Transmission blew up, how long is reasonable to last?

djcat

Good evening,

my car's transmission failed catastrophically last week. Without any warning whatsoever, it just blew up! Some internals let go and shot through the differential and made a hole and a bump through it, locking the front wheels whilst driving!

Now I am fighting with extended warranty, dealership, manufacturer...its two (2) months out of factory warranty! I got extended warranty cover but they say they need to take the transmission apart to see if it wasn't wear and tear! My car is 3 years and 2 months, got 43K miles, I bought it from new, always serviced and carefully driven!

I am afraid of the transmission being taken apart, as I don't trust insurances! They are as surprised with the failure as I am, but that is what I paid them for...

What if they say its wear and tear and then I have to pay 2500 Pounds (dealership quote) plus 400 Pounds for the work?

Solicitor said that according to sale of goods act, a reasonable person can expect the transmission to last longer than what it did on my car, but warranty doesn't care and keeps telling me that absolutely any part on a car can have wear and tear and that it is unrelated to mileage and age (???). In my eyes that is absolute nonsense!

Hence, my question: How long is reasonable to assume for a car's transmission to last? Shouldn't it be the lifetime of a car? I mean a normal, not too powerful, average run around; not a race car that probably needs a new tranny every weekend....

Thanks for your help!

Tilt

The gearbox components are supposed to last the lifetime of the car I would of thought (subject to correct maintenance schedule) so not subject to 'wear and tear', certainly not after just 43k miles. I have owned my car from new and it has done about 67k but it's over 12 years old and not a peep out of any major components... even the clutch is still good. (Fiat Punto HGT)

Wear and tear items are things like the clutch, brake pads and anything else you would reasonably expect not to last the lifetime of the car.

If the extended warranty is one you took out before the original manufacturer's warranty expired, I would think that the gearbox (and it's components) should be covered.

Couple of questions though; what is the make & model and when you say 'always serviced', do you mean in accordance with the manufacturer's spec and schedule?

forgotmyname

You would expect it to do double that without an issue. Ever had the gearbox oil changed?

Most seem to think of them sealed for life units, But they do benefit from some fresh oil every now and again.

Ever left any puddles behind? If they can blame it on a leak then it will be wear and tear aided by neglect.

Always an excuse for them not to pay out. If they refuse you need to decide how much time to put into it.

2nd hand low mileage box could be fitted for less than £1000.

What car is it? Any other reports of early failures?

Modern diesels have enough power to eat gearboxes fairly rapidly. A lot of them have limiters in the lower gears.

Hintza

This is when I hope you have had it serviced at the main dealer.

Regardless of extended warranty what is the dealer and manufacturer saying?

Is this extended warranty via the dealer/manufacturer?

Sounds like you have a fight on your hands, time to start being meticulous in your record keeping who, when where etc you talk/phone/write/email people.

SLITHER99

My Citroen C4 blew a clutch at 2200 miles. The garage absolutely insisted it was my driving style and I had to pay £1000 for it's replacement.

The same car blew a clutch again at 10,000 miles and, again, they insisted it was my driving style. Despite several offers, I couldn't persuade any of the know-it-alls to come out for a drive with me as they were obviously superior drivers with obviously larger genitalia. I guess it's enough to say "it's your driving style mate. You're obviously rubbish and I'm just fantastic; suck it down!"

Several complaints to Citroen got me nowhere, an afternoon on the phone got me even less and eventually I paid another £1000 for the clutch.

I again started to have clutch problems at 17k but took it to another garage who instantly said "Yeah, these ones tend to do it". They gave me some long winded explanation which I have no hope to repeat, but the interesting bit is that it was "covered under warranty" and they confirmed (sadly not in writing) that it was not a "driving style" issue.

Still waiting for my complaint to be resolved by Citroen Head Office - I want my !!!!!!! money back! However, the moral of the story is that you can be assured that it will be down to your driving style.

I wait to stand corrected (and amazed)

djcat

Thanks for your replies, I did not mention the make and model of my car on purpose, as I wanted to know what a normal person would consider reasonable regardless of any make. My car is an Alfa Romeo Mito Turismo 95 BHP petrol, meaning it can hardly be a question of excessive torque. Then I have 17 years of driving experience and got an advanced driving certificate, meaning I know how to handle a gearbox.

There was absolutely no dripping oil under the car at any time whatsoever, there was no whining noise, the gears were smooth and precise. My car was always serviced according to the manufacturer's specifications and with only one exception always at authorized dealerships! This failure was certainly sudden and unpredictable.

Given my experience and SLITHER99's, I will either buy brand new cars (when I can afford them) and sell them on just before the warranty runs out or get cars that will cost me less than a transmission to fix and just throw them away...I think its unbelievable and outrageous to be ripped of thousands for a new car and then it just breaks down like that.

colino

Unfortunately it appears that accountants/engineers cant leave well alone and a sturdy box full of cogs is thought of so passe. Hence we now have Minis, Hondas, Alfas et al sitting at the side of the road crippled by their improved technology.
If it was mine it would be outside their HQ signwritten all over how pathetic the enginering is and looking for a full refund. (Probably wont work but would certainly make you feel better).

forgotmyname

The depreciation you will suffer from buying new cars will far outweigh the cost of a gearbox replacement every now and then.

Even £3000 main dealer prices. Most new cars can lose that in a year. I suspect the Alfa did or £2000+ anyway.

Get a 2nd hand box or rebuilt box fitted. Think about putting a new clutch in whilst the gearbox is off.

Save having to do it again.

Tiddlywinks

djcat wrote: »

I am afraid of the transmission being taken apart, as I don't trust insurances! They are as surprised with the failure as I am, but that is what I paid them for...

What if they say its wear and tear and then I have to pay 2500 Pounds (dealership quote) plus 400 Pounds for the work?

Solicitor said that according to sale of goods act, a reasonable person can expect the transmission to last longer than what it did on my car, but warranty doesn't care and keeps telling me that absolutely any part on a car can have wear and tear and that it is unrelated to mileage and age (???). In my eyes that is absolute nonsense!

You've had legal advice - now you need to act on it.

Get the solicitor to write to the garage you bought if from - he will know the wording to use... and then wait for their response.
They are very unlikely to roll over with just the mutterings of a customer (no disrepect intended) but are more likely to take you seriously when your solicitor acts on your behalf.

Do you have any legal cover with your car / house insurance?

Are you in the owners' club? Are there any other similar known failures?

Many, many years ago I had a problem with a Rover K series engine - the car was out of warranty, yet had been fully serviced at a main dealer for the 3.5 years it had been 'alive'... I found throught the owners' club that the problem was well known and so, using this information, I persisted with Rover and they eventually agreed as 'a goodwill gesture' to pay for 80% of the repair - I settled at that because it was too much trouble to keep going and I was getting a whole new engine out of the deal with a guarantee. I then traded it in for a Volvo before it failed again!

You have to ensure you put your requirements in writing using the correct legal jargon and send it to the correct people... not just discuss it with the call cantre peeps or the service manager at the garage.

Good luck.

vikingaero

Most dealerships only replace components rather than replace them: "That'll be a whole new gearbox Sir..."

We have Fiat vans in our fleet and find that the Fiat goodwill/warranty level to be really pish poor - the fleet department laugh at the "Fiat Professional" branding and how appalling and unprofessional they are.

Tilt

djcat wrote: »

Thanks for your replies, I did not mention the make and model of my car on purpose, as I wanted to know what a normal person would consider reasonable regardless of any make. My car is an Alfa Romeo Mito Turismo 95 BHP petrol, meaning it can hardly be a question of excessive torque. Then I have 17 years of driving experience and got an advanced driving certificate, meaning I know how to handle a gearbox.

There was absolutely no dripping oil under the car at any time whatsoever, there was no whining noise, the gears were smooth and precise. My car was always serviced according to the manufacturer's specifications and with only one exception always at authorized dealerships! This failure was certainly sudden and unpredictable.

Given my experience and SLITHER99's, I will either buy brand new cars (when I can afford them) and sell them on just before the warranty runs out or get cars that will cost me less than a transmission to fix and just throw them away...I think its unbelievable and outrageous to be ripped of thousands for a new car and then it just breaks down like that.

Have you spoken directly to Alfa UK customer relations? Having worked at an Alfa dealership in the mid 90's, my experience is that Alfa would bend over backwards to assist customers rather than have their already poor reputation worsened. While I worked there, they tended to authorize work when cars were outside of their warranty periods providing they had been adequately serviced.

There was a case a few months ago on CAG involving a 159 in which they assisted the owner in such a way so I would be surprised if they don't do the same for you. If they don't, I believe you would have a potential claim under the SOGA against the dealer.