TCM for 2013 hatchback se/ is this a lemon law issue?

1411 Views 4 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Tom29625, Nov 25, 2021

tortuga

Discussion Starter · Aug 24, 2021

Greetings!

I have a 2013 hatchback se with about 130k miles on it. I have really loved it except is has the problem with the transmission so common to Fiestas. Twice (2016, 2018) Ford has replaced parts of the transmission and paid for it. Yesterday the TCM (transmission control module) and the clutch motor went again. We limped to the Ford dealer and confirmed the problem. The dealer told me that the TCM was still under warranty but that there were basically no TCMs to be had and no one knew when more were going to be available.

They won't do the work for free if I find the part (nor will they purchase the part if I locate one.) While I have enjoyed my Fiesta, I'm unsure that I want to continue playing the wonky transmission game if I have to start footing the bill. Has anyone in Fiesta-land encountered similar problems or have ideas about sourcing parts?

Conversely, could this fit under the lemon law? From what I can suss out on the internet, I seem to have missed the boat on the option to investigate a buy back (and certainly no one at Ford - the dealership or the national customer service number- is willing to have a conversation with me about it - I am immediately directed to a recording telling me to go to fordtransmissionsettlement.com). But I do seem to be having the same problem 3 times now. Has anyone had any success pursuing such a thing?

Thanks!
ivy

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cabo

· #2 · Sep 2, 2021

I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I had an answer but I am in a similar situation, but every time I had my transmission checked due to a sound right before changing gears all they did was reset the computer telling me that everything was working fine. Right now I am just waiting for a service rep get back to me and see if they can replace the TCM since it is under the recall but my car is from 2011 and only has 79K miles on it. The car drives fine and changes gears fine, just that annoying sound that goes away if I press on the gas a little more and changes gears.

If they wont cover the replacement parts and say that is still working and is safe to drive (I will request a written statement before leaving the dealer), I will drive the car until it dies, and if something happens due to a bad transmission or TCM I will make sure Ford pays for a new car and what ever expenses. They always told me it was fine and there were no problems with the transmission and not to worry about it.

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tortuga

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 2, 2021

Good luck, Cabo!

Mine is definitely not driveable so it will sit in the driveway for a bit and see if any parts surface. All the places I called (Ford Dealers and other garages said they had been waiting for more than 3 months.) It doesn't qualify for anything from Ford because I have had it too long. It also does not qualify for the lemon law in my state - in Vermont you must purchase the vehicle new and the vehicle must be under the manufacturer's warranty (not just the parts).

Alas. I see a Subaru in my future.

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flynmoose

· #4 · Sep 21, 2021

tortuga said:
Good luck, Cabo!

Mine is definitely not driveable so it will sit in the driveway for a bit and see if any parts surface. All the places I called (Ford Dealers and other garages said they had been waiting for more than 3 months.) It doesn't qualify for anything from Ford because I have had it too long. It also does not qualify for the lemon law in my state - in Vermont you must purchase the vehicle new and the vehicle must be under the manufacturer's warranty (not just the parts).

Alas. I see a Subaru in my future.

I have a 2011 SEL that has had three clutches. The most recent clutch is starting to slip. When I took it just over a year after the last clutch issue they said that the warranty on a Ford-paid part is one year. Had I paid for the parts, it would have been 2 years (and then would have been replaced under warranty.

I'm in the same boat. Afraid it will become a money pit. A new clutch system from a non-Ford service shop is around $1000. Now I have a catalytic converter acting up - which may be a sign of a camshaft problem, valve problem, or could just need new plugs. Who knows? And Ford or non-Ford shops aren't going to spend much troubleshooting time without assurance they are getting paid for their labor whether they find anything or not (which is fair.)

120K miles - has been a good car overall and was a great four-down toad for my motorhome. But now I may just need to write it off after the next major problem.

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Tom29625

· #5 · Nov 25, 2021

It's the ground wire.
Please check if you have paint under the ground lug.
Sand off the paint and replace the lug.
Probably have to clear the codes.
But same issue after a dead battery.
Jumped it then engine light, service light and the transmission failure.
Was also in limp mode.
New battery, cleaned paint off the ground connection..... running better than when I got it.
No more clunky clancky starts, 42mpg hwy....
Check The ground lug connection!!!

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