Piston Slap: Dear Ecoboost Mustang!

Michael writes:

Hi Sajeev,

Back in December, I purchased a new 2016 Ford Mustang 2.3-liter Ecoboost. Awesome car, my first Ecoboost and my first “sports” car. Anyway, the vehicle only has 2,200 miles and I’m still very much breaking it in.

Much to my dismay, last week while driving home through a wooded stretch, I struck a deer in the middle of the road. The deer was already dead, laying across multiple lanes with no way for me to avoid.

After hitting the deer, I continued on while listening for any unusual noises or driving characteristics that may indicate damage. I made it the two miles home without incident, except the Mustang wouldn’t shift into Park. I was able to shut off and secure the vehicle, but then it wouldn’t restart because the computer did not recognize the transmission as being in Park. Shifting (with difficulty) to neutral allowed the vehicle to start, but with the CEL illuminated.

(Amazingly, the car was cosmetically fine. Not a scratch, other than the undercarriage. The deer passed completely under the car)

Fast forward to today, I picked up the vehicle from a repair shop after my insurance company foot the bill (minus deductible) for everything requiring attention — except the repair sheet only mentions a new front engine cover for the undercarriage and a four-wheel alignment.

In driving the vehicle home and it seems fine.

1. Is this a realistic repair estimate or could there be things missed? I don’t want to deal with transmission or other issues down the road.
2. Could Ford attempt to void my warranty if I bring the car into the dealer and they notice the repair? The repair was made at my insurance company’s own facility, but with an OEM part as far as I know.
3. How much of a resale value hit am I looking at when this hits Carfax?

This is a nearly new car that I plan on keeping a very long time. It is in my best interest that I maintain it in top condition. Thanks for your help!

Sajeev answers:

Thank you for the detailed description! You’ll get more from [s]me[/s] us in determining the potentially hidden costs of hitting a dear.

1. This answer is purely theory, unless you have photos from the insurance adjuster. We gotta know why you had to “shift with difficulty” into neutral and how that issue was fixed. Hopefully it was just a bit of deer carcass that was removed with no damage to the linkage and transmission position sensor.
2. If this shifter issue was fixed poorly and/or not with all the necessary parts, yes, you could pay again for that repair. Talk to your insurance agent about that. Odds are FoMoCo wouldn’t void the entire warranty, but then again, do remember the “value” us autojournos give to the motoring public.
3. Since I’m answering months after your query, pull a CarFax now and dispute the hell out of a potentially overzealous damage assessment. You’ll need all the paperwork from the insurance company/claim and maybe the advice of a seasoned claims adjuster or lawyer. Good luck with that.

[Photo: IIHS]

Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry … but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.