CarComplaints.com Notes: Power steering problems started rearing their ugly head in the 2010 Fusion, so you'd think Ford had plenty of time to make sure those problems didn't creep into the 2012. But here we are.
Had same problems with transmission since I bought it with 10,000 km. The shift was rough in the lower gears and worst when it was cold. The dealer reprogramed the computer, replaced the driveshaft and still did not fix the problem. A month or so ago, the line from the Rad to the Transmission rusted off and all the transmission fluid ran out. The line was replaced and new fluid put in. The transmission shifted perfectly for about two weeks and then went back to rough shifting again.
Around the beginning of October 2015, the second line from the Rad to the Transmission broke. At this time I called Roadside assist and took it to the Dealer. They replaced both lines and charged me $600. They said that it was not covered under the powertrain warranty. I also rented a car for 4 days. With the new lines and fluid, I drove the car for about a week. It shifted perfect. I noticed something new with the transmission. It was slipping on the inclines. A note to all these problems, there were no warning lights or trouble codes for any of this.
I reported this to the Dealer. They checked it and told me they could not recreate the problem. I asked that they check it again with an added statement that I have had trouble with this transmission since I had this car. Also, my warranty is nearly up. They checked it again and said that there was something. They would need to break down the transmission to diagnose the problem. They said that if there was foul play, it would be at my cost. Confident that were finally getting somewhere, I said go ahead. They gave us a rental at their expense. Thank you.
They came back in a couple of days and said that the problem was caused by a failed Radiator. Apparently, the transmission cooler is enclosed within the radiator. It did not leak externally, but did transfer the antifreeze and the transmission fluid. They tell me it is not covered under the Powertrain Warranty because the Bumper to Bumper which covered the radiator was out at $60,000 km. I was told I can rebuild it for $3600 or buy a used transmission and it would be $3200. The rates quoted included a loyalty discount.
I call Ford customer service and they listened to my story and called me back in a couple of hours. They said there was no program in place at this time to cover this. They would keep it on file in case this became a recall item. I contend that first they should use a line between the transmission and radiator that doesn't rust. ( Stainless and stains less - what a joke).
Secondly, I believed the two are related because the transmission shifted perfectly for a couple of weeks after the new fluid was installed. I think that the transmission gave out finally because it was driven without the fluid. This happened because there is no warning lights or codes to indicate a problem to the driver. If you check fluid levels, you are not look for contamination in your radiator or your transmission. The mechanic at the dealer is also not looking for contamination.
I would suggest to all who have complained about the rough shifting to check for contamination of antifreeze into the transmission and transmission fluid in the radiator. If this is the problem, then maybe we can make a case to ford and get this covered under a recall.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Had same problems with transmission since I bought it with 10,000 km. The shift was rough in the lower gears and worst when it was cold. The dealer reprogramed the computer, replaced the driveshaft and still did not fix the problem. A month or so ago, the line from the Rad to the Transmission rusted off and all the transmission fluid ran out. The line was replaced and new fluid put in. The transmission shifted perfectly for about two weeks and then went back to rough shifting again.
Around the beginning of October 2015, the second line from the Rad to the Transmission broke. At this time I called Roadside assist and took it to the Dealer. They replaced both lines and charged me $600. They said that it was not covered under the powertrain warranty. I also rented a car for 4 days. With the new lines and fluid, I drove the car for about a week. It shifted perfect. I noticed something new with the transmission. It was slipping on the inclines. A note to all these problems, there were no warning lights or trouble codes for any of this.
I reported this to the Dealer. They checked it and told me they could not recreate the problem. I asked that they check it again with an added statement that I have had trouble with this transmission since I had this car. Also, my warranty is nearly up. They checked it again and said that there was something. They would need to break down the transmission to diagnose the problem. They said that if there was foul play, it would be at my cost. Confident that were finally getting somewhere, I said go ahead. They gave us a rental at their expense. Thank you.
They came back in a couple of days and said that the problem was caused by a failed Radiator. Apparently, the transmission cooler is enclosed within the radiator. It did not leak externally, but did transfer the antifreeze and the transmission fluid. They tell me it is not covered under the Powertrain Warranty because the Bumper to Bumper which covered the radiator was out at $60,000 km. I was told I can rebuild it for $3600 or buy a used transmission and it would be $3200. The rates quoted included a loyalty discount.
I call Ford customer service and they listened to my story and called me back in a couple of hours. They said there was no program in place at this time to cover this. They would keep it on file in case this became a recall item. I contend that first they should use a line between the transmission and radiator that doesn't rust. ( Stainless and stains less - what a joke).
Secondly, I believed the two are related because the transmission shifted perfectly for a couple of weeks after the new fluid was installed. I think that the transmission gave out finally because it was driven without the fluid. This happened because there is no warning lights or codes to indicate a problem to the driver. If you check fluid levels, you are not look for contamination in your radiator or your transmission. The mechanic at the dealer is also not looking for contamination.
I would suggest to all who have complained about the rough shifting to check for contamination of antifreeze into the transmission and transmission fluid in the radiator. If this is the problem, then maybe we can make a case to ford and get this covered under a recall.
- wthorne, Blaketown, NL, Canada