Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||||
| 05612 | 04/01/2005 | 10017898 | Delayed or harsh reverse engagements - 5r55s transmission - vehicles built prior to 09/23/2004. *tt | 12/07/2005 | |
| 04268 | 12/31/2004 | 10014277 | Increased effort during low speed sharp turns on 4x4 vehicles. *tt | 04/29/2005 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| 04B22 | 05/27/2005 | 04B22 | 10013306 | Improperly formulated transmission fluid that, over time, may cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements. customer satisfaction program 04b22. 5r55s/e & 5r44e transmission fluid additive. *tt supplement #1. *tt supplement #2. *tt supp | 04/14/2005 |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
| 042107 | 12/13/2004 | 042414 | 10014086 | General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt | 04/28/2005 |
| 04217 | 11/01/2004 | 10013369 | General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures. *tt | 04/15/2005 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||||
| 042212 | 11/15/2004 | 10013398 | Gear selector lever - increased effort to shift from drive to park. *tt | 04/18/2005 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY | |||||
| 05618 | 04/01/2005 | 10017892 | Rear axle noise repair. *tt | 12/06/2005 | |
| 06216 | 01/01/2006 | 0644 | 10014100 | Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers. *tt | 04/28/2005 |
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT | |||||
| TSB-08-19-3 | 05/01/2009 | 10028736 | Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe | 05/20/2009 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - AXLE SHAFT - SEAL | |||||
| TSB-08-19-3 | 05/01/2009 | 10028736 | Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle lube leak. *pe | 05/20/2009 | |
| 04105 | 06/07/2005 | 05155 | 10008994 | Axle seal leaks. leaks from rear halfshaft axle seal. service tips. *tt | 09/07/2004 |
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE | |||||
| 0537 | 06/07/2005 | 05164 | 10012952 | Driveline 1st order vibration/boom/drone. *tt | 04/05/2005 |
| POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | |||||
| 18815 | 09/01/2005 | 10018069 | A tiny crack, or cracks, around the transfer case drain plug hole. *tt | 12/14/2005 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | ||||||
| EA09013 | Ford Motor Company | 08/18/2009 | 02/12/2013 | Vehicle Rollaway Allegations | ||
| This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.by the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during ea09-013, odi identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.the highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the automatic transmission parking system, was 4.4/100k.the next-highest failure rate was for the bsi system, at 3.4/100k.for all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.for additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for ea09-013. the odi reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints under the following identification (odi) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078. | ||||||
| EA09013 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/18/2009 | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS | |||
| In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. the swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumers shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. in november of 2004 ford released a redesigned bsi solenoid with a shorter pin retracting time as a serviceable component. ford has noted the shorter retraction time significantly lessens the likelihood of bsi solenoid pin to swing arm contact even with rapid consumer shifts.ford also issued a technical service bulletin, tsb 04-22-12, to instruct service technicians on the proper diagnosis and vehicle repair. reviewing complaints to odi and data submitted by ford, odi has identified 200 alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement after consumers believe they have shifted the vehicle into park, resulting in 85 alleged crashes and 32 alleged injuries.in addition to the reports of alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement, odi has also identified 883 reports of consumers alleging difficulty or the inability to shift the vehicle into park.preliminary evaluationpe09-020 has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT | ||||||
| EA09013 | Ford Motor Company | 08/18/2009 | 02/12/2013 | Vehicle Rollaway Allegations | ||
| This investigation is being closed based on several considerations.by the most inclusive counting of all alleged rollaway incidents (i.e., counting all alleged rollaway incidents and assuming a singular failure mechanism), the incident rate is low, however during ea09-013, odi identified a number of different failure mechanisms in 180 incidents related to the alleged defect.the highest rate for any particular failure mechanism, the failure of the automatic transmission parking system, was 4.4/100k.the next-highest failure rate was for the bsi system, at 3.4/100k.for all identified failure mechanisms there has been a drastically declining trend including very few incidents occurring in recent years.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.for additional information regarding this investigation, see the complete closing resume in the document file for ea09-013. the odi reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints under the following identification (odi) numbers:10168454, 10279630, 10280078. | ||||||
| EA09013 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/18/2009 | VEHICLE ROLLAWAY ALLEGATIONS | |||
| In response to an information request (ir) letter sent by the office of defects investigation (odi), ford stated consumer reports of higher than expected efforts when shifting into and out of park could be a result of a groove being worn into the swing arm ramp of the steering column. the swing arm is a component bolted to the steering column that assists in shifting through the transmission gears.an engineering evaluation conducted by ford of returned steering columns found the groove could be created over time if consumers shift more quickly from the drive or reverse to park than the brake shift interlock (bsi) solenoid pin retracts after the brake pedal is applied. in november of 2004 ford released a redesigned bsi solenoid with a shorter pin retracting time as a serviceable component. ford has noted the shorter retraction time significantly lessens the likelihood of bsi solenoid pin to swing arm contact even with rapid consumer shifts.ford also issued a technical service bulletin, tsb 04-22-12, to instruct service technicians on the proper diagnosis and vehicle repair. reviewing complaints to odi and data submitted by ford, odi has identified 200 alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement after consumers believe they have shifted the vehicle into park, resulting in 85 alleged crashes and 32 alleged injuries.in addition to the reports of alleged incidents of unintended vehicle movement, odi has also identified 883 reports of consumers alleging difficulty or the inability to shift the vehicle into park.preliminary evaluationpe09-020 has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to further assess the scope, frequency and risk to motor vehicle safety of the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 10/15/2012 | 69000 | 1 | |
| Two problems...first whenever i shift into reverse there is a hesitation and it takes longer than it should to reverse. im also experiencing a jerk before i come to a complete stop. second ..the back of my lift has a crack from the bottom of the window to the mercury symbol and then it continues down under the symbol. i've done some research and there re lots of others with these same issues. i only have about 70000 miles on it. *tr | |||
| 10/15/2012 | 69000 | ||
| Two problems...first whenever i shift into reverse there is a hesitation and it takes longer than it should to reverse. im also experiencing a jerk before i come to a complete stop. second ..the back of my lift has a crack from the bottom of the window to the mercury symbol and then it continues down under the symbol. i've done some research and there re lots of others with these same issues. i only have about 70000 miles on it. | |||
| 09/15/2009 | 45000 | ||
| Tranmission jerking and jumping into gear, and reverse, roll forward in park on a hill. liftgate has a crack around and under the symbol. | |||
| 12/24/2010 | 113000 | ||
| Automatic transmission- this transmission is horrible a few times i noticed the severe noise and jerk when i went to reverse. i thought perhaps it was me. on christmas eve i went to pull away from stop light and car started to accelerate then slowed down i gave it a little gas and it jerked me so hard it hurt my neck (which is still bothering me today). the od light came on and check transmission. repair cost $2,7000, basically everything went bad. after hearing from numerous people this is a problem that ford is aware of. they even went so far as to correct it for future models but has yet to perform a recall on 2005 mountaineers and explorers. as ford was aware of this problem corrected it for future models they should be liable and a recall notice should be forthcoming. anyone who has experienced this should get full refund of monies paid. now to address the cracking around the mercury emblem on the lift gate. ford is aware of this problem and has changed it for future models, but instead of stepping up and correcting pass models they sweep it under the rug. a full investigation into both of these concerns as with transmissions someone could easily be fatally injured. | |||
| 04/01/2009 | 20000 | 1 | |
| Mercury mountaineer 05 with less then 60,000 miles, i was told that there was wearing in the valve case from automatic transmission which causes transmission to skip and shift hard and pop forward, i need to have it repaired , transmission place states this is a known problem which has a technical advisory about it....what's my recourse. *tr | |||
| 04/02/2009 | 48301 | 1 | |
| I was in the park position. i turned my engine on and placed my foot on the brake and take my car out of park, when then gear shaft/stick broke in half. i contacted the dealer and i had them come get the car, they contacted me, and stated that they have never seen something like this before, that came from the service manager bill amadei, and another person bill in the service department. i have taken a picture of what it looks like. if i was not already in the park position and i went to place my car from the drive to park and this happened, my car could have went right into my house. when i stated this to the dealer, his comment was yes, i guess that could have happened. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 09/04/2010 | 48000 | ||
| Started out as a good car. at about 48000 miles it started to intermittently refuse to go into forward or reverse when placed in gear. made sure it was in gear and also would move the shift lever out of gear and back again. stepping on the gas just revved up the engine. sometimes it would catch and the car would jump forward or backward. it is presently in a transmission shop and appears it needs to be rebuilt. large metal chips were found in the oil pan. i was told by the dealer that i didn't have a drive train warranty, they weren't available for the 2005, i only had the 3year 36,000 mile warrant. the transmission shop showed me large chips in the oil pan. also when disassembled they couldn't fine what was called a needle pin, which runs through the middle of the transmission. with that gone the transmission was gone. this wasn't a normal occurrence. so selves, washers/spacers, gears etc. slowly were being destroyed. overhaul kit torque convertor, planetary assy, solenoid assy., servo case repair kit, and transmission fluid. and all of the latest parts from fords 6th upgrade on this transmission were installed. ford should have a recall on this transmission. reimbursement for costs would be nice. but then i'm a dreamer, and believe cars are being built better than they are. after a week or so of driving and the shifting still not smooth and parts being switched out. i was told it would be okay to out of state. i got about 70 miles when the transmission dumped the transmission fluid on the highway. after a $200 tow back to the garage and another week of searching for the problem it was decided it was the valve block. the only thing that was not changed. seemed the valve block was warped. it was replaced and the car is back to normal. this should not be happening to a car with 48500 miles on it. ford should be ashamed of them selves for producing a car vehicle that has so many transmission problems. i understand ford is now on the 7th upgrade. | |||
| 09/27/2010 | 60562 | ||
| 2005 mercury mountaineer transmission jerks random intervals and causes driver to loose control of vehicle momentarily. passengers inside car experience neck pain after several occurrences. | |||
| 12/25/2009 | 43000 | 1 | |
| Extremely hard shifting into reverse. slipping in 3rd gear when transmission is running for 15 minutes. over drive light flashes and transmission fails to work while on highway. i have to shift into neutral turn the car off then back on (while at 65mph) then it works fine the rest of the day. *tr | |||
| 05/22/2009 | 50001 | 1 | |
| Transmission slipping on a hill causing the vehicle to drift backwards almost causing an accident with the car behind me. *tr | |||
| 04/01/2009 | 20000 | 1 | |
| Mercury mountaineer 05 with less then 60,000 miles, i was told that there was wearing in the valve case from automatic transmission which causes transmission to skip and shift hard and pop forward, i need to have it repaired , transmission place states this is a known problem which has a technical advisory about it....what's my recourse. *tr | |||
| 03/06/2008 | 1 | 02/26/2008 | |
| There is a transmission issue with the mountaineer or something that has to do with the car changing gears. my car is only a week old (2005) and it jerks when placed in reverse. only has 61,000 miles. other mountaineer owners have complained of having the same problem with their transmission system. *tr | |||
| 12/13/2007 | 74000 | 1 | 05/07/2005 |
| Minimal events lead up to transmission failure. odd shifting when accelerating occurred the day of the failure and possibly several times overt the tow years, but very infrequently. failure occurred at 74,000 miles of primarily highway driving with perhaps two reverses a day resulting at most 2,000 reverses for the life of the car. the same day as shifting problems occurred several times on the way home reverse gear would not engage and after several attempts would stay in gear for only a few seconds before going back into neutral. never would go into reverse again. failure required replacement of the solenoid shifters and valve bodies. this is the same failure that was a cause for a recall of several previous year's, including 2004. *tr | |||
| 08/03/2006 | 9302 | 1 | 05/19/2005 |
| 2005 mercury mountaineer v6 with awd was placed in park , engine turned off and key removed from ignition. the car slipped into reverse and rolled down driveway striking mailboxes across street. *jb | |||
| 08/01/2005 | 100 | 1 | |
| Had warped rotors within first 2,000 miles. ford would only ground rotors but dealer replaced them at no charge. i have also experienced a loud, thumping noise when i am making a sharp turn to left or right at a very low speed. also, often when putting car in reverse many times there is a large thump and vehicle appears to shift hard. finally, when stopped on a steep hill, after removing foot from brake, vehicle rolls backwards many times. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | |||
| 12/13/2007 | 74000 | 1 | 05/07/2005 |
| Minimal events lead up to transmission failure. odd shifting when accelerating occurred the day of the failure and possibly several times overt the tow years, but very infrequently. failure occurred at 74,000 miles of primarily highway driving with perhaps two reverses a day resulting at most 2,000 reverses for the life of the car. the same day as shifting problems occurred several times on the way home reverse gear would not engage and after several attempts would stay in gear for only a few seconds before going back into neutral. never would go into reverse again. failure required replacement of the solenoid shifters and valve bodies. this is the same failure that was a cause for a recall of several previous year's, including 2004. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT | |||
| 11/27/2007 | 1 | ||
| Rear differential needs replaced. mechanic said can be dangerous. i see that these ford/mercury's have this problem all the time. cost too much to fix, yet i have wife and kids in that car. *tr | |||
| POWER TRAIN - TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | |||
| 08/01/2005 | 100 | 1 | |
| Had warped rotors within first 2,000 miles. ford would only ground rotors but dealer replaced them at no charge. i have also experienced a loud, thumping noise when i am making a sharp turn to left or right at a very low speed. also, often when putting car in reverse many times there is a large thump and vehicle appears to shift hard. finally, when stopped on a steep hill, after removing foot from brake, vehicle rolls backwards many times. *jb | |||