I have a 2002 Ford Escape 4x4 with 59,000 miles on it. Over the past 3 weeks I have noticed a severe chatter when first taking off in the vehicle. There appears to be something wrong anytime that I start from a complete stop or after slowing down to 10mph or less. The car rides fine once the chatter stops which normally takes about 5-10 seconds. It is an automatic transmission and the vibration is similar to that of running over a rumble strip on the highway.:(
Any possible answers would help. One mechanic said I need to re-build the transmissino and I really hope that is not the case!! :confused:

Automatic transmission problems normally surface when the recommended preventive maintenance program has not been followed. Ford recommends draining the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles, dropping and cleaning the pan, replacing the filter, and refilling with Mercon V ATF. If you haven't followed this routine, I would get it done right away. Get the fluid in the torque converter changed, if you didn't change the ATF at 30,000 miles. I use Amsoil Universal Synthetic ATF in my Ford AX4N transaxle and still change it every 30,000 miles. ATXs are problematic, if you don't properly maintain them. You'd be amazed how much crud is in the bottom of the pan at 30,000 miles. Properly maintained, Ford ATXs are designed to go 150,000 miles without a rebuild. If this doesn't solve the problem, then I would take it to Ford for repair.

Nose in transmission going up hills in d

ALso could be engine miss that would show up at low RPM's. I don't think you can drop that pan and change the filter. But a trans flush is something I would try. This is done by running car with a machine hooked up and changing fluid as it runs. This way you change about 95% of the fluid... droping the pan is only about 40% of the fluid.

I also have a 2005 ford escape that works fine on the highway, but, starting onto the highway the transmission chatters from about 10 KLMS to about 30 KLMS.When my wife and I were out on a Sunday drive, we went up this gravel secondary road and started up a fairly steep hill so I put the gear shift into first gear to go up slow and the transmission chattered the whole way up.Just to be clear,we were not out 4 wheeling.There were cars on this road!Looking back,I think this has been going on for some time and I'm starting to notice the chattering because it's getting worse.