Q: I felt a jolt while driving - could it be a transmission issue?

asked by on November 16, 2016

I was driving on the highway at highway speed when I thought I was rear-ended. I checked my mirrors and no other drivers were near me. As I was trying to process what happened I felt the jolt again. I stopped and checked for any clues to what had happened. I didn't see any leaks or signs of trouble. I decided to drive the car back to my house just a few miles away. On the way home at about 40-50 mph an AT light came on next to the dash gear indicator and the gear indicator got stuck on 3. By the time I got home the car was smoking but not overheated there was transmission oil that had overflowed out of the tranny dip stick tube.

My car has 110000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Hi. This is a good indication that the transmission has overheated and damaged a lot of the internal parts of the transmission. This could have been caused by low transmission fluid or extremely dirty transmission fluid causing a cloth in the transmission. Your transmission will need to be rebuilt or replaced with a new one to fix this problem. I suggest you take your car to a local transmission shop to get it repaired. Unfortunately, here at YourMechanic we do not replace transmission. We could offer a second opinion by having these symptoms diagnosed by one of our mobile technicians in order to confirm my suspicions and suggest an accurate repair. Best of luck.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Have to crank the engine a few times to get it to start.
Engine temperature can significantly affect vehicle components - especially electronics. An engine that won't start when hot usually indicates a problem in one of the vehicle's many circuits. Heat can cause thermal expansion and contraction, as well as increased electrical...
Water leak from engine block
This might be from a freeze plug. Freeze plugs are metal plugs installed on the engine. These plugs are designed to come out if coolant starts to freeze in the engine block to avoid cracking the block. Over time, water...
Throttle position sensor reads 13% at idle and 75% fully open.
No, you can't start messing with those because there are all kinds of sensors. If you set that up in the throttle position sensor, it's going to get wrong reading, and may get the wrong amount of air and confuse...
Why do I smell gas in the car?
There could be several reason why your car is smelling like gas. Your car's spark plugs (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/spark-plugs-replacement) could be very worn out and not firing properly, causing the gas not to be burned properly and creating a gas smell in...
If I replace the intake manifold gasket, is any computer reset involved?
You should not have any kind of computer reset unless your check engine light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) is on now. If it is on now then you would still need to have it checked and cleared after doing the {intake manifold gasket.](https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/intake-manifold-gaskets-replacement)...
Transmission or axle problem?
Hi there. Unfortunately, that sound you heard was most likely an internal component that has failed/broken. That doesn't mean that an axle failure couldn't be the source, either. This definitely needs to have an inspection to determine what has failed...
Where is the relay flasher located in the 2002 Hyundai XG350
Hello -both the flasher unit (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-replace-a-turn-signal-hazard-flasher-by-jessica-howe) and the relay for it are close to each other, and under the dash just left of the steering column. The knee crash pad will need to be removed to make it easier to...
i have 88 cadillac just got it with brand new tranny i think they damaged seal putting it in what would be my estimated cost for
The cost depends on which seal is leaking. If, for example, the leak is at a transaxle output shaft seal, you can input your year, make and model at the service page for axle shaft seals (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/axle-shaft-seal-replacement) to obtain a...
I have a question about my 2011 Hyundai Sonata my car will crank but won't start it's like the engine is trying too start but it's
If the starter motor does work and the engine cranks at adequate RPM, be sure there is adequate fuel in the fuel tank and that the fuel is not old. Download any OBD-II trouble codes that have been stored and...

Related articles

Tips for Taking Care of Your Exhaust System
Your Your car’s exhaust system might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to engine performance or personal safety, but it should be pretty high on that list. Your engine combusts fuel and air in order...
5 Signs Your Car Isn't Shifting Correctly
Improper shifting is a sign of car transmission problems. The solution might be simple or complex, but get it inspected to avoid expensive repairs.
How to Show a Teenager Basic Car Maintenance
Teaching Teaching a teen how to perform simple car maintenance gives them knowledge they can use for a lifetime. And while more complex tasks are probably over their ability level, teens should have no problem performing tasks such as checking...