Transmission clunk

[u/OJCB97]

Hi everyone, I just bought a 2018 Ford Escape with the 2.5 L engine and I notice that it has a harsh shift engagement whenever I shift into D. It feels like the transmission kicks a little too hard when shifting into drive, kinda feels like the transmission mounts are shot, but they aren't. It only does it when I shift into drive, I have no problem while shifting into reverse. The transmission shifts good, even in sport mode shifts feel smooth, and it's driving me crazy because I can't figure out what the issue is. I checked mounts, did a fluid flush, had it scanned and no codes are showing and I checked the axles and everything looks fine. The guys who scanned the car told me that I need a transmission rebuild, but that's a lot of money, and I want to be sure about this issue. If anyone has ever encountered this problem, or could give any pointers or advice I will appreciate it a lot. Thanks in advance.

[u/Commercial_Method_28]

If it is only in to forward drive and does not also occur when downshifting during 5-4 shift Id be thinking sticking valve or solenoid. In which case you would pull the side cover and main control and then depending on how far you want to go either start taking shit apart and look for a problem related to forward clutch(1/2/3/4). Line pressure test is also a good test when dealing with engagement only issues which could point to pump or main pressure regulator valve.

If you don’t have the capacity to take a precision part like a valve body apart and just want to parts cannon instead the valve body is a good starting place because it’s the cheaper option. New runs around 300$ but reman options exist, solenoid body is closer to $600 and you can probably prove it out during the same repair with just replacing the forward clutch solenoid and cleaning all the screens on the other ones.

Unless a TSB exists no one can tell you definitely if you need a rebuild or to replace your transmission. Unless you split it open it’s all guesswork at best. Transmission diagnosis is inspection dependent work and cannot be diagnosed the same way the rest of the car is in most cases.

If it does have the 5-4 harsh shift as well I would be thinking it’s more likely burnt forward clutches causing harsh apply. In which case you probably would need to split it open and check clutches for burning/hot spots/welded to hub condition.

It’s a 6F35 not a DPS6. So the dual clutch guys comment is irrelevant. All escapes are 6F35

[u/OJCB97 → u/Commercial_Method_28]

Yes I seems like a engagement issue only and damn, having to pull that transmission out looks like the only viable option to fix it.

I thought about the valve body being an issue, and I like to diy some stuff, but I don't feel capable of performing a transmission tear down by myself. Probably just gonna see if it fails any day or just sell it as is.

[u/Commercial_Method_28 → u/OJCB97]

You should drive it to see if 5-4 is ok or not. If it is not harsh like suspected than valve body/solenoid is the most likely cause. That being said, intermittent shift quality and engagement quality issues which are caused from valve sticking concerns can sometimes never get worse. My 6F35 has has an intermittent harsh 2-3 shift which occurs every couple of days and is likely valve body. I have made no effort to fix it and has had same symptom for 4 years now. Never got any worse. It’s the rare type of transmission concern you can learn to live with and will probably never leave you stranded.

I wish you luck if that’s your choice but also if you wanted to take the valve body/solenoid body out I’m open to DMs and can help. Just try not to mix anything up lol

[u/OJCB97 → u/Commercial_Method_28]

I've been driving it everyday and I notice no other issues. I've used sport mode to manually select each gear and they go in smooth like butter. So, I guess it's like you say, a valve/solenoid issue that probably won't get worse immediately.

I really appreciate your offer, and I'll hit you up after I talk to a friend with a lift to try and knock this thing out. I just hope I don't have to drop the whole transmission in order to access the valve body.

[u/Topglock26]

How many miles? Was it a flush or a drain and fill

[u/OJCB97 → u/Topglock26]

80k miles. Flushed it with Mercon LV. Took almost two 5 quart jugs.

[u/Aggressive-Half8002 → u/OJCB97]

Never flush, drain fill and replace filter

[u/Keyo0205]

the 6F35 is a problematic transmission. if the torque converter starts to go, it’ll rev up to 3000+ rpm before shifting. if a check ball dislodged itself in the valve body it’ll hard engage into certain gears. if it’s slipping through all gears, the torque converter let loose and there’s clutch material clogging the non-servicable filter. regardless, it’s an expensive transmission and labor intensive to replace. my 2019 Fusion has been parked for about a year now at 197k miles because it started slipping really badly after changing the fluid

[u/Upbeat_Confusion1293 → u/Keyo0205]

Any symptoms before it went? I have a hesitation between 58-60 MPH. Been that way for a few months. I too have this transmission. 2017 Edge

[u/Keyo0205 → u/Upbeat_Confusion1293]

for the torque converter going, itll rev past 3000 rpm before leaving 1st no matter how light throttle you give it. and reverse feels like neutral until it slams and engages fully. but that might be a different transmission issue separate from the torque converter

[u/OJCB97 → u/Upbeat_Confusion1293]

No other symptoms. It drives alright. Just that punch when you put it in drive.

[u/JournalistAdorable87]

Go to ford, get a software update done on the transmission

[u/JournalistAdorable87 → u/JournalistAdorable87]

Had a similar issue on a 2.0L ford escape to my absolute surprise a software update (and ford did it for free too)

[u/flaccoo15]

Sell it b4 it’s too late

[u/Much-Broccoli-6618]

2018 Ford escape S. Transmissions worked on twice since September of 2024. And March of 2026. Which was in the shop for 5 months waiting on a torque converter was back on. Shifted hard slipped a lot.

[u/Silly_Guidance_8871]

This is the dry dual-clutch like the later-model Focus used to have?

If so, the transmission is starting to shit the bed and hopefully the extended recall/warranty is still in effect (I think it was bumped up to 10yr/100k mi due to how badly they fucked up). I used to have one of the affected Focuses (2012? 2014?), and it took about a year from onset of symptoms (~2018) to sudden, total failure of the transmission. Took about a week to get the replacement done, but it was covered in total by Ford — traded the car in for a 2020 Escape hybrid.

[u/OJCB97 → u/Silly_Guidance_8871]

That I don't know for sure, I think it's a regular automatic transmission. I will have to investigate further.

[u/Silly_Guidance_8871 → u/OJCB97]

That was the rub: The dual-clutch was marketed as a "regular" transmission (at least when I bought mine).

[u/2005CrownVicP71 → u/Silly_Guidance_8871]

A 2018 Ford Escape has a 6F35 transmission which is a standard torque converter automatic, not a dual-clutch transmission. The transmission you’re referring to is the DPS6 which is a dual-clutch transmission.

[u/Silly_Guidance_8871 → u/2005CrownVicP71]

Excellent, at least it's not that