Ford MT82 Transmission Recall notice: Mustangs and Mustang GTs from 2011 to 2019 were equipped with a Ford MT82 transmission with a six-speed manual. Many owners have found the transmission faulty.
Further, according to Car and Driver, Ford was aware of the problem since the car began testing in 2010. The company had issued no less than seven notices to dealers on how they could fix the problem.
The transmissions, supplied by Getrag, had a wide array of issues, and it led to Mustang owners to file a Class Action Suit.
Problems Included
• Issues with the gearbox
• Transmission that slips, jerks and harshly engages
• Incurs premature internal wear
• Increased shift efforts
• Inability to drive
• Some suffered complete transmission failure.
Lawsuit Filed in California Asking for Restitution
According to Motor Biscuit, the California class-action lawsuit Gregorio, et al., v. Ford Motor Company, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and chronicles the complaints of Mustang owners who own vehicles with MT82 transmissions.
The plaintiffs asked that Ford Motor stop the sale of these cars with the faulty transmissions and make full restitution for those own owned or leased Mustang models from 2011 through 2019.
Not only are these vehicles potentially dangerous, but those that own the cars have seen a decreased value due to faulty transmissions.
After reviewing the lawsuit, the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated the Getrag Manual transmission and found that 364 complaints were made, especially in cold weather. Ford stated they would take care of the issue with the Getrag transmissions. NHTSA took the company at its word and closed the case since they found no substantial safety risk.
Choosing Cheaper Transmission at Cost to Owners/Lessors
According to the lawsuit, problems arose when Ford opted to switch from Tremec T5 and TR-3650 and Borg Warner transmissions to the less expensive Chinese-built Getrag MT82 manual transmission.
Both the Getrag MT82 and MT82-D4 transmissions were known to have defects, creating ongoing issues for those owning model years 2011 through 2019.
Although Ford was aware of these faulty Getrag transmissions, the owners were required to pay for repairs and replace faulty parts that would fail.
According to carcomplaints.com, owners were responsible for:
• MT82 shift forks
• Shift shafts
• Synchronizers
• Clutch assemblies
Replacement Didn’t Solve the Problem
The lawsuit against Ford stated that the automaker was aware of the inadequacies of the transmission in 2010. Some say even longer than that, noticing issues during pre-release testing.
It is believed that the company purposely concealed the information from consumers. This is believed to be the case since Ford issued no less than seven special service communications to dealerships on shifting issues and transmission.
According to the Ford MT82 lawsuit, the automaker advised dealer technicians to conduct these services for unhappy Mustang owners:
• Drain and refill the transmission
• Remove and disassemble the transmission
• Replace 3rd/4th shift fork
• Replace countershaft 3rd gear and the 3rd/4th gear synchronizer hub and sleeve
• Inspect and replace the gearshift lever
• Inspect/replace the clutch pedal position switch/bracket.
• Remove the shift rail detents.
• Replace the 1st/2nd shift for the main shaft 2nd gear, the 1st/2nd gear synchronizer hub, and sleeve
• Reassemble the transmission and return the car to the owner or lessee
When customers expressed concern about the shoddy transmission, dealerships carried out the directives from Ford. Though most skilled mechanics knew that this was a “makeshift” repair, they followed through on Ford’s procedures.
It did nothing to repair the transmission, owners received more defective Ford parts that didn’t resolve the issue.
Hopefully, the company will do what is right for the owners of Mustang and Mustang GT models. They need to reimburse them for the cost of replacement parts and compensate them for the inability to resell the vehicle due to the widespread news about the lawsuit.
Article Last Updated: September 16, 2024.
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Michael Kahn is the publisher of The Weekly Driver, serving as writer, photographer, and content creator. With a keen eye for storytelling and a passion for adventure, he specializes in uncovering the stories and experiences of automobile enthusiasts. Michael’s work is inspired by his love for off-the-beaten-path road trips, global exploration, and the pursuit of exceptional culinary experiences, all captured through the lens of a world traveler and automotive enthusiast.
