********** Disclaimer: I don not work for CC, nor do I really care about larger chain stores. I work at an independant retailer, and just happens that I specialize in remote starts (to the tune of over 300 per season of 4 months) Just giving my $0.02 on this matter*********
So, I decide to wade through this lengthy tome of a thread. My curiousity has most certainly been aroused.......
As far as I know, all Ford F series light duty of similar year use a very robust transmission. It is an electronically controlled, hydraulically operated device. The electronic component can fail. However, when it does, the vehicle will have a "safe mode" to ensure that mechanical damage won't occur, and that the vehicle can be driven. I would highly doubt that an improper alarm install would cause a failure. If it did, it would be immediately apparent the moment it was shifted into gear. If all else fails, there would also be visial indication or MIL on the cluster.
That particular year of Ford has, at the most, 2 ignitions at the key, and at the very most 3 accessory circuits that must be powered in a remote start situation. There is visual indication of not powering one of the accesories in the form of the ABS light staying on. The other accessory circuits just won't function (grey / YELLOW- heater. BLACK/ green- radio, A/C compressor clutch). I am fairly skeptical that a remote start can actually cause mechanical failure in a transmission........ GM fullsize trucks wouldn't shift out of 1st if the second (white) ignition wasn't powered (runs a heater circuit in the tranny from what I remember...and the cluster takes its 12V off the circuit as well..), but generally, you would notice that the truck wouldn't shift right off the hop. Pretty good indicator that something was up. (and the PRNDL indicator not lighting up is a pretty good giveaway as well).
I am going to play devil's advocate, and I would say that before jumping to any conclusions about the alarm/starter being at fault, get a very comprehensive teardown of the install by a trusted, independant, non biased, 3rd party shop. It isn't DEI's fault. They make a pretty solid product, and the absolute worst that can happen is the starter may engage is the tach wire is incorrectly connected and programmed. And only may. With customer input from the remote. It'll zing the starter, not a big deal. (sounds flippant, yes, however, just stating the obvious) I can't realistically see how a remote start can cause catastrophic mechanical failure to an automatic transmission. (the pictures on your site don't load, by the way. Just going by descriptions). In the 15 years of doing this for a living, I have seen pretty much every type of failure I can fathom in most vehicles. In that many years, I know I haven't seen a transmission fail due to a remote start (and we have seen some highly loveed installs. Pardon my french. We do a lot of dealership repair work..... and we see a lot of other shops work. Some guys just shouldn't own tools. At all.) I have seen remote starts that were a miracle they even worked. I have seen blatant fire hazards. Nothing that would cause mechanical failure to a vehicle though.
Really would like to see empirical evidence that supports this failure....... really would. I like proof. A lot. Rather analytical like that. As a researcher, you should be able to appreciate where I am coming from.
Wherever I go, that is where I end up......