Clutch & Cylinder Failed at less than 900 miles. Dealer denied warranty claim

[gatorjohn]

Are you the only driver? My experience has shown clutches with multiple drivers has short lives. Not this short but shorter.

My wife also drove it a handful of times, but I was with her about half of those and they were without incident. She's also had primarily manual transmissions for her cars over the years too, so no habits that would burn it up in that many drives.

Manufacturer defects happen to all the OEMs, I don't necessarily blame Ford for having an issue every few thousand vehicles. It's the fact that they're not standing by their warranty.

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[Q1svt]

Ford like all OEM’s have vehicles data…. If they share it with you or not… as others stated your story doesn’t seem to cut it.

 

[gatorjohn]

Ford like all OEM’s have vehicles data…. If they share it with you or not… as others stated your story doesn’t seem to cut it.

I asked them for rev data and vehicle data that supports their claim. They said "there are no codes thrown since it's a mechanical failure' and I also asked specifically for over rev data from the PCM, and they said they can't retrieve it. I don't think thats right, but that's what the service advisor told me.

If it did show over revs -- that would support their claim. So I'm not sure why they would withhold that from me?


The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act puts the burden on the OEM to prove that it was operator error. So far that only hard evidence they have is "the clutch looks like the first bulletin picture."

If they have PCM data, they're not using it currently to deny the warranty claim.

 

[Ducati1098]

I asked them for rev data and vehicle data that supports their claim. They said "there are no codes thrown since it's a mechanical failure' and I also asked specifically for over rev data from the PCM, and they said they can't retrieve it. I don't think thats right, but that's what the service advisor told me.

If it did show over revs -- that would support their claim. So I'm not sure why they would withhold that from me?


The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act puts the burden on the OEM to prove that it was operator error. So far that only hard evidence they have is "the clutch looks like the first bulletin picture."

If they have PCM data, they're not using it currently to deny the warranty claim.

There isn’t any stored data in the PCM unless it sets a code. If it does, then there is freeze frame data. There wouldn’t be any data for this.

The dealer is correctly (whether people agree with it or not) basing the failure off known information that ford has supplied saying this is not a warrantable repair.

The only way you’ll be able to fight this is to contact Ford directly. The dealerships hands are tied.

 

[Q1svt]

I asked them for rev data and vehicle data that supports their claim. They said "there are no codes thrown since it's a mechanical failure' and I also asked specifically for over rev data from the PCM, and they said they can't retrieve it. I don't think thats right, but that's what the service advisor told me.

If it did show over revs -- that would support their claim. So I'm not sure why they would withhold that from me?


The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act puts the burden on the OEM to prove that it was operator error. So far that only hard evidence they have is "the clutch looks like the first bulletin picture."

If they have PCM data, they're not using it currently to deny the warranty claim.

Then you posted to the wrong Bronco Site… Post your story there, someone will ask for your Bronco VIN … and

 

[Brian_B]

I don't know how to read failed clutches, but yeah, I'd say that one got hot from something. Really looks like it either wasn't seated plumb or something got up in it and cocked it. Like @itwelder points out - but again, I'm no expert. Just me armchair quarterbacking it.

How much does a new clutch + flywheel run if you were just to part out a repair? May be a good excuse to step up to something like a South Bend or Spec.

 

[gatorjohn]

There isn’t any stored data in the PCM unless it sets a code. If it does, then there is freeze frame data. There wouldn’t be any data for this.

The dealer is correctly (whether people agree with it or not) basing the failure off known information that ford has supplied saying this is not a warrantable repair.

The only way you’ll be able to fight this is to contact Ford directly. The dealerships hands are tied.

I have opened up a case with Ford to escalate, but now it’s a waiting game to hear back.

I am upset of course, but I really should state that I don’t have any hard feelings against the tech or service advisor, they’ve been responsive and I’m sure they’re just using the information they have at hand from Ford (which doesn’t seem to be a whole lot).

But I do think it’s a little nuts that I have to escalate to Ford directly myself to get them to care, and in turn, be without the vehicle for such a long time on a Bronco with less than 900 miles.

 

[Q1svt]

There isn’t any stored data in the PCM unless it sets a code. If it does, then there is freeze frame data. There wouldn’t be any data for this.

Humm. I would think data for engine RPM, MT gear (display ;^)), and wheel speed should be data aligned?

If not in alignment (data) the difference is CLUTCH slippage.
Just saying

 

[Willub]

During my purchase process, the GM of my dealer was saying how cool it was to get the first 7mt at their dealer. He told me he was moving it around the lot and was starting off in second gear, just cause. That’s the GM. The “smart” one. I asked if I could get that in writing.

People are stupid. If it had any amount of miles on it before you got it, I’d be pushing hard that some idiot at the dealer smoked that thing before you ever touched it.

 

[Ducati1098]

Humm. I would think data for engine RPM, MT gear (display ;^)), and wheel speed should be data aligned?

If not in alignment (data) the difference is CLUTCH slippage.
Just saying

Yeah all of that would be great data if it was stored somewhere accessible to dealerships/technicians. But like I mentioned above, if it doesn’t set a code (which a slipping clutch 99% of the time won’t) there is no freeze frame data to review or see.

Even when it does store freeze frame data, it doesn’t always capture everything you need to verify or pinpoint an issue

 

[Q1svt]

Yeah all of that would be great data if it was stored somewhere accessible to dealerships/technicians. But like I mentioned above, if it doesn’t set a code (which a slipping clutch 99% of the time won’t) there is no freeze frame data to review or see.

Even when it does store freeze frame data, it doesn’t always capture everything you need to verify or pinpoint an issue

… issues privacy.. but the company gets data as part of systems, operations and performance to look for issues etc.. general info is in the owners manual

 

[Ducati1098]

… issues privacy.. but the company gets data as part of systems, operations and performance to look for issues etc.. general info is in the owners manual

The data they collect is not that specific.
They aren’t collecting specific gear, RPM or anything to calculate real time clutch slippage.

Mainly just typical driving data like acceleration, braking, and steering based off accelerometers in the vehicle, use of driver assist features, seat belt status, general indicators of how the vehicle is being operated.

The data they get isn’t for everyday general diagnostic purposes, they rely on dealerships for that information.

 

[DuneRunner]

That really sucks, I hope Ford takes care of you on this. 900 miles? I would be mad as hell, too.

 

[KreeHBronco]

It's been a while since I dealt with clutches, but in my experience, really the only way to kill a clutch would be to somehow allow excessive slippage resulting in overheating and damage to the clutch disk. Any chance due to some mechanical/hydraulic fault, the clutch was not being fully engaged and was slipping continuously?

 

[sjudas]

I'm in disbelief at the lack of information in this post.

Something seems off with this guys post. 900 miles and the clutch failed. Hmm. Then the lack of information. Seems fake.

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