Transmission Debate - NEW / REMAN / REBUILD

My CDF Drum has gone out on my ‘18 Expedition.

I’ve gotten several quotes for repair and replacement. My biggest hangup on the decision is whether or not the new or remanufactured transmissions come with the updated CDF Drum, Torque Converter and other updated parts; or if it’s a gamble.

My best estimates:

Rebuild with updated part guarantee. 1 year warranty. Absolute High side $6500 (quote is dependent on parts/existing damage)

Reman Replacement, 3yr 100k mile warranty, parts plus $50/hr labor; $7800-8500

NEW Replacement, 3yr 100k warranty, parts plus $50/hr labor; $6,900 (assuming no issues; with issues add $800)

Anyone with knowledge if these new and reman units are updated or not?

KOMaynard said:

My CDF Drum has gone out on my ‘18 Expedition.

I’ve gotten several quotes for repair and replacement. My biggest hangup on the decision is whether or not the new or remanufactured transmissions come with the updated CDF Drum, Torque Converter and other updated parts; or if it’s a gamble.

My best estimates:

Rebuild with updated part guarantee. 1 year warranty. Absolute High side $6500 (quote is dependent on parts/existing damage)

Reman Replacement, 3yr 100k mile warranty, parts plus $50/hr labor; $7800-8500

NEW Replacement, 3yr 100k warranty, parts plus $50/hr labor; $6,900 (assuming no issues; with issues add $800)

Anyone with knowledge if these new and reman units are updated or not?

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I can't answer your question - but did you ask the businesses that provided you with the estimates if the new and reman units are updated?

99WhiteC5Coupe said:

I can't answer your question - but did you ask the businesses that provided you with the estimates if the new and reman units are updated?

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Nobody has been able to give me a solid or definitive answer. I just spoke with a local Ford dealer, and even they couldn’t guarantee it.

They stated that they would believe that it would be the updated unit, seeing as the last digit in the transmission has updated twice since the manufacturer of my truck. However, even they stated they could not guarantee it.

KOMaynard said:

Nobody has been able to give me a solid or definitive answer. I just spoke with a local Ford dealer, and even they couldn’t guarantee it.

They stated that they would believe that it would be the updated unit, seeing as the last digit in the transmission has updated twice since the manufacturer of my truck. However, even they stated they could not guarantee it.

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I think you have your answer then...

If no one can put in writing that "New" contains all "Updated" parts, then you have no recourse if you buy "New" into the exact same problem you currently have. You can make your own decision, but were the choice mine and the reman/rebuild conclusively contained updated parts, that would be my choice.

I've had a local shop do rebuilds for my 2nd gen (twice - now at 254K mi.) and 3/4 ton SuperDuty, and being able to shake the hand of the man doing the rebuild and having him show you the parts that failed and why, goes a long way in providing confidence. I've had the rebuilds last as long, or longer, than the "New" transmissions I've bought from Ford.

I think you will find that either an engine or transmission that you purchase from Ford are remans. I have found that they have a nationwide parts and labor warranty.

From what I’ve gathered, the Ford Remans and New replacements carry the same warranties, however, depending on where it’s installed it affects the labor coverage. I’ve heard 3yr/100k miles and 3yr/unlimited miles; and that labor is covered 100% with a dealer install; and then I’ve heard $50/hr and $118/hr is what is covered if an independent shop does the work.

Oddly, A new transmission from Ford is roughly $2k cheaper than a remanufactured one also from Ford.

I’m still on the fence, but I’m leaning towards rebuild with no definites on what internals are in new or remanufactured units. Even Ford parts couldn’t tell me. At least with the rebuild, I have the peace of mind knowing things are updated and will hopefully keep me from another transmission problem for a long time.

Arguably, a new should be updated; because I’ve heard that all new expeditions (and fords) with that transmission since mid 2023 are supposed to come with the new CDF drum; but I’ve never been fond of should.

I went with a factory fresh new transmission on mine....3yr unlimited warranty. Dealer told me it would have all the latest parts and as proof the transmission assembly part number listed on the invoice was a number that superseded the original part number. Plus just think about it, they have been using updated parts for 2 years in these, I highly doubt they would have 2 years worth of new transmissions laying around in a warehouse built with old parts waiting to be sold as replacements....especially given the failure rate. Going new was a no brainer to me. And it was quick....from the time I told them to go ahead order one to when I got my expedition back was exactly 5 business days.

Reman would have been my second choice....as I trust a reman factory who likely builds hundreds of these per day in a legitimate factory with proper tools and procedures over a dealer that rebuilds a few every month.

I agree with mx10166 above, I had mine rebuilt by the dealer under warranty. They only changed out parts that needed replaced. For example most clutch packs were not replaced.
With a new transmission, everything is new. I agree that a new unit most likely has new CF Drum and another internal case which they have improved the design.
I’m guessing a new transmission does not include a new torque convertor. However, I have not seen comments on this thread regarding torque converter failures.

3rd Expyowner123 said:

I agree with mx10166 above, I had mine rebuilt by the dealer under warranty. They only changed out parts that needed replaced. For example most clutch packs were not replaced.
With a new transmission, everything is new. I agree that a new unit most likely has new CF Drum and another internal case which they have improved the design.
I’m guessing a new transmission does not include a new torque convertor. However, I have not seen comments on this thread regarding torque converter failures.

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My new replacement transmission came as a complete new assembly which includes a new torque converter.

To close this out, I elected to go with the rebuild. There was a short period of time where I was going to go with a Factory New replacement, however, after submitting the order for the transmission, FORD cancelled the order. I was quoted $3600 for the unit, however, according to the dealer, Ford corporate cancelled their order because the listing price on the unit was incorrect. They immediately rose the price to $6300, which in turn raised my repair quote from $8500 to $11000.

Rebuild came in at $7800; with a guarantee that every problem part was replaced with the updated model.

Hoping to not have to do anything with this transmission again (short of fluid changes) for the remainder of my time with it.

What is the time frame for this trans unit as far as Warranty goes?

Rebuilder offers 1 year. So there’s not as much coverage warranty wise, compared to a New or Reman at 3 years.

KOMaynard said:

To close this out, I elected to go with the rebuild. There was a short period of time where I was going to go with a Factory New replacement, however, after submitting the order for the transmission, FORD cancelled the order. I was quoted $3600 for the unit, however, according to the dealer, Ford corporate cancelled their order because the listing price on the unit was incorrect. They immediately rose the price to $6300, which in turn raised my repair quote from $8500 to $11000.

Rebuild came in at $7800; with a guarantee that every problem part was replaced with the updated model.

Hoping to not have to do anything with this transmission again (short of fluid changes) for the remainder of my time with it.

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I paid $6300 for my new tranny assembly including all labor at my local Ford dealer in May 2025. $5200 for the tranny and $1100 for labor. Looks like the dealer was trying to charge you 4x that for labor for a pretty simple job, which basically includes pulling out the old one, bolting on the new one, and programming it.

Glad you got it fixed up though with a rebuild, you should be good to go!

I am not following your final decision. Can you elaborate please. You paid $6,300 for a new transmission installed? or did you go with the rebuild?

Thanks

ncrefasi said:

I am not following your final decision. Can you elaborate please. You paid $6,300 for a new transmission installed? or did you go with the rebuild?

Thanks

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New installed. Not a reman.