2003- Transmission & radiator leaks FYI!

[win_daddy]

My wife's car, an '03 Sebring sedan (2.4L 'X' code engine 54K miles) developed an undetected transmission leak during a long trip. By the time we caught it and topped off the fluid, the tranny was shot. The leak was due to CORROSION where the rubber hose meets the top aluminum tube on the right side of the radiator. Dealer replaced the tranny under warranty, but we had to pay to replace the rusted tube and both rubber hoses. No big deal.....

Fast forward 3 months- sudden catastrophic loss of coolant from the drivers' side end of the radiator. NOT covered by warranty, but the CAUSE was the tranny fluid residue left on the radiator core which had collected heavy dirt on a narrow section down the edge of the core near the plastic tank, and caused it to corrode and leak.

FYI- After calling the dealer that had done the tranny repair and they told me the radiator would definitely NOT be covered under warranty, I called around and got a new radiator for about $150. My wife wants to fight the dealer, but it's not worth it. Just wonder if anyone else had a similar experience. I suggest if the tranny line corrossion problem happens to you, make sure they pull the cooling fans and thoroughly clean out the radiator core (and anyting else) below the leak.