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So there was a factory recall on my truck, they fixed the recall, but in the process they created a leak in my transmission.

I check my fluids almost daily, the day before I brought my truck in for the transmission problem, the fluid on it was almost full, but I had added a bit over the previous week.

I just got a call, they fixed the leak, transmission is shot though and they are claiming they have no responsibilities to fix it even though they caused the leak.

What recourse do I have besides biting the bullet and taking it in to a friend's shop to have them replace my transmission for half the cost they quoted me?

-Adam

Did they admit they caused the leak?

I would think not, no one ever owns up to that sort of thing.

"Sorry sir it must be a freak accident that you transmission started leaking the minute we worked on it, I can assure you that none of our trained professionals would ever make a mistake that could result in billable time"

I check my fluids almost daily

That's a bit on the psychotic side, no?

What manufacture made your Truck.

I'm guessing Toyota

I'm guessing a GM product, especially their truck lineup.

Before you pay out of pocket for a repair, make sure you fire off an email or call 'whoever of America' or whatever. Go over your dealersips heads. Some dealerships have just awful service departments, and depending on what carmaker youre working with, some will work with you and get it resolved.

What dealership worked on your truck? If its under warranty they should fix it anyways since it was leaking fluid and then cause the transmission to burn up. If you want to get some help try calling the manufacture and let them know what happen and also file a complaint with the BBB. I would not mention putting fluid in the transmission since most do not burn fluid that fast.

2000 Ford F150XL 142k miles on it, not under warranty. I'm going over the service department's heads right now, I have friends in high places... namely the guy who manages the fleet for Scott's HQ and has direct contact with the owners of the Dealership.

I can't prove shit, I am relatively newbish with the actual mechanicals.

Yes, I am anal about fluids, when I was 14, I forgot to add oil to a jetski and my first car's transmission had a leak that eventually caused the transmission in it to go out as well.

-Adam

10sun wrote:Yes, I am anal about fluids.

It might cost a little money, but you might be able to take them to small claims court and sue them for the cost of a new transmission / court costs / other expenses. Think about having at least two professional mechanics take a look at the trans and see if they'll support the idea that the dealership is responsible for the damage. If they do then you have a some fire power against the dealership in court. I *think* 5 grand is the most you can be awarded in small claims court, but I don't know for sure. Regardless, 5 grand should be enough to cover the cost of the mechanics you get to verify the damage was the fault of the dealership, the cost of a new trans and your court fees. Although, I don't think you can get anything for time lost at work and so forth.

Time lost at work is a non-issue. I've been borrowing my broker's Chysler 300M (love driving it =P) because my broker is visiting some friends in Europe.

-Adam

What was the factory recall for?

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
FORD / EXPEDITION 2000
FORD / F150 2000
FORD / SUPERCREW 2001
LINCOLN / NAVIGATOR 2000


Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 05V017000 Recall Date : JAN 27, 2005

Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Potential Number Of Units Affected : 738490

Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Consequence:
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. FIRES HAVE OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED WITH THE IGNITION 'OFF.'

Remedy:
AS AN INTERIM REPAIR, OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. AS SOON AS REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE (EARLY APRIL 2005), OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN TO THE DEALERS FOR INSTALLATION OF A NEW SWITCH. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes:
FORD RECALL NO. 05S28. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.



The following is the Ford Motor Company Press Release
Ford Announces Safety Recall

January 27,2005

Ford is voluntarily issuing a safety recall to address under hood fires related to the speed control switch in four-to-five year old 2000 model year Ford F-150s, Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators, as well as 2001 F-Series Supercrew trucks manufactured during the same time period as the other 2000 model year vehicles. Ford has been working closely with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to investigate this issue.

Ford will notify owners of approximately 792,000 2000 model year F-150s, Expeditions, Navigators and 2001 F-Series Supercrews equipped with speed control to have the electrical connector from the speed control disconnected. Ford is in the process of acquiring a sufficient supply of replacement speed control switches but, in the interim, our first step is to deactivate the speed control to eliminate the risk of fires. Once replacement switches are available, we will issue a second owner notification to have the switch replaced and the speed control reconnected.

Obviously, this interim action will disable the speed control. We recognize this may be an inconvenience, but we believe this preventive action is in the best interest of our customers' safety.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail the beginning of February. Customers may also contact Ford's Customer Assistance Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Is the speed control switch anywhere near the transmission? If it is, then maybe you have a case against them.

I've been researching that to find out.

-Adam