Automatic Transmission Torque Converter problems of the 2013 Ford Escape

Vehicle starts shaking really bad when idling at stop lights etc. Took it in and they advised that it is the torque converter and is a known problem with this vehicle and they can not find the part anywhere!.

I purchased my car used in Dec. 2016 with 79,000 miles, and have had consistent problems ever since. In Aug. 2017 (94,888 mileage), I had take the car to the dealership service center because the engine would stall and stop due to high engine temperature - I was consistently adding coolant, probably every few days. The service department found the coolant leak came from the water pump, so they replaced the leaking water pump, as well as the cabin air filter and spark plugs. Then in June 2018, I had a flat tire and couldn't put the spare on because the lug nuts were swollen/warped - took it to the dealership and they had to replace all sets. In sept. 2018 (113,516 mileage), I was driving home, the engine stopped accelerating, and I knew it was the transmission. I had the car towed to the Ford dealership. They had to "replace the torque converter and completely replace the transmission". They also found the half shaft was leaking, so they "replaced the left hand bushing/seal/half shaft because the shaft was scored". In Jan. 2019, I had taken the car to get serviced because within 1 days time, I had 5 light bulbs blow out and needed replacing. Later in the summer 2019, I was having coolant issues again, and took it to the dealership where they told me the coolant sensor was malfunctioning. I did not have that replaced because I said I would keep an eye on the coolant levels. Now, April 2020, my coolant level's are getting low again, and there is a consistent smell of coolant surrounding the vehicle when engine is on. After driving for 20+ minutes, and coming to an idle stop, the car smells like exhaust and coolant mixed, and there is occasional smoke billows from the exhaust pipes. I have looked under the engine and found oil leaks (pics attached), and believe my car matches the NHTSA campaign id number: 12v551000 even though recalls never show up for my VIN.

The torque converter on my 2013 Ford Escape started to thump when shifted into drive after initial start-ups. The problem began somewhere around 86000+ miles. There would be no subsequent problems when taking the vehicle out of drive (I. E. , after backing up or being placed into park) once the vehicle was running a while (heated up). Vehicle now has 87000+ miles and on 11/07/19 I received a message "transmission fault. Service now. " I put the car in drive and the message disappeared. On 11/08/19 I started the vehicle and shifted into drive. This time the transmission did not engage and was unable to move the vehicle forward. Later in the evening I tried starting and shifting the Escape into drive. The vehicle shifted into drive with the usual thump and I was able to move the SUV forward. The torque converted appears to be on its way out. I plan to take it to a dealer for diagnosis. I want to report this as I understand that other who own similar vehicles (Ford Escapes) are also experiencing problems with their torque converts and transmissions.

Pop-up messages on console: "transmission fault. Service now. Reducing power to reduce engine temperature. " although there was not a perceptible difference in driving, I took my vehicle to service immediately. Results from dealer service advisor: "it appears the torque converter is slipping inside the transmission, the trans over temp light is coming on as a result of the converter slipping, so ultimately it will need the transmission rebuilt with the torque converter replaced. I know you are just outside of warranty and the repair is quite unexpected and costly. Ford has replied back and stated they will assist $1,569. 12, which would leave you responsible for $1,000. 00 toward the repair. ".

Every time we come to a complete stop the Escape stalls and you need to re-start the car. I've brought to a dealer and they think its the torque convertors which is inside the transmission. Some Escapes with this same year have been recalled already but when I checked with my dealer they said my has not. They estimated the cost of the fix at $4000.

Check engine light has been on since the beginning of 2014, always for the same code p0741. Car does not drive properly at highway speeds as the torque converter does not lock up as intended. This in turn causes much lower fuel ecomony than the vehicle is capable and advertised to get. (23. 5 hwy actual, should get 29-30 mpg) car has been in to Ford 5 times and the problem has not been resolved. Sent Ford a last chance letter prior to the ast repair attempt. This attempt was scheduled by Ford so one of the engineer experts could evaluate it. After they fed us a complete line of hogwash about an air bubble in the cooling system, they told us it was fixed. 70 miles after this visit, light is back on (same code) and mpg is still terrible. To top it off the coolant is leaking on the floor in garage and car runs rougher and has nealy stalled at intersections multiple times (with my 2 yr old duaghter in the car) clearly they are incapable of repairing but informed us they will do nothing else.

Now that it is colder out, my car has gone from overheating to misfiring from the defective cac/torque converter in this car. I've noticed that the misfiring does not show up on the check engine light or was able to be read by my obd reader. Misfiring can ruin the catalytic converter and cause emission issues. It is illegal in California (where I'm a resident) to not follow the obd ii protocol for reporting emission problems since we have this inspected for registration. When my car has overheated, only Ford was able to pull the code & I also didn't get a check engine light. It's apparent now that Ford has rigged the obd in this car so that only they can retrieve codes. Misfiring is easy for you to replicate to verify my statement. Unplug one cylinder, start the car, see if you get a flashing check engine light and a p030x code.