So I have been very happy with my 2011 EcoBoost 4x4 screw with 109,000 miles under her belt.

Sadly last week I started getting an odd transmission problem where the truck would shift up to 3rd as normal, and then stick until I shifted out of drive and back in. It would then go up to 6th gear as normal. This only happened 3-4 times through the week, but the light came on and I took it into the shop.

They came back today stating that the codes pulled indicate valves and seals need replacing. This is a roughly $1,500 job, and they mentioned they have seen this before on the new Ford 6 speed and this may only be a symptom of the transmission failing. They advised replacing the entire trans, a $5,000-$6,000 job.

My question to you fine folks.

Have you heard of this before now?

If so, is there another option they have not mentioned?

Lastly, would you invest 5-6k in a truck with over 100,000 miles and worth around 19k? Or would you go the cheaper route and only fix valves/seals? Or even just cut your losses and try to trade for a newer model. (Please keep in mind, our budget is tight so a higher truck payment (we are at $380 w/ 3 years left) is not really in the cards at the moment)

Thank you for any advice or experience you can provide.

Below is a picture of my truck on the drive home from the dealership and then again a month ago on a vacation to MI.

 

Was faced with the same situation a few weeks ago. Transmission in my wife's 2007 Mercury Mariner 4wd went out. Vehicle is worth maybe 5K with an operating transmission. Had an independent garage put a Ford remanufactured transmission in it. If Took it to a dealer to trade it in on a new car, they would only give me about 1K with the transmission out. The car is back in good condition now, everything works. Has a three year warrantee on the transmission. You should be able to find a remanufactured transmission for a lot less that 5 to 6K. Paid $4300 installed on the Mariner. A lot less labor is required to replace a transmission in a rear drive vehicle.

 

A new transmission is better than a car payment (unless you have the cash for a new truck). Just my $0.02

 

Thanks for the $0.02, but I have a payment on this one as we got it used in January 2014.


As for the trans cost, I believe the $5-$6k number included installation.


My current thought is to do the $1,500 fix, to get me through the winter and then trade it for a younger model in the spring. still not ideal as I was hopping to keep this truck for at least the next 3-5 years or until it got to about 180,000.

 

Don't know if it would affect your truck but my truck had an oddball trans shift to it and flashing the computer with the latest calibration fixed it.

Something the dealer or someone with IDS is required to even find out if the calibration is the latest.
.

 

Take it for a 2nd opinion.

 

The first thing I would do is drop the pan check for debris in the pan if it shows very little then change the filter and fluid and keep on trucking. If the pan has a lot of debris [clutch and band lining then start shopping for a reman or low mileage used trany or check with an independent trans shop I'm sure you can beat the dealer price.

 

Sadly the price I got was from a stand alone shop, and not a dealer. They have done right by me in the past with other vehicles when I get over my head. However the plan is to pick it up tonight, and drop it at another shop over the weekend to have a second opinion. If the second shop comes up with the same conclusion, then I will start looking at my options for who can do the work at the best price.


I really hate to take it to Ford as they charge $180 just for me sign the truck in. That is applied towards whatever work they need to do, but I am sure Ford would charge me twice what a small shop would, so I would like to avoid a dealer trip if I can. On the other hand, if this is a computer problem, I think only Ford will have the tech required to address it and save me getting a new trans. (I really hopped when starting this thread, I would have like 6 posts saying "update your computer and your good", but alas that did not happen.... yet)


Correct me if I am wrong, but our 6 speed trans, is a sealed transmission and the advice is to leave it alone until 150k. Does anyone think, that a simple fluid change would help resolve the issue?

 

you can try contacting the Ford Reps on here after your second opinion if it comes to the same conclusion. Ford might and might not help with the bill.

In my mind Ford should back their tranny if it truely is a 150K service free tranny.

Other option do the tranny yourself. Shouldn't be impossible if you have a jack or two with stands.

 

http://www.automotix.net/usedtransmi...75ac&seq_num=8

Seen one with miles as low as 6k and 12K for 1351$ with a 1year warranty.