galaxieman

It would also be interesting if we just stopped paying the lease and explained why. I wonder what Ford credit would do? Well I guess I know what they would do but someone with the guts should try it,,,,Hmmmmm!

I just got another return call from Customer Care and they are trying to arrange a meeting with the dealer and a rep.

When I called customer care the person told me they would call back and did two days later. I did not try to set up the meeting with the factory rep and just assumed they would do that if asked. If that was incorrect I apologize. Maybe that happens through the dealer? If it gets to that point I will ask my dealer first then go to customer care. I guess the important thing is to keep that case number for future contacts. I hope you/I/we have the problem fixed now. I will be taking a 700 mile round trip this weekend and will give the repair a real test.

[b]800 241 3673 That is Ford customer care. Tell them you want a case opened and they will assign a number to your case. They will take the info and call you back. I would just mention lemon law rather than make that the reason for the call. The reason for the call should be too open the case to get the car repaired and/or to arrange a meeting with the factory rep. Also mention this action to the dealer service writer. As you can see in the service report they wrote for my vehicle that was mentioned in writing.[/b] By the way the dealer service writer gave me the number for Ford Customer Care without my asking. The guys a real pro!

I really think you have a dealer problem. Yes the car has a problem but the dealer is not acting very professional especially lying to you about the test drive. What else aren't they telling you the truth about!!?? You also need to insist the whole PTU be replaced. Just the seal and shaft is not going to get it done. Have you called Ford and mentioned lemon law. I think it is time!! Do so at the dealer as well.

I took a quick look underneath this weekend and saw all kinds of new parts that do not even look similiar to the originals and the earlier replacements. There have been no leaks nor burning smell so far so currently it looks like things are OK but really only time will tell. A big difference in this whole affair is the dealer. Mine has gone out of his way to keep me happy and instill a sense of capability and earnestness to get this right. I will let you know of the outcome as time go by and hopefully no leaks reappear.[/b]

I think you are approaching this with the wrong attitude. Yes Ford has a problem and I believe they are trying to rectify it. But approaching with a negative attitude before anything has happened will just get you aggravated and anyone you deal with during the situation will pick up on the negative and react in like manner. Remember an automobile is a mechanical contrivance and anything mechanical can fail. Before getting upset see if the dealer and Ford rectify the problem. If you feel they are not genuinely acting in your best interest by all means take further action. Believe it or not most companies and people want things to turn out right and will do all they can to make the outcome positive. Things could be worse, you could have bought one of the Nissans that they can't get the transmissions right on.

1 800 241 3673

OK Here's the next step in my saga. Let me first say that Fred Beans Ford Lincol Mercury in Doylestown, PA has been super during this whole thing. THey had the car since Friday and we had a loaned MKX to drive the whole time. When they called today they had my wife's MKX hand washed, vacuumed and all the windows cleaned. It looks great. They had the car for some extra time to drive it and to keep checking for leaks. This is the text from the service report. Sorry for the length but I thought you would be interested. "Customer states there is a leak under the front end, Customer getting burning smell from vehicle. Check/verify inspect and found trans fluid leak from R/S seal of PTO unit. Customer initiated a contact session with FOMOCO- case # XXXXXXX on 1/19/09. Contact Ford hotline and discuss history/repairs/customer contact and inform of customers intent to possibly file "lemon law" if not repaired. Hotline states there is a "new improved" PTO available (8TAZ-7251-A) which has a centering seal and replaces the previously released part (7) series and to dissassemble the halfshaft and install the intermediate shaft and the PTO together and then install the assy. R&R subframe assy for access and replace PTO and install intermediate shaft and PTO as one unit...Install half shaft assy. cleandown and top off trans fluid road test and reinspect. Found seal and PTO area to be dry fluid level is OK. Hotline contact ID#XXXXXXX Ford case # XXXXXXXX Mike B and Mike M informed of report and customer intent as to "lemon law" and dissatisfaction with product Parts installed 1 8T4Z-7251-A power takeoff 1 W705443-S900 nut The car was driven a total of 85 miles while they had it as a means of testing for leaks. Some of those miles were put on with someone driving the thing home overnight. Once again this is the fifth time in for this and the vehicle has 8602 miles. Leased AWD 2008 MKX. This dealer has, in my opinion done everything in his power to rectify the situation. It is up to FOMOCO to make it right. The lemon law mention and contact with Ford customer care is the right thing to do, not for the dealer but for Ford. They do not want this to hit the media. This is the third complete PTU unit in this vehicle. I will check for the shield over the weekend and let you know but I trust the dealer did it right.

My service rep called last night and said the entire and REDESIGNED PTU and shield has been installed and after doing some road testing and checking for leaks will be ready this afternoon. My dealer has treated me exceptionally welll during this situation expediting the process and keeping me informed. As a side note I do not understand those of you who are not being provided a loaner car while yours is tied up for repair. I thought that was a stipulation of the warranty. My dealer usually draws a car of like value from his own rental fleet and this is the third time my wife has had an MKX as a replacement. I believe it states somewhere the dealer will provide a car of like value. I was at the rental office one day when a customer having a Ford GT repaired asked, jokingly, for a car of like value. He went off in a Crown Vic! I'll keep you posted and will still follow through with Ford Customer Care when they contact me.

I guess I am a little slow since I just realized how many pages are in this forum. I have looked through most of the posts on the 12 pages and have a conclusion; no matter what anyone says about Ford trying to fix the problem and being responsible there is no excuse for a malfunction of this magnitude to go on for over two years. Ford is dragging their heels for a reason only they can fathom. Any actions we can take to get them moving is worth the effort. My leased MKX is in for this for the fourth or fifth time and the next time I will be going through the arbitration process outlined in the owners manual. Next will be a lawyer and the lemon law action. I am a little sour right now with product quality as I have had some issues with products, service and craftsmanship over the past two years. I am mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!

You have an issue that could result in a major failure to the vehicle. It is under warranty and the dealer should provide you with a loaner. My dealer does that automatically as soon as I bring the MKX in. I would go on record and ask for a loaner since you are concerned the leaking fluid could result in a major failure. It never hurts to cover all the bases.

You know the old saying about "the squeaking wheel getting the grease"? I think that applies here. Ford is trying to do the right thing but a little extra prompting will not hurt. Approaching them with reasoned and calm responses and arguments will not hurt and should move them into more action faster. They do not want this to hit the general media and the poor publicity that would garner. Recalls are public and I am sure they want to avoid one.

Does everyone else find it utterly unbelievable that Ford cannot come up with a design for a seal that will not fail? I am involved in an industry that relies on seals that do not fail and we seem to be very successful. With all the economic muscle and engineering expertise not to mention that of their suppliers I would think this would be relatively easy to correct. I heard from Ford customer care today as their initial contact after my report of the problem. They committed to a response in 2 working days and honored that but only to tell me they would report to the proper people in engineering and get back to me by Wednesday. Meanwhile my MKX sits on the dealers lot or in the shop and the rental MKX they gave me is being used by my wife and not being rented to paying customers. A great deal of money is being spent and much customer satisfaction and loyalty is being lost due to this situation. All they have to do in my case, and I suspect in most cases, is find the solution and get it fixed and the customers would be content.

Good luck with it. My dealer stocks the seals and the PTU units due to the problems they are having. I am awaiting a call from customer care whom I just called yesterady. They claim a return call within 2 business days. My service rep always gets me another MKX to drive while mine's in the shop. They are trying very hard to satisfy me but we will have to wait and see what Ford does.

I My wife drives a leased 08 MKX that had the leaking PTU after only 1500 miles. The PTU seals were replaced and the problem showed up again after a few thousand miles. Seals replaced again and the PTU lost almost all of its fluid that night in my garage. The PTU assembly was replaced and now with 9000 miles on the vehicle it has begun leaking again. State law in my state say that any defect that appears in 12,000 miles or 12 months and cannot be repaired in 3 tries warrants a replacement vehicle. There are other qualifications that I believe the PTU being inoperable addresses and tomorrow the dealer will get a visit from me with a request to replace the vehicle. Anyone who has this problem can probably expect it to keep reoccuring and my advice is to approach Ford about replacements. This is one great car except for this problem. I am not an SUV fan and have not particularly liked the four vehicles my wife has leased up to now. I would consider driving this one on a regular basis and would consider buying this one when the lease is up. Actually the new one Ford gives us not this unit.

Or you could always increase the idle speed!

[font="Arial Black"] My wife is driving an 08 MKX. With barely 1000 miles on it the burning smell appeared and the dealer replaced the PTU unit due to defective seals. I was told the units/seals had been redesigned and now should be fine. Today it is back at the dealership having the same maintenance done at 7600 miles. Great dealer and great treatment. Every automobile manufacturer like every manufacturer of anything makes errors. I am a liflong Ford fan, since 1959, and have had just one other major issue with a new Ford, the head gaskets on the 88 Taurus. This car is a very nice vehicle and when they finally get this problem fixed will be just terrific.[/font]