Has anyone else with the GT Auto shifter noticed the top of the shifter being worn down (the grey "rubbing" off?) ....


And also can this type of stuff be covered under warranty????

 

Cant comment on the first, but not unless you can prove that its wearing down because of a manufactures defect, and Id guess not. It would have to show up in quite a few cars and I havent heard anything else like this. Sounds like its juust normal wear and tear.

 

Yep! I had the same problem. My dealer replaced the shifter (it's all one piece) under warranty as a design flaw. They put the felt part of some velcro along the inside edge of the hard plastic slide piece that rubs the aluminum trim. I guess it all depends on your service departments willingness to keep you as a customer. I have spent so much cash at my dealer for vehicles and parts (to restore an 87 Mustang GT) that they are willing to go above and beyond to keep my business. GOOD LUCK!!

 

Hopefully the B&M shifter will be out soon and we can get rid of the cheesy stock one.

 

Huh?

 

The shifter in the premier trim package appears to be solid aluminum so I don't think the shifter itself will wear, but I wonder if the paint for the shift pattern numbers will.

 

Umm. This thread is about the AUTO shifter, not the manual.

 

Oops, I missed that small detail.

 

Well I took the car in today, and actually got some good news. They are going to replace the shifter under warranty. I'll have to ask them to add some felt on there as mentioned above, while they have the center console taken apart.

 

They don't have to take the console apart to replace the shifter or to add the velcro felt. Should take em less than 30 minutes to do it. The shifter is held on with one screw and slips right off (after unplugging the O/D wire that is). Don't let em take apart your console!

 

they're also going to replace my stereo, do they have to take it apart for that???

 

Well, in that case, yes. But, make sure you inspect your e-brake handle for any damage prior to and after the fix. I learned the hard way that the upper console has some sharp edges that tore up my e-brake handle. DOH!!!

 

I thought you were talking about the" handle" part. I guess not right?

 

Yeah thats right the "Handle" part of the shifter. I thought we were all talking about that.

 

2k5gtc was talking about velcro so I got puzzled?? I think his was weearing away at the bottom?

 

I had mine fixed also though when the tech called Ford they said they knew about it but that there is no fix and it should be considered normal wear for this car.

 

gotta love those kind of replies huh...got my upper seatback levers replaced yesterday, the lady writing it up said' the kids were probably trying to pull the seatback up with the lever, and the weight breaks them...I tried to explain the seats are spring loaded and you cannot 'lift' the seatback by the lever, yet she insisted kids lift the seat all the time like that...whatever- I'm guessing within a few months the bottoms will break out again, and they will refuse a second warranty as 'normal for the car' type wear and tear item...
I love the car, but they really coulda invested a few more pennies on some interior parts:

1) upper seat levers that dont crack under normal useage
2) upper seat levers that release a second pawl so seat returns to original position easily
3) sounds like the auto shifter shoulda had clear powdercoat over it, and maybe some clearance, or wear strips on the sides of the console
4) a slightly taller seatbelt release would be much easier to find...if wearing a jacket/coat in the winter, its like going fishing for it...
5) a backrest seatbelt hook would be a lot easier to reach belt than the little magnetic strap they gave us...would make rear seat entry easier(currently have to 'hook' the belt over the seatback when kids get in/out.

very minor gripes about an otherwise near perfect drivers car...but minor things that almost all buyers will see coulda been better sooner or later...