Uneven/Abrupt Acceleration and Throttle Response

[bluesteel]

Thanks all. Sorry for everyone's troubles but I'm very glad to hear I'm not going crazy!

I do get the sense that this is a programming issue or design flaw as opposed to a manufacturing defect, and I can already hear my dealer saying there's no problem....

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[colinl]

I think it's more likely transmission related than engine, but it definitely could be a blow off /diverter valve issue. I'd expect a check engine light and code to get set from any kind of underboost issue severe enough to cause the issues described in the OP, but the transmission definitely could do it without DTC.

What's it do when driving around, rather than just accelerating from stop?

 

[bluesteel]

I think it's more likely transmission related than engine, but it definitely could be a blow off /diverter valve issue. I'd expect a check engine light and code to get set from any kind of underboost issue severe enough to cause the issues described in the OP, but the transmission definitely could do it without DTC.

What's it do when driving around, rather than just accelerating from stop?

Like I said, it also does it at low speeds in motion - how low, exactly, I don't know - but there's really only one point in acceleration where this occurs. I just can't describe exactly where that is as far as speed or RPM.

 

[RRaynor2]

Like I said, it also does it at low speeds in motion - how low, exactly, I don't know - but there's really only one point in acceleration where this occurs. I just can't describe exactly where that is as far as speed or RPM.

This sounds like mine as well. It feels like a computer is thinking too long before deciding to accelerate the truck (ECU or TCM). I imagine the old windows sand timer spinning on the screen when I hit the gas sometimes.

 

[bluesteel]

This sounds like mine as well. It feels like a computer is thinking too long before deciding to accelerate the truck (ECU or TCM). I imagine the old windows sand timer spinning on the screen when I hit the gas sometimes.

Exactly!

 

[Beekeo]

The only time if I regularly experience something like that is when I have just switched from reverse to drive (like in a K-turn or backing out of a driveway with speed onto a road), it seems like an intentional protection for the transmission.

If I am leaving a red light I don’t experience much hesitation, but definitely more than an older car with a physical throttle cable attached to the gas pedal.

As other folks have said, Sport mode sharpens the throttle response

 

[not null]

The only time if I regularly experience something like that is when I have just switched from reverse to drive (like in a K-turn or backing out of a driveway with speed onto a road), it seems like an intentional protection for the transmission.

If I am leaving a red light I don’t experience much hesitation, but definitely more than an older car with a physical throttle cable attached to the gas pedal.

As other folks have said, Sport mode sharpens the throttle response

If it can be fixed by switching to sport mode, does that narrow it down to a software issue?

 

[colinl]

If it can be fixed by switching to sport mode, does that narrow it down to a software issue?

OP does not have sport mode since he has an FX4. (FX4 and Tremor trade sport and eco for mud/ruts and sand modes.)

The stock TCM programming is a head scratcher. It does a lot of things in the name of fuel economy and many of them are not very enjoyable for driving. Sport mode does change throttle position behavior and the TCM as well. Since the OP doesn't have Sport mode, he could try Tow/Haul mode or Sand mode to see if there's a noticeable difference.

@Bwicka had the best suggestion, though. If there is no check engine light, start with just driving some other Maverick to compare. It needs to be an ecoboost but if it's not FX4 or Tremor, that's still fine to compare in normal drive mode.

 

[bluesteel]

OP does not have sport mode since he has an FX4. (FX4 and Tremor trade sport and eco for mud/ruts and sand modes.)

The stock TCM programming is a head scratcher. It does a lot of things in the name of fuel economy and many of them are not very enjoyable for driving. Sport mode does change throttle position behavior and the TCM as well. Since the OP doesn't have Sport mode, he could try Tow/Haul mode or Sand mode to see if there's a noticeable difference.

No sport mode from factory, but I will probably get an upgraded OBD2 unit and add with Forscan. That seems to be the most likely, and maybe only, way to improve it.

 

[colinl]

No sport mode from factory, but I will probably get an upgraded OBD2 unit and add with Forscan. That seems to be the most likely, and maybe only, way to improve it.

reflash tuning devices such as Livernois, Cobb Tuning and SCT all can do it and give you more horsepower.

it would be more of a warranty red flag than enabling sport mode in forscan though.

 

[wax87]

I've experienced this since I first got the Maverick, and I'm not sure if it's getting worse or I'm just getting more annoyed or concerned. When I start from a stop, rolling idle, or low speed (in first gear), I have to press the accelerator what seems like a considerable distance to get any real acceleration. Then it's like something "kicks in" and I get an abrupt burst of energy. I'm guessing this is with the pedal depressed more than two inches, maybe three, but I'm not measuring. This is when I am trying to accelerate gradually. I don't notice it, for obvious reasons, when rapidly accelerating.

Does this sound like what anything else is experiencing? I have not had this with any other vehicle, including my '17 2.0 EB Escape. I'm pretty sure it's not turbo lag and it's not transmission-related.

If it is "normal" (emphasis on quotation marks), would sport mode help? With an FX4 I don't have it, and it appears it's not a setting I can change in FORscan with the cheapo OBD2 unit I have (eBay $15 special).

Ok dumb question, but you don't have the auto brake hold engaged do you?

 

[thedm96]

I am having the same issue with my 2024 Ecoboost 4k. The transmission in general feels extremely unrefined. I am moving to the CVT in the 2025 Hybrid and I'm hoping it's a better experience.

I came from a Tesla so I'm hypersensitive to all the jerky shifts.

 

[Scott Asheville]

I had something similar to this just yesterday, but mine is a very unique situation. I have a very steep paved driveway, and sometimes I have to backup if I meet my neighbor at a certain point (or vice versa). Yesterday I was at the steepest point going down and met head on - it was my turn to backup uphill.

I expected it would be a bit weird, and it was. I'm sure the poor transmission was trying to figure out what I wanted. I was stopped on a steep downhill, changed to R and pressed the accelerator. Nothing happened for about two seconds, and then it seemed to figure it out. But then it really took off - very disconcerting on a steep winding drive going backwards. Anyway, I coped by just letting off the throttle, and it slowed down. BTW, not a fan of the poor camera resolution, but I am a huge fan of the dotted line that shows your track - that really helps an old man navigate curves in reverse.

I put this down to me, not the transmission or the truck. Just that it caught me by surprise that it lagged and then exploded in a sudden rush acceleration. Now I know how it behaves and I'll be ready next time.

Wouldn't happen in a BEV. Pure linear power delivery in any gear, any direction. I know because I've experienced it. Can't wait to ditch my ICE engine when a pure BEV small truck finally comes on the market - I don't care what it costs. I know they're not for everyone, but they're for me.

 

[bluesteel]

Ok dumb question, but you don't have the auto brake hold engaged do you?

No... as mentioned above, this does not only happen when I start from a stop, and it's a completely different sensation anyway.

As I've paid even more attention to this issue since I posted the thread, I think it is not necessarily related to the gas pedal position but instead more of a delay in response, which others have suggested and probably points even more to a programming issue.

 

[BlueOval1954]

My 2023 Eco Mav is having similar issue's where the trans does not shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd and hesitates in between. This has been a problem from day 1 so my issue is not related to any software update. I ran this by the dealer today when I was getting an oil change, and had someone test drive it and said it was normal. It's the same 8 speed trans they put in the Escape so I cant believe other folks are not complaining about it. The dealer said since it is an adaptive trans, it learns the drivers driving habits. I believe there is an issue that needs correcting so I made an appt with Ford so the trans tech can take a look. My expectation is that they want to wiggle out of the issue and tell me there is nothing wrong. We shall see. Maybe they can reset the learning behavior so I can start from scratch.

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