Transmission Growl/Whine - Transmission Cooler Leaking

[Billy Dunwoody]

Update:
Trans cooler was replaced and 6qts of fluid was replaced. I asked them about updating the transmission because it was shifting weird for weeks before I even noticed the leak but I don't think they did as there is no mention of it on the paperwork and the ECM strategy is the same. Transmission seems to be shifting better and no leak anymore. Hopefully it was the updated trans cooler as opposed to replacing it with the same one

 

[fast_dave]

@Billy Dunwoody

Thanks for the update, and keep us in the loop regarding the transmission shifting performance!

Also - I hope they got the driver's seat squeaking issue finally settled

 

[Billy Dunwoody]

@Billy Dunwoody

Thanks for the update, and keep us in the loop regarding the transmission shifting performance!

Also - I hope they got the driver's seat squeaking issue finally settled

They said they couldn’t duplicate the issue. Probably because it would have been the 4th repair qualifying it for lemon law under California law

 

[blwnsmoke]

My dealer still offers loaners to customers, even to owners of other brands. The last time a loaner was delivered, the driver had the seat covered in plastic. He wiped down the entire area around the driver's position and did the same to my vehicle. The process was carried out in reverse when he returned my vehicle and picked up the loaner.

Peter

Not a fair comparison. Lincoln gives loaners to everyone. In fact, if you bring your Ford to Lincoln, you will get a loaner from them. I know some people who have warranty work done at Lincoln dealers just because of the better treatment. It's not a Lincoln owner exclusive, it is a Lincoln Dealer exclusive.

 

[peterk9]

The main point was that my dealer provides loaners to all customers regardless of vehicle make. They even delivered a loaner to me and picked up my 2017 Platinum when it required the toe link recall. No charge.

Peter

 

[fast_dave]

@Billy Dunwoody

After three "fixes" with the same dealer service dept., it sounds like it's time to find another dealer that will work with you - OR - find out the name of the FORD area representative that you could explain the situation to and perhaps as a goodwill gesture he could just approve a new seat to put the issue to rest.

Hope that helps!

 

[Billy Dunwoody]

@Billy Dunwoody

After three "fixes" with the same dealer service dept., it sounds like it's time to find another dealer that will work with you - OR - find out the name of the FORD area representative that you could explain the situation to and perhaps as a goodwill gesture he could just approve a new seat to put the issue to rest.

Hope that helps!

I made a case with Ford the first and second time which also involved having them repaint the back two doors due to paint defects but not wanting to provide a rental. Regional manager got involved and approved a rental and the tsb. Once that didnt work, they approved the seat pan. Fast forward to this time, the regional manager said there is a different one and that one said they cant re-open a case past 30 days d and until the dealer calls for help.
Trip 1: Seat tsb added foam and back doors repainted for defect
Trip 2: Engine/transmission noise which ended up being a loose right wheel...hmm
Trip 3: Transmission shifting weird, nothing found and low coolant. No leaks, added small amount of coolant.
Trip 4: Seat pan replaced in car, drove for 3 months no issue
Trip 5: transmission leaking and seat the week before started squeaking again. Trans cooler replaced but they said the seat is normal and they cant find a problem.
All this in 7 months within 7500mi
At this point, if I cant lemon it, I need someone at Ford to give me an extended warranty for free.

 

[Camel24hrs]

My 2020 limited Explorer was made in May 2019. Bought it in May 2020.Has 5700 miles on it. This weekend wife said transmission was making weird noises. So got in it and drove it. Makes loud growling noises in low gears and transmission actually slipped on me.

I will have her drive it to the dealer tomorrow with me following her in my truck. Dealership is about 9 miles away.

After I purchased it I found this forum and heard they had problems with the early in the year models with transmissions going out around 5000 miles. Well I guess I am one of them.

Any idea on how long it takes for a ford dealer to replace or repair a transmission on an Explorer?

 

[Bamamac]

I lost the transmission (I guess) on mine today. 2020 Limited, picked up exactly one month ago. 2100 miles and it started throwing errors and alerts in the middle of the cemetery right after burying my grandmother. Tried to shift to drive, jumped right back to park and it keep engaging the parking brake. It just started making some weird noises in low gears and shifting hard earlier in the day; no problems before. Still drove fine at highway speeds after the initial noises-until we tried to drive after the funeral.

Called Roadside assistance, who were worse than useless (sample of exchange among many Examples through the conversation “we can send a tow truck if you can confirm a nearby dealer who can accept it and has a night drop box for the key” me:”It’s Sunday of Labor Day weekend, no one is open. I am in the middle of a graveyard and need help to come get it” them “I’m sorry, we need dealer confirmation or you cant take it to a dealer” me: ‘so where do I take it and how do I get a car?” Them: “You’ll have to speak to Ford”. And of course, Ford Customer Service is closed.

I finally managed to limp it to a dealer, which was locked up. So I had to leave it with a nearby relative, which is 300 miles away from my home. Luckily, since I have bought so many new Fords (this streak is now in SERIOUS jeopardy) I had the cell phone number of my dealer who helped line some things up for me. Got a rental car and went home. But the whole experience has been a mess, and after searching explorer transmission problems, I suspect I am just getting started.

 

[peterk9]

My 2020 limited Explorer was made in May 2019. Bought it in May 2020.Has 5700 miles on it. This weekend wife said transmission was making weird noises. So got in it and drove it. Makes loud growling noises in low gears and transmission actually slipped on me.

I will have her drive it to the dealer tomorrow with me following her in my truck. Dealership is about 9 miles away.

After I purchased it I found this forum and heard they had problems with the early in the year models with transmissions going out around 5000 miles. Well I guess I am one of them.

Any idea on how long it takes for a ford dealer to replace or repair a transmission on an Explorer?

Did you by any chance check for any signs of dripping in the driveway/garage? Could be the transmission cooler leaking causing that noise.

Peter

 

[peterk9]

”It’s Sunday of Labor Day weekend, no one is open. I am in the middle of a graveyard and need help to come get it” them “I’m sorry, we need dealer confirmation or you cant take it to a dealer” me: ‘so where do I take it and how do I get a car?” Them: “You’ll have to speak to Ford”. And of course, Ford Customer Service is closed..............................................

Welcome to the Forum.
My condolences on the passing of your grandmother. Did you actually try to call Ford for assistance? I would have thought that they would have someone available despite it being a holiday weekend.

Peter

 

[Bamamac]

Welcome to the Forum.
My condolences on the passing of your grandmother. Did you actually try to call Ford for assistance? I would have thought that they would have someone available despite it being a holiday weekend.

Peter

Thanks for the condolences. Yeah, the Ford customer service line was closed, which was pretty unbelievable to me. My dealer, Mike Freeman Ford in Fayette, AL, has really been great. But Ford seems to have a real quality and support problem. I was kind of shocked that they don’t have some kind of better response team set up in a situation like this. It just makes no sense.

 

[Camel24hrs]

Did you by any chance check for any signs of dripping in the driveway/garage? Could be the transmission cooler leaking causing that noise.

Peter

Have not noticed any leak. I guess tomorrow when service dept is open they will take a look at it and we will get an idea of what’s wrong with it and length of time repairs is going to take.

 

[stein78]

I bet the trans cooler was slowly leaking and now it's low on fluid. These transmissions seem very sensitive to fluid level and being low will cause all sorts of strange behavior. It seems many of the early builds are plagued with the trans cooler issue. Ours was a August 2019 build and the trans cooler started leaking at 1600 miles. It did leak enough that I saw drips on the garage floor and driveway. Good luck!

 

[Camel24hrs]

I bet the trans cooler was slowly leaking and now it's low on fluid. These transmissions seem very sensitive to fluid level and being low will cause all sorts of strange behavior. It seems many of the early builds are plagued with the trans cooler issue. Ours was a August 2019 build and the trans cooler started leaking at 1600 miles. It did leak enough that I saw drips on the garage floor and driveway. Good luck!

Got a call and the cooler was leaking. They have one ordered and should have it by Friday. They will install it fill it with fluid and then try it. I doubt that will be the end of it. I believe the transmission is trashed and have to be replaced.

I hope Ford has beefed up their coolers since this became a known issue. Read some forums that people have been through up to three coolers and transmissions. Looks like Ford would take action on the coolers. It would be cheaper do a recall on the coolers than keep changing out transmissions.

 

[Spacey]

This seems to happen a lot. Do we know what the issue is with the transmission cooler and should we expect that eventually everyone with this transmission is going to have it leak? If so, I'm going to try to push my dealer to replace it before it fails and strands me somewhere. Last thing I want to do is head out on a long trip and spend all my time worrying when the transmission cooler is going to fail.

 

[rok8man]

This seems to happen a lot. Do we know what the issue is with the transmission cooler and should we expect that eventually everyone with this transmission is going to have it leak? If so, I'm going to try to push my dealer to replace it before it fails and strands me somewhere. Last thing I want to do is head out on a long trip and spend all my time worrying when the transmission cooler is going to fail.

Will the dealer fix the issue knowing that you dont have an issue yet. I just picked up an Explorer LTD and it was also built in 2019 and this is most concerning to me now.

 

[Bamamac]

Dealer just called. Mine was also a transmission cooler leak. never saw any sign in the driveway, and my wife always parks in the same spot. Dealer thinks it may have started (And finished) on the 300 mile trip. O

 

[peterk9]

This seems to happen a lot. Do we know what the issue is with the transmission cooler and should we expect that eventually everyone with this transmission is going to have it leak? If so, I'm going to try to push my dealer to replace it before it fails and strands me somewhere. Last thing I want to do is head out on a long trip and spend all my time worrying when the transmission cooler is going to fail.

I doubt very much the dealer will replace it if it isn't leaking unless you are willing to pay for it. To replace it under warranty, in most cases they have to send a picture to Ford in order to receive authorization to replace it. It is somewhat like asking them to replace a working transmission because of the number of failures it has seen.

Peter

 

[Forddealz]

I am just glad that 99 percent of of the ST version does not have this transmission issue. Maybe they developed a better transmittion cooler for the ST. No need to panic just yet. I am planning a lot of round trips a head.