Official Tremec 3650 Issues Thread
- Thread starter Twisted
- Start date
-
Sponsors (?)
Mustang225
Founding Member
- Jul 23, 2000
- 424
- 5
- 29
Well the stang went into the Ford dealer today for the new tranny.
While I was there I mentioned a low ticking sound that goes away when the clutch is pressed down and lucky me, as the mechanic heard it also. While talking to the mechanic has he was listening to the "tick" he informed me that this was the 2nd stang getting a new tranny due to the 1-2 notch.
The Ford dealer said 2-3 days and I'll report back how the new tranny feels and also if it's an updated model (via serial/model #) as Ford told me that this would solve the 1-2 notch BS.
Plus I hope they found and solved that ticking sound. Looks like there was a service bulletin issued back in Aug 03.
While I was there I mentioned a low ticking sound that goes away when the clutch is pressed down and lucky me, as the mechanic heard it also. While talking to the mechanic has he was listening to the "tick" he informed me that this was the 2nd stang getting a new tranny due to the 1-2 notch.
The Ford dealer said 2-3 days and I'll report back how the new tranny feels and also if it's an updated model (via serial/model #) as Ford told me that this would solve the 1-2 notch BS.
Plus I hope they found and solved that ticking sound. Looks like there was a service bulletin issued back in Aug 03.
stangman
15 Year Member
hi all--
i just thought i would let you all in on the trouble i have been having at ford over my 3650 tranny. on dec 19, 2003 my tranny completely went out. when i went to shift to 3rd gear, the shifter went to neutral & the tranny stayed in 2nd. Well on dec. 23rd the car finally makes it to the dealer (took so long cause the stupid tow truck company). they told me the parts would be there the following monday, well it's now jan. 24th, 2004 & i have no car. i've been told everything from ford takes a long vacation for the holiday season, to the parts are on national backorder & a few different things inbetween
well i have found out that the parts for the job are on national backorder. I think that they are on backorder because they are many of the parts that they need to do the "fix" for our tranny. i was told that the last part is due to be released in early Feb. so you all might hear something after all the parts are released. 
hopefully i will finally get my car back either today or fri. they ended up ordering a new tranny from the assembly line to get me out of their hair. 
i just thought i would let you all in on the trouble i have been having at ford over my 3650 tranny. on dec 19, 2003 my tranny completely went out. when i went to shift to 3rd gear, the shifter went to neutral & the tranny stayed in 2nd. Well on dec. 23rd the car finally makes it to the dealer (took so long cause the stupid tow truck company). they told me the parts would be there the following monday, well it's now jan. 24th, 2004 & i have no car. i've been told everything from ford takes a long vacation for the holiday season, to the parts are on national backorder & a few different things inbetween
well i have found out that the parts for the job are on national backorder. I think that they are on backorder because they are many of the parts that they need to do the "fix" for our tranny. i was told that the last part is due to be released in early Feb. so you all might hear something after all the parts are released. hopefully i will finally get my car back either today or fri.
they ended up ordering a new tranny from the assembly line to get me out of their hair. 
Ford Executive Called Me Again!!
All,
I got another call from Ford Executive today in response to my emails. He stated that Ford Engineering is aware of the problem now and are working on a fix. He said by the end of the first quarter, so late March. He suggests that I keep in touch with my dealer for updates. I asked if he had any ideas of what the fix was, he said no, he isn't a technical person and all he know is they are working on a "fix."
I asked what happens if my warranty is up by the time there is a fix and he gave me the speech that all this is well documented in thier system and we will deal with it when the time comes. He also said he is forwarded record of my complaint/concerns to my dealership.
I guess this is better than the last conversation I had with Ford Executive "No effect on performance or durability, it is acceptable." Let's hope this fix is a 1st quarter thing and they don't keep pushing it back.
All,
I got another call from Ford Executive today in response to my emails. He stated that Ford Engineering is aware of the problem now and are working on a fix. He said by the end of the first quarter, so late March. He suggests that I keep in touch with my dealer for updates. I asked if he had any ideas of what the fix was, he said no, he isn't a technical person and all he know is they are working on a "fix."
I asked what happens if my warranty is up by the time there is a fix and he gave me the speech that all this is well documented in thier system and we will deal with it when the time comes. He also said he is forwarded record of my complaint/concerns to my dealership.
I guess this is better than the last conversation I had with Ford Executive "No effect on performance or durability, it is acceptable." Let's hope this fix is a 1st quarter thing and they don't keep pushing it back.
Twisted said:
1st quarter, 2nd quarter, 3rd quarter, 4th quarter, this year, next year, next generation, so on, and so on. Twisted, you and everyone else is gonna have to get used to the fact that Ford has nearabout always made a crap transmission and never did anything about it. Did it ever occur to them that the car they build (mustang) targets hot rodders but yet do nothing nothing to fix the trannys. I don't know what Ford's problem is but if this is "fixed" now then call me Susie and slap me silly...You know what I think? I think us 3650 owners are STUCK IN THE MUD with this. No fix, only promises of a "fix" in the future that can't be made.
We're either gonna do 2 things: buy ourselves a REAL car that can handle the abuse and shift accurately or wait until the new body style comes out, and for the few of us out there who do like the retro-look, trade it in towards that. Since I just bought mine I'm gonna beat it to death until the warranty is out and then see what's up.
I know this is a rediculous post and forgive my ignorance, but unless I hear something positive and convincing (this doesnt mean from a ford rep that knows nothing technical that says they're working on a fix) then I'm not keeping my fingers crossed ANYMORE. As for the Tri-ax, well it's going in today. I shouldn't feel any guilt or be held back to enjoy my new purchase.
later
I totally agree with Oldskooler, this is nothing more than biding time and instilling false hope for me. This issue has existed now for nearly 3 years on 2001's to 2004. Certianly FORD was aware of the issue by 2002. Being that there isnt much to do about it and roughly 12,000 miles until my car is out of warranty I know its just a matter of time. Hopefully the transmission will fall out...but then I will just get another crappy 3650. What really chaps my a$$ was that I was told it was normal by the dealership and a fluid change was performed, and to top it off the letter I received earlier this week made it sound like nothing has changed. If you scroll back to one of the previous pages in this thread you will see what the letter contained.
I just emailed Ford at the Customer Relationship Center at this web address: https://www.customersaskford.com/KanaForm.asp?SourceSite=Ford&launchsite=ford
---------------------------------------------
I own a 2002 Mustang GT. I bought this new and every winter, the transmission shifts badly from 1st to 2nd. The best I can explain it is that it grinds and the colder it gets, the worse it gets. I have went to my dealership and they didn't know of any problems with it and since there isn't a TSB out on this issue, they won't do anything about it. I've been waiting on Ford Motor Company to issue a TSB on this and it just isn't happening. I am not the only one that is having this problem. This problem exists in EVERY Mustang you have made from 2001.5 to current with the Tremec 3650 5 speed manual transmission. If you need proof that I am not the only one, please visit this web forum at stangnet.com http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=328655 It's very upsetting to me that this issue hasn't been resolved in over 2 1/2 years. It's also very upsetting that I am paying a lot of money for a car with a faulty transmission and nothing is being done about it. I want you to send this to someone that will take this seriously including the president of Ford. This needs fixed and should not be ignored anymore.
---------------------------------------------
I own a 2002 Mustang GT. I bought this new and every winter, the transmission shifts badly from 1st to 2nd. The best I can explain it is that it grinds and the colder it gets, the worse it gets. I have went to my dealership and they didn't know of any problems with it and since there isn't a TSB out on this issue, they won't do anything about it. I've been waiting on Ford Motor Company to issue a TSB on this and it just isn't happening. I am not the only one that is having this problem. This problem exists in EVERY Mustang you have made from 2001.5 to current with the Tremec 3650 5 speed manual transmission. If you need proof that I am not the only one, please visit this web forum at stangnet.com http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=328655 It's very upsetting to me that this issue hasn't been resolved in over 2 1/2 years. It's also very upsetting that I am paying a lot of money for a car with a faulty transmission and nothing is being done about it. I want you to send this to someone that will take this seriously including the president of Ford. This needs fixed and should not be ignored anymore.
As usual, they wrote me back and aren't going to do anything about it. 
The person that wrote me back said "At this time, our decision will not change." If I can't get past their customer support and communicate with someone higher up, then it appears that this is a lost cause. The people you talk to or email won't give it any consideration or no support. They just reply to your email with "canned" responses or when you call, they repond to you in a way that they hope will please you enough to end the call.
The person that wrote me back said "At this time, our decision will not change." If I can't get past their customer support and communicate with someone higher up, then it appears that this is a lost cause. The people you talk to or email won't give it any consideration or no support. They just reply to your email with "canned" responses or when you call, they repond to you in a way that they hope will please you enough to end the call.
Mustang225
Founding Member
- Jul 23, 2000
- 424
- 5
- 29
Well, the dealer called me today and informed me that Ford sent them the wrong tranny. So he's going to re-order and put a rush on it.
Unfort the wrong tranny took 3 weeks to get. So it looks like I might have the loaner for a few weeks.
I was tempted to ask him if it was a Cobra 6 speed tranny and is there anyway of putting it in without screwing the car up and keeping the warranty.
Unfort the wrong tranny took 3 weeks to get. So it looks like I might have the loaner for a few weeks.
I was tempted to ask him if it was a Cobra 6 speed tranny and is there anyway of putting it in without screwing the car up and keeping the warranty.
Thanks for the understanding fellas...
Being that I traded my 98' Pontiac Trans Am in towards an 04' GT 3 weeks ago, I am in NO WAY of putting the Mustang down or anything... but I have to wonder something. Yes, the Mustang may have outlived the crapbirds but I gotta tell ya, they "halfassed" winning the competition. I would rather have put a solid car to sleep rather than make a product and ignore EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER in the last 3 years and write it off as NORMAL. No sir! At this rate I don't see how Ford can stay in business being that the Mustang is one of their prime sellars and buyers of 01-04 will have to think REALLY HARD about making another purchase from them. Rediculous.
As for an actual recall, I've given serious thought about this. If they were to recall or even claim a silent TSB, Ford would lose nearabout ALL of their profits on the Mustang. We're talking about a $1k+ "fix" here guys and by all means if only a few people are completely satisfied with their mustangs, THEY WON'T BE FIXING OURS. I doubt even a class action lawsuit is going to give them a second thought.(seriously think about it)
The thing that pisses me off the most is that the retro-style is coming out as soon as June of this year. There looking to go forward and not backwards (which makes sense) and there giving their 100% thought into the new mustang. Why dwell on us 3650 owners? That will just hurt the outcome of the next generation for them. If this was 2001 or 2002 they could have looked into it further (if given more complaints) but I'm afraid time has run out.(lucky for them) Sadly, in about 6-8 months our problem will be history for them.
I'll continue to drive my new car due to the fact that I absolutely love the body style, sound, smooth power, and comfort but I have all but given up for something to be done about this tranny. Someone mentioned earlier about this being the nature of the beast. This is true! It's not like other makes/models in the past have gone without their problems so I will accept the 01-04 stangs as being "imperfect/flawed" and get over it. I suggest that other owners do the same because we can sit here and beat this "3650 tranny issues" thread to death. If they come out with a "fix", great! Until then, only you can determine whether to live with your car or not...but if you do HAVE FUN WITH IT.
Later
Being that I traded my 98' Pontiac Trans Am in towards an 04' GT 3 weeks ago, I am in NO WAY of putting the Mustang down or anything... but I have to wonder something. Yes, the Mustang may have outlived the crapbirds but I gotta tell ya, they "halfassed" winning the competition. I would rather have put a solid car to sleep rather than make a product and ignore EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER in the last 3 years and write it off as NORMAL. No sir! At this rate I don't see how Ford can stay in business being that the Mustang is one of their prime sellars and buyers of 01-04 will have to think REALLY HARD about making another purchase from them. Rediculous.
As for an actual recall, I've given serious thought about this. If they were to recall or even claim a silent TSB, Ford would lose nearabout ALL of their profits on the Mustang. We're talking about a $1k+ "fix" here guys and by all means if only a few people are completely satisfied with their mustangs, THEY WON'T BE FIXING OURS. I doubt even a class action lawsuit is going to give them a second thought.(seriously think about it)
The thing that pisses me off the most is that the retro-style is coming out as soon as June of this year. There looking to go forward and not backwards (which makes sense) and there giving their 100% thought into the new mustang. Why dwell on us 3650 owners? That will just hurt the outcome of the next generation for them. If this was 2001 or 2002 they could have looked into it further (if given more complaints) but I'm afraid time has run out.(lucky for them) Sadly, in about 6-8 months our problem will be history for them.
I'll continue to drive my new car due to the fact that I absolutely love the body style, sound, smooth power, and comfort but I have all but given up for something to be done about this tranny. Someone mentioned earlier about this being the nature of the beast. This is true! It's not like other makes/models in the past have gone without their problems so I will accept the 01-04 stangs as being "imperfect/flawed" and get over it. I suggest that other owners do the same because we can sit here and beat this "3650 tranny issues" thread to death. If they come out with a "fix", great! Until then, only you can determine whether to live with your car or not...but if you do HAVE FUN WITH IT.
Later
You would think Ford would offer extended warranties as a good faith gesture. Kind of like, Sorry we F#cked all of you on this one, but we will replace your broken POS 3650 with a new POS 3650 if it ever lets go.
Grinding away, waiting......1st quarter????
Grinding away, waiting......1st quarter????
New owner (& member) here. I bought a used '01 GT from my local Ford dealer 2 weeks ago and discovered the "grind" after a week of ownership. Dropped it at the dealer last night to have it looked at. I have about 2K miles left on factory warranty and plan on being frequent visitor to document the problem while still under warranty if they don't fix it. Hope a TSB or something happens soon.
I would recommend complaining to the URL provided by brianmef. Here is the response I got...not too promising:
--------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:53:28 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: Ford Motor Company
From: "Ford Motor Company" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book
Dear James,
Thank you for your message of 01/22/04 regarding your 2003 Ford
Mustang.
We appreciate the time you have taken to write us concerning your
vehicle's transmission.
Introduced more than 35 years ago, the Ford Mustang has earned its
place
as a true American icon. Mustang is the No.1-selling convertible in
the
United States.
James, in order to resolve your issue, more information is requested and an inspection of your transmission is required.
Please arrange for your vehcile to be inspected at one of your local
dealerships.
Bankston
Ford, the dealer where you purchased your 03 Mustang should be in touch with you in 5-7 business days to discuss this matter further. To answer your question directly, there are no plans to recall/repair
the 3650. We are not at liberty to discuss if others have or have not reported this same issue.
Ford's goal is to make your ownership experience an enjoyable one.
Customer satisfaction is our number one goal.
At Ford Motor Company, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as
one of our most important objectives. If you have any other inquiries
or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to
address them.
Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.
Sincerely,
Michael
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
--------------------------------
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:53:28 -0500
To: [email protected]
Subject: Ford Motor Company
From: "Ford Motor Company" <[email protected]> Add to Address Book
Dear James,
Thank you for your message of 01/22/04 regarding your 2003 Ford
Mustang.
We appreciate the time you have taken to write us concerning your
vehicle's transmission.
Introduced more than 35 years ago, the Ford Mustang has earned its
place
as a true American icon. Mustang is the No.1-selling convertible in
the
United States.
James, in order to resolve your issue, more information is requested and an inspection of your transmission is required.
Please arrange for your vehcile to be inspected at one of your local
dealerships.
Bankston
Ford, the dealer where you purchased your 03 Mustang should be in touch with you in 5-7 business days to discuss this matter further. To answer your question directly, there are no plans to recall/repair
the 3650. We are not at liberty to discuss if others have or have not reported this same issue.
Ford's goal is to make your ownership experience an enjoyable one.
Customer satisfaction is our number one goal.
At Ford Motor Company, we consider the satisfaction of our customers as
one of our most important objectives. If you have any other inquiries
or concerns, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to
address them.
Thank you for contacting Ford Motor Company.
Sincerely,
Michael
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center
2013 Geee T
Founding Member
brianmef said:
I decided to put my comments there as well so we shall see what they tell me. Here is what I put:
Im sure you have heard of the problems with the 3650 manual transmissions in the Mustang. I would like to know why there is nothing being done about it. The 1-2 grind when cold is beyond unacceptable and makes the car very unpleasant to drive. You advertise a smoother shifting transmission for the 2005 which uses the 3650 yet all of us pre 2005 drivers apparently are out of luck. You must know there is a problem so why not fix it for the paying customers I assume you want to keep for the future? I know I would never buy another Ford product if it had a problem like this and I know of many others who feel the same.
They have improved my 3650. It's much better now. You guys are not going high enough up the food chain. How many of you have filed with the B.B.B.? How many of you have filed for an arbitration heraing with ford? I stated earlier in this thread what you need to do to get some action. Your ford dealership should have the paperwork to file for an arbitration hearing. The B.B.B. complaint can be filed online. I have even posted the new part numbers needed to do the repair. You want your car fixed then take the steps needed to get it done. I agree you should not have to do this but in this case it looks like that is the only you will get any action. Once you take these steps someone will contact you in a week or two. It will not be the sorry customer service line.
Im also going in to change the amount of transmission fluid level to 3.2 liters the book calls for 3.8 , but tremec said to put 3.2 liters in.
Im also going in to change the amount of transmission fluid level to 3.2 liters the book calls for 3.8 , but tremec said to put 3.2 liters in.
