2011 Diff Leak (a.k.a. - why FoMoCo is loosing a customer)
09-02-2011, 01:15 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NH
Posts: 62
2011 Diff Leak (a.k.a. - why FoMoCo is losing a customer)
So, after taking my '11Gt to a HPDE, I find diff oil all over the underside of the right rear corner, a lot of it, like dripping wet. I can see that it's venting from the rattle cap axle vent on the passenger side. After some research, I find out that this is a known problem addressed by TSB-10-3-7 (attached).
Apparently, under "spirited driving" the stock vent will belch diff fluid. The TSB provides for an upgraded vent assembly which includes a chamber to catch the fluid. If you show the dealer that you are having the issue, they will install the part, problem solved.
Or not.
Apparently, the TSB only runs through 2010, so the 2011 VIN does not come up on the TSB, and you are SOL.
. No soup for you, fork up the $46 and install it yourself. WTH Ford? Is there anyone with a sliver of logic over there? Same axle, same crappy vent for umpteen years, but your going to hang 11' and 12' owners out to dry?
And BTW, if a 2011 Mustang GT with Brembos and 3.73 gears is not for "spirited driving" then what in gods name is it for? Did you think I need 14" disks so I don't fade them down on main street?
So to sum up my experience with this car:
Car runs out of fuel at 1/3 tank remaining - a dozen round trips to the dealer to fix.
Tranny shifts like crap - "normal"
Tranny has 1/4 turn of slop at the tailshaft - "normal"
Engine burns a quart of oil every 1K miles - "normal"
Diff belches fluid - "normal for 2011, but we can sell you a part to fix that if you would like"
Uselessness of Ford customer service - "priceless"
Apparently, under "spirited driving" the stock vent will belch diff fluid. The TSB provides for an upgraded vent assembly which includes a chamber to catch the fluid. If you show the dealer that you are having the issue, they will install the part, problem solved.
Or not.
Apparently, the TSB only runs through 2010, so the 2011 VIN does not come up on the TSB, and you are SOL.
. No soup for you, fork up the $46 and install it yourself. WTH Ford? Is there anyone with a sliver of logic over there? Same axle, same crappy vent for umpteen years, but your going to hang 11' and 12' owners out to dry?And BTW, if a 2011 Mustang GT with Brembos and 3.73 gears is not for "spirited driving" then what in gods name is it for? Did you think I need 14" disks so I don't fade them down on main street?
So to sum up my experience with this car:
Car runs out of fuel at 1/3 tank remaining - a dozen round trips to the dealer to fix.
Tranny shifts like crap - "normal"
Tranny has 1/4 turn of slop at the tailshaft - "normal"
Engine burns a quart of oil every 1K miles - "normal"
Diff belches fluid - "normal for 2011, but we can sell you a part to fix that if you would like"
Uselessness of Ford customer service - "priceless"
Last edited by Gidyupp; 09-05-2011 at 03:05 PM. Reason: cus I kant spel
09-02-2011, 01:30 PM
#3
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Montaner
Posts: 6,193
Sympathy on the service (or lack thereof) but I'm not surprised at all the problems. You guys took that risk when you bought a first year car. I don't care if the rear end is the same one on the 05+ or not.
09-02-2011, 03:04 PM
#4
Cut & Paste Expert
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 13,322
+1 Sympathy...
Yep its the 2005 S197 first year syndrome all over again.
The 2011 first year stangs should be avoided
unless you have sheitloads of cashola and lots
of spare time to drink dealership coffee and eat
dealership doughnuts.
Let the bugs get worked out and when the TSBs slow down,
then I might buy one....
Yep its the 2005 S197 first year syndrome all over again.
The 2011 first year stangs should be avoided
unless you have sheitloads of cashola and lots
of spare time to drink dealership coffee and eat
dealership doughnuts.
Let the bugs get worked out and when the TSBs slow down,
then I might buy one....
Last edited by 157dB; 09-02-2011 at 03:10 PM.
09-03-2011, 06:28 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: NW AR
Posts: 705
That does suck a big one. I'm at about 6000 miles and so far my '11 has had no problems. I do have rattling, clanging type sound I hear when above 75 or 80 mph coming from underneath but I think it's the exhaust heat shield. But I've had none of the know problems everybody else is having. Mine is a later build 2011, built in 11-14-10 so hopefully those problems were resolved by then. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
09-04-2011, 08:30 AM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Utah
Posts: 730
Wow, that's rough man.
Slop in the drivetrain is normal for what Ford gives us though. Supposedly can be fixed with one piece driveshafts.
Even though we love these cars, it's still a 36k, mass produced vehicle.
In the word of performance, that's dirt cheap and very, very low on the quality totem pole. You kinda get what you pay for.
Slop in the drivetrain is normal for what Ford gives us though. Supposedly can be fixed with one piece driveshafts.
Even though we love these cars, it's still a 36k, mass produced vehicle.
In the word of performance, that's dirt cheap and very, very low on the quality totem pole. You kinda get what you pay for.
09-04-2011, 04:10 PM
#7
The Paranoid One
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Texas
Posts: 5,320
I have ALWAYS gone with the principle NEVER to buy a first year engine.
Pretty much every first go round their are multiple problems that show themselves and must be addressed and fixed. This is a prime example.
Sometimes waiting is better than jumping all over something that has not had
it's time in the real world yet.
In theory and fairness you still should expect something they put out on the road to be free of tons of problems.
But we must be realistic and know that as much as that is the way it SHOULD be, that is not the way it is
with brand new engines of ANY car company. And we all know reality is NOT fair.
So we must use our wisdom too be prepared for reality and guard ourselves against the dangers of reality.... which in the
car world, brand new releases of engine's reality is many things are going to go wrong, and the guarding ourselves
against it is to wait until those first year problems are found and solved.
As far as the customer service I do feel for you.
Unfortunately you will find the same with every car Company.
Really it comes down to how friendly of a dealership you have.
If I were you I would go above them and throw a rant to
the main Ford customer service office. That road has been taken many
times with success.
Pretty much every first go round their are multiple problems that show themselves and must be addressed and fixed. This is a prime example.
Sometimes waiting is better than jumping all over something that has not had
it's time in the real world yet.
In theory and fairness you still should expect something they put out on the road to be free of tons of problems.
But we must be realistic and know that as much as that is the way it SHOULD be, that is not the way it is
with brand new engines of ANY car company. And we all know reality is NOT fair.
So we must use our wisdom too be prepared for reality and guard ourselves against the dangers of reality.... which in the
car world, brand new releases of engine's reality is many things are going to go wrong, and the guarding ourselves
against it is to wait until those first year problems are found and solved.
As far as the customer service I do feel for you.
Unfortunately you will find the same with every car Company.
Really it comes down to how friendly of a dealership you have.
If I were you I would go above them and throw a rant to
the main Ford customer service office. That road has been taken many
times with success.
Last edited by Blacksmoke; 09-04-2011 at 04:14 PM.
09-04-2011, 04:29 PM
#8
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 1,214
So....sell it and move on. Sorry you are having problems but when I have serious problems with a car....I sell it and move on....maybe a different brand, maybe not.
So far, 10,000 miles on mine with no issues.
So far, 10,000 miles on mine with no issues.
