27th Sep 2006, 19:51

Ford has had world class transmissions for years. (C4, C6 trannys) However they've just started making/using these new 6 speeds and its going to take time to fine tune them.

2nd Nov 2007, 15:31

Need I mention the 4-speed in the Taurus, Crown Vic, Explorer? They all have terrible transmissions with short life spans of MAYBE 120k miles at best. They often don't even last half that long. Ironically, the best automatic Ford has used in any of their cars in the past 20yrs. seems to be their cheapest car, the Escort. Go figure. The new 6-speed sounds just as awful. This is the major reason I'm scared off to buying any Ford. It's too bad because they actually make decent engines.

10th Feb 2009, 21:40

I have 1993 Crown Vic P74 with 180k and still the original tranny. I use it hard everyday, the car runs like a champ, and I have zero problems.

9th Mar 2009, 13:51

I own a 2005 Ford 500 Ltd. Great car, terrible trans, 38000 miles. Ford dealer informs me warranty good only to 36000 miles.

9th Mar 2009, 14:07

For what it's worth, the 6-speed automatic transmission in the 2005 Ford Five Hundred is made in Japan by Aisin.

5th Apr 2009, 23:29

I had a 88 Taurus with over 153,000 miles and I own a 79 F100 with a C6 with over 205,000 miles, a 98 Taurus with 104,000 and a Five Hundred with just over 34,000 and have not had any problems with any of these transmissions.

3rd Sep 2009, 20:17

I have a 2005 Ford 500. It has 91K miles. The transmission has been slipping for at least 40K miles. The dealer acts as if they never heard of my problem! I figured they were lying. Thanks for the confirmation.

4th Sep 2009, 11:24

"I have a 2005 Ford 500. It has 91K miles"

Your problem could simply be a dirty filter. I'm a mechanic and I've encountered this issue before at around this mileage. A filter is very inexpensive and easy to replace.

6th Sep 2009, 04:56

Transmissions are always the weakest point on any vehicle, and Fords are notorious for bad transmissions, particularly front wheel drive Fords, which should basically be entirely avoided.

9th Sep 2009, 20:52

Thanks for the suggestion about changing the filter. It's worth a try.

28th Jan 2010, 17:26

Have fun trying to change the filter in the Ford 500 6 speed. The filter is inside; you have to pull it out and take it apart.

27th Jun 2010, 07:16

Look, as someone in the transmission biz, I can tell you, you get good and bad from any make. I've replaced 3 Hondas recently with barely 100k on them. But if you're going to badmouth any make of vehicle, think about all those 700r4 and early 4L60E's that GM was so nice to offer us. I'm not complaining, I've made good money of those, and Caravan/Voyager's.

17th Nov 2010, 08:12

Thanks for the unbiased opinion. I hate rash generalizations by those who have limited knowledge.