Hi Scotty,
I have a 2022 Dodge Challenger Scat Pack with a 6.4L engine and only 7,000 miles on it. The car was involved in an accident, and we took it to a Ford dealership collision center in Charleston, SC, for repairs. The repairs took 5.6 months, and the quality of the work was very poor.
When we received the car, it suddenly failed the very next morning while I was driving, putting me, my family, and other drivers at risk. We narrowly avoided a serious accident with a large truck driving behind us. After safely pulling over, I discovered that oil fluid had spilled all over the front of the car, with the transmission locked and warning lights illuminated.
Upon closer inspection, it appeared that the leak originated near the radiator. Through the front grill, I noticed that the radiator, which had been bent during the accident, had not been replaced—further indicating that the repairs were not done properly.
I immediately towed the car back to the body shop, where they confirmed that the issue was due to damage to the transmission cooling system (condenser), which had been replaced with an aftermarket part approved by the insurance company. The body shop claimed they would only replace the condenser and refill the transmission with fluid, insisting that this should resolve the issue because the car has a protective system in place. When I raised concerns about potential debris inside the transmission due to it running without fluid, they stated they wouldn’t be responsible unless they opened the transmission and blamed the insurance company for approving the aftermarket part instead of an OEM part. They advised me to take the issue up with the insurance company.
My question is: does this car really have a protective system that ensures the transmission is 100% safe when there’s an extensive oil fluid leak? I believe the Ford dealership collision center is lying to me and doesn’t have a clue about what they’re saying, just trying to find an excuse not to replace the transmission they damaged due to poor work quality and using an aftermarket part for the repair.
thank you,
My question is: does this car really have a protective system that ensures the transmission is 100% safe when there’s an extensive oil fluid leak?
The closest thing to that I was able to find with an internet search is "Limp Home Mode" on page 81 of the 2023 Challenger owner's manual. I don't think I'd count on that to protect the transmission in the event of a sudden, catastrophic loss of fluid:
Transmission Limp Home Mode
Transmission function is monitored electronically for
abnormal conditions. If a condition is detected that could
result in transmission damage, Transmission Limp Home
Mode is activated. In this mode, the transmission may
operate only in certain gears, or may not shift at all.
Vehicle performance may be severely degraded and the
engine may stall. In some situations, the transmission may
not re-engage if the engine is turned off and restarted. The
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may be illuminated. A
message in the instrument cluster will inform the driver of
the more serious conditions, and indicate what actions
may be necessary.
@chucktobias thank you sir. Do you have any recommendations to me. The car is currently with Ford Dealer Collesion Center. They are refusing to replace the transmission only they will replace the condenser and refill the TransUnion and reprogram the car. I do. Or trust the TransUnion any more. I refused there suggestion and told them that I will not pick up the car unless they will replace the transmission. Please advise?
Please advise?
Well I would never have taken the car to a dealer for that kind of repair work in the first place, but that advice doesn't do you any good at this point.
It's a tough situation. That is obviously a very poor quality shop and you can bet they will never admit to any wrongdoing. Really the transmission needs to be evaluated by a good independent transmission shop that can give it a thorough examination, including analysis of transmission data for any problems. The question is whether to have the car towed to such a place before the body shop allegedly "fixes" the transmission, or to let them go ahead so the car can be driven and then get the transmission checked. Either way do not sign off on any waivers the body shop puts in front of you. Chances are if there is permanent damage to the transmission you will have to sue the body shop. The problem is that the cost of a replacement transmission is going to be higher than the maximum for small claims court, which means getting a lawyer involved.
That's my take on it but others here may have other advice to give.