So I hadnt told you all, but I lost the arbitration. Here is the info I was given in the Denial report, and I quote:
"Question 1 it is determined that a {Please list below} decision is a fair resolution of this dispute,
Denial
b For the following reasons, the decision listed above is a fair resolution of this dispute. (If relevant, explain how lemon law standards apply to the facts in this case)
Less than the required days out of service, ten vs. thirty. Alleged defect does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle to the reasonable consumer. "

So basically, it wasnt out of service for more than 30 days and the mediator in his ultimate wisdom didnt think that the issue is going to be a problem for safety or value of the truck. I wasnt able to reproduce the issue, though I did show him 4 of the worst clunking videos that have been posted by myself and others.
The above reasons listed are the absolute worst and minimally worded I have ever seen for a decision, and I've done 4 plus arbitrations in my life and only lost 1. In each case the mediator typed up some nice information why I won or lost the case, and why he felt the decision went the way it did. This guy did very little, and during the hearing, didnt even seem to be paying any attention.
I have no doubt that he was either lazy and didnt want to write anything or Ford bought him off and he was biased. I presented so much paperwork for him to go thru, and emails from transmission specialists stating how this issue was NOT normal, so I dont see how he could have made this decision. I rejected the decision, so now I'm free to pursue other legal methods, so I intend to start a class action lawsuit. It really sucks that Ford stated in the hearing that this clunk is normal, the dealerships said it was normal and a Field Service Engineer (FSE) said it was normal. I guess the mediator believed them. In my state, the arbitration paper work states:

TECHNICAL EXPERTS
At the request of the arbitrator or by agreement of both parties, we will make every effort to obtain an impartial technical expert to inspect the vehicle involved in the dispute. In some cases, to the extent permitted by state law, we will automatically appoint an impartial technical expert to examine your vehicle prior to the arbitration. (Please check the manufacturer’s Program Summary to see if a mandated technical inspection will apply to your case.)
If there is an inspection by an impartial technical expert, the consumer will be contacted by the technical expert to arrange the inspection. To maintain the technical expert’s impartiality, the consumer should not speak with the expert, except to arrange access to the vehicle for inspection, nor accompany the technical expert on the test drive of the vehicle.
The impartial technical expert’s findings will be presented in writing before, during or after the hearing as appropriate to the process. Both parties will have an opportunity to evaluate and comment on the qualifications and findings of the technical expert. The parties agree that they will not contact the impartial technical expert at any time, including after the arbitration case has closed, in relation to the impartial technical expert’s findings. You also have the right to have your own technical expert serve as a witness at your own expense.

Well, what do you know, when I requested this of the BBB, they sent it to Ford and Ford declined to have the vehicle inspected by a 3rd party. Then in the hearing, I asked the mediator to also have a 3rd party inspect the vehicle, and he replied he would "take it under advisement", but he ended up not ordering the inspection!!
When I asked in the hearing, why Ford declined the 3rd party inspection, Ford said a 3rd party inspection wasnt necessary since their techs and FSE had already looked at the truck. So there you have it, in my opinion, a crappy/biased mediator (Phil Thompson) who failed to do his job correctly lost me the arbitration.

So, my advice to you, get as many shops as you can to state in writing that the issue is NOT normal, and make sure that any of these documents you get are sent to the BBB person AND Ford before the arbitration happens. SEND EVERYTHING TO FORD AND THE BBB.
I'm open to questions, and anyone can call me if they like, I'll send you my phone via private message.

 

yes my friend my 5L XLT 4x4 2018 makes the clunk, it doesn't do it always but it does, I have noticed it when I reverse and park. I will be calling the dealership on monday, on a separate but probably in the same note, I have also noticed a clunk during up shift. Could be related

 

I called my dealerships service department, talked to the service scheduling lady. I explained that for some reason there is power being put through the driveshaft on startup when the truck is in park, even making the truck bump back. I asked "why would there be power coming out the transfer case at all in park??" she said "yea that doesn't make any sense, you need to bring that by this week if you can." She talked to somebody standing close by and I could hear them say "thats weird". I'm sure it won't take any time for somebody to jump in spewing their "it's normal" saying, but I really want to grill somebody about WHY IS THERE POWER COMING OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE IN PARK, and see if they can give me an explanation. If its so normal, why can they not explain? We shall see

 

They are going to say its got to do with the parking pawl and the clutch packs being engaged, And unless you have a transmssion shop give you a good analysis to take to the dealership, yiu wont be able to counter anything they say..Record anything the dealership tells you, and make sure that the paperwork they give you states exactly what you complained about, and what they say the reason is for the clunk. DONT just let them say its normal or nothing abnormal found. Trust me.

 

I'll do that As mentioned, the more people that bring it up, the more of a chance they will have to address it.

 

 

Add me to the list.

2018 2.7L FX4 - makes a "clunk" noise within a second after using the remote start. Does not happen every time.

 

Hello everyone, I took my 2018 XLT 5L to the dealer this past Friday for the clunk. And as I expected I was told the clunk was within specifications and that is normal to hear it. I knew that they would say that, it almost seems that they are trained to say this. well I brought with me a video of the clunk and asked for a copy. They said they would open a report that will be sent to ford engineering department, I'm not holding my breath. We need to make Ford hear us, These trucks aren't cheap and they have no problem collecting our money. My truck only has 5000 k's on it and I am so depressed that I put my trust and hard earned money into these company. Any suggestions on what I should do next?

 

I found this article about a transmission related recall, don't know if anyone else has seen this
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/04/06/...-transmission/

 

Any updates on this?