2002 Windstar Transmission Failure

[minivanmom2]

I'm sitting here with my 2002 Windstar SE (3.8L) sitting in the shop awaiting transmission replacement. After having the car seem to 'slip' in gear and the O/D light begin flashing we got the car into repair immediately. They tell me there is metal fragments in the fluid and it looks like a gear has shredded. Call me crazy but isnt this the same stupid thing that was plaguing previous models of this vehicle?? Didnt they fix this?

My van has exactly 35,856 miles on it and is 3 yrs and 1 month old. I drove it off the lot with less than 30 miles on it. This should not be happening and I have no idea who to turn to. We're being billed nearly $3300 for the testing ($75) the breakdown ($500) and replacement ($2700) by the dealership.

If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them. We're a single income military family with not a lot in our pocket to be shelling out to Ford.

[12Ounce]

Go to the "Blue Oval" website and see if you can find listed a Ford warranty manager that you can contact.

If that doesn't work give me a private message and I'll see if I can help locate someone.

[minivanmom2]

we spoke with the people at the main customer service center today (Blue Oval) and they have told us they will do nothing to assist us. One month out of warranty is one month out of warrant. So I guess that is that?

[rodeo02]

Keep calm, cool & positive (as possible) with the dealership. You have to deal with this at the dealership level. The only way to deal with it at a corporate level is with the help of an attorney. Definately speak with management and/or the owner & explain your situation. You are JUST over on time, but under on mileage. If you offer to pay a portion of the bill, many times they will cover the rest for you. My dealer has taken care of me that way in the past & I don't visit them that often. I know it's too late for you now, but you need to change the transmission fluid on these vans ATLEAST every 30K miles. Would this have saved yours? Hard to say.
G/luck
Joel

[minivanmom2]

had my oil changed right around oh.. 31K? They checked the transmission fluid, though i have no idea what could or couldnt be discerned from a dipstick. It wasnt mentioned to me that it had come time for a change. I am not car savvy, I take my car in for regular oil changes and do whatever maintenance is suggested to me. I'll see what I can do. The dealership took more than a week to even crack the hood. Another 4 days to tell us the transmission was broken and still yet another 4 days (and waiting) to hear when it will be fixed. So all in all.. not very pleased with this dealership.