Latest NHTSA 6-Speed Complaints

The Feds have closed the investigation pertaining to the 2011-12 Ford Mustang=92s 6-speed manual transmission issues. For those unaware of the investigation, the NHTSA opened an investigation back in August after several 2011-12 Mustang owners reported problems with their 6- speed manual transmissions including cold shifting issues, sticky shifts, grinding gears and noise within the trans. In total the NHTSA received 364 unique reports from various owners indicating shift quality issues.

The NHTSA=92s official response was =93There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.=94

The official report below addresses the issues and what Ford did to resolve them.

The Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by Ford as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.

Ford responded to the NHTSA=92s investigation by identifying several factors that may contribute to the shifting issues including a cold transmission, clutch stay-out at high engine speeds, gear clash or grinding, and gradual loosening of clutch plate bolts in some early production vehicles.

The largest percentage of complaints indicated higher than expected shift efforts in cold ambient temperatures. These complaints were related to transmission fluid viscosity and the higher shift efforts resolved themselves with the drivetrain warming. Ford published technical service bulletin TSB 11-3-18 to inform technicians that a lower viscosity fluid was available for use to address the cold shift issues.

The clutch stay-out condition typically occurs at engine speeds greater than 4000 rpm. It does not prevent the selection of any gear, but may delay clutch re-engagement depending on how long the driver maintains the higher engine speed. Ford identified rotating inertia of the clutch components as the root cause and replacement clutch pedal parts were made available under Ford TSB 10-19-4.

A number of reports alleged increasing difficulty selecting gears along with gear clash or grinding. Grinding or notchy gear shifts may be caused by gradual loosening of clutch plate fasteners, which is promoted by certain aggressive shifting. This condition is progressive in nature and initially results in symptoms related to shift quality/ feel. Clutch plate bolt loosening will not result in inability to select any gear unless the progressive symptoms are ignored until complete clutch failure occurs.

ODI=92s analysis identified only five complaints alleging an inability to shift into gear due to loose clutch plate bolts. None of these resulted in a stall and gear shifting could occur before engine start. A revised fastener was designed and implemented in production and is available for service through a special service message. There is no indication of loss of motive power or unreasonable safety risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. This preliminary evaluation is closed.

Source: Ford and NHTSA

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mckenzie84
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The largest percentage of complaints indicated higher than expected shift efforts in cold ambient temperatures. These complaints were related to transmission fluid viscosity and the higher shift efforts resolved themselves with the drivetrain warming. Ford published technical service bulletin TSB 11-3-18 to inform technicians that a lower viscosity fluid was available for use to address the cold shift issues.

Sweet!

Haven't been to this place in a long time. Straight away, I find something useful.

Thanks for postin' that up. Been noticing that the cooler weather has brought out a little more resistance to shifting when first getting going. Wasn't going to bother taking it in, but I had wondered if a change in lube might help things out. Will certainly look into that.

I see you've still got a 5.0, just not in the '93 Cobra. :) Did you hang on to the Cobra?

-- John C.

Reply to
John C.

John,

I kept it for about a year after I got the '11. (I kept it in a friend's garage when the '11 came home.) But with only a two-slot garage, it had to go -- I wasn't leaving it outside in the elements. So now I'm Foxless -- It was a long run '87-'11.

What did you get?

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mckenzie84

*_curse this newsreader_*

Well, I started out in the morning, on a mission to buy a pre-owned Ridgeline. I wasn't feelin' it. : /

On the way home I went past a dealership where I'd seen a few GTs back in the fall of '10. Damned if there weren't still two there, buried in the center of the lot. $hit!! So much for being practical...

I got an '11 GT Premium. Kona Blue, Stone interior, 6-spd. Zero options, other than what they call the "security package". It has the small spoiler, but I can live with that.

Took delivery 4/2/2011. The '12s were coming , and they were offering incentives. Good timing.

The other choice was a heavily optioned convertible. I'm a convertible guy, but the hardtop looks *so* much better in this body style. IMHO, of course! :)

Reply to
John C.

From Ridgeline to Mustang, yes, you certainly weren't feelin' it! That's on the level of went out looking for a 4-door Camry, drove home in a Corvette. :-)

I considered Kona blue. When I told my son I considered it, knowing my tastes like he does, he said "it wouldn't have been you car." I replied, yes, it's not me, but I do like the color though!

I special ordered mine. It came in 08/2010. You can guess what mine came with. (Hint: All performance.)

I'd might rent a 'vert, but I'd never own one... again, just me.

I just love the look of these cars. The '05s-'09s were nice (and I love ringing out that 4.6), but the '10s and up have a touch of aggression while still looking somewhat pedestrian. Perfect!

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mckenzie84

I hear ya! 8 of my last 9 new cars have been Black on Black! When I saw the Kona in the sunlight, I says to myself; "Not too shabby at all" haha! Always got comments of "nice car!" on the Black ones,.. now just have to get used to hearing "nice color" . :)

Gotta have the big brakes! I'm guessing the 3.73's, too! ;)

Definitely going to upgrade the brakes when the time comes, looking around for some shiney 5-spokes that suit me. 19" is an odd size, more selection in 20", but I hate to go that large. : / I'd love to find some better binders to fit with an 18" wheel.

I'm on the fence with regard to the gears. How do you like the 3.73's with this tranny?

Replacing tops every 5-6 years gets old. But I _do_ love the topless experience. :)

Couldn't agree more. Nice _clean_ aggressive styling. I don't miss the stick-on body mods of years past...at all.

I saw a post above where you got it dynoed. Been to the track?

Reply to
John C.

Yep, Brembos and 3.73s. I deleted the rear spoiler and picked the standard interior.

To tell you the truth, to do it again, I'd opt for the 55s. (And for those doing lots of highway driving, I'd pick the standard gear.) I was thinking with the taller wheels and rev-happy motor that the 73s would be the best match, but these motors pull so hard you don't need the extra gearing.

They are nice. They just put me in a different mood than a solid top car. When I drive a 'vert I feel like I have all day to get there. When I'm in a hardtop, I feel like the clock is ticking and the race is on.

Yes, I hope a cleaner body persists.

Not yet. I have a local track, but it's an 1/8 mile. Unless you're running stickier tires an 1/8 mile track is sort of pointless.

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mckenzie84

----- Lil snip -----

Speaking of rears and gears. I'm putting mine off again, had to take out a couple of trees before they took out my house this freezing rain season. That set me back $900. Crap, save a dollar, spend two.

I have an '09 v6 with the 3.32, and of course, one wheel drive. Auto trans. I had planned on the 8" 3.73, and limited slip. But after reading a few forums I'm wondering if the 3.55 gears will be better.

I drive to work every day, about 20 miles on the interstate. I also plan on doing some interstate sight seeing a couple of times a year. I'd like the low gears for get up and go, but will there be much of a difference in MPG and acceleration between the 2 gears?

Plus, with the 3.55 gears I can use my 7" axel, saving a little money. Or is that a bad idea? I understand I could break a 3.73 pinion on a 7" axel with a v6. Is that right? It's not like I'll ever be near 300 hp with his car.

I'm still leaning toward the 8" 3.73. I'm just fishing for opinions. Thanks.

Reply to
twk

torque increase is 3.73 / 3.55 = 1.0507 or 5.1% if you go 70 mph, your engine will rev higher by 1.0507 or 5.1%

MPG would go down with 3.73 some.

I think the Tires would have more of an effect, summer performance tires grip great when warm, winter tires, or plane tires are hard and slip too much.

Reply to
biofilm

3.55 is considered an aggressive street gear. 3.73 is considered a street/strip gear.

For lower reving and/or pushrod motors I'd follow this rule to a tee. For smoother, higher reving and/or OHV motors you can get away with going more aggressive.

The use you describe for your car I wouldn't advise anything more than

55s.

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mckenzie84

Thank you to both of you. I may have to go with the 55s.

My '94 v6, auto trans came with a 2.73. Why did Ford even DO that? The

3.73 I had installed seemed to actually improve my MPG. WOW, did that ever wake up that car. But then, that car was turning 1500 rpm at 55 mph. (I might be a little off on that). I don't think it ever got into it's power range. So that is why I was leaning towards the 3.73 again.

The 55s are looking better...

Reply to
twk

age

.com...

There's going to be a dramatic difference going from 2.73s to 3.55s. Most who complain about 55s "not being aggressive enough" are changing from a 3.08. You should be more than happy with 55s (hell, 3.27s might be okay), especially when you do the amount of highway driving you do.

Patrick

Reply to
patrick.mckenzie84

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