Surging when stopped. Anyone else?

[Mc_Flier]

Had an odd behavior with my hybrid Maverick the other day and wanted to see if I am the only one.

Where I park is a slow speed zone (30km/h) so when I get in the truck, I have a few hundred meters of electric running in the morning before I hit a small hill and the gas motor usually fires up when I am on the hill. I have noticed that when the gas motor fires up for the 1st time on a trip it usually runs about 3 minutes. I assume this is to charge the battery and get the engine warmed up.

What happened was I was sitting at the red light at the top of the hill with the gas engine running and the truck kept trying to lurch forward. Basically it felt like letting the clutch out on a stick shift car. I kept pressing the brake harder and harder to keep the truck from moving and it didn't move but it sure wanted to.

I chalked it up to a one off event but I am noticing it more and more these days. The first time I stop after the first time the gas engine is running, it seems like it is pulling against the brakes. After the first stop, it doesn't seem to do it, but then again the gas motor isn't usually running when I stop after that.

Anyone else seen this behavior?

first time this week. I went down the driveway in electric on the first start of the day. I stopped at the end of the drive and went to auto brake mode. When the ICE engine started, it started lurching against the brake.

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[MaveRichard]

Try it a few times. Do whatever it takes to park overnight with a low HV battery.
Report back if you think it runs more smoothly the next day.

I have experienced this "surging" at a variety of HV charge levels. Obviously all this is anecdotal, but it does seem to be worse in colder temps. It just seems to happen if you are stationary during the catalytic converter warmup cycle. For most people this is a relatively rare occurrence, but depending on where you live/work it could happen everyday.

For example - if I park at a State-of-Charge above ~50% I am generally able to leave my work and pull up to the first light (100 feet away) under all electric power. If the ICE starts before I get to this light, I consistently experience some surging. It varies in both frequency and intensity.

In every case, as soon as a charging load is applied to the ICE all surging subsides. You can hear/feel this change take place if you are paying attention.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Yup. That's what I see quite a few times.

 

[bjorno]

Just picked up a '24 Lariat and mine seems to be getting worse and might be worse than what others are experiencing. It will grind/lurch from a cold start until the engine is at full operating temperature - even if it's 80 degrees out. In freezing temperatures city driving, it can take 15+ minutes to warm up and will grind/lurch at every stop. My wife won't drive it because she's worried she'll rear end someone or hit someone.

Took to dealer and they put anti-squeal on the brakes? Taking it a 2nd time to try for a fix but doubt they'll acknowledge the issue, let alone fix it. If no resolution this time, then might go down buyback/lemon law road. I'm moving from FL to OH and can't have a vehicle that's grinding and lurching all winter...

Looks like 2025's are having the same issue. Interesting that Ford hasn't acknowledged at this point as it seems like a safety issue. It's true that the truck only inches very slightly forward, but isn't that still unacceptable? Not to mention the wear and tear - grinding is never a good sign for longevity of the parts doing the grinding.

Wish there was a way to combine all the threads on this:
(27) maverick bumping in drive with foot on the brake | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions
(27) Lurching while stopped | Page 3 | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions
(27) Engine Lurching @ Idle | Page 3 | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions
(27) Creaking-like noise at full stop | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions
(27) Cold engine + neutral = bucking bronco | Page 2 | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions
(27) Maverick '23 Tranmission Jerking on Cold Start at first Stop Light | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions

 

[TonyS]

I purchased my 2022 XL Hybrid new on Oct 5, 2022. Mileage is now 15,000. Just the past several weeks I have noticed this "surging" at stop. It's very subtle - at first I wasn't even sure if I was imagining it. It only happens until the engine warms up.

The first time it happened a few weeks ago it was exceptionally cold for this area. Near zero. But it's continued as winter temps have become normal for this area. Just below or above freezing.

Again - I've owned it since new - and for over two years. Only 15,000 miles on it. Just now started, is very subtle and quits when warmed up. I will take to the dealership for oil change and tire rotation in the next month or so. Anyone know if his is an identified problem with a solution I can point them towards? Otherwise I'll mention it to them. Maybe they know of it or a solution. But at least it's on record in the event it gets worse.

 

[jacobk]

I have a 22xlt with 54,000 miles.
This past monday my truck went in for the battery issue, ford ran the tests battery failed the test but they wont replace it.
I also had them look at the surging issue I've been having. They surprisingly were able to duplicate the issue. (Typically they always say can not duplicate issue) The dealership techs said it was my spark plugs and replaced them under "warranty" didn't realize spark plugs went up in prices. $17.60 per spark plug plus installation fees. I paid my deductible and moved on. Dealership said it was the fix for it. We'll low and behold it was not. I am still getting the surge. So I placed a call back into dealership now waiting for a phone call back.

 

[DreamWeaver21]

3 years later and my truck still does it. I've gone to just popping it in Neutral for a second and then going back to Drive.

Still only does it on the first stop while the engine is running. I've learned to live with it.

 

[HeyBales]

3 years later and my truck still does it. I've gone to just popping it in Neutral for a second and then going back to Drive.

Still only does it on the first stop while the engine is running. I've learned to live with it.

More in the cold - or all the time?

Wondering if your tranny fluid level is low?
Since the Generator motor at that point is attempting to exactly do an RPM to cancel out torque from the ICE, until it feels the brake released - any RPM changes from the ICE due to warmup or poor running and GM RPM changes while cold (takes tranny awhile to warm up) - can give that stumbling feeling.

There was a thread on seat-in process for the damper that worked for 1 poster, since that's the other place you can get those shakes.
I recall it was a little fun on the highway.
Since many tend to drive the hybrids so gentle, that seating may not be great if it's on the side of problematic anyway.

 

[HeyBales]

I have a 22xlt with 54,000 miles.
This past monday my truck went in for the battery issue, ford ran the tests battery failed the test but they wont replace it.
I also had them look at the surging issue I've been having. They surprisingly were able to duplicate the issue. (Typically they always say can not duplicate issue) The dealership techs said it was my spark plugs and replaced them under "warranty" didn't realize spark plugs went up in prices. $17.60 per spark plug plus installation fees. I paid my deductible and moved on. Dealership said it was the fix for it. We'll low and behold it was not. I am still getting the surge. So I placed a call back into dealership now waiting for a phone call back.

Wow - made it very far past the base warranty - understandable since it's a wear item.

Hopefully they duplicate again - wondering if they'll find the damper next.
More than a few of those - and still under 60K warranty for that!

 

[zen_]

I have a 22xlt with 54,000 miles.
This past monday my truck went in for the battery issue, ford ran the tests battery failed the test but they wont replace it.
I also had them look at the surging issue I've been having. They surprisingly were able to duplicate the issue. (Typically they always say can not duplicate issue) The dealership techs said it was my spark plugs and replaced them under "warranty" didn't realize spark plugs went up in prices. $17.60 per spark plug plus installation fees. I paid my deductible and moved on. Dealership said it was the fix for it. We'll low and behold it was not. I am still getting the surge. So I placed a call back into dealership now waiting for a phone call back.

Iridium plugs are good for 100K miles (probably many more on a hybrid), but generally do cost a bit, and are a pain to extract after they have been in the head so long. Reading your post I was curious what is in the 2.5L, and it looks like a Motorcraft iridium made by NGK, so there is like, a statistically 0% chance you had a bad plug without throwing some codes in the ECU they would have seen with a vehicle scan.

They just tossed some parts on it with a wild ass guess and will do it again if you give them a chance.

 

[Master Blaster]

Wow - made it very far past the base warranty - understandable since it's a wear item.

Hopefully they duplicate again - wondering if they'll find the damper next.
More than a few of those - and still under 60K warranty for that!

Its pretty normal for a cold Hybrid to surge a bit at a light. I think it may be related to the fuel quality. I notice it when I fill up with Shell fuel and its below freezing.

 

[Kenv24]

More in the cold - or all the time?

Wondering if your tranny fluid level is low?
Since the Generator motor at that point is attempting to exactly do an RPM to cancel out torque from the ICE, until it feels the brake released - any RPM changes from the ICE due to warmup or poor running and GM RPM changes while cold (takes tranny awhile to warm up) - can give that stumbling feeling.

There was a thread on seat-in process for the damper that worked for 1 poster, since that's the other place you can get those shakes.
I recall it was a little fun on the highway.
Since many tend to drive the hybrids so gentle, that seating may not be great if it's on the side of problematic anyway.

Nope....nothing to do with temperature. It's more to do with the first "start" of the day...after sitting all night. Mine only does it at the end of my driveway when I stop to shut my gate and type in a destination. By the time I exit the neighborhood at the stop sign, it's not surging any longer. It was 80 degrees all week here...and it just did it this morning when it was about 70.

 

[Gaidheal]

We have a pre- MY25 XL hybrid at work (sorry don't know the year, seriously doubt it is older than MY23) that surges at a stop very infrequently. I don't drive that unit but have been in it twice where it has happened.

The guy who drives it swears it only ever happens when the nose of the truck is pointing down, and it doesn't have to be a steep hill. Just down.

He's got about 80k km on it and hasn't been able to figure out what it could be or any other patterns other than the nose angle.

He said the 1st time it happened he freaked out. lol

 

[ianjay]

I have a 22xlt with 54,000 miles.
This past monday my truck went in for the battery issue, ford ran the tests battery failed the test but they wont replace it.
I also had them look at the surging issue I've been having. They surprisingly were able to duplicate the issue. (Typically they always say can not duplicate issue) The dealership techs said it was my spark plugs and replaced them under "warranty" didn't realize spark plugs went up in prices. $17.60 per spark plug plus installation fees. I paid my deductible and moved on. Dealership said it was the fix for it. We'll low and behold it was not. I am still getting the surge. So I placed a call back into dealership now waiting for a phone call back.

Spark plugs. I'm surprised it wasn't the cabin air filter. When the filter goes bad, all kinds of crazy things happen. I guess this proves how hard it is to attract good mechanics these days. Mine surges as described, but I assumed it was the way the wind was blowing that day. I hope the repair does not involve a body off repair, although you shouldn't jump to conclusions.

 

[icegradner]

Looks like 2025's are having the same issue. Interesting that Ford hasn't acknowledged at this point as it seems like a safety issue. It's

Ford does know about the surging, there was even a software update for the issue in 2023, but it didn’t do much other than reduce it a bit. It’s all related to the catalytic converter heat up process to reduce emissions. They aren’t going to fix it, simple as that.

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