Ford Transmission Repair and Replacement Cost
Depending on what’s wrong, Ford transmission repairs could cost anywhere from $10 to $7,000 or more.
Written by Liz Jenson
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
A Ford transmission replacement can cost over $7,000, but transmission repair can cost as little as $10, depending on the problem your vehicle is experiencing.
Not every Ford will come with transmission problems, but drivers say it’s common for Ford vehicles to require service on the transmission. So, what can you expect as far as repair costs? And how can you prevent your car from having these types of issues in the first place?
Here to answer all of your questions about Ford transmission repair costs is
Jerry
, the trusted car insurance
app. We’ll discuss common Ford transmission problems and steps to take if you’re worried that your car’s transmission might be going bad. We’ll also give you a few tips for saving money on your Ford car insurance costs
to help you offset the cost of repairs.Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
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How much does a Ford transmission repair cost?
The cost of Ford transmission replacement can range from $3,500 to over $7,000 depending on your vehicle’s make, year, and style of transmission. Fortunately, though, this might not be the kind of service you need when your vehicle’s transmission starts experiencing issues.
If you just need some repairs done on your Ford, pricing can look quite a bit different. Some of the most common types of transmission repairs and services include:
In short, while transmission repairs are considerably cheaper than transmission replacement, any type of transmission service can be costly. Ford vehicles typically require transmission services after 150,000 miles, so it’s quite likely that you’ll need to bring your vehicle in for a transmission repair at some point.
What does a transmission do?
You might be wondering what the transmission actually does for your Ford— and why it’s necessary to make this expensive repair. The transmission is a part of your vehicle’s powertrain that makes sure that your wheels get the correct amount of power for any given driving speed. It does this by shifting gears, either manually or automatically.
Most Ford vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that will shift gears for you as you drive. However, certain Ford vehicles come with the option of a manual transmission. For the 2023 model year, the only vehicles with this option are the
Ford Mustang GT
and Ford Bronco
.Is it cheaper to repair or replace a transmission?
Replacing your transmission is the most expensive type of transmission service since it’s a relatively complicated type of repair involving expensive parts. Of course, the final cost of a new transmission depends largely on what type of transmission you’ll be purchasing.
The most expensive type of transmission replacement is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement. If you have your transmission replaced at a dealership with
a genuine OEM transmission
, the cost will typically range between $3,000 and $6,000 for parts alone. With the addition of labor charges, which typically run from $500 to $1,000 depending on your location, you’re looking at a total repair cost of $3,500 to $7,000.One way to save money on a transmission replacement service is to opt for a remanufactured or rebuilt transmission. Remanufactured transmissions are transmissions that have been rebuilt by Ford specialists.
These transmissions are built to meet manufacturer specifications but will cost less than a full transmission rebuild. On average, remanufactured transmissions for Ford vehicles can cost from $2,500 to $4,000, while rebuilt transmissions can cost as little as $1,100.
Some vehicles can even be repaired with a used transmission from a salvage vehicle. Of these options, the salvage transmission will be the cheapest, with prices typically falling between $800 to $1,500.
This price is lower for a reason, though! Since salvage parts are older, they often give out more quickly, meaning you might need to replace your transmission again in the near future.
Does it cost more to repair a manual transmission or an automatic transmission?
Repairing a manual transmission is generally cheaper than repairing an automatic or continuously variable transmission. That’s because manual transmissions have fewer parts and simpler construction, so they’re a lot easier to repair and won’t require as many expensive pieces.
For example, replacing the manual transmission in a used
Ford F-150
from 2007 or earlier will typically cost between $1,500 and $3,500. For a used F-150 with an automatic transmission, however, you’ll pay between $3,000 and $5,000 or more depending on the service shop you choose, the age of your vehicle, and where you purchase your transmission.Common Ford transmission problems
Unfortunately, Ford has had several recalls and lawsuits related to transmission problems in recent years. Most of these issues occurred in models from 2011 through 2016, but some owners claim that Ford’s transmission problems are far from fixed.
Most commonly, drivers have reported problems like:
- Stalling
- Failing to accelerate
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Transmission fluid getting low too quickly
- Shaking, sputtering, and shuddering
- Slipping gears
Generally speaking, a lot of these transmission issues can be traced back to contaminated or leaking transmission fluid. Just like you need to regularly change the oil in your car, you’ll want to have your transmission fluid flushed annually and regularly check your vehicle’s fluid levels to prevent transmission problems before they start.
Which Ford model years have transmission problems?
The vast majority of Ford transmission problems were reported for vehicles from 2011 through 2016. The Ford vehicles that are most commonly cited for transmission problems include:
That’s not to say that these are the only Ford vehicles to experience transmission problems, but they are the model years to avoid as far as faulty transmissions go.
Maintaining your Ford transmission
The most effective way to avoid issues with your Ford transmission—and to lower the chances of an expensive premature failure—is to regularly check and maintain transmission fluid. Transmission failure is commonly caused by low or contaminated fluid or by an overloaded vehicle putting undue strain on the drivetrain.
Fortunately, proper maintenance can help you prevent these problems. For good transmission health, you should:
- Check your transmission fluid about once a month, like you would check your oil level
- Use the recommended type of transmission fluid—you can find this in your Ford owner’s manual
- For automatic transmissions, don’t change gears while the vehicle is moving if possible
- Regularly replace your transmission filter
- Allow your vehicle to warm up before you hit the road
- Get an annual transmission inspection
Remember, regular transmission maintenance can extend the life of your vehicle’s transmission and improve your Ford’s performance, too.
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What to do if your Ford transmission goes bad
If you’re worried about your Ford’s transmission, the best thing to do is visit your local mechanic or dealership to have the problem assessed. Do this as soon as possible, as driving with a faulty transmission can be dangerous. Plus, the sooner you fix the problem, the less likely it is to escalate over time.
Signs that your Ford transmission is going bad
Worried that your transmission might need some work? There are a few warning signs to watch out for when you’re experiencing problems that might be related to a bad transmission. These signs include:
- Rough shifting: This is the most obvious sign of a faulty transmission. Problems shifting gears typically indicate that your transmission needs some work.
- Fluid leaks: An unidentifiedfluid leaking from your carcould indicate a transmission problem, particularly if that fluid is red.
- Strange noises when in neutral: Hearing some strange noises coming from your car? This can be a sign of transmission problems, particularly if these noises occur while your vehicle is in N.
- A burning smell: This could indicate transmission problems but could also be a sign of a number of other engine issues. Regardless, visit a mechanic to get the problem checked out.
- Grinding or shaking: Rough driving, shaking, or sputtering are indicators of a faulty transmission.
- Yourcheck engine lightor transmission service light: These lights are made to warn you when your car is experiencing problems.
How to check transmission fluid
To keep your transmission in good shape, it’s important to regularly check your transmission fluid levels. Here’s how to do it:
- Find your vehicle’s transmission fluid dipstick. This will look a little like the dipstick for your car’s oil reservoir. It may be attached to your transmission fluid reservoir. For the exact location, check your owner’s manual.
- Carefully remove the dipstick and wipe it off with a clean towel.
- Replace the dipstick, then remove it once again to see the level of your fluid.
- Check that the fluid reaches the “warm” line.
- If necessary, carefully add some fluid a little bit at a time.
If the transmission is in good shape, your Ford’s transmission fluid should be a clear, dark red color. Old transmission fluid that needs to be replaced will be dark brown or black. This color is normal, but you’ll need to get your vehicle’s transmission serviced soon.
If your transmission fluid is a light red color, however, your transmission is in bad shape. This indicates that your transmission fluid has been contaminated by water, coolant, or both. In these instances, you may need to completely replace your transmission to rectify the problem.
It’s also important to note that some modern Ford models don’t have transmission dipsticks. These types of transmissions will have an inspection plug instead but are often much more difficult to diagnose and fix. As such, it’s often best to leave these types of transmissions to the professionals when it comes to repairs and fluid maintenance.
Saving on Ford insurance costs
While proper maintenance and care can help your Ford last a long time, accidents still happen. To make sure you’re prepared when they do, find a protective
car insurance
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