2024 2.3L Auto SAS Engine Hesitation / Stumble

[abenhammer]

Reposting this as this issue occurs every day and dealer is threatening to charge me for diagnostic fee for troubleshooting.

Hello, having an issue with my 2.3L Auto Sasquatch stumbling and hesitating when tipping into accelerator. Issue started at 2,700 miles periodically but now happens all the time, engine hot or cold.

I took it to my dealer and they wrote it off as "drives normal, like other vehicles in inventory", but anyone with basic powertrain troubleshooting skills would recognize the problem.

I am getting pretty unsettled when pulling out of my driveway on a busy road.

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[FourHorses]

Out of curiosity, is it hot and humid there? I noticed on mine on the hottest days it feels like I’m in eco mode but I’m not. Down on power though.

 

[Brian_B]

This sounds like yet another case of Bucking Bronco

(It doesn’t buck on the auto, but if you have the 7MT and it does this the Bronco almost stalls and it causes the truck to lurch and “buck” as you try desperately to keep it from dying in the middle of the crazy busy intersection you just pulled into - and it does always seem to be at a crazy intersection)

I have not seen any official fix or even acknowledgement from Ford, and several people have went to the dealer to just get “Cannot replicate”

For me, and several others, ProCal seems to have made the issue go away.

Now it could also be the fuel pump issue - that will act similarly up until it totally dies and leaves you stranded.

 

[thesocalexplorer]

This sounds like yet another case of Bucking Bronco

(It doesn’t buck on the auto, but if you have the 7MT and it does this the Bronco almost stalls and it causes the truck to lurch and “buck” as you try desperately to keep it from dying in the middle of the crazy busy intersection you just pulled into - and it does always seem to be at a crazy intersection)

I have not seen any official fix or even acknowledgement from Ford, and several people have went to the dealer to just get “Cannot replicate”

For me, and several others, ProCal seems to have made the issue go away.

Now it could also be the fuel pump issue - that will act similarly up until it totally dies and leaves you stranded.

Seriously, the 7MT buckin' bronco phenomenon is such a quirk. Always happens in the 125-130*F oil temp range after sitting for an hour post-driving. Quick shift into neutral, back into gear, and all is fine.

 

[abenhammer]

Out of curiosity, is it hot and humid there? I noticed on mine on the hottest days it feels like I’m in eco mode but I’m not. Down on power though.

Hello FourHorses, It doesn't seem like the weather affects the frequency of the issue.

 

[abenhammer]

This sounds like yet another case of Bucking Bronco

(It doesn’t buck on the auto, but if you have the 7MT and it does this the Bronco almost stalls and it causes the truck to lurch and “buck” as you try desperately to keep it from dying in the middle of the crazy busy intersection you just pulled into - and it does always seem to be at a crazy intersection)

I have not seen any official fix or even acknowledgement from Ford, and several people have went to the dealer to just get “Cannot replicate”

For me, and several others, ProCal seems to have made the issue go away.

Now it could also be the fuel pump issue - that will act similarly up until it totally dies and leaves you stranded.

Brian_B: Sounds dangerous. I definitely don't feel safe pulling onto busy roads. Has your dealer threatened to charge you for troubleshooting time?

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

Reposting this as this issue occurs every day and dealer is threatening to charge me for diagnostic fee for troubleshooting.

Hello, having an issue with my 2.3L Auto Sasquatch stumbling and hesitating when tipping into accelerator. Issue started at 2,700 miles periodically but now happens all the time, engine hot or cold.

I took it to my dealer and they wrote it off as "drives normal, like other vehicles in inventory", but anyone with basic powertrain troubleshooting skills would recognize the problem.

I am getting pretty unsettled when pulling out of my driveway on a busy road.

Is it only when in gear? Have you tried to replicate it in park or neutral? If it does this when not in gear, then in theory you can rule out the transmission and focus on fuel, air, spark. It’s a start.

Also, find another dealer, because F those guys.

 

[Beach_Bum]

What GOAT mode are you in on your daily commute (ECO/NORMAL/SPORT)? The throttle response is different and for some driver's it is unexpected. The throttle by wire "feel" is much different than the old-school cable throttle.

If you feel that it isn't responsive or lagging, then try driving in SPORT mode first. Some have opted for the ProCal while others have an intermediary product like Pedal Commander.

 

[Brian_B]

Brian_B: Sounds dangerous. I definitely don't feel safe pulling onto busy roads. Has your dealer threatened to charge you for troubleshooting time?

I avoid my dealer like the plague

 

[Bschurr]

Reposting this as this issue occurs every day and dealer is threatening to charge me for diagnostic fee for troubleshooting.

Hello, having an issue with my 2.3L Auto Sasquatch stumbling and hesitating when tipping into accelerator. Issue started at 2,700 miles periodically but now happens all the time, engine hot or cold.

I took it to my dealer and they wrote it off as "drives normal, like other vehicles in inventory", but anyone with basic powertrain troubleshooting skills would recognize the problem.

I am getting pretty unsettled when pulling out of my driveway on a busy road.

Can you get some real time data readings via an OBD2 scan tool? A/F ratio and timing will provide some good baseline data to start troubleshooting.

My knee jerk diagnosis points to clogged/faulty fuel injector(s) or perhaps an issue with spark.

Can you post the service records from the dealership to illustrate their tests & observations to date?

 

[abenhammer]

Is it only when in gear? Have you tried to replicate it in park or neutral? If it does this when not in gear, then in theory you can rule out the transmission and focus on fuel, air, spark. It’s a start.

Also, find another dealer, because F those guys.

It does it in park as well, but harder to replicate as it is harder to keep the engine speed steady without the load from the drivetrain.

 

[abenhammer]

Can you get some real time data readings via an OBD2 scan tool? A/F ratio and timing will provide some good baseline data to start troubleshooting.

My knee jerk diagnosis points to clogged/faulty fuel injector(s) or perhaps an issue with spark.

Can you post the service records from the dealership to illustrate their tests & observations to date?

Bschurr will try to get this info to post.

 

[abenhammer]

What GOAT mode are you in on your daily commute (ECO/NORMAL/SPORT)? The throttle response is different and for some driver's it is unexpected. The throttle by wire "feel" is much different than the old-school cable throttle.

If you feel that it isn't responsive or lagging, then try driving in SPORT mode first. Some have opted for the ProCal while others have an intermediary product like Pedal Commander.

Beach_Bum I drive in Normal mode. I will give Sport a try though.

 

[VirginiaHeritage]

Beach_Bum I drive in Normal mode. I will give Sport a try though.

Be aware that once you try Sport Mode, especially on a winding back road, you’ll probably want to use it more often than you planned. It’s a whole different Bronco in Sport Mode. Steering, shifting, throttle response, etc.

 

[DALOLA]

I love sport mode in town/city driving, I just wish it wouldn't automatically engage 4A....it's annoying to have to click back to 2H every time. I know it's not a big deal, and I kind of get the logic behind it, but still think it would be better to remain in 2H, and then driver-select 4A if desired, vs the opposite.

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