Hey everyone! Proud owner of a 2011 Ford Escape 3.0 V6 automatic here. Had it since new, and it’s been a great ride!
A couple of months ago, after using a pressure washer on the radiator, the Escape started to shake around 20-25 mph, especially when it’s in 3rd gear. The shaking goes away if I upshift or speed up.
A mechanic friend thinks it could be a torque converter issue and recommended replacing it to prevent transmission damage. But I wanted to get some more opinions—could this shake be due to something else?
If anyone has had similar problems or knows what might be going on, please share your experience. I’d really appreciate any advice!
Have you changed the transmission fluid recently? If not, try a drain and fill first. Old fluid can cause shuddering. It might also be something simple like unbalanced tires.
I have a 2013 Escape, and my torque converter went out. By the time I caught it, the transmission was in rough shape too. Also had some other issues with leaks and had to replace the coolant tank and rear differential. Still, it’s all been cheaper than buying a new car these days.
Using a pressure washer might’ve gotten water in the coils if they’re still the originals. The boots are likely no longer waterproof after all these years, so it could be a misfire you’re feeling rather than a transmission issue. I had a similar problem on my 2001 V6—turned out to be the coils.
I once lost a weight off my torque converter, and it vibrated enough to loosen the bolts on the flex plate, which caused a similar issue. Got it fixed before it got worse, and the problem went away.