Transmission is the part of a car that transmits power from the engine to the wheels. It's also called a gearbox, and it's one of the most complex pieces of machinery in your vehicle.
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The better you understand how this system works, the less likely you'll be at risk for costly repairs. Here are ten common causes that can lead to a transmission failure:
What is a transmission, and what does it do?
Before we get started, let's understand what a transmission is and how it works. A car's transmission transfers power from the engine to your vehicle's wheels or other powered elements (like an anti-lock brake system). It does this by converting rotational motion (side to side/back and forth) into some linear motion (forward and back) that enables your car to move.
It's not as complicated as it sounds. Still, there are different types of transmissions, including manual gearboxes with or without synchronized gears, automated-manual gearboxes (think “stick shift” or “clutchless manual”), and automatic transmissions.
#1 Manual transmissions
Manual gearboxes are generally less complicated and more reliable than automatic transmissions. Automatics have to deal with several other parts, including hydraulic pumps, torque converters, planetary gearsets, and electronic controls. Automatic transmissions also tend to overheat because too many components need power at once.
#2 Automatic transmissions
When you drive a car with an automatic transmission, the engine's power is automatically transmitted to the wheels. How does that happen? There are several components involved in making that work:
The transmission itself. The gears inside the casing of your gearbox (think “transmitting”) connect to both the engine and the wheels (depending on which gear you're in, of course).
The torque converter. This device transmits power from the engine to the transmission and then to the wheels. It's a bit like a multistage water pump: water flows into the top of the hydraulic ram and pushes down on an up-and-down piston inside it. If you've ever seen a hydraulic car jack at work, you have a good idea of how a torque converter works.
The transmission fluid. It's what transfers power from the engine to the wheels and keeps your gears cool when you're driving around town.
The ten most common causes of transmission problems
So what can go wrong? Just about anything, but these ten problems are the most common culprits:
#1 Low fluid level
This is a problem you should be aware of even if your automatic transmission doesn't have a dipstick — unless your car has an electronic gauge. If your gearbox is losing fluid, it's not going to transfer power properly. In some cases, it might even overheat.
Repair costs: $100 to $300.
#2 Fluid contamination
If your car's fluid is dirty, it might not transfer power properly. If it's contaminated with water, you risk corrosion and rust damage to internal components.
Repair costs: $100 to $300.
#3 Clutch or torque converter problems
A clutch is a crucial part of an automatic transmission that disengages the engine from the wheels (and vice versa) when you aren't accelerating. If your gearbox has a worn-out one, it might slip — that means there's no longer enough clamping force to hold the various gears together inside your transmission.
In older transmissions, this can be caused by a lack of lubrication and wear and tear over time. In addition, a slipping clutch will increase strain on highly-stressed components in a transmission system, so if a clutch gives out entirely, your gears will probably strip, and you'll need a new gearbox.
Repair costs: $1,500 to $2,000.
#4 Transmission fluid contamination with coolant
It's easy for water in your cooling system to drip into your automatic transmission and contaminate the fluid with rust-inducing minerals such as magnesium and calcium. If enough water gets in there, it can corrode components.
Repair costs: $700 to $1,000.
#5 Worn out or malfunctioning solenoids or sensors
Transmissions use electrical circuits to control different functions (like shifting up and down). These include solenoids (axles that move in and out of place) and sensors (electronic devices that measure how much power is flowing from the engine to the wheels at any given moment).
Repair costs: $1,000 to $2,500.
#6 Torque converter problems
A torque converter plays a crucial role in automatic transmissions. It's a hydraulic pump that multiplies engine power — it sends out more energy than the engine puts in.
If your car's torque converter malfunctions, you'll notice right away because it will make grinding or growling noises as the transmission tries to force extra power into the system.
Repair costs: $700 to $1,200.
#7 Fluid leak or broken seal from damage from water exposure
The fluid in an automatic transmission has rust inhibitors and special additives designed for heat resistance. But if enough coolant mixes with this fluid, it starts to lose its effectiveness.
Repair costs: $200 to $400.
#8 Clutch or torque converter problems
The transmission's clutch and the hydraulic pump that transfers power from the engine are vulnerable when your automatic transmission fluid is low. If you don't have enough fluid there, they can overheat and become damaged.
Repair costs: $1,000 to $2,500.
#9 Incorrectly routed vacuum hose or improperly connected wiring harnesses
If a part of the car's electrical system isn't directly linked to what happens in your automatic transmission, it won't do its job properly.
The most common example is a broken vacuum hose. This means an engine-driven component won't respond when it should.
Repair costs: $200 to $400 (for each hose).
#10 Worn out and out of calibration solenoids and sensors
Sensors and solenoids help the automatic transmission's computer determine what gear your car is in at any given moment, whether the engine needs more power or too much power, how hot the fluid is (to prevent overheating), etc.
If these components wear out before their time — which can happen if you don't change your transmission fluid frequently enough — they'll start reporting incorrect data to the computer, which will then instruct other parts of your car to behave incorrectly.
Repair costs: $1,000 $2,500 for each faulty solenoid or sensor.
How to prevent these problems from happening?
Since transmission problems can cost a lot of money to fix, you'll want to do everything possible to avoid them.
#1 Keep your automatic transmission fluid clean and changed
Change your automatic transmission's fluid every 30,000 miles or earlier if the car is infrequent stop-and-go city traffic with lots of short trips. If you use your car for towing or hauling heavy loads, change the fluid even more often.
# 2 Keep your battery clean and free from corrosion
Basic automotive maintenance. A car can't run without a properly charged battery, so make sure yours is always in good working order.
#3 Replace worn-out or malfunctioning parts as soon as you notice they're not working as well as they should be
Regularly maintaining your car's parts is the best way to avoid expensive repairs down the road.
#4 Keep your automatic transmission fluid clean and changed
Change your automatic transmission‘s fluid every 30,000 miles or earlier if the car is infrequent stop-and-go city traffic with lots of short trips. If you use your car for towing or hauling heavy loads, change the fluid even more often.
What to do if your transmission starts acting up?
If your car starts making odd noises or if you notice its shifting isn't as smooth as it used to be, bring it in for a comprehensive check — even if there are no warning lights on the dashboard.
Most car manufacturers recommend getting your automatic transmission fluid changed every 30,000 miles or earlier if the car is infrequent stop-and-go city traffic with lots of short trips to avoid serious transmission problems down the road.
Is it worth fixing transmission problems?
If your car is in great shape otherwise, it might not make sense to pay for transmission repair. However, if you want to keep your car for many more years, fixing the problem right away is the only way to avoid even bigger problems later.
There are some factors to consider before spending any money fixing major transmission problems:
#1 How many miles does the car have on it?
Replacing parts becomes more expensive as your car gets older — so if you want to keep your car for a long time, fixing relatively inexpensive problems right away may save you money in the long run. On the other hand, if your car is already 12 or 16 years old and has close to 200,000 miles on it, it may not make sense to fix relatively minor problems.
#2 How much does the car cost?
Suppose you paid $10,000 for your car several years ago and have put 100,000 miles on it since then; having the transmission fixed will probably be a smart thing to do. But, on the other hand, if you're driving a 15-year old car that's worth only $1,000-$2,500 bucks — and has close to 200,000 miles on it — fixing the problem may not be worthwhile. So it might make more sense to get rid of the car instead.
#3 The condition of the rest of your vehicle
Keep in mind that if you have a high mileage car, to begin with, and your transmission is going out, you might have other problems too.
- Overheating: If the automatic transmission fluid is leaking, your vehicle's cooling system may be compromised as well — which means you'll need to replace it at the same time as the transmission. On top of that, if there's a leak in any part of the radiator or hoses, running the engine with those leaks will damage it over time – so you'll need to fix those issues as well.
- Other parts are failing: Similarly, worn-out belts and hoses can lead to expensive failures down the road — like premature wear on other drivetrain components like bearings and brakes. So if one thing goes wrong, it's a good idea to check everything else as well.
What are the common vehicles with transmission problems?
While most transmission problems are common to all types of cars, some brands and models have a reputation for having more transmission issues.
For example:
Some late-model Lexus vehicles have been known to have automatic transmissions fail in only 30,000 miles. In addition, it's been reported that Buick Rainier SUVs from 2004 have had similar issues when the vehicle has over 50,000 miles on it. Mercedes-Benz is another car company with a history of faulty transmissions — particularly on its sport utility and crossover vehicles like the M-Class (W163 model) and R-Class. Several owners across several models and years of these cars regularly complain about problems with their automatic transmissions – including premature wear, slipping, jerking, and sudden downshifting from overdrive into the lower gears.
How to avoid costly transmission repairs?
In some cases, you can avoid costly transmission problems by following a few simple guidelines:
- Avoid short trips – as this is when the most damage to your vehicle's engine happens. If you have to drive less than 5-10 miles — walk or ride a bike instead of taking your car. And whenever possible, use public transportation for longer trips — like buses and trains.
- Keep it in “Overdrive” as often as possible: Keeping your car in “overdrive” (a higher gear) helps maximize gas mileage and reduces strain on the engine. For vehicles with an automatic transmission, remember that they're most fuel-efficient at speeds between 40 and 55 mph (65 and 90 km/h). For manual transmissions, stay in the higher gears as often as possible to increase fuel economy.
- Keep your car serviced: One of the most common causes of transmission problems is late maintenance. Remember that your vehicle's owner's manual has a recommended service schedule for everything from oil changes to “tune-ups.” If you're one of those people who tends to put off servicing their car – or just never got around to doing it — now would be a good time to follow that advice.
- Maintain your car regularly: Worn parts are more likely to fail if they haven't been properly maintained over time. So make sure you have all worn parts inspected by a professional mechanic whenever you have your car serviced. And replace them as soon as possible – to avoid having the same problems down the road.
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Conclusion
If you're familiar with the ten most common causes of transmission problems, you can work to avoid them as much as possible.
Regular maintenance and timely repairs are your best bet in keeping your car running smoothly. However, if you do experience transmission problems, don't wait — bring your car in for a comprehensive checkup right away.