As many of you know I took my GT500 in because my clutch was toast at 9400ish miles back in June after less than a year of ownership. I was denied any kind of assistance on the repair from the plant engineer by only picture examinations. I ended up having to install a McLeod clutch and flywheel because the OEM unit was on constant back order after waiting for months. I ended up with $1800 dollars in expenses taking away the down payment money for a 2011 Fiesta I planned to buy as a daily driver.

I went all the way to the top of the chain. I ended up dealing with Ken Czubay's team only to get a "free" extended warranty if I bought the Fiesta. I had my final conversation with one of his team members and a plant engineer today. They said because I had posted on the forms I had taken my car down the drag strip for fun at a track rental that I overheated it that day. Even though it was fine and didn't fail until and couple of months and thousands of miles later.

The bottom line is this. If you have any kind of fun in these cars Ford will look for anything to get out of assisting you. What’s the purpose of buying a Mustang for if you can only drive it like a Fusion? I went out of my way to buy this car earlier then I really could afford last year to help them out for not taking bailout money. This was supposed to be a dream experience for me and instead has been a nightmare. I appreciate everyone's support on the forum and wish you all the best with your cars. Be careful as to what you say or do with them as it seems Ford is watching. It's going to be hard for a loyal Ford guy leave but I'm so disgusted about this. Ford rather jump over a dollar to save a dime.

 

Sorry for your painful experience man. I hope you will find some satisfaction with whatever product you choose to drive.

 

Did you deal with the plant or dealer?
Either way, that does sounds like a super shy experience.

And I feel ya on it. Up until yesterday I had to wait an entire month while my car was in the shop waiting for some plastic part to send from Ford. Ridiculous.

In any case, I think we can all agree that Ford really needs to up their customer service and promptness.

Edit: Is the GT500 going?

 

Sorry to hear this....I thought they had to prove what you did by drag racing it did indeed cause the problem?

What was the reason for the back order on the factory units? sounds like this was maybe a widespread issue for them to be so thin from a stock standpoint...

 

Please no one get in a tissy over what I say but...

The response sounds like something a lowly technician at a dealer would say because he wanted to charge you out the anus or not do the work.

Sorry this happened. I was going to joke and say I'd trade you my Civic Si for the GT500 but then realized it just wasn't funny at all. I hope all goes well and you do enjoy what you drive. You know, Ford let go of a good company now owned by a favorite of mine, I think it was...how do I say it...Jag-u-ar. Maybe check em out! Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood. Whatever you do I hope all works out!

 

Crouse Ford my dealer and then the plant denied the dealers claim. However, Tasca Ford replaced this guy's clutch for free that was traveling with a 2011 GT500. The guy was driving it a lot through the mountains and put miles on it quick. Then went on a road trip with it so Tasca swapped it out for him and was on his way. I don't see the difference? My car is a daily driver and so is his. I just happened to do some passes at the track for fun. How can they say that is what exactly caused the issue.

http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/ind...utch-problems/

 

i take it they took the transmission out and inspected the clutch? probably because it was beat to ****. So ford should build a car and replace stuff when u abuse the car. not saying u shouldnt beat on it. But if u play u gotta pay. u changed the pulley clown. u should have taken it back with a stock tune and no pulley. of course they will shoot u down for a new clutch.. use your head. Gm or dodge would have done the same thing.

 

There are guys driving in with Kenny Bells and getting these replaced for free via TSB. I was told by the plant engineer today that the clutch can handle my power levels. Hence why Shelby doesn't replace it by default in the Super Snake.

I don't beat my car to crap so you can cut the names. Doing some passes on an open track day for fun and the rest of the time daily driving it isn't beating on the car. If I was full out drag racing it I wouldn't even be talking about this. Bottom line is this car is not a performance car but a garage queen.

 

Honda considers the clutch a wear and tear item as well as anyone else I would assume. It's strikingly odd that the mileage at which the cars I read about were discovering issues with were within a similar range. What does the SVT clutch run? Ford was not able to supply you with an OEM clutch correct? I can somewhat understand their claim but with no proper investigation or explanation I just can't pass too much judgment. For anyone.

 

It would have cost me about $1250 for the OEM clutch, flywheel, and install. That was at dealers cost for the clutch was around $551 and flywheel $189. However, they couldn't get one. My car sat for a month with no end in sight. Only to get the McLeod and have it damaged and installed a second time because the OEM was still on back order.

 

if the car was stock they probably would have helped u. im telling u. they pull this all the time. some dealers let **** go easier than others. Ford is calling back more parts than ever, when something is a warrenty replace item. usually under10,000-12,000 miles they replace it once.

What was their reason for not changing it?

 

I do not see any way a pulley could of raised the hp enough to damage a clutch. Ford has been really Shi77y as of late. it really has and thats why they bought my 2006 gt back and thats why they are fighting me on the stripes on my shelby. This guy paids a ton of cash for a mustang to have a great DD and track toy.. if ford doesnt want the car to be played with the should of dropped the price $3,500 and not included a warranty. But they said hey you bought a car and you get a 36/36 thanks for buying from us.. also the moss act says they(ford) have to prove it..

 

This sucks, but I seriously don't know who to side with. I do know, that most likely no other manufacturer would have replaced the cluth either though

 

It wasn't proven to be a manfacturers defect. This diagnosis was just done with pictures. The first McLeod unit I replaced it with had a bent disc. They said it was fine in the pics but then during a physical inspection on a machine at McLeod saw one of the discs was slightly bent. Ford didn't even want to see it. Saw the pictures and that was enough.

 

Ford isn't the only company that does this and someone can say, well if they don't have the part or can't build it fast enough, they can't do anything, but I feel like company's have to man up to these problems. I know it isn't necessarily their fault sometimes, there are many variables but if you can't get a part for a car they manufacture recently, there needs to be some responsibility taken.

 

The reason the OEM clutch isn't in the channel is because it's the "free" TSB replacement for 07-09 owners. They are sucking them up on the Shelby as evidence on the Shelby forums.

 

I'm with you now. I thought this after my post but didn't fix.

 

Just because other auto makers would say no doesnt make it ok.

also I think you would have a good lemon law case.

 

I would bet some of that is because of the number of parts manufacturers and suppliers that went banko or dang near when they didn't get paid by GM & Chrysler when they filed banko.
I had a leaky power steering reservoir on my new 10 Chrysler but first they needed a tool (adapter) so they could check the pressure of the ps pump and the rack. Took em 6 weeks to get the dang tool.
So the economy is having a far reaching effect.

 

It's an unfortunate truth. Your post made me giggle though! Not about your Chrysler issue.