Dreaded TSB No. 14B07 transmission issue. New user here, need help!

[net48734]

Long story short.. I need help....

First time poster here.. I made an account to ask this specific question in hopes that you people here can help me.

 

My wife bought a 2013 Fusion Hybrid 1 year ago or so from a large well known Ford dealer here in MI. Fast forward to Sept of this year and we notice a dime size spot of tranny fluid on garage floor. Called dealer and took car in. The vehicle does have an aftermarket warranty from Alpha warranty services. Never buy from them.... We get call from dealership that transmission is toast and the transfer shaft can be moved back and forth by hand and you shouldnt be able to do that I assume. Almost a 9800$ cost to fix, which I find is absolutely ridiculous for a car with a fair market price of 7-9K. Warranty company is denying claim because they say they do not cover mechanical breakdowns because of a fluid leak. Now mind you when fluid was found it was parked and taken in the next available appointment time.

So, now im fighting with dealership and warranty company. Heres my questions... I found this Customer Satisfaction Program 14B07 that details Ford was fixing this problem from an outstanding field service issue. I know this program was years ago now as I read through the threads on this topic but I believe my wifes car tranny failed from this outstanding field service issue. I have looked up the VIN on Fordetis and its lists no outstanding field issue actions for the car. Only an (access to goasis (196)? Not sure what that even means, but seems like server update issue.

 

Now to today, I am getting no help from dealership or warranty co. (no surprise) and Im wondering... how would I find out the previous owner got a letter for this problem, and if he/she in turn got it fixed or it was it ever done? And if he did... if a new transmission was put in what is the warranty for these transmissions that were replaced? We only bought this car a year ago....I realize this is a TSB and not a formal recall, but if my wifes cars VIN falls within the affected vehicles build dates and assembly plant (which from what I as a consumer can see was manufactured in Mexico and during that build time) and resembles the same exact problem that it describes in that 14B07 program. Im lost. We owe probably 10K on a car with a transmission failure that costs more than what we almost owe on this car. I need to know if this previous owner A. got this letter and B. Had it replaced. I also need advice... what the hell do I do? I am at a loss here and Im being jerked around by the dealership and warranty company. Im asking please.....any help would be greatly appreciated....

Edited October 28, 2019 by net48734

[billford]

Hybrid parts including the transmission is covered under the ford factory hybrid warranty, 8 years, 100,000 miles. The 8 years starts from the in-service date, when the original owner took delivery. You didn't post your mileage, so it may or may not be covered.

 

14B07 expired long ago, anything to do with it will not apply today.

 

Aftermarket warranties all vary. What they told you may be different from the contract you purchased. Can scan it and post it?

 

What is the root cause of the leak? Was it an internal problem that broke apart and put a hole in the case? Was it a sealing problem? Was there any abnormal noise before you noticed the leak? Was there still fluid in it when the dealer checked it? How low was it?

 

 

 

Warranty company is denying claim because they say they do not cover mechanical breakdowns because of a fluid leak.

 

I can understand this if your aftermarket warranty does not cover seals and gaskets, if the fluid is empty because of a seal or gasket failure, there certainly will be a mechanical breakdown.

 

On the flip side, if a mechanical breakdown caused the fluid leak, like a hole in the transmission case, they should cover it if your warranty includes your transmission.

 

If its out of factory warranty, you need to work with the dealer, (preferably with the tech, not the service writer) to determine the sequence of events, document it and carefully read your aftermarket warranty to see if its covered.

Edited October 28, 2019 by billford

[net48734]

The car has a little over 140k. The tech said he could move the transfer shaft with his hand and he shouldn't be able to... they did not explicitly say what caused the leak. I will contact them about that..but I just know that the 14b07 was specifically about the transfer shaft bearing wearing and that causing trans failure. If that is the case and my wifes case was fixed than what would the warranty be for the transmissions they did repair?

[net48734]

Ford tech said it was failed transfer shaft from a bad bearing.

[net48734]

He also noted that the fluid leak was not caused from a seal but from mechanical breakdown.

[billford]

Tsb 18-2328 is the same as 14B07, but none apply to you since its out of warranty by mileage

 

Doing either of these within the warranty period does not extend your factory warranty. But, if they were done days or a few weeks before your factory warranty ran out, they will usually give you a few months of parts warranty. Since your 40K over the limit, I don't believe your eligible if either were done during the warranty period.

 

If you return to your selling dealer and have been doing your regular maintenance with them, they sometimes will give you "goodwill assistance" after the warranty period is over . You may want to ask nicely to see if they will help you out. Its a case by case basis. The more money you spent there, the stronger your case is. Let them see all your receipts when you ask.

 

If all fails with the dealer, go after the warranty company. Get the tech to document everything in writing, get pictures of the failed components and the area of the leak. If the transmission internal components are covered under your policy, I can't see why they would deny coverage. Sometimes the warranty company will send an independent consultant. You can ask they send one if they still deny the claim.

 

Good luck.

Edited October 29, 2019 by billford

[net48734]

They sent an independent 'adjuster' who denied claim. Said there was no trans fluid and thats what cause issue. But Ford tech said it was mechanical issue that caused the leak. We have been doing all maintenance as required with this vehicle. As matter of fact Fords recommended service with the transmission in these hybrid vehicles are to change transmission oil at 150K and we have not reached that yet. Sad to say... no help from dealership or Ford. Even though this was a documented issue in these years and build dates.

Sad to say, I will never walk into another ford dealership again.

[billford]

Sorry to hear that.

 

Its still not clear if the ford tech drained any fluid out. Its an important detail that can help you fight the warranty company.

 

 

 

Did it make some type of grinding, whining noise long before all this happened? Usually that's a warning sign.

 

These transmissions also do not have dipsticks that you can easily check the fluid level and condition. There is a plug on the side of the case for this but its not easy for most owners to access. I don't think the owners manual even says to check it, just to change the fluid at certain mileage, as you wrote.

 

These also had a problem with case leaks, there is a tsb on this. Possibly the fluid leaked out slowly without you noticing it.

 

Was it ever in a front end accident before or during your ownership? If the trans cooler was damaged or replaced, its possible it was never filled properly.

Edited October 30, 2019 by billford

[net48734]

These hybrid cars seem loud...it did to me anyway. Im very keen on car maintenance and do my own on my car. The moment we noticed a leak it was taken to the dealership. But it was a quarter size leak. Im just so confused on tsbs, ssm and specifically the tsb that was directly related to the HF35 transmission. It says right in the print that "Dealers are to disassemble and inspect the transmission for damage or excessive wear, then either repair or replace the transmission as needed. This service must be performed on all affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner."

So if Ford was replacing this transmission how do I know if the trans in wifes car was indeed one of these ones that warranted that problem? The car literally has the same mechanical problem stated in that tsb. And if they were replacing them why would there ever be a time frame deadline to it? The Ford tech said a mechanical failure that in turn caused a leak obviously just in turn caused more problems and ruining the transmission. I just cannot believe we are being so screwd over by the dealership and by the warranty company. Owing 10K on a car with a 9K transmission problem is just unbelievable to me. I dont even know how we would ever get out of this..

[net48734]

Sorry to hear that.

 

Its still not clear if the ford tech drained any fluid out. Its an important detail that can help you fight the warranty company.

 

I didnt ask specifically if he did or not. Regardless it wasnt a seal leak that caused the issue. It was a mechanical breakdown that caused the transfer shaft to enter the housing. (His words)