$1,900 invested in rebuild and car was in the shop for 21 days out of 30, still no signs of correction.

Transmission stared shifting EXTREMELY hard from 1-2 in normal conditions & 3-4 upon acceleration and progressively worsened and became more frequent, so I gave in and took it to the transmission shop. The shop could not duplicate the issue, and advised to replace the valve body, based on a technical service bulletin (turns out the service bulletin was for the V6 transmission, not my 4Cyl transmission). I agreed with the logic, at the time, and proceeded. Car was returned to me and was still shifting hard.

Next step was a rebuild with everything new plus another new valve body. This time the shop was able to duplicate the issue and said they found metal flakes in my trans fluid, which was parts of the torque converter, and they also said some of the washers typically found around the differential were gone. This time they replaced the torque converter, solenoids, sensors, seals, new motor mount, & both transmission mounts, plus fluid. This invoice brought the total to just of $1,800. Still shifted rough from 1-2 & 3-4, just as before, though less noticeable, likely due to new mounts (just my opinion).

Returned for the 3rd time and they duplicated the issue, but were struggling with a cause. Next was to replace a fluid pressure switch. When they called Ford for parts, Ford's schematic did not even show this on my transmission. Once they figured out the part, Ford advised this was on national back order. The pressure switch was replaced and did not correct the issue.

I questioned the shop on the type of fluid. Answer was, "We use a high-grade universal synthetic." During all this madness, my research found my car takes a specific fluid used by Mazda & Ford, for this transmission. Turns out only 3 or 4 fluids are certified for my transmission. The shop agreed to order the Ford fluid and after dropping the car off again, they did a fluid flush and change. The shifts are slightly better, but still get a nice jerk from 1-2 in slow accelerations & and on highway acceleration, 3rd will hold out and then rattle it's way into 4th.

I thought I had researched this car thoroughly prior to purchase, and I even used this site for reviews; and other sites such as Cars.com, Autotrader, Edmunds, etc. I can't believe there are not more of these reviews. Be warned, the Mazda 3 & Mazda 6 also use this transmission from the same era, and have the same issues.

I have a 2 year warranty with this shop, but I am now down to paying another shop to fix it. I have called 10 shops in the area and there is ONE that can guarantee me they have worked on this exact transmission. I will use that shop only, because I am not about to be a lesson for another shop that has no experience with this transmission.

Okay, where do I begin! My advice to anyone who is thinking about purchasing a Mercury Milan is to think twice! The brakes in my milan went at 20K miles and I needed a new set of tires at 45K miles and at 70K miles. This car has done nothing but cost me money! My sunroof was defective as well and it had to be replaced three times before it was fixed correctly! Last but not least......my transmission and engine failed this week and the vehicle only has 77K miles on it. WTF, Ford! My car is only a 2006 and I still owe 10K on it. Ford has done nothing to help me out, and because of this I will NEVER BUY another FORD (Found on the road dead is right!) vehicle again.