Cracked Flexplate?

[SweetRyd]

Hi Fellow Fusion Fans!

 

Feeling bummed as I am in day 4 of a cheap, tiny loaner car in my driveway to which I not-so-lovingly refer to as my Granny car. My beloved 2011 Fusion Sport, automatic, which I leased new and then purchased last year, with only 45,00 miles to it, began having issues about 4 weeks ago. Although I always let it warm up a few minutes in cold weather (a good 10 mins on first morning start), I noticed some slippage in shifting from 1st to 2nd. The engine would rev, but wouldn't shift unless I let way off gas. That made pulling out onto a busy street rather difficult.

 

Around this same time, I began getting a quick double screech (like you would get from a belt) only on the first cold start in the morning. That was soon followed by a tapping noise, seeming to come from near bell housing. (My son is a certified mechanic, that's how I know!) The tapping was a fast 5 taps, drum roll, 5 taps, drum roll....that's the only way I can describe it! All fluids had been checked and were good and no leaks. If you put it in gear, the noise stopped. As it warmed up, the noise got quieter until it could not be heard. Because we have no lift to use and the transmission is still under warranty, my son advised I get it into Ford asap. He wondered if maybe it could be a cracked flexplate but said it's difficult to tell.

 

So I drop it off at night at my local Ford dealership, sharing everything I just shared with you. I repeatedly advised they must listen for noise at first morning start up. Well I felt as if I was being ignored for two days as I had to keep calling them and they were either out to lunch or in a meeting. Sure. Whenever I did get them on the phone, they supposedly have heard no noise. Ok, I'm done. I want my car back to go elsewhere. I arrive a rather unhappy customer to retrieve my car when the service mgr. got involved. We go outside to start it and low & behold! There's the noise! Loud as could be! Hmmmmmm........Didn't hear for 2 days?? They convinced me to let them keep it one more night and put their 'best' tech on it first thing in the morning. I reluctantly left in the crappy loaner as I was concerned about damaging the transmission if I drove mine. The manager called the next morning saying they THINK it's a cracked flexplate and will need to drop the transmission. No worries though. It's all under warranty. No worries?? Really? How does a flexplate just crack?? Do I have company out there somewhere? Has anyone heard of this at 45,000 miles?? I have always taken excellent care of my car. To the point where some might call me obsessed! I now have a fairly large car loan and feel it may never be the same car.

 

[FordService]

...The manager called the next morning saying they THINK it's a cracked flexplate and will need to drop the transmission...

 

 

Welcome to the forum, SweetRyd; I'm Crystal, the Ford Service rep here. It sounds like you've had a frustrating time, but I'm glad your dealer was able to diagnose this for you. I'd like to get this on your regional customer service manager's radar as well. To make that happen, send a private message (PM) my way with your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership. I'll do the rest.

 

Crystal

[11fusionsport]

Fellow 2011 fusion sport owner.

I changed my starter today made a world of difference at Idle. So quiet. No more grinding. I noticed the new starter has a hard plastic bushing the old one didnt. It was affecting my shifting somehow too...causing noisy shifts from park to drive....I too thought my flexplate was cracked or warped...but it was the starter.

[11fusionsport]

Turns out my starter wasnt retracting due to rust/scaling and debris. So it was making contact with flexplate

[dolan]

I have a 2013 ford fusion SE, I replaced my flexplate at about 87,00, miles, it was a loud noise and sounded like the engine was the problem, the way they found out was putting it on the lift and turning the engine,  I have a 10,000 mile warranty, well at about 94,000 it started the noise again, I took it to Sheridan auto Tech and they said they would have to take apart the engine, I told them no thanks, took it back to the same shop, and he is telling me that he needs to take it to the dealer, I hear these break if the bolt to the crank and torque converter are improperly torque, the mechanic told me this should be a recall issue, I love this car, does any one have the same problem? Also has any one changed the drivers side keypad out on the door pillar?

[joegonet]

Yes I do at this very moment.  2014 fusion in shop and it is going to cost me freaking 1700.00 to get repaired.  Son is using this car in Charlotte NC for a new job he took upon graduating college.  I wanted him to  have a dependable car to get to and from his first job.  (I live in the midwest)  I guess the joke is on me.  Seems to be an issue with the fusion and escape with the 2.5.  Ford at least should warranty this work or at least cut you a break on the labor.

[FusionRecallNow]

I found out after a regular oil change that my 2014 Ford Fusion engine flexplate cracked damaging the transmission oil pump and torque converter. The dealership is asking for $10K to replace the transmission and engine flexplate! Found a Ford document stating the same issues and repairs would be $0 cost to the customer BUT it only is for the 2019-2020 Fusion models. WHAT ABOUT THE OLDER FORD FUSION MODELS WITH THE SAME ISSUES!!! Here is the link: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10218899-0001.pdf. All I was told by a Ford rep over the phone as they do not have a recall on my year and working with the NATSA (national auto transportation safety administration) is if more complaints about the same problems on older models are reported to the NATSA to initiate an investigation.