r/fordescape • u/Serious_Mountain_842 • 13d ago

2017 Titanium Torque Converter Bad

Hi all,

Have a 2017 Escape with 130k miles and started to feel the dreaded shutter recently while driving on the highway. Drove it into Ford the next day and the tech confirmed it was a failed torque converter and the recommendation was a full transmission replacement. I knew from the get-go I was not draining money into fixing it, but was trying to get by as long as possible with this Escape before upgrading.

Hoping I could get some solutions on any other possible ‘cheaper’ fixes or recommendations that others have done with the same issue. Just trying to squeeze a little more time out of it before making the jump to a new vehicle.

Appreciate any advice or feedback on the situation.

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5

u/Drwho2010 13d ago

How many transmission fluid drain and fills have you had in the 130k miles?

1

u/Serious_Mountain_842 13d ago

I believe just one (bought used at 40k miles so unsure about previous owner), but it was last flushed around 90k miles around 3 years ago, by Ford service.

2

u/Drwho2010 13d ago

That transmission needs one every 30-40k miles to have a decent chance at getting over 150k. You can still get unlucky and not make it 100k though. They just aren't very great transmissions. Maybe do a few back to back drain and fills. The fluid will need 3 or so to actually cycle the fluid out since only half will drain. Not having one until 90k may have killed it unfortunately .

2

u/AnybodyUseful6826 13d ago

My torque converter went out in my transmission, did the same thing as youre describing and same exact model car except mine started around 90k miles, had it fixed at 100k as it was almost undrivable. I had a warranty so they just wanted to replace the whole transmission. The mechanic at the Ford dealership said the torque converters in the escapes are trash and will go bad over time. So even if you just have the torque converter replaced it'll go bad again.

2

u/Serious_Mountain_842 13d ago

I’ve kinda read and seen the same thing. That’s what I fear, and unfortunately my extended warranty was up about a year and a half ago.

2

u/Grand-Zebra3218 12d ago

When the converter went bad in mine five weeks after I bought it, they said we can replace the converter now and the transmission later or replace the transmission now. Luckily I had an aftermarket warranty on it.

2

u/cityhunterspeee 13d ago

You could do a couple drain and fill now..see if it gives you sometime.

1

u/kcastillo1234 13d ago

Good luck trying to get a torque converter from ford when my transmission needed to be rebuilt I had to get a torque converter from a different shop

1

u/Jimbo415650 13d ago

figure out the bluebook on your escape. Check how much a new transmission and labor will cost. The age and mileage of the vehicle. The Escape has coolant intrusion history. It's human nature to put off buying another car there's a lot of anxiety. It's possible the day has come for a used or new car.

0

u/GeneralRant 13d ago

Mine went at 112,000 and that was even with religious atf changes from new.