Purchased the car with only 100000 kilometers (62000 miles). I bought it during cold weather, so it seemed to function properly. Once the weather warmed up the transmission started slipping. For now I just drive the car on cold days, till I can find a replacement transmission at a reasonable cost... the Ford dealer wanted $2800 for a rebuilt unit. Now the car runs rough on acceleration, so I probably need a sensor or two.
I loved Fords in the past, but this hunk of junk has totally turned me off of Fords, and a certain Ford dealer in Belleville Ontario. My previous Pontiac Grand Am Quad 4 was also a nightmare, so I think I'll buy an import next... hopefully in the near future when I get the chance to unload this lemon onto someone at a big loss to me.
The transmission normally needs a filter and complete fluid change at about 80,000, then it's like new again. Do a fluid change every 30 or 40,000 to be safe, it's only about $60 to do it.
The "mass flow air sensor" goes bad at 75,000 on some of these, as a test, unplug it and the computer goes into a default table mode, if it runs better and shifts better, you know what's wrong. This should be a $20 part, but you have to buy the whole metal thing, I think that needs a recall of it's own. I have been running without it connected for 30,000 miles now, just as a test of course.
Mine too is giving me troubles. Between gears, particularily 2/3 and top gears, it shifts, but then there is a slight shutter or rattle. I purchased the vehicle with 112,000km on it and it now has just 124,000km. Do you feel a trannt flush and new filter will really get rid of this problem? I had a diagnostic done on it any there was nothing electrically wrong with it so I'm down to a simple tranny flush or something mechanical like and clutch or torque converter. My fear is that I'll spend $100 bones on a flush and the problem will still be there and I could have just put the coin towards a tranny repair at $500. The car is in excellent running condition other than this and is spotless.
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