Automatic transmission failure already?

[500byGucci]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this with the autobox cars; I hear a distinct whining sound between 55-60mph coming from the transmission. It comes and goes based on if I am putting load on the driveline, but if I am just coasting along, it gets very loud. I'm 100% sure it's not the tires. Almost sounds like bad internal bearings or something. It reminds me of the sound a bad differential makes. It's getting worse and I'm even starting to notice it at slower speeds, like between 25-30mph.

For what it's worth, my car has always shifted really hard and jerks/slams when downshifting on the highway when going from 6th to 4th. It also has a slight delay from reverse to drive or park to drive. The dealer said both of those things are normal, but the downshift issue just feels terrible. Lately it seems to jump/slam if rolling to a stop and then taking off again. What gives? Oh, I'm also at just under 19k miles.

[ABARTH TAMER]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this with the autobox cars; I hear a distinct whining sound between 55-60mph coming from the transmission. It comes and goes based on if I am putting load on the driveline, but if I am just coasting along, it gets very loud. I'm 100% sure it's not the tires. Almost sounds like bad internal bearings or something. It reminds me of the sound a bad differential makes. It's getting worse and I'm even starting to notice it at slower speeds, like between 25-30mph.

For what it's worth, my car has always shifted really hard and jerks/slams when downshifting on the highway when going from 6th to 4th. It also has a slight delay from reverse to drive or park to drive. The dealer said both of those things are normal, but the downshift issue just feels terrible. Lately it seems to jump/slam if rolling to a stop and then taking off again. What gives? Oh, I'm also at just under 19k miles.

That's a Japanese transmission, can't blame the Italians for that one!

Have 9000 miles on my wife's '12 Pop, have been happy with that Aisen unit. Seems to make the most of 101 HP.

[500byGucci]

Yeah, I can't say it's geared poorly as it always seems to have the right gear for the job, but it's just really jerky and now making a sketchy noise. I'm worried it's got something going on internally that's just been getting worse since new. I'll take it in, but the dealer I go to has kind of poor service and shrugs off most issues.

[ABARTH TAMER]

Yes you have problem. Should be quiet and smooth. Find another dealer or contact FIAT cares.

[Andree]

And here's a link to the profile of FiatCares, where 500byGucci can send a Private Message (PM) about the problem:

http://www.fiat500usaforum.com/member.php?1368-FiatCares

I have an automatic too, and I've been nothing but thrilled with the smooth as butter transmission. There is NO jerking at all. That's why I'm thrilled. My last car (not a Fiat) was jerking me all over.

Deja Vu, I think I've had this conversation before.

Anyway, check with FiatCares (Jonathan), and fill him in on the entire story.

One thing you might try is a test drive of another automatic Fiat. Do they feel the same or very different? If they are very different, then there is indeed a problem, and the dealer just can't brush you off like that.

[FiatCares]

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this with the autobox cars; I hear a distinct whining sound between 55-60mph coming from the transmission. It comes and goes based on if I am putting load on the driveline, but if I am just coasting along, it gets very loud. I'm 100% sure it's not the tires. Almost sounds like bad internal bearings or something. It reminds me of the sound a bad differential makes. It's getting worse and I'm even starting to notice it at slower speeds, like between 25-30mph.

For what it's worth, my car has always shifted really hard and jerks/slams when downshifting on the highway when going from 6th to 4th. It also has a slight delay from reverse to drive or park to drive. The dealer said both of those things are normal, but the downshift issue just feels terrible. Lately it seems to jump/slam if rolling to a stop and then taking off again. What gives? Oh, I'm also at just under 19k miles.

Its hard to diagnose this over the forum, but it seems to me that this is not normal. It could be as simple as a PCM flash/update. As recommended, I would try and see if you can get a second opinion from another Fiat studio. Feel free to PM me with your VIN and studio of choice.

[500byGucci]

Its hard to diagnose this over the forum, but it seems to me that this is not normal. It could be as simple as a PCM flash/update. As recommended, I would try and see if you can get a second opinion from another Fiat studio. Feel free to PM me with your VIN and studio of choice.

Hello,

I have an appointment coming up to have my steering wheel replaced due to the leather peeling off, so I'll have them check into it then. I did have the dealer look at it once before and he did some sort of flash to the transmission but in all honesty, it didn't help. I left and figured it was just normal. Hopefully something comes of it because it's really worrying me.

[SeaDawg]

Hello,

I have an appointment coming up to have my steering wheel replaced due to the leather peeling off, so I'll have them check into it then. I did have the dealer look at it once before and he did some sort of flash to the transmission but in all honesty, it didn't help. I left and figured it was just normal. Hopefully something comes of it because it's really worrying me.

As someone else suggested take it to ANOTHER dealer/studio. You are NOT locked into the studio who sold you the vehicle or any other specific studio for warranty repairs. As long as a studio is licensed to provide FIAT service they can service your vehicle.

[500byGucci]

*Update* So I went to the dealer yesterday and they heard the sound, definitely agreed it's not normal. The mechanic said he's unsure what it is, but said that issue sounds internal to the transmission. He called Fiat to confirm how they wanted him to proceed and they asked him to drive a used 500 auto on the lot (47k miles) and a new car to compair the sound; neither of those cars had an issue. From this point, the power train team will work with him on a replacement transmission as he said they don't generally like to tear the unit down and rebuild it. They put me in a loaner and said it would be a few days... Hopefully it all works out!

[Tweak]

*Update* So I went to the dealer yesterday and they heard the sound, definitely agreed it's not normal. The mechanic said he's unsure what it is, but said that issue sounds internal to the transmission. He called Fiat to confirm how they wanted him to proceed and they asked him to drive a used 500 auto on the lot (47k miles) and a new car to compair the sound; neither of those cars had an issue. From this point, the power train team will work with him on a replacement transmission as he said they don't generally like to tear the unit down and rebuild it. They put me in a loaner and said it would be a few days... Hopefully it all works out!

Good luck! Hope it works out for a quick and easy fix so you are back in your ride soon.

[Andree]

*Update* So I went to the dealer yesterday and they heard the sound, definitely agreed it's not normal. The mechanic said he's unsure what it is, but said that issue sounds internal to the transmission. He called Fiat to confirm how they wanted him to proceed and they asked him to drive a used 500 auto on the lot (47k miles) and a new car to compair the sound; neither of those cars had an issue. From this point, the power train team will work with him on a replacement transmission as he said they don't generally like to tear the unit down and rebuild it. They put me in a loaner and said it would be a few days... Hopefully it all works out!

That's good news! You'll get a new transmission and it should be just fine. Comparing the car with others is sometimes very effective.

Thanks for keeping us updated. By "us" I mean me, LOL. I like to follow the problem threads like a hawk. I want to know what happened, what part is the cause of the sound, assume the part is faulty in some way, and then want to know how to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I'm sure many others like to know what's going on too. So I put in the "us" for all of us reading the forum.

[500byGucci]

Ok, so I got official confirmation that Fiat is replacing the transmission. The tech seems to think that maybe a gear chipped and that's why it's noisy. The car should be done early next week, so it looks like I get to enjoy my base Jeep Patriot loaner for a few days lol

[lammie200]

...maybe a gear chipped and that's why it's noisy...

Glad that you are getting take caring of. With an AT I would think that it is more likely a bearing that exploded than a chipped gear. However, an exploding bearing will chip up gears. Thanks to a previously owned Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Explorer for the memories.

[500byGucci]

I checked in on my car today and it's almost done, but sad to see it in this state. It's unique how the entire front comes away and the engine just slides right out. I took a picture because I probably won't see it like that again (hopefully). fiatengineout.jpg

[Lesca]

Good luck with that mine started as soon I bought it,I brought to the dealer but I could not replicate the problem until 18 months later and 38k miles then the dealer told me the car was built like that and nothing could be done I applied the lemon law and an inspector from Chrysler check it out and the problem did not happened to him so his report was the car is running as it was built. Then the lawyer dropped the case because there has not been any repairs done So I am screw.i trade the car for a 2014 losing $5000. Same problems when I slow down the change from second gear to first was with a Big Bang and jerking and I put it in reverse then on drive it had a delay of a few seconds but there excuse was the delay is for protection of the transmission ???? The other excuse was the computer has to learn how I drive so I have to have a meeting with the computer every time I want to drive and work out a deal between us.what a STUPID excuse instead to replace the transmission and keep a customer happy. Lu