Aug 15, 2025
A fresh ford transmission ready to be installed in Minneapolis, MN

Routine maintenance and fluid flushes may keep your Ford’s transmission problem-free for the car’s entire lifespan; however, malfunctions sometimes occur. If you experience the following issues, get quick transmission service at your Ford dealership. 

Grinding Sounds

As you drive, your Ford’s gearbox shifts smoothly and quietly from gear to gear below. A grinding noise means something’s wrong. It could simply be low or aging transmission fluid, which needs to be topped up or flushed. It might also be caused by worn-out gears or a faulty synchronizer.

Whining, Buzzing, or Humming

Bad fluid can lead to all kinds of strange gearbox noises, such as high-pitched whining, which might also come from a faulty torque converter. Humming or buzzing could indicate a bad bearing or solenoid. Any out-of-the-ordinary sounds should be brought to the attention of a trusted technician.

Dripping Transmission Fluid

Reddish or brown spots of liquid staining the tarmac under your car probably mean your transmission fluid is leaking. The leak could originate from a cracked seal, line, or pan gasket. It’s unwise to drive until the gearbox is properly sealed, lubricated, and protected again with fresh fluid. 

Burning Fluid Smells 

Low or leaking transmission fluid will start to burn inside the rising heat of the under-lubricated gearbox. This often generates a burning smell. At the same time, you’ll notice the other symptoms of trouble detailed in this post.

Less Responsive Shifting  

Poor lubrication or a malfunctioning component will eventually hamper the transmission’s normal function. You might notice a slight delay before the new gear locks in. Without immediate professional attention, this hesitant shifting could worsen until your gears refuse to shift or even slip and change on their own.

Sudden Engine Revving 

Sometimes delayed engagement is accompanied by loud engine revving. This jump in RPMs happens because the faulty transmission momentarily disconnects the engine from the wheels; by revving, the engine is struggling to get power through the uncooperative gearbox. 

Lurching, Jerking, and Vibrations 

With any transmission problem, you might also feel your car vibrate more as gears struggle below. After hesitation, new gear engagement could make the car lurch or jerk alarmingly. This is a far cry from the normal smooth, quiet shifting of a healthy Ford gearbox. 

Get Your Transmission Fixed at Our Ford Dealership

There’s no need to panic if your transmission starts acting strangely. Most of the time, insufficient or degraded fluid is the cause, which is straightforward to fix. More complex gearbox faults can usually be repaired quite easily by one of our experienced technicians, as long as you respond to the warning signs quickly.

Bring your car to Freeway Ford in Minneapolis, MN, for prompt transmission repair. Whether you need maintenance or a new car, we offer nothing short of a first-class customer experience.