3.5 motor. Car has done only 74,000 miles. When I bought it there was a pronounced vibration in the steering wheel and audible in the cabin. I assumed it was probably engine mounts, but no, it isn't. The vibration only occurs in drive with power applied. It goes away above 2,500 rpm or so.

Last night I was driving home and twice - each time when descending a hill - the car dropped into what felt like second gear, and wouldn't accelerate, making a sort of straining sound. I stopped on a side road, switched off, waited a few minutes and then restarted it.

It now drives fine and the vibration has reduced by about 50%. But obviously I am concerned there might be something serious about to happen. The transmission has always changed like it was brand new, the dipstick oil is pink and clean. I'm really surprised to be having trouble at such a low mileage, both my Gen IV Max's went past 160K miles with zero transmission problems and are still going I believe...

 

Nobody have any ideas?

 

Any codes? Did your dash read out change from D to 2? Any RPM change? It was descending, so throttle was not applied, coasting, so to speak? Did the AT light blink? Does it now prior to start-up?

If I'm coming down a hill I'll use 2nd, and I get a vibration @ certain RPM, but that's normal on any vehicle. But I don't get a dead/no response throttle.

 

No codes at present. I didn't really get a chance to see what the gear indicator read on the dash ... I was too worried about what to do, being in heavy traffic. Car is now driving fine except for continuing vibration, not as bad as before. I guess I am going to have to drop the pan and see if there is any evidence.