[Davesplace]

I have a 2019 Ford Edge SEL 2.0L EcoBoost with just over 63,300 miles on it. Recently, the car has not been driving smoothly. This is really disappointing considering the fact that I got it brand new and the powertrain warranty just expired a month ago. See below for 2 main issues:

1. Car jerks when switching gears most of the time. Mostly noticed between 2nd & 3rd AND 3rd & 4th gears. If I am very gentle with the gas pedal, the jerk is very minor and sometimes unnoticeable.
2. At constant speeds, the RPM spikes on its own without me hitting the gas pedal. To confirm this, I drove the car on the highway multiple times with cruise control set to 60 MPH. RPM will be slightly over 2x1000 for most of the time but periodically spikes 50-100 RPM over this constant mark.

Took the car to my local dealer and complained. After paying the $125 diagnostic fee, I was informed I have to replace the torque converter. The estimate provided was $3,300. This was all done without a test drive or anything. The car was just looked at and the estimate was provided. I asked the mechanic if paying this was going to fix the problem definitively and he didn't seem sure.

Apart from the 2 issues mentioned above, the car has no other issues. No strange noises, no lights. Nothing. Even plugged a code reader in and the car not throwing any errors (for now). The vehicle has been properly maintained with all my oil changes and tire rotations done up till this point. The only thing I don't recall doing is a transmission fluid change. At every oil change appointment, I'm told it's not needed until the car has like 100,000 miles.

Since this issue started, I have been watching a lot of videos on YouTube of people with similar issues. Some mentioned changing their transmission fluid and adding Lucas additive as what fixed this problem for them. I would like to go this route to see if it works. Would like to check my ATF fluid first before going to a shop and requesting for it to be changed. Opened the hood to check my ATF level but couldn't find the dipstick. Any help here will be greatly appreciated.

The transmission drain and refill only replaces a third of the fluid.

I have done drain and refill 5 times, driving vehicle between changes and the transmission is completely cured.

It was doing exactly what you describe.

I was told converter and or replace transmission, not needed.!!

No additives needed.

Some shops have a fluid exchanger that hooks into the transmission lines and replaces ALL the fluid while running the vehicle, less hassle and a little less expensive.

 

[dayvlawrence]

Got a 2019 Edge, drove it for 6 hours highway, noticed a few shudders with the trans, didn't think too much of it. Then the wrench light came on, decided to stop off for fuel. Upon transitioning to city traffic, moderate shudder in lag shifting while between stop lights. Pulled off to look at the car, and go eat. Came back out two hours and tried to take it out of park, it wouldn't initially. Then gave it some pedal in reverse and it shuddered violently, rpms increased then it stopped like the parking brake was set. Tried again but the car had trouble getting out of park - worsened. Just over 60k on this POS and towed it to a mech shop, trans fluid had a silvery sheen to it and recommended to a Ford Dealership, though they say "two weeks" out for scheduling... ugh!

 

[tomw]

Have you noticed any shudder or slippage previously? Normally you would get some warning before you got a full failure. It might have 'morning sickness' where it did not want to move first thing and would need to warm up before it would grab and start to move.
If you give it high rpms, and it tries to connect, you WILL get violent action as that is not the normal rpm for applying clutches or whatever, depending on the gear.
You might try draining whatever will come out, and refilling with the same amount of proper fluid. I do not know if you have a dipstick to check fluid level as recent models have deleted them in favor of seller profit(Wall St 'analysts' want more $$ return, and FoMoCo listens to those dummies). If you have a dipstick, check fluid level at full temp in N, engine at idle on level ground. Sometimes a change of fluid will add 'friction modifiers' that can enable the clutches/bands to get a more secure grab.
tom

 

[dayvlawrence]

Have you noticed any shudder or slippage previously? Normally you would get some warning before you got a full failure. It might have 'morning sickness' where it did not want to move first thing and would need to warm up before it would grab and start to move.
If you give it high rpms, and it tries to connect, you WILL get violent action as that is not the normal rpm for applying clutches or whatever, depending on the gear.
You might try draining whatever will come out, and refilling with the same amount of proper fluid. I do not know if you have a dipstick to check fluid level as recent models have deleted them in favor of seller profit(Wall St 'analysts' want more $$ return, and FoMoCo listens to those dummies). If you have a dipstick, check fluid level at full temp in N, engine at idle on level ground. Sometimes a change of fluid will add 'friction modifiers' that can enable the clutches/bands to get a more secure grab.
tom

I noticed a few very minor shudders, wish I thought more of it. But the trip to PA, went fine. Return trip, events played out, but then when it wouldn't grab that tow truck driver just forced it and it moved the few feet and shook. Then dragged it up the deck.. no skates. Dealer got back and says $8000, trans replacement. Negative good-will being the second owner. Not sure about this.. Wish I kept my 2011 Escape with double the mileage and no transmission crap.

 

[tomw]

Unless it is far from home, I would 1) be sure the fluid is at proper level, and if so, check indy builders for estimates. 2) check what the dealer would give on trade(if interested) 3)see what a used trans installed would cost, again an indy shop. 4) check some of the internet sellers. there's one in AZ that ships natilnally, has a good warranty, and supposedly stands behind his work.
Most times the dealer will make repair unattractive. I am of the opinion that $8k is a bit high. Labor rates are local, so I can't estimate. You can get online estimates from a web site, I would expect them to be local..
If you like the Edge, and would normally keep it, likely an indy shop can do the job and you'd have a few months of payments rather than replacing and having years in most cases.
Did the dealer/shop check for codes? It is possible the solenoids in the valve body have given up or failed... and you might possibly be able to repair by replacing the valve body/solenoid block without having to remove the trans. I know you can do that on the CD4E in my Mariner, likely in the 6F35 you had in your Escape, and maybe the one in the Edge. You can get a silvery appearance from the valve body aluminum getting wear as the spool valves slide back and forth. Also from bearing/bushing material. Bad clutches erode the frictions and steels, leaving a dirty looking (blackish) fluid. Most times clutches start to slip and it takes some time, possibly thousands of miles, for them totally give up.
If you haven't do a search for common problems for your transmission.
tom

 

[tomw]

If you take a look at car dash part dot com, you will find regional parts and some have pretty decent warraties. The prices range from less than $2k up to the mid-$3k range. Some have very low mileage.
If you add labor and materials(fluid, hoses, clamps, whatever it takes) you can have a ballpark of what it would cost to R&R your trans.
You might want to check with the Edge forum online for other hints.
There is a difference between the AWD or FWD, and the V6/4. FWD is less.
Generally, trading a broken undriveable vehicle puts you at a disadvantage, and dealers also do NOT like to fiddle repairing cars that are broken(doesn't make sense with all those techs working there??), and they will send them to the boneyard or auction, and get ???. Better for you if you fix it with at least something that will work and trade or sell yourself, IF you are decided it should be gone...
tom

 

[EdgeinSD]

Hi, I have the same issue. Everyone needs to file a complaint with the NTSB to get Ford to recall and repair this transmission issue. It must be filed as a safety issue to get them to investigate - and since you cannot maintain a consistent speed and on highways - that is a safety issue. This "bucking", sudden acceleration and deceleration makes vehicle control difficult. Please file so we can make Ford repair this problem. Here is the url to the complaint form.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#vehicle

*Admin - Fixed above link.

Thanks! I am going to contact everyone on this page.

 

[lrees1139]

My story is similar to all the above. Thankfully I have an upstanding local Ford dealer(Fred Beans of Boyertown Pa). They replaced the trans at 59500 miles and gave me a 2 year no mileage guarantee. At 11 months that trans started the sales symptoms. They replaced that trans, again under warranty. 7 months on the 3rd box I’m am starting to get the same shit all over. Still have 5 months on the warranty. Another New trans then it’s off to find another car. This will make 2 brands I am done with. Kia now Ford. it’s a shame I really do like the car but not at a transmission a year

 

[DR 2255s]

2019 SEL. Bought it used but with an extended warranty on th car. Problem the same as everyone else. Dealer ship told us not to waste any money on the PCM reprogramming. Long lines in front of us with transmission problems. We have about 1200 miles until the coverage runs out, of course! Warranty will probably wont cover is my suspiscion We have been to FORD three times now. They cant even tell us when they can have a look at the car. FORD in Savannah told us they need the car on their lot between 3 to 4 weeks before they can even have a look at it. Same thing in South Carolina. We also suggested why they can not give us a call and we will have the car on their lot withing half an hour. Answer: System doesnt work that way! THis means that we have to find a rental car and rent it for between 3 weeks to 2 months, who knows. This drives me nuts.

Do all Ford dealers give us the run around. I can't even get them to talk to me when we go to dealer.

 

[tomw]

I honestly think you will find that all manufacturers are having problems with product reliability.
Of those currently in business, though it is not said happily, it seems to me Ford makes a little better product. They do have the lead in recalls, too! (which in a way is better than letting stuff stay on the road that needs fixing by being in denial, which I think applies to some other makes.)
They all have problems without question.
I have done 99.999% of the maintenance on all my vehicles since I bought them. I have bought 4 new Ford/Mercury models in the last 50 years, and still have 3 of them. Observing GM, ChryCo and Ford products over the years influenced my thinking. I have owned other brands, but kept none of them long term. I have owned foreign(UK) cars and worked on other brands to the point I do not want any of them.
This is not to say Ford is perfect, but I think of all the current models on the market, they have some of the better ones. They have shot themself in the foot by pushing first-time buyers out of the showroom having NOTHING they can afford. They will go to Kia/Hyundai, and then have no reason to eveh think about a Ford. The market will liley evolve and they will have nothing to offer. Too bad for them.
I likely have bought my last car, and think the Farley ate the KoolAde of battery vehicles and the stockholders will pay the price. Wanna buy a Mach-E? I don't and apparently not many want one either. The 150 battery included is priced too high, and won't go far enough for a work truck, especially towing anything. Ya, sure... No thanks.
tom

 

[Carl3p0]

Hi, same here ford edge 2019 SEL echoboost ... torque convertir failed at 70.000 miles... the repair is very costly... I don't understand how systematic issue like this are not part of a recall ... Will never buy a Ford again.

 

[Zinglish2019]

Hi, ford edge 2019 SEL echoboost as well!!! torque converter came apart 62,000. $7000 to repair. Dealership would not fix... backed up 3-4 months. A week later... would not shudder any more. LOL! Now they don't want to even honor the extended warranty I purchased. So done with ford!

 

[tomw]

Now they don't want to even honor the extended warranty I purchased. So done with ford!

Unless they have valid reason to deny coverage, they are asking for legal intervention.
Had I had that experience, I would want to have in writing their denial, the reason, and how it complied with the verbiage of the service contract(extended warranty). With that, legal experts could readily determine of they had good basis or were being obstructive.
I do not have an Edge, have owned Ford products for almost 60 years with little difficulties that were encountered, but nothing major such as a transmission failure that was during warranty. I now have such coverage for a Maverick... and am a lot older... so problems may be referred to the servicing dealer for things I would normally do myself.
tom

 

[R.S.LOGAN]

Hi, ford edge 2019 SEL echoboost as well!!! torque converter came apart 62,000. $7000 to repair. Dealership would not fix... backed up 3-4 months. A week later... would not shudder any more. LOL! Now they don't want to even honor the extended warranty I purchased. So done with ford!

Are you saying the shudder fault you had complained about and were quoted $7000 to repair disappeared a week later and never returned ? What happened about " torque converter came apart " ?