2019 Ford Edge: What to check before buying

Transmission shudder is the dominant complaint. Drivers describe stuttering, slipping, bucking and hesitation between gears, usually from a stop up to about 40 mph and often with no warning light. Dealers commonly diagnose a failed torque converter or replace the whole transmission, mostly between about 39,500 and 90,000 miles. Some owners report the shudder returning after a torque converter repair or rebuild, and several say dealers found nothing wrong at first. Four reports involve crashes, including one where the vehicle would not accelerate. A smaller group describes stalling or coolant smoke from the engine.

Coolant leaking into the 2.0L EcoBoost causes the most serious failures. Owners report coolant vanishing without a low-level warning, white exhaust smoke, misfires, overheating and sudden shutdowns in traffic, sometimes followed by a full engine replacement at mileages from 38,997 to 75,000. Others need an EGR cooler replaced for an internal coolant leak, starting around 37,000 miles and sometimes repeated. Several owners cite a Ford service bulletin and say they paid out of pocket. Many complaints filed here actually describe transmission shudder and torque converter failures, and one owner reports repeated high-pressure fuel pump failures.

Coolant intrusion into the cylinders is the main failure. Typical signs are white tailpipe smoke, a burning coolant smell, a falling coolant level with no visible leak, overheating warnings, rough running and stalling. Several owners lose power or have the engine shut off while driving. The usual diagnosis is a replacement engine, with failures reported from roughly 33,867 to 71,000 miles. Owners frequently link the problem to a Ford service bulletin. Less common reports cover a stuck turbocharger wastegate causing power loss, a failed EGR valve, and a blown head gasket at high mileage.

Screen and module glitches lead this group. The Sync touchscreen turns blue or black, freezes on the audio or backup camera view, and sometimes needs a battery disconnect to reset. Some owners report the instrument cluster going dark, and one says the engine shut off at low speed and restarted in limp mode. Parallel park assist backing into another vehicle accounts for the one crash. Other reports cover erratic auto start/stop, repeated battery drain, a fractured wire to the rear differential triggering an AWD warning, and lane keeping that bounces between lines.

Swollen lug nuts are nearly the whole story. The capped factory nuts expand until the supplied lug wrench no longer fits, and dealers refuse tire rotations or brake work until all of them are replaced. Owners discover it anywhere from about 24,920 to 94,000 miles and pay roughly $110 to $259.20 for a new set, often outside any warranty. The main safety worry is being unable to remove a wheel to change a flat at the roadside. One owner separately reports repeated tire punctures.

Driver seat belts that jam are the main problem. The belt will not pull out, locks partway, or engages and then slips, leaving some owners driving unbelted. Several say it gets worse when the cabin is hot, above about 80 degrees. Dealers diagnose failed retractors in some cases, and at least two owners report the replacement part on back order. Other reports include a front belt that would not release, rear buckles unlatching with child seats installed, and a rear belt wearing through against a sharp trim edge.

Stalling and rough starts right after refueling dominate, especially when filling from near empty. Owners also describe lunging and bucking at low speeds and idle that feels ready to die. The fault often sets no light or code, so cars go through many dealer visits before a purge valve or low-side fuel pressure sensor is replaced. One owner paid $1,117.77 for a purge valve and line at 45,299 miles. Shutdowns in traffic, including in a rotary, are the main safety risk. Evaporative leak codes appear in a few reports.

Panoramic sunroof glass shatters without warning, most often at highway speeds of 60 to 75 mph, with a gunshot-like bang and no apparent impact. Owners with the shade closed avoid falling glass, but one driver cut a hand cleaning up the shards. Dealers sometimes blame a rock strike and decline warranty coverage. A rear door window also shattered while stopped and cut a child in a car seat. One owner reports the windshield wiper motor failing a second time.

Power liftgate faults top this category. The gate closes unexpectedly on people, in one case knocking an owner to the ground, or stops working intermittently and then recovers after sitting. The kick-to-open sensor can unlatch the hatch without a deliberate kick. Glass failures also appear, with the rear liftgate glass shattering when a door was closed and a sunroof blowing out while parked. Other reports cover driver door squeaks traced to the check arm attachment or water-damaged door structure, and a differential replaced on a new car.