trans shop. The lady at the service desk told me she sent it to her ex’s trans shop. Strange, but as long as it’s fixed I guess I can’t complain. Guess it was a bushing behind the axel seal. So, now that that’s behind me and my warranty is smoked, time to mod!

 

[luigisho]

I think it's time to consider an extended powertrain warranty.

 

[SM105K]

Back in business. And, it feels good to have some power back under my right foot. So far so good on the leak. Apparently fourth time is the charm. You won’t believe this but The Ford dealer outsourced the work to a local trans shop. The lady at the service desk told me she sent it to her ex’s trans shop. Strange, but as long as it’s fixed I guess I can’t complain. Guess it was a bushing behind the axel seal. So, now that that’s behind me and my warranty is smoked, time to mod!

Get after it.

 

[SHOdded]

Got a copy of the invoice to share?

 

[Zpak]

Got a copy of the invoice to share?

They never gave me one. All four times I brought it back for the leak the only piece of paper they gave me was for the loaner car. Now that I think about it I wish I had something.

 

[SHOdded]

Definitely not standard practice. My dealership gives a full accounting every time, warranty work or not.