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2011 Clutch Shifting Fix Coming

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#42 ·
Hey guys, I'm new here and I just bought my 2011 GT this month. I'm in Wyoming and it's still cold here. All I notice is a little grind in second and third when the car is cold. The problem goes away when the car warms up. This is a common issue in some other manually shifted cars. The tranny needs to warm up, specifically the fluid. It makes sense to refer to Fords recomendation to use lighter fluid, but I would stay away from it if you live in a very warm climate. I have found that when I let my new baby warm up in the driveway a little longer, I have less issues, but really the problem goes away after 10 minutes or less of drivetime.
 
#43 ·
O wow I didnt know of this problem.

I bought my car in november and at 975 miles my tranny was grinding everytime it hit 5th gear. The dealership wanted to rebuild my tranny and I had to piss and moan to get them to put a new one in.
Now rarely at high RPM fast shifts a few times it has grinded at shifts

WTF is fords problem with their trannys and clutches......
 
Discussion starter · #44 ·
Hello fellow 2011 Mustang Manual Transmission Owners

When I purchased my car in September last year, I was unaware of how extremely passionate Mustang owners were about their rides. As so many of us are having clutch and transmission issues (to varying degrees) I've tried to keep us all in the loop with regard to Ford's effort to find solutions. The volume of emails, PM's, and posts to various websites has now become so overwhelming that it is impossible for me to answer each individually. The most robust and informative conversation going on right now is at allfordmustangs.com. It should be noted that Deysha, a Ford Customer Care Representative, monitors and posts updates there regularly and is intimately familiar with the problems we're all experiencing. I encourage you to remain active in the Mustang forum(s) of your choice, but with regard to this particular issue, I strongly advise you follow the sticky thread at allfordmustangs.com: Official 2011 Mustang Manual Transmission Rough Shifting Thread - Ford Mustang Forums

I thought I'd quickly summarize the symptoms, current fixes available, what we know so far, and how best to ensure your car is fixed

SYMPTOMS:
1. Clutch pedal sticks to the floor when fully depressed (Generally, cars built before May 2010)
2. Clutch engagement no longer progressive... more "on/off"... with very little pedal travel causing bucking/jerky launches.
3. Difficult to shift in temperatures below 35 degrees F.
4. Grinding when shifting (1-2 and 2-3 reported most) until car is fully warmed up.
5. Grinding when shifting (1-2 and 2-3 reported most) all the time.
6. Inability to engage gears with clutch pedal fully depressed (non related to skip-shift)

CORRESPONDING SOLUTIONS:
1. Ford will install an updated pedal assembly that solves the problem.
2. No fix for 2011, but it should be noted that 2012 Mustangs have revised clutch assemblies.
3. Ford will change your transmission fluid. (Many owners report success, some report gear whine)
4. Ford may change your transmission fluid. (Some owners report success, some report gear whine)
5. Ford may change your transmission fluid. (Few owners report success, some report gear whine)
6. Ford may replace your clutch assembly and install updated pressure plate bolts.

WHAT WE KNOW:
As most of you already know, if your problems continue after having these applied, there is no other fix as of 03/23/2011.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?
1. Call Customer Care, report your problems, get a case number, ask that they arrange for your dealer to evaluate the car, and be sure to ask for free rental.
2. When you drop the car off, be sure a REPAIR ORDER is filled out and that the symptoms are documented to the tee. Drive the car with a service advisor.
3. If you feel your issues are severe enough that they constitute a safety risk, MAKE SURE THAT IS VISIBLE ON THE REPAIR ORDER.
4. Be prepared for "UNABLE TO REPRODUCE" on the invoice.
5. If your car is not repaired, contact your Customer Care Rep and insist your vehicle be examined by a FSE (engineer). Insist you would like to be present when he/she comes to evaluate your car. Also insist that your Service Manager accompany you. You should all drive both your car and another new one on the lot for comparison.
6. Make it crystal clear to the engineer, the customer care rep, and both your service and sales managers that YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH YOUR MUSTANG. If you believe your problems pose a safety risk, also make that clear to all parties.
7. Keep all of your Repair Orders and Invoices.

WHAT IF THAT DOESN'T WORK?
1. If your problems are minor, you could simply wait to see if Ford comes up with other fixes. Enjoy your Mustang!!!
2. My personal Customer Care Rep told me Ford is working on a revised clutch assembly for 2011's that should solve the shifting/clutch engagement issues. It should be noted that no other source has been able to confirm this.
3. If you believe your problems pose a safety risk, do not hesitate to report the issue to the NHTSA here: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
4. If you are unable to resolve your issues with the Dealer and Customer Care, contact Ford Customer Relations in Michigan. You can request a buy-back or vehicle replacement. Be prepared to receive a letter in 5 days denying your request stating that it does not qualify under your state's lemon law. THIS IS A FORM LETTER AND DO NOT ASSUME THIS IS ACCURATE. Your Customer Care Rep will call and should provide detailed information as to why your car is not being replaced. Be sure to post here if the reason given is "There is a fix coming". If you are told there is a fix coming, demand details.

I hope this is helpful

John
 
#45 ·
Sadly i belong in group 5 i have already been to the dealer and they said they couldn't find anything wrong, and said i would have to take the tech for a ride and show him the issue.

I just really hate dealing with these guys but i guess i am going to have to do this myself.
 
#47 ·
A friend of mine just bought a GT, and with 500 miles on it now, it is exhibiting these symptoms. I will get him to go to that thread and this one, so he can start the process to hopefully get it resolved.
 
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#48 ·
I have 7k miles on my 2011 GT, and havent had any issues at all. Does it matter on what options you have or when your Mustang was built? I picked mine up in Nov 10 and was built in Oct.
 
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#49 ·
Testakleez said:
How much does it cost to replace clutch with a nice aftermarket one?
Click to expand...
The average costs I have seen are ~$300 - $500 (street/daily driver performance clutch) or as much as $2k depending on what your looking for in a clutch, brand etc. Labor, I have no clue... I have no doubt Ford will get to the bottom of it, but Tic Toc.....

Like so many others, I have read tons on this topic and anyone who replaced the clutch on their own, becasue they were tired of waiting, they are now enjoying there smooth shifting Mustang GT's. A fluid change may very well be the solution to a few of the problems; however, a car with not even 1000 miles on it that has refused me 2nd gear multiple times but is butter smooth too 3rd - 6th is not the skip shift taking action. My shift from 1st to 2nd is like I'm trying to shift without using the clutch. Recently where I live it's been in the lower 80's and regardless how "warmed" up my car is, it results with the same 1st too 2nd issue.
 
#50 ·
I got my 2011 GT back 2 days ago. The invoice states that NO issues were found, but they changed the trans fluid to the dual clutch fluid and here's the best part............





I have a Kenne Bell on my transmission. I must've gained about 145 rwhp from this mod they threw on there. I'm taking it to another dealership. Two more attempts and my states Lemon Law comes into play.



They also stated that it was driver error (me) and that the transmission whine was normal. I'm sorry, but should my transmission sound like a blower? Should it drow out my exhaust AND my music at half volume? If I wanted a a Kenne Bell or a Whipple I would've bought one. I actually had a friend sit outside of a parking lot while I drove around and when I dump it, he said he could my transmission whining from across the parking lot (50 yards+).
 
#51 ·
my 2011 v6 is going in for the second time for this issue.
at 2700 miles they replaced the clutch assembly and bolts
now at 6050 miles first and second are almost impossible to engage unless I am at a complete stop, go into reverse, then go into first. Second requires so much force to get into gear that I simply skip it and go 1-3. sometimes 1 and 2 are unusable so I have to drive it out of 3rd.

At this point, I'm just counting down until it qualifies as a lemon, so I can pick up a beater and wait for the issues to be fixed in the 2013 model year.
 
#52 ·
Right here with you guys. Every damn time I take my car in it just so happens it starts to shift the way it should and they tell me that they can't duplicate it. I have had it in 3 times and nothing. Yet I drive the car the next day and its doing it again. I told the dealership to just drain the fluid and put the new tranny fluid in and I would report back to them with the results.....NO is their answer until they can duplicate/exhaust all other efforts. BULLSHIT!
 
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#53 ·
Went to yet another dealership for my transmission whining. Shifting is fine, 2nd gear can be iffy at high rpm, but I'm more concernced about the whine.

The guy that rode with me said he's never heard a manual transmission that loud and there's a serious problem. Said he'd call customer care hotline or whatever. He was put on hold, so he says. He told me he'd call as soon as he found something out. This was at 3pm central time and still nothing. I love this run around game. I'm headed there tomorrow to get my documentation as 'ATTEMPT #2' for my lemon law case. I have an appointment with the dealership I bought the car from tomorrow as well. If they do not fix it, I'm lawyer-ing up and getting this problem fixed.

I'm not going to be made a fool of because I'm only 21 and got my act straight when I was younger. I refuse to play these mind games because I WILL fight back.
 
#55 ·
My v6 is having the same issues.
Currently at the dealership for its 2nd major teardown.
First they replaced the bolts and clutch assembly.
Now they are replacing the entire transmission.
Ford wanted them to open up the transmission and replace gears 1 and 2, but this dealership said they didn't have a special tool they needed to do the job, so they talked Ford, and they didn't have the tool available either. So a new transmission is going in instead.
 
#58 ·
Well, I know for a fact that alot of the gear lockout (even at WOT) can be solved by unplugging the lockout solenoid connector. It is not monitored by the PCM and does not throw a code. It's a two wire plug connector on the passenger side top of the transmission. I zip tied it to the harness and covered the connector with electrical tape. I have yet to miss a gear and no more 4th gear bullshit on hills.

My whine is still there though.
 
#59 ·
zinc02GT said:
Well, I know for a fact that alot of the gear lockout (even at WOT) can be solved by unplugging the lockout solenoid connector. It is not monitored by the PCM and does not throw a code. It's a two wire plug connector on the passenger side top of the transmission. I zip tied it to the harness and covered the connector with electrical tape. I have yet to miss a gear and no more 4th gear bullshit on hills.

My whine is still there though.
Click to expand...
zinc02GT, just so I'm on the same page, you are talking about the skip shift solenoid correct? Top side, towards the rear of the transmission on the passenger side... If we are on the same page, indeed I have read this has helped many, but I still think it's the clutch.

Some "helped" with a fluid change, new pressure plate bolts that back out and recently with rebleeding the clutch has helped out quit a bit, but all of these are not a 100% fix and most have the symtoms return after a few thousand miles. Now for the few of those who were tired of waiting on Ford and replaced their clutch with a nice complete kit, they are enjoying their smooth shifting Mustangs. It could be a combination of things for some or only one for others, but even the GT500 owners will tell you the clutch assembly is the overall issue. If Ford does not own up to this issue here real soon, I'm going to just come out and ask my SVT certified dealer if I have them install the nice aftermarket clutch will it void my transmission/driveline warranty. Most likely they will void it because then I would be one customer off the need to fix list, which is sad becasue the aftermarket clutch's are way superior. You know the deal.
 
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