Nov 04, 2023
Wondering if anyone else with a manual shift is having the same problems I am. I have manual 2023 Badlands soft top with dealer installed lift kit, rock rails and 37" tires, along with brush guard and tow hitch and only about 6500 miles on it.
Bought the truck new in April. I've been trying to get my truck fixed since the end of August. This is a long story but stick with with me.
The Issue
At the end of August, I hadn't driven in several days. One evening I was in a fast food drive-thru line when all of a sudden I smelled something burning, the clutch and brake depress all the way to the floor, the gear shift locked and I couldn't get it out of gear, the displays went haywire, and the car started shuddering, and the auto-shutoff/start mechanism was trying to restart the car, and it didn't work, then the car totally shut-off. I was able to restart the car, and pull out of the drive thru line. The burning smell was very strong and filled the car. I couldn't see any smoke but could smell it, eyes burning, etc. I had the car towed to a local Ford dealer. It took them a couple of days to get it in to look at it.
Initially, the dealer said they found some fluid leak from front pinion seal, fixed the seal, and cleaned off the fluid. They said it was fixed and no longer smoking. They'd had the car for about a week at this point. I picked it up and I could still smell some light traces of the smoke but just thought it was lingering because that's how strong it was initially. After about 15 minutes I could smell it getting stronger. I notified the dealer and they had me bring it back in that week. Thankfully they gave me a loaner. Dealer told me there was a back log on transmission services and it could be a few months depending on what they find once they get it in. This is early September. They then say they think it's the clutch, and because Ford only covers one clutch repair under warranty I had to go in to have the tech ride with me to ensure it's not user error, to see how i drive. I was told no issues with how I drove it. Dealer indicated that they'd been in contact with the local or regional Ford rep regarding the repair issues. Then they indicate they need to take apart transmission and housing to fix issues, etc.
Last week the dealer contacted me and told me my car was repaired and ready, and that they did recalls repairs too. I picked it up and drove home. The car sat in my garage until I drove it 2 days later. After driving for about 15 minutes I started to smell the smoke again and it continued to get stronger while on the highway. When I turned around to head back home I was in heavy traffic and the smoke smell got really strong.
This past Monday I contacted the dealership to let them know the smell was still happening. They tell me it was fine when it was there, that the tech said there was no more smoke, so it must be user error. Since it was fine when it left, if i want them to look at it again, I'll have to get back in the service cue and it could be a few months before they can look at it. And since they believe it's the clutch it won't be covered warranty. Essentially I'm being blamed for burning out 2 clutches?!! I've been driving a manual for 30 years and never burned out a clutch and especially not in 4 months or 2 days!
Anyone experience anything similar with their clutch? Any recommendations on what to do?
Bought the truck new in April. I've been trying to get my truck fixed since the end of August. This is a long story but stick with with me.
The Issue
At the end of August, I hadn't driven in several days. One evening I was in a fast food drive-thru line when all of a sudden I smelled something burning, the clutch and brake depress all the way to the floor, the gear shift locked and I couldn't get it out of gear, the displays went haywire, and the car started shuddering, and the auto-shutoff/start mechanism was trying to restart the car, and it didn't work, then the car totally shut-off. I was able to restart the car, and pull out of the drive thru line. The burning smell was very strong and filled the car. I couldn't see any smoke but could smell it, eyes burning, etc. I had the car towed to a local Ford dealer. It took them a couple of days to get it in to look at it.
Initially, the dealer said they found some fluid leak from front pinion seal, fixed the seal, and cleaned off the fluid. They said it was fixed and no longer smoking. They'd had the car for about a week at this point. I picked it up and I could still smell some light traces of the smoke but just thought it was lingering because that's how strong it was initially. After about 15 minutes I could smell it getting stronger. I notified the dealer and they had me bring it back in that week. Thankfully they gave me a loaner. Dealer told me there was a back log on transmission services and it could be a few months depending on what they find once they get it in. This is early September. They then say they think it's the clutch, and because Ford only covers one clutch repair under warranty I had to go in to have the tech ride with me to ensure it's not user error, to see how i drive. I was told no issues with how I drove it. Dealer indicated that they'd been in contact with the local or regional Ford rep regarding the repair issues. Then they indicate they need to take apart transmission and housing to fix issues, etc.
Last week the dealer contacted me and told me my car was repaired and ready, and that they did recalls repairs too. I picked it up and drove home. The car sat in my garage until I drove it 2 days later. After driving for about 15 minutes I started to smell the smoke again and it continued to get stronger while on the highway. When I turned around to head back home I was in heavy traffic and the smoke smell got really strong.
This past Monday I contacted the dealership to let them know the smell was still happening. They tell me it was fine when it was there, that the tech said there was no more smoke, so it must be user error. Since it was fine when it left, if i want them to look at it again, I'll have to get back in the service cue and it could be a few months before they can look at it. And since they believe it's the clutch it won't be covered warranty. Essentially I'm being blamed for burning out 2 clutches?!! I've been driving a manual for 30 years and never burned out a clutch and especially not in 4 months or 2 days!
Anyone experience anything similar with their clutch? Any recommendations on what to do?
Laura, Deano Bronc