SMAX Torque Converter Failure

I'm having a nightmare with my 2022 Ford SMAX Hybrid. I've clocked 84874 km and recently the check engine light and transmission indicator have lit up. The gearbox is slipping, the shifts are unclean, and there's this awful grinding noise when it changes. I scanned the error memory and it's pointing towards the automatic transmission torque converter lock-up clutch being defective. Anyone else had a similar experience?

4 comment(s)

Hi there, I had very similar symptoms with my SMAX recently. Same grinding noises and dodgy shifting. Although my engine light didn't come on, it did feel very much like a clutch problem with the auto transmission.

Interesting! When you say similar, how bad was it? And what exactly was the fault? Was it also the torque converter, or something else within the auto transmission?

Yeah, mine turned out to be the torque converter as well. It started subtly, but got progressively worse until the shifting became really jerky. My advice would be to get it looked at by a workshop ASAP, as it won't get better on its own.

Thanks for the info! I took it to my local mechanic and you were spot on – torque converter is shot. It's going to cost 2120€ to repair. Appreciate you sharing your experience; at least I knew what to expect!

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