NHTSA Complaint #10419445 — 2006 FORD FREESTYLE

THE CAR DEVELOPED A WHINE AT 52K MI WITH NO APPARENT VIBRATION OR PERFORMANCE ISSUES. DURING THE 60K SERVICE (PERFORMED AT 57K), THE DEALER IDENTIFIED THE WHINE AS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND WANTED PERMISSION TO OPEN THE CASE TO INVESTIGATE AND POSSIBLY PERFORM AN INPUT SHAFT BEARING REPLACEMENT. WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP UNABLE TO MOVE BUT COULD NOT FULLY GET OFF THE ROAD DUE TO ARMCO ON THE SHOULDER. LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS CALLED TO WARN APPROACHING MOTORISTS AND PREVENT A COLLISION UNTIL A TOW TRUCK COULD ARRIVE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FOR $6300 MINUS A CONTRIBUTION FROM FORD AND THE DEALER SUPPLYING PARTS AND LABOR AT COST. REPAIRS WERE AUTHORIZED AND THE FINAL BILL WAS $3000. *TR