Very Low Speed Driving Hybrid Weirdness

[kboom180]

Was wondering if anyone else had noticed this. There have been some posts about clunking or thudding at low speeds. My Maverick certainly does that when dropping down into what I assume is 1st gear. Makes me think the transmission is not long for this world. There's also something I haven't heard much about. The fact that my Maverick doesn't want to stop at low speeds. The best example I can come up with is a situation at a drive-thru. Moving forward in line which gets you up to maybe 1 mph and the truck just doesn't want to stop. It's like fighting me (in electric mode). It's not until I really press hard on the brake that it finally seems to give up and then I come to an abrupt stop. Beyond everyones head bobbing forward and looking like an idiot that can't drive, I swear at some point, this truck is going to hit something in front of it.

This is much more rare but have experienced it a few times. Coming to a stop, the ICE and electric engine seem to be arguing with each other and trying to push the truck forward. The brake pedal vibrates (sort of like ABS working) and the vehicle shakes a bit. Turning the car off and then back on fixes the problem. However, not something ideal when on the road with other drivers.

Has anyone else experienced this? Feel free to pull this down if it's been discussed at length. I just hadn't found anything yet.

**Edit** Thank you for reminding me this transmission does not have a first gear to downshift to haha

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[Scupking]

There are no gears like a traditional transmission. My guess is it's probably the regen breaking engaging and disengaging.

 

[TheWizziard]

There is no 1st gear.
Big McLargeHuge on "Maverick Chat" described a similar breaking issue.
Please let us know what your dealer says.

 

[skinnyboy]

Notice similar braking while creeping and have had it do a nasty clunk 3 times, twice in one instance at a drive thru and a third time while slowly entering a gas station. Seems like a software issue with the powertrain control getting confused as to how to utilize the two motor generators and the ICE under the circumstances. Almost like it wants to start the ICE to charge the battery or move the vehicle then rapidly changes its mind. Fortunately the transaxle is pretty mechanically robust with few parts, should be ok. No first gear, it's a planetary gear set.

Hopefully a future software update will take care of both these issues.

Cheers.

 

[WesM]

I have had this issue and described it a few times in various posts on this forum. Its really unnerving in stop and go traffic, because the vehicle (like you said) just does not want to stop. I submitted an official complaint to the NHTSA about it.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Was wondering if anyone else had noticed this. There have been some posts about clunking or thudding at low speeds. My Maverick certainly does that when dropping down into what I assume is 1st gear. Makes me think the transmission is not long for this world. There's also something I haven't heard much about. The fact that my Maverick doesn't want to stop at low speeds. The best example I can come up with is a situation at a drive-thru. Moving forward in line which gets you up to maybe 1 mph and the truck just doesn't want to stop. It's like fighting me (in electric mode). It's not until I really press hard on the brake that it finally seems to give up and then I come to an abrupt stop. Beyond everyones head bobbing forward and looking like an idiot that can't drive, I swear at some point, this truck is going to hit something in front of it.

This is much more rare but have experienced it a few times. Coming to a stop, the ICE and electric engine seem to be arguing with each other and trying to push the truck forward. The brake pedal vibrates (sort of like ABS working) and the vehicle shakes a bit. Turning the car off and then back on fixes the problem. However, not something ideal when on the road with other drivers.

Has anyone else experienced this? Feel free to pull this down if it's been discussed at length. I just hadn't found anything yet.

Try pushing the "L" button in the center of the drive mode selector knob. It increases the Regen braking. Also if you have the brake hold active try turning it off.

 

[icegradner]

Hopefully a future software update will take care of both these issues.

Cheers.

That was the first thought I had when I read the description, sounds like a software issue rather than something being physically wrong. I wonder what drive mode the OP is using, and if it makes any difference.

 

[kboom180]

I have had this issue and described it a few times in various posts on this forum. Its really unnerving in stop and go traffic, because the vehicle (like you said) just does not want to stop. I submitted an official complaint to the NHTSA about it.

Interesting to hear you have the same problem. Appreciate you taking the time to report the problem. Unnerving is probably the best way to describe it.

 

[WesM]

That was the first thought I had when I read the description, sounds like a software issue rather than something being physically wrong. I wonder what drive mode the OP is using, and if it makes any difference.

Drive mode does not make a difference for me. This issue has occurred in normal and eco modes.

 

[kboom180]

That was the first thought I had when I read the description, sounds like a software issue rather than something being physically wrong. I wonder what drive mode the OP is using, and if it makes any difference.

Almost always in Eco mode. I'll switch it around and see if I get the same issue.

 

[kboom180]

Try pushing the "L" button in the center of the drive mode selector knob. It increases the Regen braking. Also if you have the brake hold active try turning it off.

I have noticed the problem with or without the brake hold active.

 

[skinnyboy]

Mine has the issues in normal drive mode.

 

[Shay]

There are a couple threads about this hybrid braking issue with the Maverick. The problem is the transition from regen to hydraulic braking is not well sorted in the engineering and software. I plan on doing a video about it soon as I have the same problem also. Ford reached out to me after I posted a thread about it here, took my report and complaint, and then I heard nothing ever again about it.

At best it's unrefined and annoying. The constant jerking and abrupt breaking behavior is going to cause premature wear on suspension. At worst it's potentially dangerous, especially on slippery surfaces like ice.

I think of enough people submit complaints to nhtsa and we get some publicity around this we can get Ford to get off their butt and do something about it.

 

[kboom180]

There are a couple threads about this hybrid braking issue with the Maverick. The problem is the transition from regen to hydraulic braking is not well sorted in the engineering and software. I plan on doing a video about it soon as I have the same problem also. Ford reached out to me after I posted a thread about it here, took my report and complaint, and then I heard nothing ever again about it.

At best it's unrefined and annoying. The constant jerking and abrupt breaking behavior is going to cause premature wear on suspension. At worst it's potentially dangerous, especially on slippery surfaces like ice.

I think of enough people submit complaints to nhtsa and we get some publicity around this we can get Ford to get off their butt and do something about it.

Makes total sense. You bring up a good point about the danger of it. A thought flashed in my mind about parking behind someone in say a shopping center where the person is loading groceries in their trunk. I shudder to think of the outcome.

 

[icegradner]

Drive mode does not make a difference for me. This issue has occurred in normal and eco modes.

Then it is likely simply down to an over all software glitch of sorts. My previous hybrid (2008 Camry Hybrid) did some strange things right at the max transition speed for full electric and ICE always on speed (42MPH approximately), and it would get jerky and a little funky. Never got fixed and I kind of got used to it.

During low speed braking sometimes it could be a little odd in extended stop and go traffic, but that was actually due to the brake pads/rotors. If you had to make a sudden stop early in the brake pads life if might have caused a groove, which if it's in just the right spot can make them very grabby at the regenerative to hydraulic brake transition. I wonder if the Maverick can have the same issue?

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