Bronco Raptor Transmission Troubles Anyone?

[Bukin67]

Has anyone had issues with their transmission? I only have about 3800 miles on mine and now it's at the dealer service center.
It started about 2-1/2 weeks ago when we were leaving for a 6 week western state motorhome tour where we were attending 2 Bronco events, the Northwest Bronco Roundup which we made, and the Bronco Super Celebration West which we didn't.
When we were leaving and hooking it up to the tow bar, my wife started it up but it wouldn't go into drive, so I shut it of and re-started and of course it went in. I followed the Neutral Tow instructions by the book every time, which are pretty simple.
I didn't have any further issues for several days until I was at the first event in Oregon, where it wouldn't go into reverse a couple of times. other than that it was fine for a few days when I got into WA state. It started shifting hard, not going into reverse and then started going into random gears, like from 2nd to 8th then back. The service wrench light came on several times, and it even when into what I call 'limp mode without moving'. It was running, but had no throttle response.
I got it to the local Ford Dealer in Vancouver WA and luckily they agreed to take a look at it. (A huge thank you to Vancouver Ford!) They communicated with Ford after discovering the fluid was burned. They wanted to take care of it and order another transmission from Tenn., but because of the length of time that would take, I decided to take it to a dealer close to my home, so we cut our trip short by 4 weeks and lost over $500 in campground reservation cancellations!
I took it in to my local Ford Dealer this morning and was told I will get informed tomorrow of their prognosis. They did mention that this was the first issue of this kind they were aware of.
On another note, it flat-tows great!

Sponsored

 

[swamp2]

Crap, such a bummer. I've not seen this here on the forum but obviously not all owners are here. Hopefully the new unit is available quickly. Please share any information on cause. I'd guess it can't/won't be determined at the dealer level. Good luck.

 

[indio22]

How much of a pain is it to disconnect and tie up the driveshafts? I use to occasionally flat tow an old Mustang, and recall just to be on the safe side, disconnecting the drive shaft. Kind of a pain, but then you know 100% nothing else is spinning.

 

[Bukin67]

How much of a pain is it to disconnect and tie up the driveshafts? I use to occasionally flat tow an old Mustang, and recall just to be on the safe side, disconnecting the drive shaft. Kind of a pain, but then you know 100% nothing else is spinning.

When I’m not trailering, I sometimes flat tow my ‘67 Bronco with the rear drive shaft removed. You’re absolutely right about being 100% sure that nothing will be moving that’s not supposed to be, but one of the selling features of the 6g is the fact that you can prepare to flat tow electronically, which is the coolest thing since push button 4 wheel drive which I don’t have on my ‘67 either.
I really hope there isn’t an issue with the Neutral Tow system. Whatever the issue is should surface during the tear down.

 

[Bukin67]

Update: Today the service rep from the dealer contacted me to tell me that they were in contact with Ford who wants them to dissect the tranny to find out what the problem was. Then he told me that I was on the hook for the dissection to the tune of $5200 if it was determined that the issue wasn't covered by warranty.
I asked him what my options were and was told that I could pay to have a new tranny installed (which I didn't even ask how much), but it wouldn't be covered under warranty.
So it looks like I might have to go to the mattresses if this doesn't go my favor. I'll be on the hook for the dissection AND the new tranny. Just doesn't seem fair but it doesn't seem I have a choice?

 

[swamp2]

Ridiculous.

You have a nearly new truck, under warranty and your being held hostage with two terrible choices. If Ford wants the tear down, Ford should pay for it. If they don't want to pay for it, it should be replaced for free. The presumption of innocence here must hold - you didn't abuse or do anything to the truck AND you have a warranty. They need to replace the tranny per the warranty. I'd escalate to FMC directly and it that is unsuccessful you could try another dealer. Last option would be a firmly worded letter from an attorney.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Update: Today the service rep from the dealer contacted me to tell me that they were in contact with Ford who wants them to dissect the tranny to find out what the problem was. Then he told me that I was on the hook for the dissection to the tune of $5200 if it was determined that the issue wasn't covered by warranty.
I asked him what my options were and was told that I could pay to have a new tranny installed (which I didn't even ask how much), but it wouldn't be covered under warranty.
So it looks like I might have to go to the mattresses if this doesn't go my favor. I'll be on the hook for the dissection AND the new tranny. Just doesn't seem fair but it doesn't seem I have a choice?

Hi there, Randy. These transmission concerns doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Bronco. Could you please send us a DM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? To send a direct message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation". I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

I had an initial problem where it would not go into reverse on occasion. I took it in and they did a shifter lever and cable adjustment. The problem hasn’t come back since.

 

[Alfa]

Keep us posted on the resolution. One of the big reasons I went with the Bronco was the flat towing capability.

 

[Bukin67]

Update:
Just discussed with the dealer that the claim is being denied because Ford is saying I towed incorrectly. I had him send me in writing what they found.

"good afternoon: check oasis found gsb 22-7086, removed and disassemble the transmission found internal damage as described in gsm, overheated planetaries, grooved sun gear bushing, broken rear planetary and ring gear splines, as per the gsm the transmission is considered non-warrantable"

I only towed it a handful of times and All I can say is I ALWAYS followed Neutral Tow protocol so this is ridiculous.
@Ford Motor Company ??

 

[swamp2]

Crap, a bad turn here. Is there an easy way to verify one is in flat tow mode? Can't you just move the vehicle a small amount and make sure the driveshaft(s) don't spin?

It seems that one could still attempt to place your truck in that mode. If your claim is valid, as it sounds it is, one could observe the process failing. Seems simple.

GL.

 

[Bukin67]

Crap, a bad turn here. Is there an easy way to verify one is in flat tow mode? Can't you just move the vehicle a small amount and make sure the driveshaft(s) don't spin?

It seems that one could still attempt to place your truck in that mode. If your claim is valid, as it sounds it is, one could observe the process failing. Seems simple.

GL.

I agree. In my case, simply, I always went through the basic steps to initiate Neutral Tow and the prompt on the screen was always the same, telling me Neutral Tow was enabled, leave in Neutral.

Telling me I didn't do the Neutral Tow process correctly is like telling me I didn't hook up the tow bar correctly.
The Neutral Tow initiation is pretty fool proof. I don't even know what you could possibly do during the process and end up with the "Neutral Tow enabled, Leave in neutral" screen.

Still fuming...

 

[swamp2]

Hang in there bud.

With that "idiot proof" indicator light it seems awfully clear that the system malfunctioned. Try to make that clear to all. Make it in writing with details. Unfortunately, next step would be a stern letter from a lawyer. You could probably get that done for a couple hundred bucks.

Don't mean to tell you what to do, just trying to help.

You could also consider Small Claims Court. It's very easy and low burden. I've got a lot of wins under my belt using this approach.

 

[dgorsett]

Crap, a bad turn here. Is there an easy way to verify one is in flat tow mode? Can't you just move the vehicle a small amount and make sure the driveshaft(s) don't spin?

It seems that one could still attempt to place your truck in that mode. If your claim is valid, as it sounds it is, one could observe the process failing. Seems simple.

GL.

The neutral tow shift requires that you leave the transmission in neutral after the procedure. Starting and testing would be very similar to neutral tow disable procedure, so while testing you might disengage neutral tow and not know it.

Vehicles with a stick transfer (Jeep) case can be put in transfer case neutral and tested. The Bronco has you leave the transmission in neutral also to unlock the steering, so testing is not possible. Vehicles with a key leave in park with key in unlock, so if tc is not in neutral you will know it right away.

I flat tow and like the op am cautious about the procedure, but his experience is my biggest fear.

 

['18 M2]

Hang in there bud.

With that "idiot proof" indicator light it seems awfully clear that the system malfunctioned. Try to make that clear to all. Make it in writing with details. Unfortunately, next step would be a stern letter from a lawyer. You could probably get that done for a couple hundred bucks.

Don't mean to tell you what to do, just trying to help.

You could also consider Small Claims Court. It's very easy and low burden. I've got a lot of wins under my belt using this approach.

Suing FMC isn’t the answer here. As soon as they receive a letter from an attorney, all communication will cease. And I don‘t know the OP and mean no disrespect but I would guess that Ford has more money than he/she does to throw at this. Eventually he would most likely lose and be out attorney fees as well.

It will be worth his time and effort to continue to work with Ford until he finds someone with a level head who will listen.

Sponsored