Has anybody with an 04 or 05 Ranger (vehicles) with a 5R55S, 5R55E, or 5R44E received a letter from Ford on a customer satisfaction program? It covers the oil filled at the factory and could cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements.
I just received a letter yesterday from the blue oval father in Dearborn.
I have an 04 Ranger, 5 spd. auto. 3 months old and 9,000 mi.

JEY

 

got mine yesterday too
which motor do you have?

 

Yep! Received mine in the mail today. Going to call my dealer next week and get the scoop. I have a 2004 Edge 4x4 4.0l 13k miles

 

Are there any specifics in the dealer letter about the problem with the ATF? Like for example, maybe the trannies were factory-filled with regular Mercon instead of Mercon V?

Keep us posted.

 

I did stumble onto something last week about several new Ford trucks being put on hold shipment at the build plant until the tranny fluid could be addressed. I didn't note the model(s) however. The article said they were filled with the wrong fluid and that they needed to put an additive in before shipment.

I sure I stumbled onto this on flatratetech.com, blueovalnews.com, or something along those lines.

 

The letter reads as follows:

THIS IS A LIMITED - PROGRAM ENDS MARCH 31, 2005 REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE

At Ford Motor Company, it has been our goal for more than 100 years to provide customers with high-quality, dependable products. In order to maintain these standards, Ford Motor Company is providing a no-charge Customer Satisfaction Program (Program Number 04B22), to owners of all 2004 and certain vehicles equipped with 5R55S, 5R55E, or 5RB22), automatic transmissions.

What is the issue

your vehicle was filled at the assemby plant with transmission formulation that, over time may cause delayed/harsh reverse engagements.

What will Ford and your daeler do?

In the interest of customer satisfaction, Ford Motor Company and your dealer will repair your vehicle free of charge under the terms of this program. Your dealer will install a bottle of 5R55S/E & 5R44E transmission fluid additive to correct the formulation of the transmission fluid and maintain shift performance of your transmission.
This Customer Satisfaction Program will be in effect until March 31, 2005 regardless of mileage. Coverage is automatically transfered to subsequent owners.

How long will it take? The time needed for this repair is less than one-half day. However, due to service scheduling, your dealer may need your vehicle for a longer preiod of time.

What are we asking you to do?

Please call your dealer without delay and request a service date for Customer Satisfaction Program 04B22. Provide the dealer with the Vehicle Identification Mumber (VIN) of your vehicle. The VIN is printed near your name at the beginning of this letter.
If you go not already have a service dealer, you can access http://www.genuineflmservice.com for dealer addresses, maps, and driving instructions.

The remainder of the letter deals with change of address issues and futher contact info.

 

Thanks for taking the time to post the text of the letter.

I think I'm right on target ...someone half-asleep on the assembly line set the automated controls to fill the transmissions with regular Mercon instead of Mercon V. Must have been a friday...

I'm thinking that the "additive" is the stuff that a lot of tranny shops use to make up the difference b/t the two fluids. If this is the case, it's just my own personal feeling, but I would prefer to have the factory stuff flushed out and the new Mercon V stuff pumped in with the machine that the dealer normally uses for an ATF fluid exchange.

 

Thanks Cuda for the posting. I have the 3.0 engine. I have had no problems so far, like I said 9,000+ mi. and going strong. I hope Rockledge is wrong, but if not that won't suprise me.
I need my truck every day of the work week, sure do not need transmissiom problems.

JEY

 

I'm happy to give something back to the Forum.
I've made an appointment for Monday after work hoping that
I won't lose the truck the follow day. I can dream!

 

I will get mine done Monday evening. The dealership I use is open til midnight. I called today and they said it won't take long. The service writer said it will only be a half hour to complete. I'm on the road most of the day, so evening service works for me.
Good luck Cuda.

JEY

 

Good luck and let us know how it goes

 

Some Dreams Do Come True. I Was In And Out Of The Dealer In Under

35 Minutes!

 

Did you get any kind of paperwork that might help explain what the additive is?

 

Glad to hear that Cuda. I did not make it. Tomorrow another day. I will try for tomorrow if everything goes well.

JEY

 

I have an 04 with manual transmission and read the letter is only for automatics. Do manuals use ATF as factory fill? Stupid post but I thought they did. I do have a hydraulic clutch.