Transmission problems

[con_fusion]

Interesting... A few others have speculated that there could be a connection between Ford's 6F35 issues and the throttle body. I've got some minor shift quality issues persisting despite a rebuild, primarily on the first few 1-2 ans 2-3 shifts of a driving session. I'll try bumping up the gas quality on my next fill up and see if it makes any difference. That said, it is possible the weather changed since you filled your tank? My 6F35 tends to perform better on very warm days.

 

I've seen some comments regarding the possible link between the TB and the trans. I've wondered about that too. My 2010 has always had a pause when shifting between 1->2 and 2->3. Even in select shift mode when quickly shifting there is a delay or pause. Even after the trans was rebuilt, TSBs applied etc. Maybe my TB is a ticking timebomb?

 

Someone mentioned having that issue and it went away after they had the TB replaced...

[con_fusion]

Just an update -

 

A couple of months ago TSB 11-12-08 was applied to my 2010.

 

It seems like it helped a bit overall but today I drove my car after it sat for 5 days and when I went to drive out of the neighborhood....2->3 flared. It did it each 2->3 shift for about 3-4 times.

 

So the flares are one thing that are supposed to be addressed in the TSB but it doesn't seem to help if it sits (or at least mine sits) for several days.

 

The text from 11-12-08 is listed in this thread: http://www.escape-city.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=13006

[Bojib]

I'm new here, and I guess I'll add my story to the mix.

 

I purchased a 2011 SEL a little over a month back. I didn't notice any flare issue when I first drove it, but it was probably getting test drove pretty regular while on the lot. After making the purchase, and leaving the car sitting for a few days, I noticed the flare between the 2-3 shift. It only happened on the first couple of times it ran through the gears, and then disappeared. I also noticed, if I only let the car sit a day or two, the flare isn't noticeable, maybe a slight hesitation between the 2-3 shift, but not a flare.

 

I did notice the flare only happened if I let the car sit 3+ days without driving. It's not our daily driver, so that happens pretty often.

 

I took it back to the dealership, since the car is still well within warranty. They did a TSB that called for a reprogram of the transmission, I don't know which one right off, I don't have the papers nearby to check, but I'm sure whatever was most recent for the mid July time period.

 

Initially, it seemed like the reprogram did help, but I was driving the car pretty regular at the time. Once it got to sit 3+ days again, when I drove it, it flared between the 2-3 shift. It did appear as though the car didn't rev up as much between gears as before, it held RPMs steady instead of reving up like the initial flares when I first bought it. There was still a long delay between shifting, but again, after running through the gears a couple times it goes away completely and the gear changes are barely noticeable.

 

I don't know how to take the issue right now. If the car was a daily driver, the problem wouldn't even be noticeable. Since it's not, it is noticeable. I don't know how damaging it really is. I also suspect that many more cars probably have the problem, but being daily drivers the owners probably don't notice any weird shifting problems. Also, some people just might not notice it, my wife doesn't notice the flare even when I point it out to her.

 

Right now, I'm inclined not to worry about it too much. I have a good deal of powertrain warranty left, and I'll most like purchase the Ford extended service plan soon to extend that out a little further.

 

Edit: The TSB was number 11-9-9.

Edited July 27, 2012 by Bojib

[ElKabong]

Just thought I'd check back in. This rebuild happened at 33k, now I'm at 36.5k and it's running just like it did after the rebuild, so I think it's holding up ok.

 

I'm getting between 23 and 24 MPG according to FuelLog (android software). The car is telling me 24.6 today when I filled it up. I'm quite satisfied with that.

 

And checking in again, now at 46k miles, still functions as after the rebuild. Cold weather shifts when cold are a bit abrupt but it softens up within a short distance. I'm seeing between 24 and 25 MPG using FuelLog, which I think is acceptable for the 3.0 V6 driven in mixed mode every day.

[Jo7hs2]

Glad to hear they were generally successful at repairing your transmission.

[joebullits]

Well I feel I'm in good company with all of you regarding Fusion "flare" problems. I purchased a 2012 Fusion SEL 2.4l in July of 2012 and within a couple months noticed a mild slip between 1&2 shifts. Took it in they could not duplicate. Went to Florida it never happened, came back to Cleveland, Oh...After sitting for 2 days flare between 1&2 and 2&3 shifts. Took to dealer in September 2012...could not duplicate. Took it home & same issue after sitting two days.

Returned to dealer 10-2-12 dropped off at dealer again. Let it sit for two days. I drove & tech rode shotgun with computor. You guessed it, first time it did not flare after sitting two days. Well its sitting at the dealer for the weekend, I'll be there monday morning & we;ll see what transpires. I'll let you all know.

PS..it only has 10,000miles

[bhohn0]

Just so you all know, there is another TSB out for the 6F35's. I had it done on mine yesterday. It is TSB 12-6-12. Too early to tell if it it any better. At first it seemed awesome, but as it is learning to shift not so much.

[con_fusion]

Just so you all know, there is another TSB out for the 6F35's. I had it done on mine yesterday. It is TSB 12-6-12. Too early to tell if it it any better. At first it seemed awesome, but as it is learning to shift not so much.

 

That's the weird thing. Mine has really been shifting crappy and herky jerky lately. I'm not sure if it's the rolling hills I'm driving on. I'm thinking of wiping out my adaptive programming by pulling the battery cable. It ALWAYS seems to shift better after a reset and then slowly becomes crappy again. I'm due for an oil change in the next few weeks. Can't wait to see how this new dealer in a new state goes... It also makes me wonder if my TB could be impacting this.

[dbs]

_{The transmission on my 2010 Fusion went out at 53K mi. First gear and reverse went out. Fortunately it was under warranty but that should not have happened. I am wondering how long the factory rebuild will last. It has slipped only once that i noticed and i am now at 60k mi. But my original transmission only slipped once or twice too. How many people out there have gotten 100k mi with this transmission? I like the car otherwise, but if this is a defective design, i want to trade it off. Especially if this design flaw will start to affect resale value.}

Edited January 25, 2013 by dbs

[marcjy]

i am going to add that my 2010 Merc Milan (Fusion platform) has a hard shifting tranny. ever since i bought it. the dealer checked it out and said it was o.k. but, it isn't and i am just waiting for the clutch to go out hopefully under extended warranty, so it will be fixed (maybe). i like everything else about the car, but as i understand it this tranny has been problematic for many, many owners over the years. add me to the list. Ford has recent problems with their trannies as i recall in the Focus causing a downgrade in Consumer Reports. also, my passengers have noticed the problem, they felt the hard shift and look at me and say, ah, what? should have bought a Nissan Altima.

[hermans]

i am going to add that my 2010 Merc Milan (Fusion platform) has a hard shifting tranny. ever since i bought it. the dealer checked it out and said it was o.k. but, it isn't and i am just waiting for the clutch to go out hopefully under extended warranty, so it will be fixed (maybe). i like everything else about the car, but as i understand it this tranny has been problematic for many, many owners over the years. add me to the list. Ford has recent problems with their trannies as i recall in the Focus causing a downgrade in Consumer Reports. also, my passengers have noticed the problem, they felt the hard shift and look at me and say, ah, what? should have bought a Nissan Altima.

There is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that has been out for quite awhile on the 2010 hard shifting issue. TSB 09-18-3. It's a computer adjustment. Mine was shifting hard and the dealer performed the update and it's been fine ever since.

Edited January 7, 2013 by hermans

[dbs]

just a follow up on my drivetrain issues...The rebuilt transmission is holding up. It went out at 50K and i now have 65K. But another issue - My PCM went out at 60K. fortunately it was replaced under warranty and the replacement is working fine. I just wonder why there are so many issues with this car. Maybe the PCM and transmission problems were related all along. who knows.