Thanks for the replies. Update from dealer is that the parts are back ordered for a month, so they have requested from Ford a new transmission. I also contacted the Ford Customer Support Line and they seemed willing to help. I'm going to supposedly be connected with the Ford Customer Support Regional Rep.
In the mean time I have sent Ford corporate a certified copy of the note below, which includes some of the ideas mentioned by others above.
Dear Ford Motor Company:
I’m writing this letter to bring to your attention the issues I have with my 2018 Ford Raptor. On June 30th, my transmission spontaneously broke, without notice, leaving me stranded while out of town over the 4th of July weekend. The truck was towed to the nearest dealer where it remains. Their first effort made was to replace to the valve body, but this was not affective and resulted in one week of lost time. After further tear down and transmission removal it was explained to me that a gear in the front section of the transmission was improperly installed by the factory which littered the transmission with debris causing the clutches to slip, overheat, and warp.
According to the dealer, the decision to repair vs replace the transmission as a single unit was made by Ford. As a mechanical engineer, and lawyer, I feel this is the wrong decision. If metal debris was the cause of the clutch failure, and most likely caused the restriction in the valve body, the rest of the contact surfaces and bearings in the transmission were exposed to the same harmful containments. Moreover, having a dealer rebuilt transmission in a nearly brand-new truck is unacceptable. Dealers have a hard time changing oil and brakes without forgetting bolts and following procedure, they are not experienced enough to successfully complete a complicated transmission rebuild without repeat problems.
The most frustrating thing to me is that I have driven Japanese cars my whole life and decided to do the good American thing and buy American. Seeing as FORD is the originator of the American automobile as it’s known today, I went against the warnings of many family and friends and bought a Ford. Now I’m left in a compromised position that many warned me of.
In addition, me and a group of friends are scheduled to go on an Elk hunt in October driving from Texas to Colorado. My truck, the new truck, was the elected means of transportation, but after this incident the group is now leaning towards taking a 2008 (10 year old) Tundra with 175k miles based on reliability. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t set well with me.
The proper way for Ford to handle this issue is for Ford to instruct Maxwell Ford of Austin Tx to replace the damage transmission with a new unit and return me to the road quickly and reliably.
If this issue isn’t resolved expediently I will exercise my full rights under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Motor Vehicle Warranty Performance Obligation (Texas Lemon Laws).
Please note that at this point in time I remain open minded and Ford can still gain a new loyal customer and brand champion if this matter is given the right level of attention and the right outcome is achieved.
In the mean time I have sent Ford corporate a certified copy of the note below, which includes some of the ideas mentioned by others above.
Dear Ford Motor Company:
I’m writing this letter to bring to your attention the issues I have with my 2018 Ford Raptor. On June 30th, my transmission spontaneously broke, without notice, leaving me stranded while out of town over the 4th of July weekend. The truck was towed to the nearest dealer where it remains. Their first effort made was to replace to the valve body, but this was not affective and resulted in one week of lost time. After further tear down and transmission removal it was explained to me that a gear in the front section of the transmission was improperly installed by the factory which littered the transmission with debris causing the clutches to slip, overheat, and warp.
According to the dealer, the decision to repair vs replace the transmission as a single unit was made by Ford. As a mechanical engineer, and lawyer, I feel this is the wrong decision. If metal debris was the cause of the clutch failure, and most likely caused the restriction in the valve body, the rest of the contact surfaces and bearings in the transmission were exposed to the same harmful containments. Moreover, having a dealer rebuilt transmission in a nearly brand-new truck is unacceptable. Dealers have a hard time changing oil and brakes without forgetting bolts and following procedure, they are not experienced enough to successfully complete a complicated transmission rebuild without repeat problems.
The most frustrating thing to me is that I have driven Japanese cars my whole life and decided to do the good American thing and buy American. Seeing as FORD is the originator of the American automobile as it’s known today, I went against the warnings of many family and friends and bought a Ford. Now I’m left in a compromised position that many warned me of.
In addition, me and a group of friends are scheduled to go on an Elk hunt in October driving from Texas to Colorado. My truck, the new truck, was the elected means of transportation, but after this incident the group is now leaning towards taking a 2008 (10 year old) Tundra with 175k miles based on reliability. I don’t know about you, but that doesn’t set well with me.
The proper way for Ford to handle this issue is for Ford to instruct Maxwell Ford of Austin Tx to replace the damage transmission with a new unit and return me to the road quickly and reliably.
If this issue isn’t resolved expediently I will exercise my full rights under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and Motor Vehicle Warranty Performance Obligation (Texas Lemon Laws).
Please note that at this point in time I remain open minded and Ford can still gain a new loyal customer and brand champion if this matter is given the right level of attention and the right outcome is achieved.