Info on transmissions (eCVT) that have failed

[Automate]

Ford has told owners that Cmaxs built between Aug 8, 2012 and Jun 17, 2014 and Fusions Hybrids built around that time with eCVT transmissions have failed due to a manufacturing problem that was fixed on later models. http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/5562-customer-satisfaction-program-14b07-transmission-inspection-and-repair/?do=findComment&comment=60970

If you had a Fusion eCVT failure that required replacement, please post your car's build date.and mileage at failure

 

Since the CMAX has the same transmission I have started the same topic here

http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/5288-build-date-for-ecvt-that-have-failed/

Post there if you have a CMAX

 

 

Model Year Build Date 1st Problem Replaced Notes Member

Fusion Hybrid 2014 12K scn101

Fusion Hybrid 2014 14K Chris Campbell

Fusion Hybrid 2013 55.7K ROB281

Fusion Hybrid 2013 60.5K mje715

Fusion Hybrid 2013 71K gadgetguy

Fusion Hybrid 2013 34K gkinla

Fusion Hybrid 2013 22K MTGilby

Fusion Hybrid 2013 11/2012 40K cincidaddi

Fusion Hybrid 2013 50K GrayStrider

Fusion Hybrid 2013 ??K loud whine halfelite

Fusion Hybrid 2015 10/2014 29K 30K loud engine noise Mrfixit141414

Fusion Hybrid 2013 11/2012 40K cincidaddi

Fusion Hybrid 2013 75K g82martin

C-Max Hybrid 2013 9/2012 97K 98K 82% Hwy, noises ptjones

C-Max Hybrid 2013 10/8/2012 63.5K bearing noises, mostly highway HannahWCU

C-Max Hybrid 2013 10/18/12 39.6K bearing noises, not replaced yet HotPotato

C-Max Energi 2013 11/06/2012 54K found on CARFAX

C-Max Energi 2013 11/07/2012 70.5K bearing noises,mostly highway mitrals

C-Max Energi 2013 3/2013 44K mostly highway Sparky

C-Max Hybrid 2013 43K 50K PalmettoMax

C-Max Hybrid 2013 82K 85% interstate bigalpha

C-Max Hybrid 2013 8/20/2012 32K grinding noises Bill-N

C-Max Energi 2013 3/2013 95.1K slbenz

C-Max Energi 2013 5/24/2013 27K GSMacLean

C-Max Energi 2013 159K Middleofnowhere

C-Max Energi 2013 23.2K ??K ITFlyer

Edited January 3, 2017 by Automate

[lolder]

Well this is interesting information ! Let's hope there is a forever valid TSB that fixes it for free.

[jeff_h]

The below is TSB 14-0214 for transmission on 2013-2014 model years, but does not list specific build dates.

 

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/topic/9352-technical-service-bulletins-tsbs/?p=89122

[hybridbear]

We may need to PM some of the members who've had failures who don't frequent the site often as they may not see this thread otherwise. I think ROB281 & GrayStrider both had failures IIRC. Who else?

[GrySql]

We can make this into a Poll, with questions about model year, miles, etc. Want to?

[ptjones]

Already Posted on CMAX Hybrid Site, but here's mine 9/2012, 98Kmi. ;)

 

Paul

Edited July 28, 2015 by ptjones

[nv rick]

Was yours a catastrophic failure, or did you just notice the symptoms before the tranny crapped out?

[ptjones]

Was yours a catastrophic failure, or did you just notice the symptoms before the tranny crapped out?

I went 1100 miles before I decided the noise was getting to loud and wasn't sure how much farther I could go. I have not heard of a catastrophic failure, I think it just gets worse with time. IMO :)

 

Paul

[Automate]

I've updated the 1st post with more eCVT failures and a long term test story was posted in the CMax Hybird forum http://fordcmaxhybridforum.com/topic/6067-long-term-c-max-tests-75-transmission-failure/

[lolder]

It's clear Ford really fouled up in trying to "improve" the Japanese built Aisin transmissions of the 2004-2012 hybrids. They have had very few problems particularly the 2010-12 Fusions. These Ford built transmissions should have lasted the life of the cars. There is little to wear in them. Clearly the engineering or assembly is faulty. Too bad.

[ptjones]

From what I heard it was a bearing problem which has been fixed on newer models. :)

 

Paul

[Mrfixit141414]

Just got my 2015 FFH back from Ford with New Transmission (covered by warranty). Build date on the car was 10/2014, noticed steadily loader engine noise/whine at 29k and brought it in at 30k. Per the repair sheet, TSB 16-0105 was performed and after tearing it down found bearings were pitted and case [dampener] damaged.

[lolder]

If you look at the Aisin and Ford Transmissions, they look very similar in architecture, so much so that it's unlikely different bearings were used. Bearings are ho-hum parts. How can you screw that up so badly? It appears that Ford is not going to stand behind those that fail out of warranty. Disgraceful!

[ptjones]

If you look at the Aisin and Ford Transmissions, they look very similar in architecture, so much so that it's unlikely different bearings were used. Bearings are ho-hum parts. How can you screw that up so badly? It appears that Ford is not going to stand behind those that fail out of warranty. Disgraceful!

FORD does offer to extend warranties up to around 130+K miles which I did to make sure I was covered. :)

 

Paul

[lolder]

Well that's good to hear. I wonder if they will volunteer that extension to owners or will they have to dig for it?

[ptjones]

Hybrid Warranty is 8yr/100k miles minimum and 150k miles in a few states. Mine failed at 97k miles and gave advanced notice watching TFT which started going up about 5-10k miles ahead of time. Then it started to make noise gradually getting loader over the next 3k miles and I was on a trip, didn't want it to fail out in the middle of no where so I got it fixed at Rich FORD in Albuquerque, NM. I extended my Warranty before trip so I didn't have to worry about it. :) Hopefully members read this and never allow their cars to get out of warranty.

 

Paul

[lolder]

So I gather you paid for an extended warranty?

[md13ffhguy]

Pretty sure that's what he meant.

[mwr]

Under what part of the standard warranty is the transmission covered?

[ptjones]

mwr "Under what part of the standard warranty is the transmission covered?"

___________________________________________________________

The Hybrid Warranty, Post#16 :)

 

Paul

Edited October 8, 2016 by ptjones

[nafzimo]

My 2013 Fusion Hybrid, built 10/31/2012, was making this grinding noise, seemingly when the regen braking was active. It also started a loud whine when coming to a stop. I drove it that way for about 1000 miles and took it to the dealer with 96,750 miles on the car. They had it exactly two months while I drove the dealership's loaner. I got it back today, finally fixed! They told me parts back ordered but I suspect it was not looked at for the first 4 weeks (they told me at 2.5 weeks that they hadn't gotten it in yet).

The paperwork says:

SEE TSB 16-0105

REMOVE TRANS, DISASSEMBLE TRANS FOUND DAMAGE ON TRANSFER SHAFT BEARINGS. INSTALL TRANSFER SHAFT KIT AND REINSTALL TRANS. FLUSH FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. TOP OFF COOLANT AND TRANS FLUID. SET FRONT TOE. TEST DRIVE OK AT THIS TIME.

 

Hoping this was a permanent fix to the issue. Any idea why they "SET FRONT TOE"?

[ptjones]

My 2013 Fusion Hybrid, built 10/31/2012, was making this grinding noise, seemingly when the regen braking was active. It also started a loud whine when coming to a stop. I drove it that way for about 1000 miles and took it to the dealer with 96,750 miles on the car. They had it exactly two months while I drove the dealership's loaner. I got it back today, finally fixed! They told me parts back ordered but I suspect it was not looked at for the first 4 weeks (they told me at 2.5 weeks that they hadn't gotten it in yet).

The paperwork says:

SEE TSB 16-0105

REMOVE TRANS, DISASSEMBLE TRANS FOUND DAMAGE ON TRANSFER SHAFT BEARINGS. INSTALL TRANSFER SHAFT KIT AND REINSTALL TRANS. FLUSH FLUID COOLING SYSTEM. TOP OFF COOLANT AND TRANS FLUID. SET FRONT TOE. TEST DRIVE OK AT THIS TIME.

 

Hoping this was a permanent fix to the issue. Any idea why they "SET FRONT TOE"?

The Front Toe may have been off from removing Trans or off before. Interesting that they are working on Trans now, Mine they just replaced. :)

 

Paul

[veffremov]

Our 2013 FFH 105k miles, built November 2012 - transmission failed with grinding noise. The car showed no check - engine light or other error signals. Car stopped in the middle of the street, unable to move. Turning the car off, then back on again - we were able to drive a block to the dealer. I can hear a loud grinding noise when the gas pedal was depressed. The dealer diagnosis was bad transmission, recommended installing a replacement to the cost of $8000 + tax. After some back and forth offered to lower the price to $5100 + tax.

 

Ford customer service rep refused any assistance with the repair, stating warranty had expired. I tried arguing that the problem appears to be factory/design issue, but the rep kept repeating "sorry sir, we have no programs that would enable us to assist you in any way".

 

For the record we has ESP up to 100k miles, expired Dec 2017 - we never made any claims on it. Car was fully maintained at Santa Margarita Ford all records are up to date.

 

So add one to the list.

[lolder]

I rest my case against Ford, Texasota !

 

Since your car failed on the road, file a report with NHTSA here: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

Edited March 8, 2018 by lolder

[Texasota]

I rest my case against Ford, Texasota !

 

Since your car failed on the road, file a report with NHTSA here: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

 

This is indeed bad luck for veffremov. Sorry that you had this happen to your transmission at 5000 miles after the warranty.

 

According to Wikipedia Ford sold 37,270 FFHs in 2013 and 35,405 FFHs in 2014. For sake of argument lets assume the Wikipedia numbers are "ball park" accurate. That means there are 72,675 FFHs that were sold that possibly have the issue causing the transmission failure. Only Ford knows what the failure rate is on these transmissions but it does not even show up as a blip in Consumer Reports reliability data. It is probably reasonable to assume that the failure rate is a low single digit percentage. Of that small percentage it is probably a tiny fraction of them that have not been repaired under the 8/100,000 hybrid component warranty. Veffremov may be the first one reported on this forum (I don't recall others). From everything I have seen Ford has been very good about replacing these transmission when they fail under the warranty period. I suspect PT and others would agree.

 

Among your dozens of emotional and repetitious posts regarding this subject you have stated over and over that Ford should issue a recall. I assume your argument is that Ford should recall all of those 72,675 FFHs and replace the transmissions free of charge because a minuscule fraction of them might fail after the 8/100,000 hybrid component warranty. Is that your "case"? Really? If that is your "case", then in my opinion it is an absurdly ridiculous demand/expectation. No car company or other manufacturer in their right mind would do such a thing. At lease not ones that want to remain financially viable. If it was a safety issue that puts peoples lives at risk such (such as the Takata air bags), then you would clearly have a "case" for a recall. But this is clearly not a safety issue and you are lost out in the weeds.

 

Ford provided a "good will" warranty extension and reimbursement (for costs previously paid outside of warranty) regarding the Ford Focus transmission problem. Perhaps they might do something like that for the 2013/2014 FFHs but I would be surprised given that Ford's warranty of 100,000 miles is already very impressive. It was a factor in my decision to purchase my 2015 FFH. Cars are getting more reliable but transmission failures still happen. Chrysler has had some very bad history with their minivan transmissions. Veffremov will have to shell out $5100 and that is painful but it appears to be on the low end of the average cost ($4000-$8000 is a typical range for new transmissions).

 

For some reason this subject has caused a deeply emotional and bordering on irrational reaction in you which is tough understand given that you don't even own one of these cars. You have clearly expressed your opinion regarding this issue dozens and dozens of times. Maybe consider giving it a rest? Or at a minimum consider simply providing a link to any one of your previous posts when you feel the need?