Sputtering (?) on acceleration?

[BB68]

Tough to decribe the issue with words but I will do my best. As the title says, I've noticed a sputtering of sorts as I accelerate. Almost feels like an aggressive gear shift if it was a manual transmission. Similar to the feeling of driving a go-kart. No warning lights or anything like that. Anyone have anything similar? Worried this could be a major problem. (2021 Sport Outer Banks)

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[DWG]

How many miles on your BS and at what speeds or shift points do you notice the sputtering. Could be the Torque Converter. I had to replace mine on my 2019 Edge at about 50'000 miles.

Torque converter shudder is a brief, repetitive vibration—frequently described as driving over small rumble strips—that typically occurs at steady cruising speeds between 30 and 50 mph when the transmission lock-up clutch engages. It is primarily caused by degraded or moisture-contaminated transmission fluid failing to provide proper friction characteristics.

What It Feels Like and How to Diagnose It

• The "Rumble Strip" Sensation: A quick, rhythmic shudder through the floorboards or seat right when the vehicle shifts into high gear or overdrive.
• The Throttle Test: To rule out an engine misfire (which can feel similar), press the gas pedal down firmly to force a downshift or unlock the converter. If the vibration immediately stops or goes away, it is a torque converter clutch issue. If it gets worse and triggers a flashing check engine light, it is an engine misfire.
• Tachometer Fluctuation: You may notice the engine RPM needle slightly dancing or cycling up and down by 50–100 RPM during steady cruising.

 

[MustangMatt]

Great question... great answer

 

[momto2belles]

Curious to see the replies here. My '21 Big Bend does what I call "bucking" when first driving a cold engine, even after a few minutes of idling to warm up and taking off at normal acceleration (not punching the gas). It smooths out if I back off of the gas and let it "catch up" and then never does it once it's been driven and for any length of time and restarted. My daughter's '19 Ford Fusion does the same thing. We've both just learned to live with it and we have no other issues.

 

[DWG]

Curious to see the replies here. My '21 Big Bend does what I call "bucking" when first driving a cold engine, even after a few minutes of idling to warm up and taking off at normal acceleration (not punching the gas). It smooths out if I back off of the gas and let it "catch up" and then never does it once it's been driven and for any length of time and restarted. My daughter's '19 Ford Fusion does the same thing. We've both just learned to live with it and we have no other issues.

I did not realize this was also an issue with the 1.5L engines. My 2019 Edge with the 2.0L engine did the same thing, surge and buck at about 17 mph. Ford put out TSB's to update the transmission software back then but the software updates did nothing. It would happen driving from a cold start in the morning driving out of the neighborhood but also depended on the outside temperatures. Once I was out of the neighborhood and driving on the main road It would stop happening and did not happen again all day. It was always an issue as long as I owned the car. Fast forward to my 24 BS Badlands with the same 2.0L engine and the BS does the same thing. Recently after my BS was sitting outside for a few hours in 100 degree heat I started it up and started to drive out of the parking lot slowly. The bucking was so bad that forgive the pun, was like a bucking bronco. Since I have lived through the issue with other Ford's I am not even going to bother trying to have the dealer look at it since that would involve keeping the BS over night and if the surging didn't happen right away it wouldn't happen.

There is a long thread with over 400 posts on the Ford Edge Forum about the surging and bucking. I do not think anyone found a cause for the issue that they could fix.

https://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/26728-edge-low-speed-surgebuck-transmission/

I think the OP's post is most likely not this but the Torque Converter which happens while driving and continues even if the transmission has warmed up and easier to duplicate.

 

[thomasm23]

It sure sounds like torque converter shudder. Do not replace the torque converter or the transmission. Read my experience. I currently have 189,000 miles on the vehicle.

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/torque-converter-shudder-adventure.11649/#:~:text=Torque Converter Shudder Adventure

 

[thomasm23]

Tough to decribe the issue with words but I will do my best. As the title says, I've noticed a sputtering of sorts as I accelerate. Almost feels like an aggressive gear shift if it was a manual transmission. Similar to the feeling of driving a go-kart. No warning lights or anything like that. Anyone have anything similar? Worried this could be a major problem. (2021 Sport Outer Banks)

Any update on your issues?

 

[BB68]

Any update on your issues?

I think it is the torque converter shudder. I just went to the mechanic yesterday and dropped $800 on a new battery (unrelated) and new coils and spark plugs. Car feels exactly the same. Guy said my coils were disintegrating and the car is at 90k miles and needed a tune up. Is there a guide or something as to how to switch out the fluid bc I am mechanically illiterate. How long can I drive like this before the transmission goes?

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