Edge Low Speed Surge/Buck - Transmission

[STBEAST]

I know I am late chiming in on this, but I bought a new 2021 Edge St and around 2000 miles I noticed the transmission started to do some really weird things. If I accelerated aggressively from a dead stop, it would slam from 1st to 2nd. Felt like the transmission was going to drop out of the bottom of the car. The other issue was when enjoying Sport Mode, you would occasionally here a SCREECH when it would shift gears (somewhere between 2nd and 4th gear. It was about 1-2 seconds long. You only heard it; you didn't feel anything. The final issue was in reverse. When in reverse it felt like there was a delay, then surge when you would accelerate. After multiple trips to the dealer, they ended up replacing the transmission shift control module. It seemed to help the issue, but the reverse issue was the same. I never felt comfortable after the buck/slam issue. At 12K I ended up trading in for a 2024 Edge St. 

Only after driving the 2024 (I am at 2800 miles) did realize the 2021 had a serious transmission issue. I think there may be a class action lawsuit on this. Not sure on the specific issues though. 

When I brought the car in last week for the first oil change, the service writer noticed me I told him I traded the 2021 for a 2024. He asked me if Ford bought my old vehicle back!😄 I should have pushed for a new vehicle!

 

Edited September 27, 2024 by STBEAST

[Wubster100]

My 2021 SEL has just about 70k miles and every once in a while there is a little bit of a harsh shift. I have only drained and filled the transmission once. I don’t think it made a big difference. I’m not expecting super smooth shifts each time, but I guess I will just have to keep doing drain and fills. I really hope that this transmission will make it to 200k miles and I would be happy.

[STBEAST]

Wubster100, would it be worth it to take the vehicle into a dealer and have them do a complete fluid change?

I don't know how much it would cost and I have a hard time trusting dealerships, but it might be worth it. 

Would love to see you make it to the 200k mark.  Jim

[Wubster100]

I probably won’t take the vehicle to a shop, just to save on labor cost. But I could try drain and fill 3 times, which should replace most of the fluid. And I can also try resetting the adaptive learning tables.

[colinc755]

1 hour ago, Wubster100 said:

I probably won’t take the vehicle to a shop, just to save on labor cost. But I could try drain and fill 3 times, which should replace most of the fluid. And I can also try resetting the adaptive learning tables.

A drain and fill or 2 should be sufficient. I’d be careful resetting the adaptive tables at home, it’s a bit more risky than people give it credit for especially with these new transmissions. Ford has a very specific procedure for the drive cycle that should occur directly after a reset and it’s pretty impossible to do it safely on a public roadway. Shops that do it the right way use a dyno or similar. 

[Biker]

Good video here for the 2019+. Gives you a diagnostic method to narrow down the actual issue. 

 

 

[Tonycarlo]

interesting ...thanks...  I did the EGR sensor change and no help there....

 

I think this is the next logical step.....

[KevinPrice]

Hello guys.

I don't know if this will improve your Edge tranny problems but this is my experience. 

I discovered problems when I purchased my 2019 AWD SEL with 44K kms.

It was jerky when cold and driving slowly, and also harsh down shifting to second and first during normal driving.

We spent 5 weeks in Mexico, so I disconnected the battery and reconnected it when we returned.

The jerky shifting is sometimes occurring for a short distance, but the down shifting is much smoother now. Not sure how long the battery actually needs to be disconnected before it "resets", but it definitely had an effect on mine...

 

[Biker]

19 minutes ago, KevinPrice said:

Hello guys.

I don't know if this will improve your Edge tranny problems but this is my experience. 

I discovered problems when I purchased my 2019 AWD SEL with 44K kms.

It was jerky when cold and driving slowly, and also harsh down shifting to second and first during normal driving.

We spent 5 weeks in Mexico, so I disconnected the battery and reconnected it when we returned.

The jerky shifting is sometimes occurring for a short distance, but the down shifting is much smoother now. Not sure how long the battery actually needs to be disconnected before it "resets", but it definitely had an effect on mine...

 

Yes, it really does help. I think that's how the dealership fooled me when I bought my used 2019. I did reset mine a couple times like you said and it works every time, but it eventually comes back. Changing the EGR sensor on mine is what has made the biggest difference. But, it doesnt work for all since I believe there are numerous issues that cause a similar condition. No more surging and bucking, but it definitely is not a very refined transmission, even if everything is working properly. I drive my wife's RAV 4 8 speed and it is absolutely seamless. Smooth and predictable every shift.

[zakatooi2012]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND A BIG THANK YOU to all who have posted in this thread. I was able to convince my Ford Service department that I did indeed have a transmission issue with my 2019 Edge SEL, 2L turbo.

I searched this forum and finally found this thread. I have ALL the same conditions with my transmission. I even had the fluid changed ($500) with 79900 miles. At that time, there was no issue but wanted to maintain this vehicle for a long life. After the fluid was changed, during cold weather, I started having hard up and down shifts. I SHOULD HAVE RETURNED TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. But the weather warmed up and the issue(s) disappeared.

Now, at 89900 miles, the issue(s) have resurfaced and the weather is colder. I took it to a dealer after reading this forum. The service technician VERIFIED my concerns with the shifting issues. 

Fortunately, I had bought a non-Ford service contract and the $6000 cost will be paid in full!!!. I did have choices...The service contract that I had was with Route 66. I chose this company because it is thousands less than the Ford, Chrysler, or Zurich plans hawked by the dealer. This one I bought through the credit union. They have been great to work with and I even get money for a rental/loaner car.

I did opt for a Ford Certified and rebuilt transmission rather than the "used" transmission that my plan covered. The additional $500 cost, to me, was worth it as I intend to keep this vehicle. The re manufactured transmission will be warranted to 2 years with UNLIMITED mileage. Since my service contract goes to 120K miles and into 2027, I figured it was (is) the best option.

Again, THANKS to all who posted on this thread!!

[Rimcon]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. As an update my dealer installed a new torque converter and had to go back to get belts tightened to reduce noise….. so far all is running better than new….. all covered o under the drivetrain warranty’s 

 

[nitehawk]

Anyone tried the Amsoil tranny fluid vs the motorcraft? I've had good luck with it in the cars i've done drain and refills and noticed in all that the shifting was smoother.

[Wubster100]

Has anyone tried the LV fluid instead of ULV?

[Dave Hausbeck]

Had the low speed/surge issue with my 2020 Edge with 2.0L engine w/AWD and thought I'd share my story.

- Bought the vehicle used in April 2024 with 45,000 miles

- Notice the low speed surge within a few days of ownership...especially with a cold engine coming out of my suburban development where the speeds are typically 10-20 mph.  Evidence of the problem reduced noticeably after warm-up.

- Had the local Ford dealer change/flush trans fluid and clean injectors with BG44.  No improvement in the condition and dealer had no other suggestions.

- At 48,000 miles changed motor oil using Mobil 1 synthetic (5W-30).  Changed oil again at 53,000 miles.  No immediate improvement in surge event.

- At approx 54k-55k miles the problem has disappeared.

 

Not sure what made the improvement.  My guess is the synthetic oil may have loosened up some varnish affecting the PVC system affecting performance.  Could say the same regarding the trans fluid change.

 

MPG has not changed during the entire process.  Used motor oil anaysis/lab report showed nothing unusual like fuel in the oil, etc.  All I can say is after approx 10k miles of reacting to the problem, it is now gone.  Perhaps there's a clue in my efforts that may help some of you who are having the same issue.  The local Ford dealer was of no help whatsoever.

 

 

[rafeeki]

14 hours ago, Dave Hausbeck said:

Had the low speed/surge issue with my 2020 Edge with 2.0L engine w/AWD and thought I'd share my story.

- Bought the vehicle used in April 2024 with 45,000 miles

- Notice the low speed surge within a few days of ownership...especially with a cold engine coming out of my suburban development where the speeds are typically 10-20 mph.  Evidence of the problem reduced noticeably after warm-up.

- Had the local Ford dealer change/flush trans fluid and clean injectors with BG44.  No improvement in the condition and dealer had no other suggestions.

- At 48,000 miles changed motor oil using Mobil 1 synthetic (5W-30).  Changed oil again at 53,000 miles.  No immediate improvement in surge event.

- At approx 54k-55k miles the problem has disappeared.

 

Not sure what made the improvement.  My guess is the synthetic oil may have loosened up some varnish affecting the PVC system affecting performance.  Could say the same regarding the trans fluid change.

 

MPG has not changed during the entire process.  Used motor oil anaysis/lab report showed nothing unusual like fuel in the oil, etc.  All I can say is after approx 10k miles of reacting to the problem, it is now gone.  Perhaps there's a clue in my efforts that may help some of you who are having the same issue.  The local Ford dealer was of no help whatsoever.

 

 

You might have been receiving over the air updates from Ford which you are not aware of. You can go to the settings menu on the car and see if anything came in. I have been receiving updates on my 2024 Edge within the last 6 weeks.

[Rimcon]

I had the same issue, the dealer replaced the torque converter and adjusted converter belts so far the issue is resolved. It was covered under the 5 year power train warranty two months before it was due to expire.

[Biker]

There are at least 2 different issues going on. For some, the driveability, bucking etc may wel be the transmission and/or torque converter. 

For others, this definitely an engine management issue. 

 

With my 2019, I tried all the transmission stuff I could, no change. I then changed an egr sensor that fixed it. Until....last week we had a drastic swing in weather from very cold to above freezing, with very high humidity. The low speed bucking and surging was almost unbearable. It's almost like theres no boost or no tps signal in a certain range. Push the throttle a bit more and it launches. Under load its fine. Part throttle, low speed is awful. Once it heated up and likely dried out the offending sensor, all was well. 

[zakatooi2012]

Hey Biker,

Sorry to hear about your 2019 tranny issue(s). As you have probably noticed, you are not alone!

It sucks....alot. And the  frustrating part is that Ford will not accept any responsibility for this issue. 

I do not believe that the EGR will be the final fix for your car. I see where several others claimed that theirs were 'fixed' by replacing the EGR valve, but that the problem almost always returned.

The eight speed tranny sucks and is expensive to fix.

If you have any kind of warranty left, get it replaced. If not and if you can, dump that sucker!!

If it is any consolation, My CHEVY faithful brother has a brand new 10 speed 2500 heavy duty super this and super that truck. He had to take it in for a 'reprogramming' of the computer for a recognized shifting problem. When he got it back, it was worse than before.

[Biker]

Thanks,man! The egr is definitely part of the puzzle for mine. Or maybe a separate puzzle. 

Anyways, I do love the vehicle, I have no desire to dump it. I've kept up the maintenance of everything on it, and I'm not worried for the reliability of it.

So far the driveability issue has only resurfaced on a day when the ambient temp took a big swing from freezing to warm with lots of moisture/humidity. Even then, as soon as engine heat dried things up under hood, the condition went away.

 

So, I have to believe that it is some aspect of the engine management. Map sensor, TPS, CTS, IAT etc. Something is getting and giving bad info without setting a DTC. If it was a transmission hardware issue, it wouldn't appear and disappear as it does now. I will figure it out. 

 

I like the thing enough that if at some point it needs a transmission or TC or both, I will buy new ones and install myself.